Release Date: November 18, 2015
An original turn-based strategy game set in a universe that combines elements of a Western and fantasy setting. The title was created by Polish developer CreativeForge Games, consisting of creators of such franchises like Call of Juarez and Dead Island. The game is set in the 19th-century Wild West. Already troubled by lawlessness, the land gets stricken by a series of supernatural phenomena.
Hard West is a turn-based strategy, which combines exploration of the world like in the series Heroes of Might & Magic with the depth of tactical battles, kept in a climate so called Strange West (mix of western and fantasy). It is the first major work of the Warsaw studio CreativeForge Games, which cooperates with veterans who had worked on such hits as Call of Juarez, Dead Island and Shadow Warrior.
The game was inspired by westerns, so the action takes place in the United States of America in the nineteenth century. However, the historical realities are of a marginal significance. The character starts the game in the gloomy, sun-scorched land where lawlessness is rampant and the most common goods are weapon, ammunition and blood. What is more, there occurs unexplained phenomena, for which is responsible the devil.
Hard West consists of a number of scenarios, which are sufficient for minimum 1 hour of the play. The basis of the game is a map of the world, which is filled with a variety of places including treasures, tasks and secrets. There is no shortage of the opponents – the battles, which take place in detailed and extensive locations, are one of the most important elements of Hard West.
As it was mentioned before, the battles take place in turns. The developer has not implemented bars of life and instead there are applied mechanics where each ball may turn out to be fatal. If the wounded survives – for example, when the character receives potions, medic or shaman help fast - the wound will leave a scar, which will be a kind of perk. It can improve the stats and skills of the character. What is more, in the Hard West there is no shortage of an extensive system of protagonists’ development.
The CreativeForge Games Studio provides a lot of tactical options during the game, which are not always conventional. For example, the character can blow the furniture over to use it as a protection against enemies, taking the positions which are unfavorable for the enemies, for example in such a way that the sun blinds them. Another feature can be encouraging the adversaries to abandon the murderous intentions by dropping purses with coins, manual targeting in such a way to deflect a ball of metal obstacles and hit the enemy rebound, as well as ... avoiding protections by twisting the missiles.
As you can see, the creators here and there turn a blind eye to the issue of realism - including weapons. The players in the arsenal can find such inventions as the four-barrel shotgun or rifle with 250g bullets. It is worth mentioning that despite the turn-based system, the clashes are dynamic and do not last longer than 5-10 minutes.
Platforms:
PC Windows November 18, 2015
PlayStation 4 June 28, 2020
Xbox One June 19, 2020
Nintendo Switch March 7, 2019
Developer: CreativeForge Games / Forever Entertainment S.A. (Switch)
Publisher: Good Shepherd Entertainment / Gambitious
Age restrictions: 18+
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Hard West Review – the Polish take on XCOM?
Hard West is not afraid to take up the glove dropped by XCOM and shows that a digital narrative can be something else than an endless festival of action and explosions. Still, this doesn’t mean it’s perfect.
PC WindowsHard West is now available. This turn-based tactical strategy game from a Polish developer is getting mostly positive reviews both from critics and players.
video games
November 19, 2015
XCOM meets Call of Juarez meets dark fantasy Hard West is coming out on November 4. Right now you can pre-order the game 20% off the price on Steam.
video games
October 20, 2015
Hard West looks like XCOM in Western-themed dark fantasy setting on this new gameplay video. This turn-based strategy game is coming to PC this fall.
video games
August 26, 2015
System Requirements for Hard West Video Game:
PC / Windows
Minimum System Requirements:
Intel Core 2 Quad 2.6 GHz/Athlon 64 X2 2.6 GHz, 4 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GT 430/512 MB Radeon HD 4670 or better, 6 GB HDD, Windows Vista/7/8/10.
Recommended System Requirements:
Intel Core i5 3 GHz/Athlon II X4 3.1 GHz, 6 GB RAM, graphic card 1 GB GeForce GTX 550 Ti/2 GB Radeon R7 260X or better, 6 GB HDD, Windows Vista/7/8/10.
List of Game Add-Ons and DLCs for Video Game:
DLC Scars of Freedom March 3, 2016
Game Ratings for Hard West Video Game.
Hard West Review – the Polish take on XCOM?
Hard West is not afraid to take up the glove dropped by XCOM and shows that a digital narrative can be something else than an endless festival of action and explosions. Still, this doesn’t mean it’s perfect.
PC WindowsRock, Paper, Shotgun: by Alec Meer
It just adds to that sense that Hard West is a turn-based strategy game with a strong core surrounded by a fragmented, uncertain exterior. I'd say it's definitely worth picking up if your XCOM and Jagged Alliance itches currently feel unscratched, but expect something to dip in and out of, not some grand timesink opus. The best times with it will come from playing it on maxed-out difficulty in Iron Man mode, and its wounds system – whereby the injured are weaker in the short term but even stronger in the long term – turned on. Make the central battles as long as involved as possible, because that's where Hard West has the surest footing.
ACG: by Jeremy Penter
Eurogamer: by Johnny Chiodini
Rough round the edges and clunky in parts, Hard West's refreshing take on turn-based strategy is still worth saddling up for.
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![[0:42] Scars of Freedom - launch trailer](https://cdn.gracza.pl/galeria/filmy/640x360/90107721.jpg)
