Best Games Set in the Wild West (That Aren’t Part of the Red Dead Franchise)

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The Red Dead Redemption series is truly outstanding, famous worldwide for its beautiful open-world environments and complex stories. Even the original Red Dead Redemption, though often considered less impressive than its highly-acclaimed sequel, remains a remarkably well-crafted interactive experience. Ultimately, both games have largely defined what we expect from western-themed video games.

I’ve noticed not everyone is a fan of the Red Dead Redemption games, and some people even find them boring. While I personally love both games, I understand why some might feel that way. Red Dead games are definitely slower-paced compared to many other franchises, and as the main representation of the Wild West in gaming, they might seem a little basic or limited to some players. I don’t completely agree, but I can see where that opinion comes from, as everyone has different tastes. Luckily, there are other excellent Wild West games available that offer unique takes on the setting.

Evil West

There’s a nostalgic charm to Evil West – it feels like a classic beat-em-up from the Xbox 360 days, and I really enjoyed it. It’s not trying to be a masterpiece like Red Dead Redemption 2, so don’t expect a deeply complex story, but it’s definitely a fun, over-the-top experience. While it’s a pretty standard vampire hunter plot, the Wild West setting makes it stand out from other games like Van Helsing. It doesn’t lose any of its cool factor, either. Instead, it really leans into it, combining the skill of a professional monster hunter with the rugged style of a cowboy – and that combination works incredibly well.

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Call of Juarez: Gunslinger

Following the disappointing release of Call of Juarez: The Cartel, Techland aimed for a simpler approach with 2013’s Call of Juarez: Gunslinger. This game is a surprisingly fun and lighthearted western, embracing self-aware humor, silly jokes, and over-the-top cartoon violence – and it works really well. Gunslinger is a fast-paced, stylish, and enjoyable first-person shooter where the main character tells exaggerated stories of his adventures to a bar full of drinkers. While it’s a straightforward game with limited gameplay variety compared to earlier titles, it consistently impresses with its energetic action and solid mechanics.

After that, Techland created the Dying Light games, which everyone seemed to really enjoy. Working on those games let them really refine their style of making fast-paced, first-person action games – you can definitely feel their unique touch when you’re playing!

Gun

Playing Gun, a 2005 action-adventure game, feels a bit strange after experiencing the Red Dead Redemption games. Released before Red Dead Redemption but after Red Dead Revolver, Gun feels like an important step towards Rockstar’s famous Western series. You play as Colton White, a tough character with a sad past, navigating a morally grey version of 19th-century America. Like Red Dead, it’s an open-world game and features a “Quickdraw” mechanic that slows down time during gunfights. While it’s hard to say Gun directly influenced Red Dead, it shares a similar style and feel, which is a positive thing.

Desperados 3

The team behind the popular Shadow Tactics games also created the Desperados trilogy, all fantastic real-time stealth strategy games. While the original two Desperados games are still enjoyable, most fans agree that the 2020 release is the best in the series. It updates the challenging stealth gameplay of the earlier titles with improved graphics, sound, and more immersive environments. The game’s complex, puzzle-like approach isn’t for everyone—it requires more thought than action-focused games like Red Dead or Call of Juarez. However, if you’re willing to learn the mechanics, the game is incredibly satisfying, and features a surprisingly compelling story.

Samurai Western

Samurai Western is a rare gem – a game built on a wonderfully silly idea that somehow works. The title pretty much tells you what it’s about, but the gameplay is surprisingly unique. It plays like action games such as Devil May Cry and Bayonetta, but with a wild west setting. The combat is definitely the highlight – it’s fluid, stylish, and fun, even with a few flaws. If you’re looking for something different in the western genre, Samurai Western is worth checking out on PlayStation 2 or through emulation.

West of Loathing

If you found Samurai Western a bit too serious, you absolutely need to check out West of Loathing. Honestly, it’s easy to miss because the graphics are intentionally simple, but trust me, this game is hilarious – seriously one of the funniest I’ve ever played! But it’s not just funny. It’s a really surprisingly deep and rewarding adventure game with RPG combat. It reminds me a lot of South Park: The Stick of Truth – the crazy, over-the-top humor actually makes the gameplay unique and unpredictable. And if you’re a fan of the Wild West, you’ll love it even more – it’s basically a hilarious parody of the entire genre.

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2026-05-09 13:05