Video games have become one of the best ways to escape to another world and indulge in different kinds of genres. Horror or sports can be easy to break down into video games, but other worlds have taken longer to become the norm. It’s taken some time, but games that center around cowboys and indulge in the Western genre are now big hits.
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Western video games are a great filter to put over first-person shooters or action games. There are many excellent video games that fans can check out if they like Westerns and cowboys, and they’re not limited to these two genres either! It’s a testament to how creative the gaming industry is that they’ve managed to craft so many unique and delectable titles with this particular backdrop that are hard to resist.
Updated December 31, 2024, by Hamza Haq: While the idolization of Western culture, cowboys riding horses, and shootouts in front of the saloon have long been popular in films and TV shows, the concept only gained mainstream traction in the gaming industry after the standout success of Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption series. Of course, that is not to say that fans of cowboy games had no representation in video games beforehand. Fans of the genre have plenty of options to choose from if they’re looking for a new Western game to invest dozens of hours into
24
The Oregon Trail
An Edutainment Game Set During The Brutal Days Of The Wild West
The Oregon Trail
- Platform(s)
-
PC
, macOS
, Apple II
, DOS - Released
-
1985
- Developer(s)
-
MECC
The Oregon Trail is one of the most legendary edutainment games, with the title popularizing the act of dying from dysentery for many fans. The struggle of trying to help as many settlers survive during a harrowing journey where death awaits them at every step of the way makes for a surprisingly compelling time.
Not only can players learn about the trials and tribulations that many real-life people faced, but they’re also compelled to make the best decisions possible that make each run better than the last. This classic video game is surprisingly tense, making it clear why it has attained such an illustrious reputation within the gaming community.
23
Wild Arms 3
An Intriguing JRPG Set In The Wild West
- Released
-
October 15, 2002
- Developer(s)
-
Media Vision
Wild Arms is an underrated JRPG series that more fans of the genre need to check out. The games feature a loving ode to the Wild West setting, coupled with familiar turn-based combat and a fun story that fans will have a great time with. If players don’t mind the somewhat slow-paced combat, then they’ll find Wild Arms 3 to be a fun game that scratches their Western itch.
Using magical firearms to take out the many enemies that stand in the party’s way makes for a great time. Wild Arms 3 may feature some dated systems, but the engaging story and compelling gameplay more than make up for its minor flaws that are easy to ignore in the grand scheme of things.
22
Fallout: New Vegas
Many Western Influences In This Genre-Defining RPG
- Released
-
October 19, 2010
Fallout: New Vegas is considered by many to be one of the greatest RPGs ever made, and the best title in the series by a country mile. The combination of RPG elements from previous games in the series coupled with Bethesda’s modern innovations in the genre have done a great job of modernizing the series for many.
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The Western elements in this game are as clear as day, even if players aren’t playing as cowboys per se. The combination of this genre’s tropes with Fallout‘s established world is a joy to witness firsthand and does a great job of making New Vegas stand out even more.
21
Steamworld Dig
Digging Deep In A Steampunk Wild West
Action-Adventure
Metroidvania
- Released
-
August 7, 2013
- Developer(s)
-
Image & Form
Steamworld Dig is a 2D platformer indie game featuring cowboy robots digging for treasure and mining for resources in the town of Tumbleton, straight out of a western flick. The world setting is a mix of western and steampunk elements. While gunfighting is part of the game, it isn’t the main focus; no, the main point is mining.
Steamworld Dig is for players who are looking for a different flavor of western than the standard fare, something of a palette cleanser. The gameplay is addictive and replayable because the location of resources is randomized in each run, keeping the game feeling fresh.
20
West Of Loathing
A Comedic Take On The Western Genre That Is So Much More Than What Meets The Eye
- Released
-
August 10, 2017
- Developer
-
Asymmetric
A turn-based RPG that takes players on a comedic adventure in the Wild West, West of Loathing’s strengths are many and make it clear why this game has become such an underground hit.
It’s not the deepest game by any stretch of the imagination, but that does nothing to take away from the mindless joy players can enjoy with it. The simple stick figures and hilarious writing make West of Loathing way more memorable than anyone could’ve imagined.
19
Evil West
Combines Dark Fantasy Elements With The Western Genre
Evil West
Surprisingly enough, there were two games released in 2022 that used the background of the Wild West to tell a riveting tale and were named similarly too. While Weird West ended up being more memorable for the majority of players, another title that players still enjoyed despite the combat being slightly unbalanced was Evil West.
The game is certainly not deep or thought-provoking in any way… but it doesn’t need to be! Evil West is just a fun, light-hearted romp where players utilize a wealth of weapons to wallop their enemies to kingdom come. The best part is that this game can also be enjoyed in co-op, making for a great game to enjoy with friends!
18
Sunset Riders
An Old School Shoot ‘em up Side-Scroller In The Wild West
Sunset Riders
- Released
-
September 4, 1991
Few games tap into the cowboy fantasy as blatantly as Sunset Riders. Released in 1991, it is a classic side-scrolling arcade shooter in the same vein as Contra. It’s an unapologetic Wild West fantasy, with the players assuming the role of bounty hunters looking to bring down renowned outlaws and claim their bounties as rewards.
