Have you ever wanted to become the best gunslinger in the Wild Wild West?

Have you ever wanted to host a party with a Western theme because you enjoy this concept so much?

Are you interested in games with a sprawling open world with some wild west themes?

Well, you will enjoy our list of the best wild west games to play! Whether it’s a turn-based tactics game or a Western FPS, we have something for all Western fans. Even those who enjoy the weird West the most. On this list, we picked the best Western video games we could find in our archives for your enjoyment! So, if you like wild guns, grab your twin-stick shooter, and let’s bring those ruthless outlaws to justice!

• Release Date: 2018

• Developer: Rockstar Studios

• Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, Stadia

• Meta Score: 97

Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic open-world action-adventure video game and the only game on our list that could be compared to epic adventures such as Star Wars or Lord of the Rings. It’s a prequel to the original Red Dead Redemption, set in the late 1800s, capturing the final years of the Wild West era.

Regarding world-building, it’s a vast and stunningly detailed open world, an epic tale portrayed in the rugged landscapes of the American frontier. You can travel from snowy mountains to dense forests, little villages to bustling towns – every location feels alive and filled with rich detail.

You play as Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang. You will find yourself in many complex and morally ambiguous narratives, trying to understand the concepts of loyalty, survival, and the decline of the outlaw style of life.

Gameplay is also on a completely different level. Players can engage in intense gunfights, go on thrilling missions and heists, interact with many NPCs, and even engage in pretty detailed hunting and fishing. Exploration is encouraged and rewarded, as there are numerous side quests, dynamic encounters, and hidden treasures worldwide.

One of the game's standout features is its attention to detail and realism. The world reacts dynamically to the player's actions and choices, with consequences that can impact the story and Arthur's reputation. Overall, gamers call this one of the best games ever created, not only in the wild west genre.

• Release Date: 2022

• Developer: CreativeForge Games

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4

• Meta Score: 73

Another on our list is the Hard West, a turn-based combat, tactical strategy game. It combines elements of the Wild West with supernatural horror and dark forces, so you know you are in for the ride. It’s a dark and twisted version of the Old West called Hard West. A gritty and unforgiving world filled with danger, mystery, and supernatural occurrences.

Players take on the role of multiple characters, like Warren an undead gunslinger, his Father/The Undertaker and Solomon DeLear with his incredible inventions. They need to strategically plan their actions to overcome powerful demons and the Devil himself. The combat mechanics are pretty diverse, allowing players to utilize cover, special abilities, and a variety of weapons. Utilizing half and full covers is the key to survival.

You can encounter demons, dark rituals, and strange artifacts throughout the game. Thanks to those fantasy elements, you can use them in your journey or come to a quick death. Additionally, an exciting story covers revenge, redemption, and the consequences of one's choices. Speaking of those, the ones you will be making can have far-reaching effects, shaping the story and the fate of the characters.

Regarding graphics, Hard West is a stylized and atmospheric depiction of the Wild West. The art direction combines dark and gritty aesthetics with Western iconography. It is a challenge, that’s for sure, but it is a fair one, with lots of mysteries, gangs, fear, and loathing, all with the cowboy theme spread all over this game. It’s not one of the big hits, but it’s a breath of fresh air in the genre.

• Release Date: 2022

• Developer: Flying Wild Hog

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

• Meta Score: 75

Evil West is another sci-fi twist on our beloved wild west genre. As there may not be a lot of horseback riding here or any animals, the surprise of finding out that not even aliens but vampires haunted the wild west is something unique.

The main focus of the game is to survive. There is a great menace all over the American frontier. Unlike the other Wild West’s based stories, here you are fighting with vampires as one of the last agents from the vampire-hunting institute. You aim to eliminate all the undead (not zombies) and save the United States from the blood-sucking monstrosities.

As for the gameplay, the game offers a lot of entertaining choices, with unique weapons, a lightning-fueled gauntlet, and multiple gadgets that may not be usually associated with the Wild West. While fighting the hordes of enemies, you can unlock additional perks, upgrade your weapons and tools and wonder how it all came to this.

