If you have even passively followed gaming news over the past few years, you’ll be well aware that everyone still thinks Red Dead Redemption 2 is the best thing to happen since the invention of video games. We don’t deny that the game is a stunningly ambitious work of art, one that has not been technically or artistically rivaled since its release back in 2018. However, sometimes we could all do with a little bit less ambition.
By some measures, RDR2 is the largest open-world game ever released for a console, one that takes around 172 hours to complete. Meanwhile, other acclaimed open-world westerns such as Westerado will take you even longer to play all the way through. If you’re looking for some Wild West games that won’t fill your calendar for the foreseeable future, try these easy-going titles.
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Call of Juarez: Gunslinger
The Call of Juarez franchise was the OG cowboy game series, one that turned an entire generation of gamers onto the genre. There are plenty of stellar titles to choose from, but the fan-favorite is undoubtedly the 2013 release Gunslinger. This ultra-violent FPS game takes place across various maps across the Deep South and Northern Mexico, featuring innovative combat mechanics that are still praised by the gaming industry to this very day. Naturally, you can also opt for the quiet, stealthy approach to each mission, if you’re feeling civilized.
West of Loathing
For a Wild West game that will have you clutching your sides with laughter, try the point-and-click PC game West of Loathing. In this game, all of the characters are stick figures, and all of the settings are crudely drawn doodles of the Old West. The game is essentially a parody of the Wild West canon, with no shortage of hilarious NPC interactions and completely over-the-top plotlines. If you’re a true fan of the genre, this is the game for you.
Dead or Alive 2
For something different entirely, you could opt for a western-themed online slot game. In the world of online casinos, the get-rich-quick ethos of the Old West has provided fodder for game developers and fans of the genre alike. There are many titles to choose from, but the best is arguably the classic NetEnt slot Dead or Alive 2, which tops the rankings on this roundup of the best slot games at DraftKings. Spin your way through a dusty town as you hunt for riches, with a top prize of 40,500x your stake.
Red Steel 2
If you’re feeling nostalgic for the Nintendo Wii, this game is the perfect title to feed your Wild West craving. It’s a highly physical combat game that combines Wild West gunslinging with samurai sword-fighting, with your victory in every fight being determined by how well you wield those Wii nunchucks. Each boss level is a masterpiece in combat gaming, and will definitely provide you with a strenuous physical workout if that’s what you’re looking for.
If you want a Wild West game that won’t take you the better part of a year to complete, these are some titles that are well and truly worth your time.
