Hard West 2 Review

The tactical RPG Hard West was released in 2015 and interested the players in an interesting combination of mysticism and the Wild West. In 2022, Hard West 2 was released – the creators focused on the same things, but there were also significant differences.

Сowboy stories

The plot focuses again on cowboy stories about curses that await people who think a lot about money and are ready to break the law more than once because of them. The main character is the famous gangster Jean Carter. He wanted to rob a train carrying government gold. But something went wrong and he ended up visiting one of the higher demons.

With him, he played poker, expectedly lost and lost his soul. Now Jin plans to take revenge on the demon and along the way he meets a variety of characters – Indians, farmers, bandits, zombies, cultists and many others.

The main character has a very interesting company. There is an orphan who can switch bodies with some opponent, an Indian who can summon spirits that can support her in battle, and a dead cowboy who also decided to join the team.

The atmosphere is very thick and reminds me of the first Hard West. It is a historical and mystical mixture. The living talk and fight together with various mythical characters. It is not always clear where the real is, and where the fruits of the imagination.

There are claims to the main character – he is not very similar to a bandit, too good-natured for him. He will help everyone – the sheriff, the natives, and the refugees. Although this is explained by the plot, but sometimes I would like the robber to be more vivid and colorful.

However, the developers still made it possible to influence the character’s character. As in the original part of the game, you can move between different places, complete main and side quests. If there was a difficult battle, then you can visit some settlement and heal. If there is provisions, then it will turn out to set up a camp on your own.

You can talk with companions, but only if the relationship with the latter is at a good level. And in order to improve them, you need to take the side of your comrades when completing tasks. For example, you can kill an Indian who ate others in order to survive, or you can send him to the tribe, the partner supports the latter idea. Whose side you choose – with that, relations will improve.

Tactics and Luck

The tactical system in the game has become somewhat simpler than in the original. The ricochet mechanic remains, there is a luck system, but now it is possible to save at any time. They decided to increase the difficulty due to the numerical superiority of opponents and their magical abilities. The difficulty lies in the fact that in the process of completing tasks, the number of moves is limited.

There is an interesting mechanic – after each kill, the hero’s action points are restored, it is more profitable to act quickly and aggressively.

However, in Hard West 2 you also need to plan. What are the ricochets alone – you can hit the enemy from the flank. And then there are cards that give increases to the characteristics of the hero and unlock skills with certain combinations. To achieve the best result, you need to plan.

Hard West 2 is a moderately difficult game that is atmospheric, has its own zest and many interesting finds. Yes, there are controversial points, but fans of the genre will go without a doubt.