Weird West, releasing later this year, is obviously unique as soon as one lays eyes on it. An isometric action game with aspects of the immersive sim genre, set in a fantastical version of the Wild West is immediately eye-catching and intriguing.
But while Weird West is shaping up to be a unique title, there are many games that share qualities with it. From recent releases to genre classics, a bevy of games exists that can help somewhat satisfy the niche Weird West might very well fill.
The Ascent
The Ascent is an isometric twin-stick shooter, released in July 2021 by developer Neon Giant. Set on the dystopian world of Veles, The Ascent falls squarely within the cyberpunk genre, but even so, it obviously shares several qualities with Weird West.
Obviously, both games use an isometric point of view during gameplay, as well as a heavy focus on action, even though The Ascent also has a heavy focus on finding weaponry and acquiring new loot. Additionally, while Weird West takes place in a distorted version of the past while The Ascent takes place on a far-flung alien planet, both games have dark and fantastical settings.
Dishonored
Dishonored is one of the best-known video games within the immersive sim genre, a genre known for a heavy focus on creative problem-solving and player choice. Released in October 2012, Dishonored was praised for its intricate levels, gameplay that could take the form of action or stealth, and intriguing world-building.
While Dishonored's first-person action is a far cry from the isometric point of view of Weird West, both games place an emphasis on player choice and feature multiple playable characters, accessible through Dishonored's DLC campaigns.
Prey
At first glance, Prey and Weird West couldn't be more different, with little similarities between their immersive sim roots. Prey is set in the near future, as the inhabitants of a space station fend off vicious aliens, while Weird West is more fantasy-oriented, and based heavily on character interactions.
However, these seemingly disparate games both place a massive emphasis on player choice. For example, Prey puts a large focus on player exploration, and whether they choose to sneak throughout the eerie halls of the station, or fight their foes with wild abandon. In a similar vein, Weird West will allow players to tackle both combat and exploration in a bevy of different ways, which will continue to impact the game as it moves forward.
Divinity: Original Sin
The Divinity franchise of role-playing games has been a fantasy staple since the first installment's release in 2002. However, the most recent releases in this franchise, Divinity Original Sin and its sequel, Divinity Original Sin 2, came out in 2014 and 2017, respectively. Apart from their stories and well-designed combat, these games are notable for how the player's choices will impact an entire playthrough.
A simple choice early in the game can have a big effect later on, both on the story and on the character's relationships with their various party . With multiple playable characters and a large ing cast, Weird West promises to fill a similar vein, with their stories altering the world before coming together in a final chapter.
Baldur's Gate
Heavily based on the campaign settings of Dungeons and Dragons, the Baldur's Gate franchise is seeing newfound interest, with its third installment currently in early access.
The franchise is known for being both expansive and immersive, with a large number of quests and ways for a player to customize their character. If those waiting for Weird West are looking for a game to play in the meantime, a role-playing game such as this series might bridge the gap.
West of Dead
Released in 2020, West of Dead is a rogue-lite game with immediate similarities to Weird West. Not only are both games isometric in style, but they both also have similar settings. Both games take place in a fantastical version of the American Midwest, complete with strange creatures and a heavy focus on gunplay.
However, West of Dead is also a rogue-lite, which might not appeal to all fans of immersive sims and isometric games. Nevertheless, players looking for a more fantastical setting might find the similarities between these two games intriguing.
Fallout 1
While the Fallout series is best known as a first-person open-world series in the present day, in 1997 it was simply a role-playing game. However, from the isometric angle to a focus on character choice and party relationships, it is easy to see how much this game inspired its successors.
While somewhat outdated, Fallout might prove fun for anyone eagerly anticipating the release of Weird West who is also interested in seeing how such an influential title got its start.
Pillars Of Eternity
Released by Obsidian Entertainment, Pillars of Eternity was seen as one of the best game released in 2015. An isometric role-playing game with a fantastical setting, Pillars of Eternity was praised for both being unique and drawing on many games that came before it.
While Weird West has more of a focus on gunplay and Western tropes than the fantasy world of Pillars of Eternity, both games obviously draw inspiration from similar games that influenced both titles in of gameplay and style.
Red Dead Redemption 2
Since its release, Red Dead Redemption 2 has garnered a massive amount of praise and fan attention. Set in the American Midwest of the nineteenth century, Red Dead 2 features some surprisingly scary sequences but has been lauded for its intricate open-world, complex characters, and deep story.
It is undeniable that Red Dead Redemption 2 and Weird West share similarities in their settings, so both are excellent choices for fans of the Wild West. Red Dead Redemption 2 is historically accurate and realistic in its art style, which may not appeal to everyone looking forward to Weird West, but it might just scratch that Wild West itch.
Hades
Hades is the best rogue-lite game available on Steam and is set in the Underworld of Ancient Greek mythology. While this might seem to set it apart from Weird West (especially the rogue-lite aspects, where much of the game resets on death), the two games do share many similarities.
Not only do both Weird West and Hades share an isometric perspective, and have unique graphical styles, but they both also have a focus on character relationships. While Hades won a Hugo Award for its writing, Weird West promises to have a massive cast of characters and factions, all of whom can have vastly different relationships with the player based on their actions.