Life on the range is tough. It’s already tough enough without having your soul stolen, yet in Hard West 2 we watch as Gin Carter and his cursed band of outcasts struggle under the weight of their affliction.
In the second installment of the Hard West series, Gin and the gang continue their search for wealth by robbing a haunted train, just as they did in the first trailer. The “prize” turns out to be an eldritch monstrosity that steals your soul during a game of cards, and they wind up under a horrible curse and fighting to save their souls as a result. You know, the typical events that occur after a robbery gone awry.
This leads to an exciting tactical experience that, despite certain flaws in battle design and character growth, stands with the best of the best in the genre.
Good news y’all: you got five days to purchase Hard West 2 for a full 10% off the asking price. We’re no Vanderbilts, but this is a train you ain’t wanna miss: https://t.co/SVq6Lz2dM3 pic.twitter.com/NkLBeysnpo
— Hard West 2 – Out Now! (@HardWest2) September 12, 2022
Review Of Hard West 2: Paranormally Brilliant Tactics
Hard West 2’s strong point is its setup with the ghost train raid, but it isn’t particularly concerned with Western drama or supernatural horror beyond its use of the genre as a framework, which works OK. The potential was there to make this into a tactical game with a deep story. However, the tone and mood of Hard West 2 more than makeup for the film’s lack of substantial or engaging plot advancement. Even if the location is merely for show, it does it very effectively.
The foundation of Gin’s gang consists of Flynn, the master of stealth, and Laughing Deer, still, a Native American caricature that didn’t need to be, however you eventually acquire more combatants as the tale develops. Making harsh but fair judgments at crucial stages is advertised as one of Hard West 2’s main draws, so long as you have a devoted team. If you can win over the loyalty of one team member, they will acquire new abilities, but if you alienate them, they will likely quit.
Those that are conversant with the system will find it to be comfortable. Keeping your band of outlaws together is a central theme in a wide variety of tactics-style games, from Final Fantasy Tactics to Surviving the Aftermath. Hard West 2 tries to stand apart by making these decisions based on the characters, but the characters themselves aren’t well-developed enough. Although it fits in with the overall approach to plot and character development, the result is a bit superficial and feels like a squandered opportunity.
And that’s totally great with me. If your story isn’t as epic as Valkyria Chronicles, you can get away with having flat characters and a weak plot. Hard West 2 excels at what counts most in a squad-based tactics game by delivering satisfying gameplay and solid tactical choices.
Even while the fundamentals of battle remain mostly the same, I was rather impressed with Hard West 2’s approach to tactics in our Hard West 2 preview (listed at the top of the article), and things only improve from there. You’ll be in charge of a squad of characters, each with its own set of skills and talents, and you’ll have to use tactics like taking cover and sneaking up on the opponent to eliminate them. The ricochet mechanism in Hard West 2 is a great new addition to the game’s strategic depth.
If you only need to kill one enemy, should you risk going out in the open to utilize your super skill or play it safe and bounce a shot off the wall (don’t ask, it just works)? The latter is the better option in most cases, however, it hasn’t stopped me from occasionally opting for the showier option. Without some peril, what is the afterlife?
The majority of Hard West 2’s maps are also excellent. While most of them don’t quite live up to the excitement of the training tutorial, the overarching structure and requirements more than makeup for the lackluster aesthetic.
Just picture the maps from Desperados or Shadow Tactics, but this time in a turn-based format. Because you can’t hide from foes forever, barriers and cover are more than just a means to that end. They’re a godsend and an indispensable resource for conquering any obstacle.
A character’s ability to move, attack normally, and use skills all cost action points. It just takes a few poor decisions before you find yourself imprisoned and overwhelmed. Despite its harsh appearance, Hard West 2 actually includes some measures that help keep things in check. When your Bravado meter reaches its maximum, you can take another action, and if your character dies in battle, they will be revived for the next encounter.
You have to carefully plan your every move in a tactics game. This characteristic has always existed inside the genre’s genetic code. In Hard West 2, however, the use of cover and ricochet, as well as the restriction of character actions each turn, help to give a sense of actual accomplishment after any victory.
The design occasionally borrows too heavily from Valkyria Chronicles, which is the game’s sole real flaw. The maps are more of a riddle than anything else, and they seem to be designed to favor one or two distinct tactics. This is not a negative development. In most cases, it’s satisfying to figure out the best course of action, but given the complexity of the battle and the breadth of options it offers, I wished I had been given more leeway to try different approaches. Even though it’s already fantastic, I’m hoping Hard West 3 lets you unleash total anarchy on the battlefield.
Brief Analysis Of Hard West 2
Pros
- Superb cartographic work.
- Intelligent and taxing conflict.
- Distinct ambiance.
Cons
- The characters and plot are underdeveloped.
- There isn’t enough leeway to try anything new.
Unpredictably, 2022 is shaping up to be the year of strategic competition. While I did appreciate the teaser, I wasn’t expecting Hard West 2 to captivate me as much as Triangle Strategy or games like Tactics Ogre (which will be getting a remake later this year). You should pay close attention to it, though, if you consider yourself a fan of strategy.
Final Words
Hard West 2’s strong point is the ghost train raid, but it’s not concerned with Western narrative or supernatural terror beyond its framework, which works. This might have been a tactical, story-driven game. Hard West 2’s tone and mood make up for its weak plot. Even if it’s just for the show, the setting is great.
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