The Old West. It was a time loose on laws and hinged on heroics, villainy, and endless expansion. Well, at least, that’s how we tend to think of it.
There’s no denying that the American Frontier is a setting that makes for a wonderful backdrop to a great game. Western’s work as shorthand for adventure, style, and outstanding characters.
Red Dead Redemption 2
The Western RPG of this decade. Everything from the narrative to the characters to the hunting, Rockstar delivered. Despite releasing in 2018, people are still playing as John Marsten discovering little details about the world.
Experience the next chapter in Arthur Morgan’s story in a classic Western style in this single-player RPG. You’ll collect ever more powerful weapons and explore a rich and immersive world as you fight for your gang to hold off the Pinkertons, the O’Driscolls, the Lemoyne Raiders, and more.
Complete with some NPCs playing the banjo on their front porch, RDR2 captured the essence of what makes a Western-style game fun. For a preview of what this game has to offer, follow this.
Hunt: Showdown
Hunt: Showdown is another 2018 release (early access anyways with the full release in 2019). This multiplayer first-person shooter, developed by Crytek, includes some nightmarish enemies to vanquish. With both PvE and PvP elements, this title includes options for different playstyles including the ability to play with some friends.
Set in Louisiana, there are two distinct modes: Bounty Hunt and Soul Survivor.
Bounty Hunt has you team up, with up to two other players, to hunt clues and take down a boss to claim its bounty. Be aware that once you have claimed said bounty this will cause other players to hunt you to steal it. Getting to an extraction point quickly is a necessity.
Soul Survivor is a battle royale that occurs in fifteen-minute rounds. Starting with minimal equipment, you’ll scavenge for better weapons with the task of finding four Rifts on the map to activate the Wellspring. The first player to activate the fourth Rift becomes the Wellspring Carrier who then needs to defend themselves until they are either the last one standing or they deplete the Wellspring.
Take a look for yourself at this trailer.
Desperados III
A real-time tactical stealth game doesn’t automatically sound like your typical Western-style video game but Desperados III makes it work. Released in 2020 and developed by Mimimi Games, this is a real gem for players who enjoy tactical stealth and real-time mechanics.
Play as a member of John Cooper's growing gang as they venture through the Old West in this gritty tale of adventure. With a soundtrack that sounds like a cross between Western music mixed with modern rock, you’ll love the feel of this game. Here’s a peek at a gameplay trailer.
Red Dead Online
Rockstar extended its RDR2 legacy by releasing Red Dead Online as a separate standalone title in 2020. Set one year before the events of RDR2, you’ll experience unique story missions and have a chance to explore the world alone or in a posse. The gameplay elements are largely similar to the single-player experience including missions, hunting, and dueling with some distinct and important differences especially when it comes to commerce.
One of the major additions to the online game is competitive events. With up to 32 players, you can join events including a deathmatch without firearms or a horse race.
If you love the single-player experience and want something new or want to try the Red Dead experience with other players, this title is for you. Enjoy this look at RDO.
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger
After the relatively mediocre reception of Call of Juarez: The Cartel, developer Techland was looking to recapture what had made this franchise great. In 2013, they did just that.
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger is a fantastic example of what a video game can do with an unreliable narrator. This grandiose tale follows Silas Greaves, a bounty hunter, through an elaborate and sometimes contradictory tale in this first-person shooter. You’ll saddle up with or square off against legendary figures including Billy the Kid, Butch Cassidy, the Sundance Kid, and even the Pinkertons end up making an appearance.
Similarly to RDR2, Call of Juarez employs a concentration mode that allows you to slow down time and get those precision shots. As you search for ever more powerful weapons, you’ll progress through sequential missions. For a feel of the game, go here.
Blood West
Blood West is a retro-style first-person shooter with stealth elements. Released in 2023 after development by Hyperstrange, Blood West combines eldritch-style horror with the excitement of a Western FPS.
You’ll play your way through three different scenarios working to purge a curse and free your soul. As you roam the barren lands, you’ll meet interesting characters that add to the well-developed character of this easy-to-miss gem. While the inventory system could use a little polishing, it’s worth a playthrough if you’re a fan of zombie shooters.
Check this title out here!
Railway Empire
This strategy train simulator, developed by Gaming Minds Studios and released in 2018, will allow you to connect towns to railways to enlarge your ever-growing empire.
If you have ever dreamed of controlling a train, this game is worth a playthrough. The detail on the numerous train models you can purchase is impressive.
