A cowboy RPG from a team that has earned its spurs

Developer WolfEye Studios

Publisher Devolver Digital

Format PC

Origin Various

Release Autumn

GALLERY

VIDEO

R aphaël Colantonio knows a thing or two about the peculiar magic of immersive sims. As the founder of Arkane, he’s responsible for some of the best examples of the form ever made. After leaving to found WolfEye Studios, his priorities really haven’t changed much: “Our mission is to go deeper into immersive sims. That’s our passion – it always has been and probably always will be.”

Before our demo of Weird West, WolfEye’s debut, Colantonio gives a brief presentation on what he refers to as a “design religion”. He talks about the importance of making a world that is “bigger than the game”, of leaving room for player expression, and of systems that interlock to create outcomes even the designers couldn’t have predicted. The heart of immersive sim design, as he sees it, is akin to that golden rule of improv. “Say yes to the player.”

But you know what they say about the relative volume of actions and words. And we’re happy to report that, if you’re looking for an explanation of why these games have attracted such a dedicated cult following over the years, even Colantonio can’t compete with Weird West itself.

The demo begins with a fairly rote setup. Jane Bell is a former bounty hunter who traded in her guns for a quiet family life. At least, until a bandit gang shows up, kidnaps her husband and murders her son. Thanks to a few suggestions from the audience, though, this familiar story quickly takes on a life of its own.