West Hunt GBAtemp review
Nintendo Switch
Product Information:
- Release Date (NA): February 9, 2024
- Publisher: Wandering Wizard
- Developer: NewGen
- Genres: Casual, Indie
- Also For: Computer
Game Features:
Review Approach:
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.
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.
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
- Customizable Private Matches
- Deep Gameplay Mechanics
- Great for Party Play
- Crossplay
- Poor Switch Optimization
- Lack of Gameplay Variety
- Poor Tutorial
