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Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive

Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive

PC
Released

Release Date: April 27, 2001

Strategy, RTS, Isometric View, Tactics, Western, 19th Century, Singleplayer

Developed by Spellbound Entertainment, the game is a tactical strategy western-style game based on the mechanics of the popular Commandos series. The action of Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive takes place in the Wild West and during the game we control a team led by gunslinger John Cooper and consisting of six cowboys with different skills.

8.8

Steam

8.8

Users

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Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive is a real-time strategy game combining elements of adventure and tactics. In Desperados, which action takes place in the Wild West, the players control a party of six cowboys lead by a gunslinger called John Cooper. Each of the remaining characters has different kinds of skills: Sam Williams is an explosive expert, Doc McCoy is a barber who can treat light wounds, Kate O’Hara is a poker gambler, Inigo Sanchez is a simple thug with a gun, while Mia Yung is an experienced blackleg. There are 25 missions connected to the main story ahead of them in which they have to elude many traps and face over 20 different sorts of enemies.

The gameplay combines espionage, action and tactics in a unique way, so that the success depends on mostly on assigning tasks properly. First 6 missions make a tutorial which introduces the players to the secrets of the game mechanics and explains how they work. The action takes place in locations characteristic of Wild West, such as abandoned towns, military forts, gold mines, saloons, jails, and caverns. In combat, we use classic weapons, starting from bare fists and knives, through revolvers and shotguns, ending with dynamite.

Platforms:

PC Windows

PC Windows

Developer: Spellbound Entertainment AG

Publisher: Atari / Infogrames

Similar Games:

Fallout Tactics: Brotherhood of Steel

Commandos 2: Men of Courage

Jagged Alliance 2

Game Series

Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive
Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive
Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive

4GAMES

Desperados Game Series

A series of tactical real-time strategies, launched in 2001 by the game Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive. Behind the development of the first two installments of the series, as well as their informal continuation in the form of the game Helldorado, was the studio Spellbound Entertainment. The full-fledged third installment of the series, on the other hand, was developed by the Mimimi Games team, which previously became famous thanks to its warmly received, genre-related production titled Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun. The latter was also the first installment of the series, which appeared not only on personal computers, but also on consoles.

Desperados Game Series

Features

Originals

October 31, 2018

Don’t Go West – why developers ignore westerns?

There are really not many alternatives to Red Dead Redemption for players who long for a proper western video-game experience. Most developers seem to look the other way when considering possible settings – and that’s no surprise.

Don’t Go West – why developers ignore westerns?
Don’t Go West – why developers ignore westerns?

Downloads

Top downloads for Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive Video Game:

All Downloads

System Requirements

System Requirements for Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive Video Game:

PC Windows

PC / Windows

Recommended System Requirements:
Processor Pentium 266 MHz (or compatible), 64 MB RAM, 2MB graphic card compatible with DirectX, Windows 95/98/Me/2000.

Ratings

Game Ratings for Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive Video Game.

88%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (2,314)

STEAM
User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

  • Nostalgia and Timelessness: Many players fondly remember the game from their childhood and find it still enjoyable today, highlighting its lasting appeal.
  • Engaging Story and Atmosphere: The game is praised for its captivating story and immersive Wild West setting, with well-designed levels that enhance the experience.
  • Unique Characters and Tactical Gameplay: Players appreciate the diverse abilities of characters, allowing for various strategic approaches to missions, whether through stealth or brute force.
  • Art and Sound Design: The graphics, although dated, are still considered charming, and the soundtrack adds to the game's atmosphere.
  • Replayability: The game's structure allows for different tactics in each level, encouraging players to replay missions using varied strategies.

The main cons of the game

  • Clunky Controls and Interface: Many reviews mention the controls being unintuitive and the interface feeling outdated, making the gameplay experience less smooth.
  • Difficulty and Frustration: The game can be punishingly difficult, with a steep learning curve that may frustrate some players.
  • Lack of Quality-of-Life Improvements: Players note the absence of modern conveniences like camera rotation, clearer objectives, and better AI behavior.
  • Technical Issues: Some users experienced problems with compatibility on modern systems, leading to crashes or unresponsive gameplay.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

  • Multiplayer or Co-op Mode: Several users expressed a desire for a multiplayer mode, which could have enhanced the gameplay experience.
  • Sandbox Mode: A request for a sandbox mode or additional missions was noted, as players felt this would increase replay value.
  • Improved Tutorials: Users mentioned that the tutorials do not adequately explain all game mechanics, leading to confusion in gameplay.
  • More Maps and Content: Some players wished for more maps and missions to extend the game's longevity and variety.

Summary

  • Overall, "Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive" is celebrated as a classic in the real-time tactics genre, with a strong nostalgic following, despite some criticisms regarding its age and gameplay mechanics.

Summary generated on:

8.8

USERS Score

Average score from votes.

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