Review cover West Hunt (Nintendo Switch)
Official GBAtemp Review

Product Information:

  • Release Date (NA): February 9, 2024
  • Publisher: Wandering Wizard
  • Developer: NewGen
  • Genres: Casual, Indie
  • Also For: Computer

Game Features:

Single player
Local Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Co-operative

Review Approach:

This review is based on my experience with the Nintendo Switch version which may vary in performance with other releases.
Acting like an NPC has never been more intense

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If I'm going to be completely honest, I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this game fully. It presents itself as a rather simple "catch the imposter" experience, a concept that feels almost overdone at this point. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how refreshing and fun it is, especially wrapped in its old Western theme.

West Hunt is straightforward: there are two sides, the Outlaws and the Sheriffs. As an Outlaw, your goal is to complete a number of tasks without being caught by the Sheriff. As the Sheriff, your job is to spot any suspicious activity amidst the many NPCs roaming around. Essentially, the game involves a few players in a sea of NPCs.

Playing as an outlaw isn't as complex as it may seem. The maps feature many interactive areas that both you and the NPCs can interact with. Some of these interactions are tied to missions that need to be completed before a timer runs out. The real challenge lies in moving and acting in a way that blends in with the NPC movements. On the other hand, playing as a Sheriff initially feels daunting due to the sheer number of characters wandering around. Yet, the game offers several hints to track an outlaw's last known whereabouts, such as mailboxes that provide hints whenever an outlaw completes a task.

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Sheriff vs Outlaw

The beginning of a match in West Hunt may be the slowest for both sides, but the intensity ramps up towards the end. With a timer working against them, outlaws need to keep performing tasks to avoid running out of time. However, completing tasks in rapid succession raises their notoriety level, providing Sheriffs with better clues. Performing non-objective tasks lowers the notoriety level, so it becomes a balancing act.

The gameplay offers more than just an NPC simulator. Outlaws can choose from a small variety of abilities, such as teleportation and shapeshifting, providing more strategies for evasion or outpacing the Sheriffs. I found the running ability the most enjoyable; it allowed me to quickly find a hiding spot and lose a pursuing Sheriff by sprinting away as soon as I turned a corner.

Private matches are what make this game perfect for party play, especially with the adjustable options. Abilities have limited uses in online play to keep them balanced, but in a private match, these restrictions can be relaxed for more chaotic and hilarious matches with friends. Match parameters can also be adjusted to make the game less daunting for new players, such as allowing Sheriffs more attempts before ending the game for mistakenly shooting the wrong person.

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Review imageReview image

Outlaws Need Friends Too

West Hunt is a game I'd definitely recommend playing with a friend. It adds a humorous element when you can talk to your opponent without knowing their location. Working with a teammate adds a strategic layer, allowing for better planning based on hints of an outlaw's last location. Communicating and sharing notes creates a more confident dynamic than playing alone or without voice chat.

The game currently has only one mode, with varying match sizes. There is progression through character customization, which players can unlock by playing matches, leveling up, and collecting items scattered across the map. Despite its low price, the game could benefit from more gameplay variety, especially for those seeking a more casual experience.

Initially, the advertising and overall presentation of "West Hunt" did not excite me, but as I played more, I understood the appeal and why it became popular in small communities. It's a lot of fun to role-play as a sheriff or outlaw, and for the price, it's worth the experience, especially when playing with a group of friends. While the performance on the Switch isn't the best with default settings, adjusting them to the lowest graphical quality balances it out while keeping the game looking presentable. With crossplay enabled, I can easily recommend this game for a fun weekend with friends.

Verdict

What We Liked ...
  • Customizable Private Matches
  • Deep Gameplay Mechanics
  • Great for Party Play
  • Crossplay
What We Didn't Like ...
  • Poor Switch Optimization
  • Lack of Gameplay Variety
  • Poor Tutorial
8
Gameplay
Play as either the outlaw or the sheriff, there is fun to be had with both. West Hunt is even better when playing with a party of friends. Its an easy game to pick up and play, perfect for the Nintendo Switch
7
Presentation
The graphics are simplistic but serve their purpose. UI elements can look rough sometimes with some polish needed. Switch graphics and performance could be better but it is more than playable.
6
Lasting Appeal
With some character customization and leveling up available, there is a some things to work up to. However, the main draw to this game is wanting to become a better deductive Sheriff or sneaky outlaw.
8
out of 10

Overall

With fun party play, strategic depth, and the low price, West Hunt offers a very entertaining experience that anyone can just pick up and play. The graphics could be polished a little more but the underlying gameplay lead to intense and sometimes chaotic sessions. Its a very simple gameplay loop but sometimes, you don't need to complicate the formula to make a fun game.
  • Like
Reactions: CoolMe and naed06
I've seen some Youtube channels play this around 2023, but it didn't seem so interesting to buy or get as it looks cheap with reused assets, like what everyone else here says, and works best when playing with a huge group of friends. Something a group like VanossGaming did and made fun to watch videos.
 
Review cover
Product Information:
  • Release Date (NA): February 9, 2024
  • Publisher: Wandering Wizard
  • Developer: NewGen
  • Genres: Casual, Indie
  • Also For: Computer
Game Features:
Single player
Local Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Co-operative

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