Best Pistol-Dueling Games, Ranked

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades of experience under my belt, I have seen my fair share of Wild West games and dueling pistol games. However, none have ever managed to capture the essence of that era quite like these five titles. From the simple yet entertaining multiplayer of Fistful of Frags to the complex revenge story of Desperados 3, each game offers a unique take on the gunslinger lifestyle.

Stories about gunslingers have consistently captivated popular culture. The Wild West era, a remarkable chapter in American history, is not just intriguing due to the vast contrast it presents with our current world, but also because it showcases the resilience and adventurous spirit of those who inhabited the untamed frontier. In this time, bustling saloons echoed with music around the clock, horseback riding was a common mode of transportation, and swift pistol duels in the streets added an extra dose of excitement to everyday life.

As a fan of the old west, I can’t resist the allure of games that transport me back to those dusty frontier towns and the thrill of a high noon showdown. If you’re like me and yearn for the excitement of a gentlemanly pistol duel, here are some top-notch gunfighting games that will satisfy your inner gunslinger.

5 Fistful Of Frags

A Simple Yet Entertaining Multiplayer

Entertaining gameplay that delivers on its promise
A fair number of maps to choose from

A Fistful of Frags isn’t likely to receive accolades for its graphics or combat systems anytime soon, but that doesn’t make it a poor game by any stretch of the imagination. Released as far back as 2014, Fistful of Frags continues to offer an enjoyable gaming experience for those seeking a title where they can engage in duels against both human players and bots.

In this game, players have a variety of maps to select, each requiring a keen observation to find adversaries camouflaged among the woods or lying in ambush near cover, ready to pounce on unsuspecting cowboys. The game might not stand out as exceptional but it does deliver its promise – offering a couple of hours of fun for those aiming to improve their quick reflexes and outwit their opponents.

4 Evil West

Creative Concept Combining Cowboys & Vampires

Interesting, risky concept
Decent number of weapons and perks

2011 saw the release of “Cowboys & Aliens,” a film that, to my surprise and dismay, was met with widespread negative reviews. This has left me pondering over Flying Wild Hog’s decision to develop a game around such a comparable theme. In contrast, “Evil West” follows the gripping tale of Jesse Rentier, one of the final agents for an organization dedicated to eradicating vampires – a task passed down from his father, William Rentier.

The game abounds in intense action, a variety of weapons including numerous pistol fights, and is all about Jesse battling hordes of bloodthirsty vampires to stay alive and rescue humans from being devoured. Gameplay is fast, engaging, and the overall theme works effectively. In essence, blending the Wild West with supernatural entities isn’t a terrible idea; it just didn’t quite fit on its chosen platform.

3 Call Of Juarez: Gunslinger

Classic Western With A Well-Crafted Story

Intense quickdraw pistol duels with historical figures
Decent voice acting

As a dedicated admirer, I’d like to share my excitement about diving into the boots of Silas Greaves in the thrilling game, Call of Juarez: Gunslinger. This gripping tale unfolds in the tumultuous second half of the 19th century, serving as a sequel to other captivating installments within the series. In true bounty hunter fashion, Silas traipses across the unforgiving Wild West, tracking down criminals with bounties on their heads, be it for capture or elimination. The action-packed gameplay sees Silas squaring off in pulse-racing showdowns against infamous historical figures of the era, such as Billy the Kid, Johnny Ringo, Pat Garret, Curly Bill Brocius, and the Dalton Gang, among others.

First launched on Xbox 360, Windows, PS3, and eventually the Nintendo Switch, this game remains quite enjoyable even by today’s standards, albeit its graphics or gameplay mechanics may not measure up compared to modern titles. Nevertheless, there’s still a great deal of fun to be derived from Call of Juarez: Gunslinger.

2 Desperados 3

A Complex Revenge Story Worth Diving Into

Exciting revenge and chase story
Top-down view that feels refreshing

In 1875, the game Desperados 3 unfolds the tale of John Cooper, who is on a mission to capture Frank, a notorious outlaw responsible for the death of his father. This game serves as a prequel to the 2001 hit title, Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive. As the narrative unfolds, John embarks on a journey across the United States, with New Orleans being one of his stops, in his relentless chase for Frank.

Unlike most Western video games that offer a first- or third-person perspective, Desperados 3 adopts a top-down approach instead. Although this might slightly impact immersion, it aligns beautifully with the game’s strategic objectives and enables players to survey areas more effortlessly with a broader viewpoint.

1 Red Dead Redemption 2

The Ultimate Western Pistol-Duel Masterpiece

Incredibly well-crafted story and combat mechanics
Stellar voice acting

To wrap up our list with flair, we have the highly acclaimed “Red Dead Redemption 2”. This gem from Rockstar Games has consistently appeared in players’ top 10 favorites since its debut in 2018, and for valid reasons. The game offers a meticulously crafted experience with engaging missions, an exciting combat system, endearing characters, exceptional voice acting, and a visually stunning world design that could pass as a landscape painting.

In Red Dead Redemption 2, the Dead Eye feature gives Arthur an edge in combat by enabling him to zero in on opponents and hit crucial body areas for maximum harm, even when battling multiple adversaries simultaneously. This results in a thrilling, engaging, and highly satisfying combat experience that places it among the top-tier pistol dueling games. Other than its immersive realism (which might be too slow-paced for some), there’s little to fault with Red Dead Redemption 2. If you haven’t played it yet, I wholeheartedly recommend giving it a try!

Fair warning, though; once the game starts, it’s really hard to quit.

2024-08-16 07:04