Hard West

 PC
User Score
7.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 174 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 104 out of 174
  2. Mixed: 44 out of 174
  3. Negative: 26 out of 174

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  1. GeneralGonzo
    Nov 19, 2015
    8
    Nice tactic game in an unusal setting (wild west with demons....). The combat system is similar to XCOM and a shallow "RPG" layer is used for your characters.
    Though this mix isn´t superb in regards of either the tactics part nor the RPG or adventure one, it is still very satisdying for a bnch of hours and makes fun.
    Recommendation for friends of turn based combat (play it on hard!) and    Nice tactic game in an unusal setting (wild west with demons....). The combat system is similar to XCOM and a shallow "RPG" layer is used for your characters.
    Though this mix isn´t superb in regards of either the tactics part nor the RPG or adventure one, it is still very satisdying for a bnch of hours and makes fun.
    Recommendation for friends of turn based combat (play it on hard!) and unusal settings.    … Expand
  2. Michalina
    Nov 19, 2015
    10
    Fantastic game, I encourage everyone to play in it.

    Well played characters, cool graphics style and beautiful music.
    Well showed history and consequences of my decisions.
  3. YellowJuice
    Nov 20, 2015
    9
    It's a well made game in a interesting and in rarely used setting, which is western and more particulary weird west. I am having fun with it so far and I don't think it will change over time (actually plated 15 hours of it).
  4. DaggettDBeaver
    Nov 26, 2015
    7
    Technically it is a good game - which is rare for complex games from smaller companies. It has very few flaws when it comes to programming, especially the AI.

    The combat system is a relatively blatant copy from the new X-COM - personally i still prefer games with systems that give me more freedom, but i guess for the commercial success it is better to make the system as easy to    Technically it is a good game - which is rare for complex games from smaller companies. It has very few flaws when it comes to programming, especially the AI.

    The combat system is a relatively blatant copy from the new X-COM - personally i still prefer games with systems that give me more freedom, but i guess for the commercial success it is better to make the system as easy to understand as it is here.

    Now to the negative parts:

    No saving, only checkpoints. I could live with "no saving in combat" to avoid "save-scumming" - but on the other hand i think that it is better to let the customer decide if he wants to "play fair" or not when it comes to single player games. But what really bothers me with the checkpoint system is that i can't test out things. Yes, if i get two options i love to see how both would end up - and honestly, i don't want to play all the way up to that scene of choice again. Please, dear companies, let us users save before making decisions. Offering a Checkpoint-Mode (No saving, but no permadeath) as middle-ground between free saving and "Ironman" (No saving and permadeath) is okay, but please don't force this upon the players.

    The next point is that there is no character development when it comes to numbers - yeah, sure, there is a lot character development when it comes to the story and the background of the characters, but there is no character or at least inventory development as there is in XCOM, Jagged Alliance or Silent Storm - and that is really something i miss in this game.

    Character/Inventory/Research development were always the most interesting things in the aforementioned titles - often i caught myself intentionally avoiding to drive the story forth so i could develop my characters first, research everything i wanted or manage my inventory to a point where i felt i was ready to move on in the story. In Hard West, sadly there is only the story as the only development you have.

    The chapters are so short that i honestly didn't care at all about my characters developing or what choices i made in the game, because i always knew that the chapters are way to short to make any of those things meaningful. This makes the game feel hollow - it even makes it hard to really keep me motivated to go on playing.

