Dillon's Rolling Western

 3DS
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 21
  3. Negative: 3 out of 21
  1. Multiplayer.it
    Mar 1, 2012
    72
    Dillon's Rolling Western is a mash up between strategic, action and tower defense. The most funny part is the fight against the monsters, cause the research of resources in the map could become boring after two or three times.
  2. SpazioGames
    Mar 20, 2012
    70
    It's a good game packed with action and fun. A little bit too repetitive or hard for some, but if you don't bother about the high price it's a suggested buy.
  3. Pocket Gamer UK
    Feb 29, 2012
    70
    Another welcome addition to the eShop's already stellar line-up, The Rolling Western's unique spin on tower defence is as noteworthy as its flaws.
  5. Vandal
    Feb 29, 2012
    70
    Tower defense games usually make the most of an addictive form of gameplay, consisting in increasingly powerful waves of enemies. Dillon's Rolling Western does that greatly, but fails in control, which makes the experience less than pleasant. Anyway, the game is a good and fun one, although not very replayable.
  6. Nintendo Life
    Feb 23, 2012
    70
    The action tower defence experience is relatively compulsive, with the daily structure implementing a combination of strategic thinking, frantic item gathering and action-filled combat. On the downside, the control scheme feels awkward, especially for left-handed gamers, and the lack of alternative options is a surprising oversight.
  7. Nintendo Gamer
    Apr 2, 2012
    62
    A laudably unique twist on tower defence, but strategy soon devolves into a series of repetitive fights. [Apr 2012, p.109]
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  8. Thunderbolt
    Oct 15, 2012
    60
    Despite developer Vanpool's best efforts to do something stylish and new, they're unable to deliver fully on their vision in a cohesive way and Dillon's Rolling Western falls just short of being that standout defining game on the eShop.
  9. NintendoWorldReport
    Feb 22, 2012
    55
    Dillon's Rolling Western is an interesting take on the tower defense genre, but it's just too scattered and plodding to be that entertaining. The look of the world and the characters are charming, but the gameplay is just dreary and repetitive. While the 3DS had an impressive run of great eShop games, it appears that the well has dried up in this desert-ridden title.
  10. Edge Magazine
    Mar 1, 2012
    50
    Balancing real-time action with tactical micro-management proves beyond Vanpool. With arbitrary limitations placed on an already meagre cash supply, and towers and fortifications proving equally flimsy, what little money is available is best poured into single-use items and permanent ability boosts for Dillon.

Awards & Rankings

44
#44 Best 3DS Game of 2012
26
#26 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2012
37
#37 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2012

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 36 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 24 out of 36
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 36
  3. Negative: 5 out of 36
  1. rococoman
    Mar 1, 2012
    8
    After seeing the fairly simplistic - though still good - design of Nintendo's other downloadable games on the 3DS, I was pleasantly surprisedAfter seeing the fairly simplistic - though still good - design of Nintendo's other downloadable games on the 3DS, I was pleasantly surprised at Dillon's cut-to-the-chase attitude and challenge. The game uses an interesting mix of open-world exploring (plays like a mix of Zelda exploration and Sonic the Hedgehog style speed - yes, it's that cool), tower-defense and resource management, and small, arena based fighting. Each 'level' has 3 parts: day, evening, and night. During the day, you need to race around a large field, gathering resources and fortifying defenses. In the evening, you must defend a city from oncoming monsters by both depending on your defenses and fighting them yourself. At night, the only un-timed portion of the game, you can practice pressure-free and buy new upgrades.

    Most complaints I've seen over this game complain about the gameplay types not mixing well, but I believe that this is a smart design move. I would not recommend this game for younger gamers - there is no tutorial to speak of, and you are thrown into the action right away and expected to fight quickly and effectively, as well as consulting your map to see where your help is needed. This is why I think the game is the best release thus far for older gamers - you are always under pressure, and while the game is not THAT difficult (at least at first), you don't have time to dawdle - you need to be acting. The graphics are very catchy, and the character designs are amusing - the wild west is filled with different animals dressed as settlers, and the characters are fun without being overly cutesy. The main character in particular, a down-on-his-luck armadillo, harkens back to 90s gaming, where 'cool' animal mascots were all the rage. The music is VERY catchy, and might be the best part of the presentation.

    I would love to give this game a higher score, but I must agree with most major reviewers on one thing: controls. Your character fights and travels quickly by rolling into a ball, for which you need to use the touch screen to 'slingshot' your character along. This ends up being fun, and its very satisfying to get high-scoring combos, but it also could have been done just using the buttons. Let's face it - the 3DS weighs a ton, and holding it with your left hand while still working the slider pad gets exhausting and awkward. Part of me gets a kick out of the controls, but a lot of me just wishes something simpler had been used.

    All in all, this is EXACTLY the kind of game I want to download. By most measures, it has as much gameplay as a retail release (Nintendo claims 20 hours, and I DEFINITELY can see that), but I would hesitate before dropping 30 bucks on this; as fun as it is, a game needs a lot of meat on it before I throw that much money at it. However, for $10 US, this is a great deal, since it is the first 3DS game to feel like a whole game and not just a phone-style mini game. It feels unfair to me that this game will get compared to cheaper, more phone-like games on the eShop, when it is really better than most 3rd party offerings on the system right now.

    Overall, I would recommend this game to anyone who likes action/adventure style games, especially ones that expect you to learn on your own without overbearing tutorials (I'm looking at you, skyward sword). The controls aren't perfect, but the game is tense and fun, and it looks and sounds great to boot.    … Full Review »
  2. SacrificAbomina
    Mar 12, 2012
    9
    A fun game for a cheap price. It has a weird combination of gameplay styles that actually works. My only complaint is that it uses the stylus,A fun game for a cheap price. It has a weird combination of gameplay styles that actually works. My only complaint is that it uses the stylus, one of the least comfortable yet effective interfaces I know of, a lot and that keeps me from playing for more than a few hours at a time due to my hand cramping up.… Full Review »
  3. SigmaUnchained
    Oct 10, 2019
    9
    Dillon's Rolling Western is a tower defense game with a twist! You play as a silent armadillo and roll around defeating enemies in order toDillon's Rolling Western is a tower defense game with a twist! You play as a silent armadillo and roll around defeating enemies in order to protect villages. The controls are simple and responsive with a few simple taps. The game is only $9.99 as well, with ten different stages for you to complete, each spanning over three in-game days (about 30min-1hr). Some of the maps can be confusing, but rolling around is smooth to control! It is a challenging title, but I highly recommend it! There aren't many neat western games out there, so this is a must-buy for those who are curious to see the new life that was breathed into tower defense!… Full Review »
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