West of Loathing Reviews
The turn-based combat isn't the best, but it's a delightfully written RPG absolutely packed with humor.
Asymmetric Then there's the lore. West of Loathing takes place after a major magical disaster: the Day the Cows Came Home. Portals to hell turned the cows demonic, and great darkness spread across the West. 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. Absurdism aside, there's something fundamentally human and direct baked into the game's whole design from aesthetic to script. On top of it, you can dunk your hand into a spittoon of caustic toxins to pull out an enchanted sword. That's the kind of player choice I didn't even know I wanted in a Western RPG.
Humor courses through West of Loathing's veins, making every minute of this RPG/adventure hybrid a delight.
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.
If the thought of flinging fava beans instead of fireballs leaves you cold, then this isn't the game for you. But if you're smiling at the idea of a world where meateors crash into the earth and distribute bits of meat — then, hey, it's time to go west.
WoL is most easily described as a comedy game, and though it is indeed a prime-cut ribtickler, that can be a backhanded compliment – as if jokes are all it has. WoL does something far more accomplished, far more rare, which is to be joyful.
West of Loathing understands the stylistic charm that a unique aesthetic can provide and that stick figures are still, at the heart of everything, rad as heck. While the combat system is lacking, hilarious storytelling and a dynamic world make up a wonderful stroll through the western-styled landscapes.
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. While I won't forget this Western romp anytime soon, I'll be remembering the witty dialogue exchanges and unique graphics more than its gameplay.
West of Loathing can be a striking, unusual experience. Its completely unassuming and bare simple art style does not reveal it immediately, but this is an adventure RPG with a plot that's full of humour and which encourages the player to always go further and to get mired in the many side quests and missions. Even if its combat system is not as compelling as one would like it to be, West of Loathing features more than enough to attract players receptive to its marvel-filled plot and events.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
West of Loathing is a great value for its price and definitely entertaining for what it is. Unfortunately, the actual mechanics lack a lot of depth that keep it from being an experience for everyone. A deep RPG experience this is not. However, if you're looking for a few hours to kill on a game with funny writing and creative environments, this one is for you.
West of Loathing is not your average RPG; in fact we'd go so far as to say you've probably never played anything quite like it in your life. Its combat won't blow you away but don't be lulled into believing that's what this game is about, as really the whole thing is an adventure in exploration and interaction with a bit of fighting sprinkled in. It can occasionally be a little bit difficult to decipher, but the satisfaction felt upon working out a problem totally makes up for it. The humour is as wonderfully dry as the desert you're traversing and the writing is some of the best you can find on the Switch. Unless you've not got a humorous bone in your body, this is one RPG you can't risk skipping.
Imagine a Western where scouring the American frontier is as urgent as calculating the severity of a hat. This balance sustains West of Loathing's mixture of zealous role-playing and profuse outpouring of absurdity. It's proof that capable writing can not only texture eccentric maneuvers in design and presentation, but also prevail as a primary attraction. West of Loathing celebrates Western ambience and revels in disciplined goofiness.
One of the funniest RPGs ever made, West of Loathing combines a unique visual presentation with outstanding roleplaying.
What a delightful and funny adventure West of Loathing is, a unique blend of a very simple turn based role playing game and an old time point and click adventure. It's a perfect companion for lazy sundays and hard day's nights.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
I'm actually having more fun playing this ludicrous RPG parody drawn with stick people than I did with the bigger budget Wasteland 2.
While this is obviously not Red Dead Redemption or anything of the sort, West of Loathing proves to be truly entertaining for what it is.
From the charm that oozes out of the hand drawn simple animations to the writing that is absolutely on point from start to finish, West of Loathing really is something quite special.
Treating this game like a super-serious RPG is the wrong way to go about it, as that's where the holes start to emerge, whether it's the middling combat or the mildly annoying quest and item management troubles. This is a comedy, pure and simple, and thankfully it's one that's clever and funny in a way that makes up for any lesser gameplay segments. It's a great chaser between the ample supply of serious games out there, especially if you have Stupid Walking turned on.
I truly love West of Loathing. It's charming, silly, fun and, most surprisingly, offers genuinely engaging combat and questing.