    I really hope that if there will be a sequel to this game, Gambitious tries to not chop it into several small, mostly independent parts, but keeps it as a whole and lets us transfer at least something of whatever we achieved in the last chapter into the next one.    … Expand
  5. weirdcryo
    Nov 26, 2015
    8
    Nice looking game, interesting game play but in order to keep the fight fluid the AI has to make some "risky" plays that make no sense.
    Have fun playing it, a couple of innovations, I'm giving and extra score because it came from a small company, recommend it
  6. Lutet
    Nov 26, 2015
    9
    Great tactical game and very refreshing setting. Love this weird mix of wild west and demons, satan, etc. Game is challenging (really, swallow your pride and do the tutorial) and the characters are well designed (Paco FTW). I really cared for them!
  7. Acronymous
    Nov 26, 2015
    10
    I must admit i never expected Hard West to make such a great impression on me. It tries hard to be different from XCOM while it uses very similar basic mechanics and it succeeds in doing so. Hard West is a series of grim stories about despair, wrong choices and being miserable but i believe it is something the guys in Eastern Europe are used to ;-) It's rpg-like layer is a bitI must admit i never expected Hard West to make such a great impression on me. It tries hard to be different from XCOM while it uses very similar basic mechanics and it succeeds in doing so. Hard West is a series of grim stories about despair, wrong choices and being miserable but i believe it is something the guys in Eastern Europe are used to ;-) It's rpg-like layer is a bit underdeveloped but it's not the core of the game which, in fact, are tactical encounters. And i love tactical encounters in Hard West way more than i enjoyed them in XCOM.
    Lots of fighting with sixshooters and shotguns, lots of rogue cowboys and heavy armed bandits and some demons on top of it - i couldn't be more satisfied with a game at this price point.    … Expand
  8. ave
    Nov 3, 2018
    7
    Hard West was a pleasant surprise in the realm of tactical shooters ; trading the "usual" randomly generated characters / levels with crafted ones. The campaign is split into different chapters, each one following one character (and its eventual bunch) with their own goals and (cursed) path.
    The combat is satisfying, even if the presentation of relevant informations on the battlefield can    Hard West was a pleasant surprise in the realm of tactical shooters ; trading the "usual" randomly generated characters / levels with crafted ones. The campaign is split into different chapters, each one following one character (and its eventual bunch) with their own goals and (cursed) path.
    The combat is satisfying, even if the presentation of relevant informations on the battlefield can be improved. Aside of choosing a set of two weapons (and 3 other items) for your character, you may spend some time on the Cards screen to give them active or passive abilities that can totally make the difference. It's a really neat and thematically relevant idea, properly implemented.    … Expand
  9. Skulb
    Dec 12, 2016
    7
    I was hoping for something a bit more like the old board game, Gunslinger. But instead of that meticulous tactical western game, Hard West is a less demanding collection of unconnected wild west scenarios, all of them appropriately Oregon Trail-y dark and dismal.
    You get to play settlers trying to protect their families from bandits and other staple western scenarios. But you also get to    I was hoping for something a bit more like the old board game, Gunslinger. But instead of that meticulous tactical western game, Hard West is a less demanding collection of unconnected wild west scenarios, all of them appropriately Oregon Trail-y dark and dismal.
    You get to play settlers trying to protect their families from bandits and other staple western scenarios. But you also get to play a mad scientistst and other peculiar people. And the game play is pretty good I thought. As you would expect, the combat is cover-based and there is a large variety of abilities and weapons for you to use. But because it is not one large campaign, the RPG part of the game suffers a bit. There is no direct looting either, so the battles are just battles. There is no need for inventory management during them, and you will be focused on either killing enemies or using and looting items on the map. The world maps are loaded with locations of various kinds. Some are shops, some are battles and some are quest related locations. During your travels you gather cards, which you can combine in your inventory for bonuses. It's weird but alright I guess. What I do miss a bit is a leveling process. But then again, since you're playing isolated scenarios this isn't really needed I suppose.
    The writing is good though and the game looks and sounds appropriately Wild West. So although it is a bit oddly designed in places, Hard west is a game it is easy to recommend to anyone who likes wild west games. It isn't perfect, and indeed is missing some staple features of most tactical turn based games. So it might not be for everyone.

    Pros:
    - Action packed with lots of things to do.
    - A good amount of scenarios to keep one entertained.
    - Nice graphic and sound design.
    - Classic tactical game play.
    - Good writing and narration. Grim and dark though, so steer clear if you like things happy and cheerful.