There are four playable characters, each with a different main weapon and playstyle, with the shared goal of taking down an outlaw boss at the end of the stage after mowing down his underlings along the way. It can also be played co-op, with players taking control of different characters and competing to see who can shoot up the most outlaws. The gameplay is surprisingly punishing, as getting shot even once results in losing a life, requiring a little bit of skill to clear the stages.
17
Red Steel 2
A Great Western Setting With Fun Combat
Red Steel 2
First-Person Shooter
Beat ‘Em Up
- Released
-
March 23, 2010
- Developer(s)
-
Ubisoft
, Ubisoft Paris
The Wii is certainly one of the most successful consoles of all time, but there’s no denying that this system was meant to appeal to a more casual audience. This made it a great hub for party games and imaginative platformers… but mature action games were always going to struggle on this platform. A great example of this is MadWorld, a stylistic action game that should’ve been a huge success but ended up being a commercial disappointment.
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This was the fate that awaited Red Steel 2 as well. The game utilized the Wii’s motion controls in a pretty intriguing way, and people who did check out this game for themselves loved how visceral and satisfying the combat was. Unfortunately, the game’s incredible set-pieces and great setting didn’t boost sales in the slightest, making it one of the best games on the Wii that was criminally overlooked by the masses.
16
Blood West
A Retro Strange West Stealth FPS With Horror Elements
- Released
-
February 10, 2022
- Developer(s)
-
Hyperstrange
Blood West is a retro stealth FPS steeped in horror. Players assume the role of the Gunslinger, a dead western cowboy who is brought back to life by eldritch forces in order to cure the land they call home. As the Gunslinger, players go around a variety of biomes, talking to the dead, investigating what happened to the land, and, of course, shooting up monsters. A key way this game is different from most others based on Western culture is that instead of a blazing all-in style of gameplay, players are encouraged to take the slow, methodical approach and understand what they’re facing before bringing their guns to bear. Despite being undead, the Gunslinger is surprisingly fragile and needs to make his bullets count.
Blood West: Dead Man’s Promise DLC introduces a brand new campaign where players take on the role of the Shaman, a character different from the Gunslinger. Although the gameplay loop remains largely the same in this DLC, it promises new enemies, weapon types, and quests for fans, giving players more reasons to stay in this brutal, strange west setting for a bit longer.
15
Wasteland 3
A Spiritual Successor To Fallout’s CRPG Roots With A Heavy Dose Of Western Elements
The Fallout series has evolved from its isometric CRPG roots to become one of the most beloved post-apocalyptic RPGs of all time. However, many hardcore fans miss the golden era of this series. Thankfully, the Wasteland series has done a great job of filling up this vacuum.
While the world of this post-apocalyptic CRPG can feel quite derivative, there’s no denying that Wasteland 3 is an absolute blast to play through. The gameplay is more refined than ever before, and the unique mix of Western elements and the aftermath of a brutal nuclear war makes for a great time as players fight both bloodthirsty humans and nightmarish mutants!
14
Hunt: Showdown 1896
Bounty Hunting In The Rocky Mountains of Louisianna
First-Person Shooter
Extraction
- Released
-
February 22, 2018
Hunt: Showdown 1896 is an update and a sequel wrapped into one. Taking the already successful Hunt: Showdown’s PvPvE first-person shooter gameplay and revamping it entirely in a new coat of paint with CryEngine 5.11. Players are treated to the rocky mountains of Colorado, graduating from their years-long stint in Louisianna.
New maps, new biomes, new guns, and a host of new features allow Hunt: Showdown 1896 to revitalize the spirit of the game. The old maps will be reintroduced to the game as they get updated with better graphics and features introduced in this update. Few games embody the cowboy fantasy quite as well as Hunt: Showdown, and in 1896, it’s looking bigger and better than ever.
13
Weird West
A Unique Mix Of The CRPG Genre And Immersive Sim Elements Set In A Western Fantasy
Weird West
- Released
-
March 31, 2022
- Developer
-
WolfEye Studios
True to its name, Weird West is easily one of the oddest games on this list that shouldn’t work, given the sheer number of gameplay systems it messes around with. Players control multiple characters, but somehow, the game feels like an immersive sim once players start interacting with the world and realize just how logically its elements react to each other.
While the game should be chastized for repeating environments over and over, there’s no denying that Weird West is a great title that fans of unique indie RPGs should check out. The writing is bizarre yet enjoyable, and the Western influence gives the game a unique charm of its own that will engross players to no end!
12
Westerado: Double Barreled
A Top Down Open-World Game Set During The Wild Wild West
Westerado: Double Barreled
Indie Games
Action-Adventure
- Platform(s)
-
Microsoft Windows
, macOS
, Xbox One - Released
-
April 16, 2015
- Developer
-
Ostrich Banditos
An incredible indie game that more people need to play, Westerado: Double Barreled combines a classic Western revenge plot with procedurally-generated mechanics, allowing for near-endless replayability as players explore a small yet reactive open world where they have free reign to do pretty much whatever they want.
