West of Loathing

The turn-based combat isn't the best, but it's a delightfully written RPG absolutely packed with humor.

I'm actually having more fun playing this ludicrous RPG parody drawn with stick people than I did with the bigger budget Wasteland 2.

West of Loathing elicits this powerful emotional connection with stick figures. It bonds you to its world with nothing more than doodling and dialogue. There’s a pretty good turn-based adventure game there, under the hood, but West of Loathing’s many strengths are all personal: connections made between developer and player when you both laugh at the same time.

When something like West of Loathing comes along – something completely unique and ‘out there’ in its style – it can go one of two ways. It’s either a complete disaster, or it’s a true gem among the rough. Asymmetric’s wonderful little game definitely falls into the latter category here. Their gamble to make a stick figure-led game has paid off massively.

West of Loathing is one of the most memorable games I have played this year. It’s unique simple-yet-detailed visuals and witty writing for everything from basic dialogue to item descriptions will keep fans of both westerns and RPGs very entertained. Unfortunately, once you hop into battle, the game’s cracks start to show. While there is a great feeling of progression, West of Loathing’s combat never did much to stand out from the systems in countless other turn-based RPGs.

West of Loathing's visuals are monochromatic, but there's enjoyable comedy painted between every line, a pitch-perfect Spaghetti Western soundtrack, and a full spectrum of role-playing possibilities to choose from that make it a consistently enjoyable madcap cowboy jaunt.

West of Loathing may not be perfect, but it never needed to be. What it gives us, instead, is one of the funniest goddamn games I’ve played all year. I may be a bit late to the party, but I’m really glad that I gave it a chance. Anything capable of making me smile this much is an absolute blessing. This is something truly special, and I can’t wait to see what the developers at Asymmetric have in store for us next.

West of Loathing is an RPG with a ton of personality and a lot of reading. Personally, I’m a big fan of the surreal, pun-filled humor, so I had a great time, but your mileage may vary. It could also at times be a little repetitive, relying on its personality instead of delivering a ton of variety in gameplay. It’s more about exploring than it is about making meaningful choices or solving complex puzzles.

West of Loathing makes remarkable use of the space it inhabits. It just doesn't make navigating that space very fun at times. There is enough to this adventure to make it is easily recommendable to fans of CYOA style games, and those who enjoy tougher RPGs all around. For those who don't fall into those categories, there's nothing here that will likely entice you to stick around very long.

Okay, die Reminiszenz an Monty Pythons Ministry of Silly Walks lässt sich dann in den Optionen deaktivieren, aber ich bin ca. die Hälfte der Spielzeit gekrochen, gehüpft, getorkelt oder hab sonstige Verrenkungen gemacht. Weil's so gut in den allgemeinen Irrsinn des Spiels passt.