Additionally, a great co-op mode allows you to play with your friends or family, get together on horses and start dealing with a bunch of bloodthirsty animals. In the end, it’s a wild ride, like all in the wild west, and in this case, it’s the best kind of wildness. Definitely a great option for those who want to play a Western game with a little twist.

• Release Date: 2020

• Developer: Mimimi Games

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, macOS

• Meta Score: 86

Next up on our list is something more based in reality – Desperados 3.  It’s a real-time tactics game and a prequel to the original Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive. You take control of a group of unlikely heroes, each with their unique skills and abilities. The main drive of the game is the strategic planning and tactical execution during missions.

Desperados III puts a lot of emphasis on stealth, careful observation, and clever manipulation of the environment. You must utilize the distinct abilities of each character to overcome obstacles. Whether it's the sharpshooting John Cooper, the distraction-based character of Kate O'Hara, or the brute force giant Hector Mendoza, each one of them brings a different set of tools to the table.

Regarding visuals and art style, the game captures the essence of the Wild West like probably no other on this list, with the exception of Red Dead Redemption, thanks to the detailed environment, atmospheric lighting, and dynamic weather effects. The characters are greatly designed and full of wild-west vibes. If you want to play a game that is immersed in the world of the wild west, you should give this one a chance. After all, who wouldn’t want to be the Wild West Superhero?

• Release Date: 2013

• Developer: Techland

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch

• Meta Score: 79

Next up on our list is the Polish game Call of Juarez: Gunslinger. The game's narrative is based around a fellow named Silas, recounting his adventures to an audience in a saloon, while simultaneously blurring the lines between reality and his exaggerated tales.

The gameplay is focused on fast-paced gunfights. The shooting mechanic is definitely the most satisfying element of the game, with various weapons to use, including revolvers, shotguns, and rifles.

One of the most important features of Call of Juarez is the "narrative-shooter" gameplay style. The story unfolds dynamically as Silas recounts his adventures, with the environment and events changing in response to his narration and, well, drunkenness. It adds an extra layer of immersion and unpredictability to the narrative.

While playing, you gain experience that you can spend to upgrade different abilities, such as enhanced aiming, dual-wielding, or slowing time during combat. When it comes to visuals, they capture the essence of the Wild West, featuring detailed environments, dusty towns, and iconic Western landscapes.

In the end, Call of Juarez, like many predecessors, is just a compelling story filled with memorable characters, unexpected twists, and a lot of humor. It pays homage to classic Western films while still being an action-packed experience. If you are looking for something wild-west, they don’t have anything greater than this one.

• Release Date: 2010

• Developer: Obsidian Entertainment

• Platforms: PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360

• Meta Score: 84

Fallout: New Vegas is not an obvious choice, but it’s essentially a Western game if you think about it. In a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by nuclear war, you roam through the Mojave desert while fighting off the enemies with revolvers and rifles. In our book – you can’t go much more west than that.

The game takes place in the year 2281, about four years after the events of Fallout 3. You are the "Courier," left for dead in unknown circumstances. You go on a quest for revenge and answers in the Mojave Wasteland and the ruins of Las Vegas.

The game offers a vast and immersive open world with wastelands, crumbling buildings, and remnants of the 1950s pre-war civilization. It’s a unique mix of old/new technology and a retro aesthetic that gamers all over the world loved in the first three installments of the game.

Players have the freedom to make choices that impact the narrative and can shape the fate of factions and characters they encounter. There are many branching storylines with multiple sections trying to take control of the Mojave Wasteland, with even a Roman cult that crucifies their enemies.

Regarding the gameplay, you can customize your character's attributes, skills, and abilities, allowing for diverse playstyles and approaches to combat, from melee to shooting. You can engage in real-time combat or use the "Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System" (V.A.T.S.), which allows you to pause the game and target specific body parts of enemies.