    Cons:
    - No grand campaign, multiple smaller scenarios instead.
    - Poor performance, at least on my PC. Takes a lot of RAM to run and is occasionally slow to respond.
    - Weak RPG elements, lack of inventory and character control in places.
    - Lack of a zoom function.
    - Rather stupid and silly (also blind occasionally) enemies make things pretty easy.

    Pro and/or con, depending on one's tastes:
    - Rather....weird for a western game. In the second scenario I played a comet had made the entire community insane, and as a scientist it was my task to make them sane again with a sanity machine. Just weird all round. At one point during this mission, one of the Pinkerton agents who was assisting me turned into a demon. So that was weird too.    … Expand
  10. sweet
    Aug 6, 2018
    4
    This game is like a bad steak. You're hungry. The smell of cooking fills you with anticipation. It looks great on the plate. You cut a piece, hmmm doesn't feel quite right. You put the piece in your mouth and ugh no thanks.

    The setting of the game is appealing, but the combat meat of the game is bland, not cooked properly and profoundly unenjoyable.

    Disappointing.
  11. RagingPoet
    Feb 9, 2018
    6
    Hard West got an interesting premise, but the execution feels very clunky. There are a lot of mechanics in play and none of them is good enough.
    Stealth is absolutely horrible, slow and boring, rations mechanics is just tedious.
    The combat itself is very slow and unpleasant, with enemies almost always having overwatch on while player characters don't have this option at all. And AI    Hard West got an interesting premise, but the execution feels very clunky. There are a lot of mechanics in play and none of them is good enough.
    Stealth is absolutely horrible, slow and boring, rations mechanics is just tedious.
    The combat itself is very slow and unpleasant, with enemies almost always having overwatch on while player characters don't have this option at all. And AI sometimes just runs around doing nothing at all.
    Text quests are alright at least, but the writing is too ascetic and can't be compared to something like Space Rangers or Sunless Sea.