The cons do include some clunky UI and general weirdness in laying track, both of which are very prevalent in the gameplay, but once you’ve learned your way around these issues it’s a fun little game.
To check if this game is for you, follow this.
Hard West 2
Developed by Ice Code Games and released in 2022, this sequel is a tactical RPG with character. With gameplay that feels like a modified version of XCOM: Enemy Unknown, the appeal of this indie title is apparent. I love a good turn-based game.
You’ll play as Gin Carter who, in the attempt to rob a train, finds themselves dealing with a demon bent on stealing your soul. You’ll have to spend your action points wisely to advance and get that soul back. A combination of tactical and boldness is necessary to reach the end as it can get a little tricky at times.
Hard West 2 has come a long way from the original. For all my fellow turn-based fans, check out this preview.
Kill The Crows
A small top-down arena-style shooter from 5minlab can make for the perfect change of pace from some of the graphics-heavy titles on this list. Released in 2023, this indie title came into its own on its laurels.
The gunfights are intense, action-packed, and oh-so-satisfying when you beat them. If you were a fan of Vampire Survivors, this is up your alley. Always punishing, with one-shot kills, you’ll get a lot of gameplay for the wonderfully low price tag.
Once you’ve watched this trailer, give the demo a try on Steam!
Fistful of Frags
This multiplayer first-person shooter is a Half-Life 2 mod available for free on Steam. Go, you can get it now! Developed by the Fistful of Frags Team and released in 2014, this was a labor of love and it shows.
The fanbase tends to be a dedicated one, so it can be daunting getting into it when you’re new.
Sporting between 12 and 20 players, you’ll get to join in on team-based or free-for-all shootouts Old West style. In addition, there are some cooperative games against AI. Good old-fashioned fun.
Have a look for yourself.
Weird West
Weird West is a top-down ARPG developed by WolfEye Studios and released in 2022. You’ll play through five unique chapters following different characters that all tie back together into an intriguing narrative. Take the role of American frontier heroes such as a retired bounty hero forced to pick up her gun and go on the offensive again.
There’s a lot of style here, and I love the art direction. While there were a few spots throughout the game that started to feel a little tedious, it’s an easy recommendation especially if you can find it on sale. Check it out here.
West Hunt
West Hunt is a social deduction game developed by NextGen and released in 2023. You’ll play as the sheriff or an outlaw each with their distinctive roles to play.
As the sheriff, it is your job to root out and eliminate the outlaw/s among the villagers, consisting of a mix of players and NPCs. Just be careful as eliminating the wrong character is game over for the sheriff. As the outlaw, you'll have random missions to complete with objectives including stealing from the bank or poisoning the well in addition to hiding from the sheriff.
Take a look here!
West of Loathing
West of Loathing is a rootin’-tootin’ good time if I’ve ever had one. This comedic RPG, developed by Asymmetric and released in 2017, was one of the better recommendations I’ve gotten in a while. The sequel Shadows Over Loathing released in 2022, while not a Western, is also noteworthy.
The stick figure art style fits perfectly with the genuinely amusing slapstick comedy this story provides. Once you leave the family farm as one of the pre-generated starting characters, you’ll begin your adventure through the Old West fighting cows and scrounging for meat (which is the game's currency).
For everyone who has played, I have one question. Did you go digging through every spittoon as well? Every. Single. One. If you’re looking for a lighthearted story with quality turn-based combat to match, check what’s in store here.
Westerado: Double Barreled
Developed by Ostrich Banditos and released in 2015, Westerado is a classic story of revenge. In this short pixelated top-down shooter, you’ll fight to avenge your murdered family as you wander from town to town searching for clues as to the murderer's whereabouts.
This Western adventure features an open world to explore and several exciting characters to meet. There’s a surprising depth to the gameplay as it features a faction system and allows you to kill NPC’s, even at the player’s detriment, all in the name of figuring out who wronged you.
For a closer look at Westerado, view this trailer.
Colt Canyon
This indie title, developed by Retrific and released in 2020, is bang for your buck. While I do immediately recommend going into the Color Blind Settings and turning on High Contrast mode, Colt Canyon is a fun little roguelike. The title employs a co-op mode, so it is great for some couch co-op.
There are many unlockable characters, but you will start as a cowboy in this action-packed 2D shooter. Run, shoot, collect weapons, die, and then try it all again with the easy-to-learn and hard-to-master mentality. Check out this trailer.
