May 2023
Let’s saddle up and ride into the Weird West, where cowboys wield shotguns and the occult has a casual hold over the barren landscapes. In Weird West: Definitive Edition, you won't just be dusting off your six-shooter. You’ll find yourself balancing perilous choices with the swiftness of a rattlesnake at high noon. Don your thinking hat, because the only respawn you’re getting is back at the start of the chapter after you’ve been turned into a fluffier version of your deceased character!
Weird West is a top-down action RPG that refuses to hold your hand. It’s not for the faint of heart or the easily panicked—this game is like that wild friend who dares you to jump into the pool without checking how deep it is first. You'll navigate a sprawling, open-world where every decision matters, all while spinning the yarns of five unique characters. Each character has a gripping backstory, ranging from a retired bounty hunter to a pigman (yes, a pig with a human brain—don’t ask, just go with it). Your choices affect the narrative in ways that would make even the most complex family tree look straightforward. You can abandon a quest, execute it with the finesse of a seasoned gunslinger, or go full-on chaos mode—shooting up ammo boxes and creating some delightful disasters. But make no mistake; this world has consequences. Actions are permanent, so say goodbye to that ‘do-over’ button. If you mess up, your character is gone for good in the permadeath mode, which raises the stakes exponentially. Play cautiously, plan your attacks, and remember that your buddy from earlier could turn into a shredded mess of bacon if you’re not careful. Plus, with a twin-stick shooter style, channeling your inner cowboy shooting skills means you need to master aiming while dodging around like you’ve consumed five Red Bulls. The game caters to risk-takers too! You can leverage stealth, manipulate the environment, and simply screech in a full-on charge like a bull at a red flag whenever the mood strikes. Whether you approach quests with a peaceful resolution or unleash chaos upon the land, regardless, you’ll be left wondering just how deep the rabbit hole goes. If you’ve got skills in improvising and strategizing, don’t disappoint yourself—the Weird West needs you!
Visually, Weird West offers a unique art style that makes the desolate environments and washed-out colors feel both immersive and delightfully odd. The top-down perspective might remind you of games from an era when the graphics couldn’t render a splat in full HD, but it compensates with some creative use of colors and shadows that breathe life into its quirky characters. Think of a fusion between a twisted comic book and an oil painting gone rogue, resulting in a world that’s chaotic yet charming. The graphics might not put your Xbox Series X through its paces, but you won’t mind as you’ll be too busy blasting oncoming monsters into oblivion while chuckling at your newly recruited pig-man sidekick. Who cares about next-gen graphics when there’s mischief to be made?
If you’re looking for a game that nails the ‘weird’ factor and challenges your strategic skills, Weird West: Definitive Edition should definitely be on your radar. It’s an expansive ride through a land where every decision counts, accompanied by mechanics that require an impressive layer of skill and a sprinkle of luck. Expect to die, to laugh, and to create overwrought stories only fit for the most bizarre of westerns. Give it a shot (or several), and prepare your best cowboy hat because this wild west journey just might be one of the most thrilling rides on the Xbox Series X/S this side of the Mississippi!
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