Additionally, the game offers a great crafting system that allows you to create and modify weapons, ammunition, and items using various materials in the wasteland. Fallout: New Vegas is a captivating post-apocalyptic adventure that allows you to shape your own stories and explore the complexities of a harsh wasteland we all loved to gamble in before the war.

• Release Date: 2019

• Developer: Crytek

• Platforms: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One. Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5

• Meta Score: 81

Coming back to the more classic westerns, we have the Hunt: Showdown. It’s a multiplayer first-person shooter with elements of survival, PvP, and a dark and atmospheric setting. Players take on the role of bounty hunters tasked with tracking down and eliminating supernatural creatures. So it’s still the wild west, but – mutants style. The games are set in a gothic horror with many rural landscapes, swamps, and abandoned towns.

The gameplay revolves around intense PvPvE (Player versus Player versus Environment), where you form teams or go solo into the monster-infested maps searching for bounties. The main objective is to locate and defeat boss creatures while facing the threat of other players hunting down the same targets.

There is a lot of planning and strategy in the game and sound and environmental cues are crucial; you must navigate the map stealthily to avoid alerting monsters or other players. Ammunition and resources are limited, requiring careful management and making every shot and action count. Upon completing a bounty hunt, you earn rewards that can be used to upgrade your weapons, equipment, and abilities.

When it comes to the visual design and audio, it all complements the eerie and immersive atmosphere. And it’s just on a very high level like in most Crytek games. It’s dark, gloomy, and perfect if you want some tense and atmospheric experience.

• Release Date: 2005

• Developer: Oddworld Inhabitants, Just Add Water (PC/PlayStation 3), Square One (iOS/Android/BlackBerry), Ouya

• Platforms: Xbox, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, OnLive, PlayStation Vita, iOS, Android, Ouya, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

• Meta Score: 88

And here we have the old and gold – Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath. It’s an action-adventure game following the story of Stranger, a bounty hunter in the unique and imaginative world of Oddworld. This time, it’s set in a Western-themed environment. You will find elements of third-person shooting and platforming in this fascinating odd world.

As mentioned, you take on the role of Stranger, an enigmatic bounty hunter armed with a crossbow that fires live creatures instead of ammunition. These creatures, known as "live ammo," have different abilities and can be used to capture bounties and fight enemies.

The gameplay combines stealth and action, allowing you to choose your approach in each encounter. Whether you enjoy using stealth to take down enemies or engage in intense gunfights, you can play however you like.

Regarding the visuals, it’s a vast and stunning world with diverse landscapes, from sprawling towns to dangerous wilderness areas with interactive elements. Although the game has some years in its metric, it’s still a wonderfully crazy experience. The engaging storyline with memorable characters and a touch of dark humor makes it still playable even after so many years.

Oddworld: Stranger's Wrath is just a must-have for Western-themed games. It has compelling storytelling, charm, and creativity that the Oddworld series is known for. One of the best titles on our list, even if you have not played the previous games.

Whether engaging in intense gunfights, navigating difficult moral choices, or exploring vast open worlds, Western games provide many different ways of experiencing the worlds already gone. Some of them opt for historical accuracy with fictional elements and themes to create compelling narratives and immersive gameplay. Some just go bananas and build a completely new and different world from what we have known for years now.

From classics like Call of Juarez, Oddworld, and Fallout: New Vegas to more recent titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Hunt: Showdown, Western games have continued to captivate audiences worldwide with immersive worlds. In the end, the element of the bygone era is still so attractive to many players worldwide, as it allows them to experience the Wild West's thrill, danger, and allure in the safe chair in their home. It’s similar to the popular Westworld TV show, people just love the wild, wild west, best experienced from some distance though.

Thank you for checking out our article on the best Western games ever created. We hope that you managed to find something for yourself, as we put a lot of effort into presenting you with possibly the best gaming experience related to the Wild West. Every fan of this genre knows those are some of the most unique in engaging titles and are all available at Royal CD Keys. That’s it for today. We will see you next time!