    I only finished 3 scenarios out of 8 in main campaign and got so bored that i couldn't continew playing.    … Expand
  12. LukeTheJedi
    Apr 10, 2019
    6
    I like RPG fantasy games, but I thought myself that it's time to try something new, so I found Hard West, because Weird Western setting really has interested me. Unfortunately after that game I want to come back to my RPGs game as fast as I can.
    Don't get me wrong, Hard West isn't bad game, just perhaps tactic games aren't for me. But let's start from the beginning.
    Hard West is    I like RPG fantasy games, but I thought myself that it's time to try something new, so I found Hard West, because Weird Western setting really has interested me. Unfortunately after that game I want to come back to my RPGs game as fast as I can.
    Don't get me wrong, Hard West isn't bad game, just perhaps tactic games aren't for me. But let's start from the beginning.
    Hard West is based-turn tactical game set in wild west, but with demons and devils. Story is divided on several scenarios, which are connected into one big story. And plot is the best part of this game. I don't want to spoil anything, but it's worth to play it just for story. Rest is mediocre. Fights are repetitive, RNG is sometimes really annoying, soundtrack is good, but after some time also repetitive and fact that you start every scenario from zero (you lost all equipment and skills on the end of each scenario) makes you don't feel progress and it doesn't motivate you develop your team of cowboys or buy new weapons. Sooo... very, very good story with mediocre and repetitive gameplay (even different activities between fights didn't help here). Worth to buy, but only with discount. Nonetheless I'm happy I tried something new, but next time I doubt I'll play tactic game (RNG, non clear cover system and shooting through walls spoil for me immersion).    … Expand
  13. Ohm1
    Nov 19, 2015
    8
    Great presentation and combat, setting is unique and refreshing. Enjoying the combat more than in XCOM.
    I am having a blast playing this game and would recommend it to anyone who likes tactical turn based combat with a decent story.
  14. JediMasterRadek
    Nov 20, 2015
    10
    That thing is seriously awesome!
    -Difficulty is quite serious. For now, hard feels actually hard. Far harder than Dragonfall on very hard or Wasteland 2 on ranger in Arizona
    -AI seems decent. Enemies are good in flanking. Usually when enemies are leaving cover they do it to make more damages to the player(at least it looks so). -No hp sponges. 2-3 bullets and both enemies and players    That thing is seriously awesome!
    -Difficulty is quite serious. For now, hard feels actually hard. Far harder than Dragonfall on very hard or Wasteland 2 on ranger in Arizona
    -AI seems decent. Enemies are good in flanking. Usually when enemies are leaving cover they do it to make more damages to the player(at least it looks so).
    -No hp sponges. 2-3 bullets and both enemies and players die
    -First mission after tutorial has a good encounter design. (defending a house)
    -There is a possibility to start the tutorial as a tutorial or as a normal mission. There is written a promise that it is short and to the point which is true. The best part: if player declines playing it as a tutorial then he must deal with a quite strong opponent on the start which is not attacking during tutorial:)
    -As most enemies and player can't stand more than 2 hits, positioning is vital. Fighting is deadly and fast. Enemy can quickly turn tables with a good shot.
    -Encounter design is fantastic. Had a rescue mission which looked as it was supposed to be done with minimal killing. Game respected my choice to kill everybody and after eliminating everyone on the map mission was successful without a need to complete an objective of opening the prison doors. Had an optional mission which starts the player surrounded and outgunned. It was thrilling and challenging. Maps are small, often reused, but different enemy placement makes encounters feel distinct.Big number of covers and hight places offers many approaches on how to tackle objectives.
    -Ricochet ability is fun.
    -Luck mechanic is really interesting. It works as a mana pool for abilities, but it protects from being hit. The more severe a hit chance is the more luck it takes to stop it. Luck is automatically used for that purposes. Being hit and losing hp replenish some of it.
    -There is some environment manipulation. Could open wells doors to improve its cover. Environment can be destroyed like windows.
    -Abilities are presented as cards which can be assigned to characters. Looks like 1 ability cannot be used by 2 different characters. You can take 5 of them on missions. Depending on which one you have chosen, you can get a passive buff on top of their standard uses. I suppose those bonuses are poker inspired.
    -Rotating camera is horrible. Don't understand why they can't bind it to the mouse. It's worse than Wasteland 2 camera. Also when the enemy from different hight attack, camera should change the height, now it is always on the same level when it was left during player turn.
    -Height seems to influence aim and range.
    -Enemies can do overwatch. It looks player cannot use it. I had many times when I was begging for overwatch.
    -The biggest surprise: CYOA. This part is good enough it would be acceptable if it was a game in itself. There are many C&C moments which actually include consequences! Game autosaves, so I didn't retry anything but results were enough specific it seems highly unlikely both options led to the same outcome. In scenario I played the main goal was collecting gold, which was quite complex with many tools, ways to do it and hidden mines. Got even an optional mission.
    -Writing and story are really good. Love the character of the devil who is a mysterious, well dressed gentleman who appears and disappears on the whim tempting people.
    -Game has a nice aesthetic and art direction.
    -Looks like there are secondary objectives/consequences to missions (having to pay gold if hired merc dies)
    -Always had luck with bugs but so far haven't encountered any. Enemies think a little too much before turn. Game runs smooth, but I have a good pc.
    -There is an ironmode and a mode in which being low on hp gives debuffs, but there is more xp.(or skill points, whatever is used)
    Had a good feeling when buying it, but (as for now) it surpassed expectations. I recommend this. We may have got a sleeper hit.    … Expand
  15. LenaW
    Nov 19, 2015
    9
    My boyfriend is one of the backers, of your game and to be honest at first I was skeptical. However, the game looks very cool, but there is still some mistakes/bugs, 9 is because you so very positively surprised me. I hope that you will continue to do a great job, good luck.

    Sorry for my English :P
  16. onlyoneikrit
    Nov 19, 2015
    10
    I think it is fresh idea. Last game from western witch i was play was RRR, and now finly i can play someting story driving.

