Review

Evil West

When I first heard that **Evil West** was delayed to November, the same month as **God of War Ragnarök**, I thought the developers were either extremely confident in their game or unaware of market competition. Since this is not Flying Wild Hog’s first game, and in fact, their third release this year, expectations for a groundbreaking title were low given the studio’s moderate size. So, is it worth buying?

Flying Wild Hog released two other games this year: **Shadow Warrior 3**, a shooter, and **Trek to Yomi**, a Japanese 2D platformer inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s samurai films. **Evil West** takes place in an alternate Wild West where bounty hunters fight vampires. Yes, you heard that right—vampires and cowboys. A mix of Doom and Red Dead Redemption. But does it live up to its unique premise?

While **Evil West** has a unique concept, its gameplay feels familiar. If you’ve just played **God of War**, you might notice similarities. Both are linear story-driven games with a focus on combat, exploration, and environmental puzzles. Let’s dive into the story first.

Story

The story takes place in an alternate universe where vampires coexist with humans. The U.S. government has created the **Rentier Institute** to combat vampires and prevent their crimes. You play as Jesse, the son of the institute’s leader, tasked with stopping the vampires’ latest plan to dominate humans. While the plot is straightforward, it feels like a setup for potential sequels. The rich world-building is underutilized, and the ending leaves the door open for more stories in this universe.

The cinematic sequences and characters are well-acted, though intentionally exaggerated, parodying the spaghetti westerns of the 1960s and 70s. Personally, I loved the world and characters, and I’d be excited to see a sequel with a deeper narrative. The game took me about 15 hours to complete, and the fast-paced gameplay made it feel even shorter.

Gameplay

The gameplay is the star of the show. It reminded me a lot of **God of War** with its combat arenas scattered across the map. Once enemies are defeated, you’re free to explore. The combat features a vast arsenal of weapons and moves that make every fight exhilarating. You start with a powerful melee glove, and as you progress, you unlock various firearms like a revolver, shotgun, flamethrower, and an electric gauntlet—the highlight of combat.

The electric gauntlet allows you to pull enemies towards you or dash to them, creating seamless and dynamic combat sequences. Pairing this with other moves opens up endless possibilities. The skill tree enhances both the character and weapons, making progression rewarding.

Exploration resembles **God of War**, as you gather coins to upgrade your weapons. While exploration is limited to finding coins, the focus remains on combat. Environmental puzzles add some variety, though they’re simple and involve figuring out how to reach certain areas.

The game also features challenging boss fights. By the end, it feels like a **Dark Souls** experience due to the difficulty, but I enjoyed it because of the powerful arsenal and moves at my disposal. If you prefer easier gameplay, multiple difficulty levels are available, including **Permadeath** mode for those seeking a brutal challenge.

The game also supports co-op, making it even more fun when played with a friend.

Graphics and Sound

The graphics are stunning, especially for a linear game. The environments are diverse, with each level showcasing a unique color palette. Despite its visual richness, the technical performance remains stable. Cinematic cutscenes and facial animations exceeded my expectations for a mid-budget game.

While the music is subtle and often unnoticed, the sound effects are phenomenal. Audio cues enhance gameplay by signaling when to dodge or react, adding depth to combat.

In conclusion, **Evil West** isn’t the greatest game of the year, but it’s a fun and engaging experience. If you enjoy linear action games and miss cowboy-themed adventures, this is a must-play. With around 15 hours of thrilling gameplay, it’s worth your time, especially with the option to play co-op.

Final Rating
8.5/10

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