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The game has its flaws, with combat being pretty tricky as the game’s perspective makes aiming rather finicky. However, these are minor hiccups in what is otherwise a brilliant game that will keep players smiling and engaged throughout the entire experience as they either follow the revenge plot to a T or goof off and kill everyone during their quest to discover the murderer of their family.
11
Red Dead Revolver
An Action-Packed Third-Person Shooter In The Western Genre, With Rockstar Acquiring The IP Soon After
- Released
-
May 4, 2004
- Developer(s)
-
Rockstar San Diego
While it failed to make anywhere near as big an impression as either of its two sequels, Red Dead Revolver was still a pretty solid game when it was released. Sadly, it hasn’t aged all that well, though there’s still enjoyment to be found for those who like cowboys and Western movies.
More than anything, Red Dead Revolver provides a unique and interesting window into the origins of one of gaming’s biggest franchises. These humble beginnings would eventually lead to true greatness, and exploring them is a must for anybody who considers themselves a fan of Rockstar’s Red Dead series.
10
Hard West
Set In A Fictional Version Of The American Wild West
Hard West
RPG
Tactical
Adventure
Indie Games
Strategy
- Released
-
November 18, 2015
- Developer
-
CreativeForge Games
Polish studio Creative Forge hasn’t developed all that many games since it was founded back in 2011, but it has been responsible for a few good ones. The pick of the bunch is arguably Hard West, which, as the title suggests, takes place in a fictionalized version of the American Old West. What the game’s name doesn’t convey, however, are the supernatural elements that help to shape this surreal experience.
Those who liked Red Dead Redemption‘s Undead Nightmare DLC should take a lot of enjoyment from Hard West. As well as undead cowboys, players can expect to encounter a whole host of other terrifying threats (including ghosts and demons) as they struggle to survive the lynchings, rituals, and shootouts found so prominently throughout the game.
9
Darkwatch: Curse Of The West
A Combination Of The Western And Steampunk Genre With A Healthy Dose Of Horror Added To The Mix
Darkwatch: Curse Of The West
FPS
Western
Survival Horror
Darkwatch: Curse of the West is a glorious mash-up of elements that are trying so hard to find mass appeal that it’s a little heartbreaking it wasn’t able to spawn a long franchise of weird titles.
The shooter mixes the Western genre with gothic horror and traces of steampunk as it tells the story of Jericho Cross, a vampire cowboy who’s looking to wipe out a larger evil. Darkwatch leads to a very different take on the Western genre, and it’s something that deserves another chance.
8
Wild Guns Reloaded
A Simple, Classic Western Shoot-’em-Up
Wild Guns Reloaded
- Released
-
May 31, 2010
- Developer(s)
-
Natsume Atari
Wild Guns was a popular Super Nintendo title that tells a story about revenge and family honor, albeit with a very cute, unassuming art design. Wild Guns Reloaded re-masters & modernizes the classic game and delivers a very satisfying title for Western fans. The game is a streamlined take on shooters and brawlers while also lovingly re-contextualizing the classic genre.
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Wild Guns Reloaded doesn’t lose the heart of the original title, and the addition of new characters helps make this quirky Western shooter even more entertaining.
7
Gunman Clive HD Collection
A Simple Sidescrolling Action Game Where Players Fight Against Technologically-Advanced Enemies
Platformer
Shooter
Indie Games
Western
- Released
-
April 2, 2012
- Developer(s)
-
Horberg Productions
It’s been encouraging to see how important art design and visual aesthetics have become for audiences. There used to be a time when only advanced graphics got people’s attention, but there’s more of an artistry to the look and feel of games now, especially when it comes to indie titles. The pair of Gunman Clive games are a perfect example of this.
They’re indie sidescrollers that involve gunslingers in the West, but the scaled-back art design is where these titles feel unique. An HD collection has helped bring the games over to modern audiences and keep these games alive.
6
Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD
A Bounty Hunting Extravaganza That Takes Place In A Unique Mix Of Western And Fantasy Elements
- Released
-
January 25, 2005
It’s not unusual for a franchise to produce spin-offs that take the games in radically different directions, and Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath accomplishes something difficult here. It takes the surreal universe of the Oddworld games but turns them into moody Westerns with an original slant.
Stranger’s Wrath is a grizzled bounty hunter who just wants to get enough money to complete his goal. The ruthless world of Gizzard Gulch is a great expansion to the Oddworld universe, and a re-master in 2012 helped Stranger’s Wrath not get forgotten.
5
Red Dead Redemption
One Of The Best Western Video Games Of All Time
- Released
-
May 18, 2010
- Developer(s)
-
Rockstar San Diego
Red Dead Redemption is one of the greatest open-world video games ever made. Serving as a massive departure from their work on the Grand Theft Auto series, Red Dead Redemption put players in the shoes of John Marston, a cowboy who must hunt down the former members of his gang to finally live out a normal life with his family.
Unfortunately, while things don’t go swimmingly for him, fans will be more than entertained by this incredible video game that cuts no corners and lets players enjoy an excellent narrative with many memorable characters. Players who were wowed by Red Dead Redemption 2 should check out Marston’s story in its entirety, and they won’t be disappointed.