    If somoene dont belife i propose to play it:)
  17. Thilus
    Jan 15, 2016
    5
    Hard West is average in almost every aspect. The visuals are neither bad, nor are they stellar. Music and sound overall is ok, but nothing more, really. The gameplay is fine, but it becomes rather 'meh' before too long. In fact it's so average that I thought about writing a longer review, but lost the will to do so mid-way. Kind of what happened when I was playing the game.
  18. luksonije
    Nov 24, 2015
    7
    This is just unbelievable. So much satanism and spiritualism in one game what is supposed to be wild west game, cowboys and sh**.

    Other than that, once you skip demonic stuff, you have the game. It is Xcom style game set in the wild west environment. Dark and shallow story leads this adventure. Too bad, because we have enough evil in every day, I personally do not need more during my    This is just unbelievable. So much satanism and spiritualism in one game what is supposed to be wild west game, cowboys and sh**.

    Other than that, once you skip demonic stuff, you have the game. It is Xcom style game set in the wild west environment. Dark and shallow story leads this adventure. Too bad, because we have enough evil in every day, I personally do not need more during my relaxation hours and gaming hours. I will give it 7/10, however if you never tried XCom, that should be your first choice.    … Expand
  19. kuburga
    Dec 20, 2015
    2
    Lacking most of the features which was implemented years ago in games of the similar genres. You can "sneak" past ~2 meters in front of enemies' eyes and you wont be seen. This was perfectly solved by commandos 15 years ago. It is very repetitive and the interactions except for the combat has no challenge to them at all: Even in hard difficulty, you may run low on food but you just clickLacking most of the features which was implemented years ago in games of the similar genres. You can "sneak" past ~2 meters in front of enemies' eyes and you wont be seen. This was perfectly solved by commandos 15 years ago. It is very repetitive and the interactions except for the combat has no challenge to them at all: Even in hard difficulty, you may run low on food but you just click on "search for food" button and you got food now. You can easily have 1000$ and not be able to spend it because everything is too cheap.

    UI is hard to understand and you cannot zoom in to and out of the map. I do not understand this game. After 3 hours of pushing buttons I am giving it up.

    On the positive side the game goes with a story, with good music and a deep-voiced storyteller, and I want to keep on playing and see where the story goes. But unfortunately I can't. Because even though this is my fav genre, I am bored to death.    … Expand
  20. Mrki93
    Nov 24, 2015
    4
    Nice presentation, the concept seams fresh but it's core game play - turn based combat is just meh. It gets old very quickly. If you compare it to lets say Shadowrun it just looses badly. Just about 2 hr in and I have no desire to play the game. Stupid card system is just lazy excuse for RPG elements. If you don't wont character development then don't do it. Putting cards is justNice presentation, the concept seams fresh but it's core game play - turn based combat is just meh. It gets old very quickly. If you compare it to lets say Shadowrun it just looses badly. Just about 2 hr in and I have no desire to play the game. Stupid card system is just lazy excuse for RPG elements. If you don't wont character development then don't do it. Putting cards is just checking the box. And luck system?! What's the point of it? All the special abilities spend it and the only way to get it back is to be shot!?! Consequently I never used any of them. Not that I ever had the need since most of them are highly situational or gimmicky at best. Also having loosely connected scenarios instead of a full campaign is also lazy, and aforementioned nice presentation can't hide it.… Expand
  21. Lobuno
    Nov 19, 2015
    0
    The game is based in unconnected tactic matches against the CPU. Don't expect RPG elements here, they are present very lightly, remark on very. Dialogue options are very few and don't really impact gameplay. So what we have here is a BlackGuards game concept set in the wild west mixed with XCOM combat.

    I must confess I didn't like it at all. May be you like it better, but don't expect    The game is based in unconnected tactic matches against the CPU. Don't expect RPG elements here, they are present very lightly, remark on very. Dialogue options are very few and don't really impact gameplay. So what we have here is a BlackGuards game concept set in the wild west mixed with XCOM combat.

