In Evil West, players assume the role of Jesse Rentier, a vampire hunter tasked with saving the world from the Sanguisuge, a new breed of vampires threatening humanity. These creatures are categorized into various subtypes, including the immensely powerful and winged Highborns, and the less intelligent, yet still dangerous, Boo-Hags. To combat this threat, players utilize an arsenal of modified Wild West weaponry, such as Remington rifles and Colt revolvers. Jesse’s most formidable weapon is his combat gauntlet, which can be upgraded throughout the game to enhance its lethality and functionality. The game supports both solo and online cooperative play, with the entire campaign playable in co-op mode, offering a distinct advantage in certain challenging encounters. Players can develop their character, upgrade weapons and skills, and experience a unique reimagining of the American West.
The fusion of advanced and archaic technology, as seen in the Steam punk genre, has always been appealing. As a fan of the Wild Wild West film starring Will Smith, primarily for its Steam punk elements within a Western setting, the trailer for Evil West immediately piqued my interest.
Evil West boasts a distinct visual style, featuring well-crafted and detailed environments. The narrative is engaging, complemented by strong voice acting. The game is also remarkably gory, which enhances the visceral combat experience. Landing a successful hit can result in over-the-top displays of blood and viscera. Despite the fast-paced and intense action, even when the screen is filled with numerous enemies, the Playstation 5 maintained a stable performance. However, potential performance issues may arise on older generation consoles, particularly during encounters with a high density of enemies. The game allows for difficulty adjustment at any point, a welcome feature for overcoming challenging sections. Utilizing this option proved beneficial on a few occasions. Furthermore, Evil West offers online cooperative play, allowing players to experience the entire game with a friend.
The game’s weapon control scheme is intuitive. Combat primarily utilizes the bumper buttons, while the revolver is assigned to the right trigger. Holding the left trigger allows players to aim the rifle, firing with the right trigger. The shotgun is mapped to a function button, ensuring quick access to the player’s full arsenal. Throughout the game, players can upgrade their weapons and skills, unlocking new abilities and enhancements.
There are a few drawbacks to Evil West. The inability to jump freely can be frustrating, often requiring unnecessary navigation and manipulation of the environment to bypass obstacles. This design choice feels somewhat restrictive. Additionally, the limited environmental interaction is a missed opportunity; the inability to, for instance, push objects over or break bottles detracts from the immersive experience.
The most significant issue arises during boss encounters, which often devolve into repetitive circling and shooting patterns. This gameplay mechanic is generally unengaging and detracts from the overall experience. More innovative and challenging boss fight designs would be a welcome improvement.
In conclusion, despite its shortcomings, Evil West is a recommended title, standing out as one of the most visually impressive and action-packed games encountered in recent memory. Its flaws are easily overlooked in light of its strengths.
Focus Home Interactive provided a review copy for this assessment. Provision of material does not influence editorial objectivity.
