Far Far West is a first-person co-op shooter combining spells, cold steel, and wit. Complete missions and side objectives solo or with up to three others and then take on a variety of bosses. Then high tail it to catch the train out and return to the saloon to prepare for the next trip. You can pick up this new game by Evil Raptor (Akimbot, Pumpkin Jack) with publishing by Fireshrine Games (ODINFALL, Core Keeper) in early access now over on Steam.
Watch what you Wish For in Far Far West
When I first heard about Far Far West, it was being compared to games like Helldivers 2, Destiny 2 and Deep Rock Galactic. Given the amount of time I’ve spent in each of these games, it felt like this one would be right up my alley. Needless to say, I’m always happy to find a game hitting early access with a strong stride and this one seems to be on that list. Check out my thoughts on the current state of the game below.
Gameplay
Far Far West is a co-op first-person shooter where missions and bounties pit you against all manner of seemingly undead and enchanted critters. A combination of spells and conventional weapons will keep the baddies away as you move through the map looking for side objectives and hidden secrets. Completing the main objective makes way for spawning the boss encounter, and defeating that summons your ride out. It’s then your choice to continue to the next mission or head back to the saloon to recoup and enhance your arsenal. Then rinse and repeat.
I can see the comparison between aspects of Far Far West and Helldivers 2. The map view alone of each zone is reminiscent of the area maps in the latter game. It also shares a similar game loop, and players are given the choice of whether or not they want to complete side content. The biggest difference between these two is the lack of a timer in Far Far West. You have as much time as you need or want to run around the map. I found this especially nice when I was determined to complete a secret quest.
The controls and base mechanics feel great. I especially am thankful that you get a personal mount to traverse the map right from level one. Running isn’t too bad, but running on your mount makes covering ground so much faster. This feature, among other controls, feels well thought out and does not stray from the standard of most FPS games.
Cards, Spells and Weapons
Far Far West brings a bit of roguelite flair to the table in the form of Joker cards. These cards, found from a variety of sources per run, act as modifiers to the run. They range in rarity and usefulness. Jokers are also found outside of runs as weapon and character modifiers to add from the hub area.
Spells are unlocked as you progress in each type. There are several different categories of spells, such as fire, acid, and cactus. Yes cactus. Using a spell earns experience toward that category to unlock better ones. Some spells can also be used in combination to create more destruction, such as the fire tornado seen in the first screenshot above.
Firearms also earn their own experience with usage to progress. Progression in Far Far West for weapons comes in the form of unlocking joker slots and modifying different stats as you level them. Other weapons are unlocked by collecting specific shards to be able to buy them. From what I’ve been able to see, greater difficulties must offer different shards as you go, since I’ve only seen ones for the shotgun in my Easy mode adventures.
Graphics & Audio
Far Far West is currently only available on PC. It also has a “verified for Steam Deck” designation, although I didn’t really do more than load into the saloon there. I’m much better with a keyboard and mouse when it comes to FPS games, so I tend to stick to my desktop. The graphics seem to be smooth on both at default settings though, so I’m sure rounds are certainly playable if you’re more comfortable with a controller.
The art style reminds me a lot of Deep Rock Galactic. It’s more of a brighter tone than what you might think of, given the setting. It works very well with the witty theme and characters throughout, too. Kind of has that feeling of “Make sure you survive, but have fun with it” as the overtone.
You can’t have West in a game name like Far Far West without expecting at least some Western theme music. There is no disappointment on that front here either. Just enough twang when out and about and in the saloon, but still enough determination and drive during the bigger fights when it counts. Witty sound effects to boot, too.
Longevity
Far Far West has a popular gameplay loop and is already fun with the content on hand. I only expect the longevity aspect to grow as additional content becomes available, as Evil Raptor continues putting love into the game with feedback from the community. It’s easy to pick up and play without pressure and spend the time you want on it.
Final Thoughts
Far Far West is shaping up to be, and already is, an entertaining experience. Like similar games, it is playable solo but is likely more enjoyable with a crew, for shared shenanigans at least. So if you enjoy robot cowboys, extraction shooters, and hordes of enemies to mow down with friends, be sure to check it out either now or in the near future.
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
If you enjoy this review, be sure to check out my other reviews here.
YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Discord | Podcast