    I must confess I didn't like it at all. May be you like it better, but don't expect anything new here or revolutionary. We all have played this game before one way or another, and usually it was better than this.    … Expand
  22. metacriticfasch
    Nov 18, 2015
    0
    Checkpoints. Whoever invented checkpoints should be sent to another universe... where people have unlimited time and enjoy repeating the same **** over and over again. And yet the game can be finished in 10 hrs... how shallow it can be? Nice presentation and concept, but fails miserably in all other departments. Avoid like plague...
  23. HitmanHart
    Jan 26, 2016
    8
    This is a solid game and I plan on keeping and eye on this developer. The game is also very reasonably priced. The graphics, music, and sound are a good quality and the overall package of this game is well worth the price. The game play is solid and easy to maneuver once you get the hang of it.
    You can purchase a deluxe package (still reasonably priced) that includes a soundtrack and a    This is a solid game and I plan on keeping and eye on this developer. The game is also very reasonably priced. The graphics, music, and sound are a good quality and the overall package of this game is well worth the price. The game play is solid and easy to maneuver once you get the hang of it.
    You can purchase a deluxe package (still reasonably priced) that includes a soundtrack and a comic back story (if you're into that sort of thing).
    Do yourself a favor and buy it from GOG.com and you won't have to deal with DRM from Steam or anyone else..    … Expand
  24. DartVader
    Jun 22, 2019
    5
    Very boring monotonical game. Skill mainly useles. Items too. After commpleteing half of gamme drop it.
  25. 4ya5h1
    Dec 19, 2021
    2
    the game becomes boring pretty quickly as you advance in plot, but at first it was very good and interesting to play and watch
  26. DARKOBLIVIONGOD
    May 6, 2020
    0
    Very similar to xcom yet only differences are in the ambiance worlds enemies and humans but the rest has been watered down a bit for its own innovation that is lacking immitating xcom yet not using it as a guide on what to do better or new and maintain unique and fun or surprising only worth on sales for very cheap prices.
  27. Klewer
    Jan 27, 2019
    7
    A very solid turn based game, similar to XCOM but in the Wild West. A little rough around the edges but well worth a look for fans of the genre.
  28. Neravarine
    May 25, 2017
    8
    This is a good turn based game for all the fans of turn based rpg games, and its ok for the casual population which might like to try something different then usual.
    Game looks very good both map and combat, the styleis nice but it lacks in diversity, every handgun looks the same, every rifle looks and sounds the same, I would like to see diversity there.
    It has awesome storyline and its    This is a good turn based game for all the fans of turn based rpg games, and its ok for the casual population which might like to try something different then usual.
    Game looks very good both map and combat, the styleis nice but it lacks in diversity, every handgun looks the same, every rifle looks and sounds the same, I would like to see diversity there.
    It has awesome storyline and its fun to play from the start till the end.
    It has average sound and there is a lot to read, but commentary of the Death is amazing.
    Card and luck system is somewhat unique and its a nice addition.
    Game can be a bit buggy.    … Expand
  29. RMDsilva
    Mar 12, 2018
    7
    Interesting premise, interesting gameplay.
    However, both fall short of greatness. Still an enjoyable game.
    Minus points for still having a glitch that got my savegame on the prospector's mission to make it impossible to finish!
  30. pongkrit03
    Sep 10, 2020
    2
    Seriously I don't understand why this game got so much high score. It is much worse than xcom, much worse. Combat is boring, too simplistic. Base management is also boring. Graphic is bland, uninteresting, Story is too uninteresting boring.

    I have expected good game, but this game is very far from that. I got it on sale and still regreted my time playing for 2-3 hrs and I just couldn't    Seriously I don't understand why this game got so much high score. It is much worse than xcom, much worse. Combat is boring, too simplistic. Base management is also boring. Graphic is bland, uninteresting, Story is too uninteresting boring.

