Eight years after the release of Red Dead Redemption, gamers are able to revisit the open-world Western with the prequel Red Dead Redemption 2.
What made the original Red Dead Redemption so successful can only be attributed to a multitude of factors, ranging from the excellent use of music to dynamic gameplay elements such as the ability to mark several shooting targets in slow motion. Key to the Red Dead experience, however, is, of course, the Western atmosphere and gunslinging environment, a setting for which there is a (perhaps surprising) lack of good video games.
If you’ve exhausted the Red Dead Redemption 2 gameplay and are looking for something different, here are some older yet noteworthy Wild West titles we think might scratch your gaming itch.
Call of Juarez
This first-person shooter was first released in 2006 but stands the test of time and spawned a successful Juarez series. In the original Call of Juarez, gamers switch between playing as two protagonists with different game styles (shoot’em up vs. stealth). A classic revenge storyline is what motivates these characters, one of whom is Ray McCall, a gunslinger turned preacher who incorrectly believes that his nephew, Billy “Candle”, is responsible for the death of his brother and wife. While hunting Billy down for revenge, Billy seeks to find the true killers of his father and mother, who committed the murders while Billy was away searching for the legendary ‘Gold of Juarez’. Alternating gameplay styles is one of the game’s strong points, but many of its most enjoyable aspects are also centered around the incorporation of classic Wild West tropes such as the ‘quick duel draw’.
Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West
This team-based shooter game is an oldie (released in 2009 by indie game developers Fatshark) but worth a play for the numerous game modes to choose between, and its great Old West American atmosphere. Shoot-outs take place in settings such as gold mines, cornfields, deserts and woodshack towns. Each character in the game has their own weapons and abilities, each with unique pros and cons. Strong teamwork is essential in this game, with players’ strengths boosted through cooperation. Interestingly, ‘Lead and Gold’ is often compared to the version of Team Fortress 2 also based in the Wild West, so check out this shooter if you enjoy the TF2 style of multiplayer game.
Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive
Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive not only captures the essence of the Wild West through its gameplay and narrative but also through its meticulous attention to the thematic elements of the genre. The game immerses players in a world where every decision has weight and consequence, mirroring the unforgiving nature of the frontier. The characters, each with their unique traits and backstories, embody the diverse archetypes of Western lore, from the rugged outlaw to the sharpshooting renegade. This diversity in characters allows for varied gameplay experiences, as players must leverage each character’s special skills to navigate through complex missions.
The game’s emphasis on stealth and strategy over brute force requires players to think like true outlaws, planning their moves carefully and anticipating their foes’ actions. This strategic depth is complemented by challenging AI, which reacts intelligently to the player’s actions, adding a layer of realism and unpredictability to the gameplay.
GUN
One of the top Wild West games of all time, GUN is known for its influential take on open-world combat and classic cowboys and Indians narrative. The game received primarily positive reviews and even won GameSpy’s Xbox Game of the Year Award. Besides the action, gamers can enjoy a number of side missions in GUN. Just like in the Red Dead Redemption, there’s the option to play a minigame of poker, along with other characteristic cowboy activities like cattle herding and bounty hunting. A number of weapons can be used (including dynamite and whiskey bombs) though some need to be unlocked. Gamers will also appreciate the ability to switch between first-person and third-person perspectives depending on the weapons used.
Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath
The fictional universe ‘Oddworld’ has given fans four titles that are still adored by lovers of retro gaming, and the final installment in the series takes on a Wild West setting. The action-adventure game takes place on the Oddworld planet instead of the American Old West, but classic cowboy tropes still define Stranger’s Wrath. The ‘stranger’, in this case, is a bounty hunter who wants to pay for a life-saving operation through the cash he earns catching outlaws. All Oddworld titles have a highly creative and original feel, filled with morals and social criticism interwoven into the storyline – Stranger’s Wrath is no exception. This particular Wild West game is perfect for those who like fantasy elements in their gameplay.
Summary
The original Red Dead Redemption and RDR2 both earned several awards. The longevity and detail are reasons why this franchise has become the go-to for Wild West gameplay. However, if you want a change, the titles discussed here are worth considering.