If you’ve even a slight interest in the world of gaming, then you’ve probably noticed a bit of a trend lately. Western video games are bigger than ever at the moment. It’s an unusual proposition, but one that offers a huge amount of freedom to game designers. After all, you can pitch racing, shoot-em-up, adventure, and RPG gaming all on one background: The Wild West.
Of course, there’s also the natural pull of escapism. Many of us enjoy video games, as they allow us to immerse ourselves in a place or time that’s totally different from our own. In the case of many of the titles we’ve got coming up, you’re thrown back in time to a place that’s comfortingly familiar but refreshingly different all at once.
So, saddle up cowboy! Let’s explore some of the best games from the Western genre.
Golden Buffalo (2021)
Many Western games take a long time to really get going, but that’s not the case for this online casino game. Golden Buffalo immediately plonks you down in the American West. You’re invited to spin the reels, and soon the adventure begins. You’ll find all kinds of symbols relating to the cowboy culture.
The buffalo is an important one, as the name suggests, but you’ll also find plenty of other icons from the American prairie. Eagles, wolves, teepees, and tumbleweeds will all fly down the reels. If you match enough of them, then you’re in with the chance of winning a prize.
In terms of features, you’ll find all the favorites in this slot. Multipliers and wilds are the most exciting, with the chance to increase your wins whenever you strike these symbols. If you want to give Golden Buffalo a try, then Ignition Casino is a great online casino platform to try out. You’ll find this slot, along with a dozen other cowboy-esque offerings, including “Frontier Fortune,” “Sheriff vs. Bandits,” and more.
This Land is My Land (2020)
Next up, is a game that reminds us of the other side of the coin. This Land is My Land invites you to play as a Native American, protecting their land and their livelihood from the influx of cowboys. For those among us living in the US, the influence of the Native American culture is profound, even if we don’t always realize it.
Everything from your horoscope (Native Americans have many beliefs around the stars) to the food on your plate (Native Americans are adept farmers), is influenced by the Native American culture.
This Land is My Land allows you to find out more about this culture, by putting you in the shoes of a Native American leader. It’s up to you to keep your friends and family safe. Moving your camp when necessary, hunting for animals, and fending off the attacks of the cowboys and bandits. It’s a tough-going RPG but one that’s visually stunning. Perfect for those who love exploring realistic open worlds, with no timer ticking.
Red Dead Redemption II (2018)
The game that kicked it all off! Or should we say the third installment in the series of games that kicked it off? Before RDRII came to RDRI, and before that, Red Dead Redemption Revolver. This first game wasn’t developed by Rockstar Games, but having played it, they saw the potential and bought the intellectual property rights.
All we can say is thank goodness they did! RDRII is the definitive cowboy game of the genre. If you’ve not played before then you’re in for a treat.
You start off the game as Arthur Morgan, a cowboy who’s part of a band of outlaws. You’ve got little other than your horse, your gun and your wits to make your way through the world. Like This Land is My Land, you don’t have to follow a set storyline. Instead, you can explore the huge open world on horseback, bumping into NPCs who have side quests for you to do.
When you’re ready to get back to the main story, you can head back to camp and start a mission. It’s a brilliant story and an incredibly in-depth game. Perfect for fans of realism, gunslinging and total freedom to explore as you please.
West of Loathing (2017)
The previous couple of games are the sort of video games that almost require you to clear an afternoon just to get started. So, if you’re looking for something a little less intense, try West of Loathing. This turn-based RPG is a far less serious take on the cowboy classic.
Despite being considered a relatively ‘underground’ game, it gets rave reviews across the board. Nintendo gives it a 9/10, Metacritic an 8/10, and Polygon another 9. To be honest, it’s not hard to see why.
This game is absolutely a comedy and one that was created by someone with questionable drawing skills. However, if you can see past the simple stick drawings (or even learn to love them) we think you’ll have a rollicking good time with this band of outlaws.