    I have expected good game, but this game is very far from that. I got it on sale and still regreted my time playing for 2-3 hrs and I just couldn't tolorate myself. I love tactic game, I love xcom, but this game is lacking in most every way, not even worth your time.    … Expand
  31. MR67
    Nov 9, 2018
    6
    Fairly enjoyable Wild/weird West tale with elements of the occult that follows the adventures of a family struggling to make a living on the Oregon Trail. The main story consists of several interlinked campaigns which must be completed in sequence, and as you cannot save your progress, checkpoints are instead automatically taken during your progress through each campaign. GameplayFairly enjoyable Wild/weird West tale with elements of the occult that follows the adventures of a family struggling to make a living on the Oregon Trail. The main story consists of several interlinked campaigns which must be completed in sequence, and as you cannot save your progress, checkpoints are instead automatically taken during your progress through each campaign. Gameplay essentially consists of a travel section, where you move your party (represented by an ox skull) to various locations on an overland map, and a combat section, which uses similar mechanics to the XCom or Shadowrun games.

    While travelling overland, you explore new locations, find treasure or shop at various stores. Sometimes you are given a choice as to what you want to do (eg. shoot the bandits or let them flee), otherwise events that happen at certain locations are resolved automatically. There is also a rather poorly implemented food system, where you have to purchase food supplies and then have each member of your party consume a portion of food each day (you have to do this individually for each person via a menu) or else have them go hungry and suffer penalties later on. Strangely, this system is only used while travelling in one of the campaigns and not in any of the other ones. Combat takes place on a large 3d map like X-Com or Shadowrun and typically has your main character and up to 3 followers engaging in gunfights with enemies. The combat system is a bit more simplistic than either of those games, though - you simply equip 1 or 2 guns, 2 single use items like healing herbs or bombs, and a single equipped item that provides certain bonuses in combat like a pair of boots which increase your movement speed or a shirt which makes you more resistant to damage. Taking full or partial cover is mandatory as characters can be one shotted by enemy attacks if they are not careful, so combat can be quite challenging. You generally get 2 actions each turn, one or both of which can involve movement and the other which involves firing or reloading your chosen weapon. Using an item or a card ability is generally free. Enemy AI is not the greatest and occasionally enemies will finish their turns outside of cover when moving, making them easy targets. There is also a clever card system you can make use of where you earn playing cards for completing certain objectives in the campaign and can then make use of these cards to give your characters various active and passive bonuses which can be used in combat.

    The main game is quite short though (and very dark), consisting only of 4 linked campaigns which you play though in sequence. A full playthrough of this will probably take about 10 to 20 hours at most, though there are several other separate campaigns which seem indirectly related to the main story and can also be played through once you have completed the main game.

    The game is definitely worth getting (on sale, which it currently should be) if you enjoy tactical XCom type combat, but is let down a bit by its budget graphics, somewhat clunky interface and short game length. The game also has some performance issues, as it frequently lags when opening the inventory screen. The music is OK though (if a bit sparse) and the voice acting from the main narrator is pretty good, if a bit limited. It would have been better had they focused on fleshing out the main characters more and made the main game a bit longer.    … Expand
  32. Garybaldo
    Mar 3, 2020
    8
    Very good XCOM style game, that simplifies the menu part of said game and takes a wild-west approach instead of the alien-style taken from XCOM. I encourage everyone who liked XCOM to try this game out.
  33. OwenPhreak
    Apr 5, 2019
    7
    In a very short way:
    Nice tactic game in an unusual setting of Weird Western, which I really like. Pretty good story, fine idea with different scenarios you can play in order you'll choose. Game has some problems with what is happening between fights, because all you get is a wall of text plus not so great side activities. Also because of so many scenarios it's hard to like characters,    In a very short way:
    Nice tactic game in an unusual setting of Weird Western, which I really like. Pretty good story, fine idea with different scenarios you can play in order you'll choose. Game has some problems with what is happening between fights, because all you get is a wall of text plus not so great side activities. Also because of so many scenarios it's hard to like characters, cause you change them really often plus all your equipment you got is lost between scenarios. It's a shame that we didn't get one, big, epic story.
    But believe me, it's a very good tactic game, with many possibilities of winning fights. I recommend it.    … Expand
  34. Halikhan
    Jul 25, 2020
    3
    Я против рандома в таких играх! Когда ты выходишь на прямую к врагу, на расстояние трех клеток, а у тебя 70% на попадание, и при этом ты ещё и мажешь, в мусорку такие игры !!! Атмосфера, музыка, дизайн на высоте, но с таким геймплеем, я удалил игру на второй компании! Учитесь у Gears Tactics! Вот где проработан процент попаданий! Если вышел на прямую, открылся, то знаешь что убьёшь! А неЯ против рандома в таких играх! Когда ты выходишь на прямую к врагу, на расстояние трех клеток, а у тебя 70% на попадание, и при этом ты ещё и мажешь, в мусорку такие игры !!! Атмосфера, музыка, дизайн на высоте, но с таким геймплеем, я удалил игру на второй компании! Учитесь у Gears Tactics! Вот где проработан процент попаданий! Если вышел на прямую, открылся, то знаешь что убьёшь! А не как здесь, повезет не повезет!… Expand
  35. szastamasta
    Nov 27, 2019
    9
    This game is totally awesome. Similar to the old, hardcore turn based tactical games like XCOM, but much more accessible. Had very good time playing it. 9/10 because of some bugs. You should definitely give it a try.
  36. CowboyNuggets
    Feb 26, 2020
    10
    Get you some good hours of fun out of this one, never seen the west quite like this.
  37. hileger
    Nov 30, 2022
    6
    Неплохо но desperados 3 лучше, скучный сюжет добыча золото нахера это фуфло , покупка всякой херни лишнее для тактики. Лучше б игра ставила интересные задачи ,чем прокачка хуячка покупка хуюпка
  38. cpss86
    Apr 12, 2021
    9
    I played this game on XBOX (not sure why it's not here). It's quite good and only in its kind (western-like). If you like XCOM or MUTANT you'll like it.
  39. vicferd
    Jan 30, 2022
    7
    Hard West es un sólido juego de estrategia por turnos, pero que no logra resaltar en ningún aspecto. Sus mecánicas son muy parecidas a las vistas en XCOM, la premisa de la ambientación y la historia le aportan un atractivo inicial que no termina de desarrollarse del todo. La forma de contar los eventos y el hecho que los personajes no aumenten de nivel, por los cortos escenarios, hace queHard West es un sólido juego de estrategia por turnos, pero que no logra resaltar en ningún aspecto. Sus mecánicas son muy parecidas a las vistas en XCOM, la premisa de la ambientación y la historia le aportan un atractivo inicial que no termina de desarrollarse del todo. La forma de contar los eventos y el hecho que los personajes no aumenten de nivel, por los cortos escenarios, hace que no lleguemos a empatizar con los protagonistas.

    En general se podría decir que es un buen juego para los fanáticos del género, pero que no revoluciona o innova. Es difícil de recomendar para quienes no han jugado otros juegos por el estilo, pues supone que sabes moverte en este tipo de experiencias.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

72
#72 Most Discussed PC Game of 2015
70
#70 Most Shared PC Game of 2015

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 44
  3. Negative: 0 out of 44
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Mar 3, 2016
    90
    Hard West is turn based combat in the Wild West with demons. I really like this! [Jan 2016]
  2. CD-Action
    Feb 4, 2016
    75
    Hard West delivered exactly what I wanted – a dark atmosphere and a decent story with a twist. If only AI and the interface were more polished... [01/2016, p.58]
  3. GameSpot
    Jan 29, 2016
    70
    Satan and six-guns make a great partnership in Hard West. While the game mechanics and scenario design are somewhat predictable, the aura of high strangeness on the lonesome prairie does a lot to freshen up what could have otherwise been a little dated and formulaic. Tactical combat fans and horror buffs alike will find a lot to like here in both the spooky surroundings and the shoot-em-up scenarios.
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