The Best Cowboy Games to Play in the Wild West
Want to explore the dusty, desolate landscapes of the Wild West and immerse yourself in its captivating atmosphere? While perhaps less common than pirate themes, cowboy games offer a unique experience. Today, we’re saddling up to explore the best cowboy games available.
What are the top cowboy games?
Or, to put it differently: What are the greatest Wild West games? That’s what we’re here to discover. We’ll be ranking the best cowboy games from the past to the present. These games will transport you to the lawless lands of the Wild West, where guns speak louder than words. Ready to ride? Let’s get started!
# Hard West
Our first Wild West-themed game is Hard West, a turn-based strategy title. You control a character determined to hunt down everyone who wronged him, offering a blend of supernatural chaos and realistic strategy. You might also want to check out its sequel, Hard West 2.
* Developer: CreativeForge Games
* Publisher: Good Shepherd Entertainment
* Release Date: November 18, 2015
# Weird West
Weird West, an isometric RPG, impresses with its atmosphere and intriguing visuals. It’s not just a cowboy game; it incorporates dark fantasy elements for a unique experience. You have the chance to shape the story through your choices.
* Developer: WolfEye Studios
* Publisher: Devolver Digital
* Release Date: March 31, 2022
# GUN
Following the success of 2004’s Red Dead Revolver, Activision released GUN. You play as Colton White, embroiled in a tale of revenge. While not the best game of its time, it capitalized on the absence of the Red Dead series on PC, offering PC players a Red Dead-like experience.
* Developer: Neversoft
* Publisher: Activision
* Release Date: November 17, 2005
# Red Dead Redemption
Undoubtedly, two Red Dead games deserve a spot on our list of the best cowboy games. Red Dead Redemption, the first in the series, was a landmark title. Following John Marston’s journey and transformation was captivating. Players are still eagerly awaiting its arrival on PC.
* Developer: Rockstar Games
* Publisher: Rockstar Games
* Release Date: May 18, 2010
# Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
How about we switch to FPS games for a bit? The Call of Juarez series excels at capturing the dangerous action of the Wild West. Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood takes players to 1864, following the McCall brothers’ search for the legendary Juarez gold. It’s one of the best FPS games for experiencing the arid Wild West.
* Developer: Techland
* Publisher: Techland Publishing
* Release Date: June 30, 2009
# Red Dead Revolver
Mentioned earlier when discussing GUN, Red Dead Revolver is a must-have on any list of the best cowboy games. Set in the 1880s, the game tasks you with bounty hunting, which soon turns into a quest for revenge. We owe a lot to this game for launching the Red Dead series.
* Developer: Rockstar Games
* Publisher: Rockstar Games
* Release Date: May 4, 2004
# Fallout: New Vegas
Let’s get a little weird. Fallout: New Vegas, considered the best game in the Fallout series, isn’t set in the Wild West. It’s set in a post-apocalyptic future, but New Vegas heavily references the Wild West. People live as if they’re in the 1800s. It’s a good choice for those seeking a different setting.
* Developer: Obsidian Entertainment
* Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
* Release Date: October 19, 2010
# Evil West
Evil West combines the Wild West theme with a darker atmosphere, pitting you against bloodthirsty monsters as you strive to become a hero of the West. This chaotic and thrilling game deserves a spot among the best cowboy games.
* Developer: Flying Wild Hog
* Publisher: Focus Entertainment
* Release Date: November 22, 2022
# Desperados III
We felt our list needed another strategy game, so we’re introducing you to Desperados III. This real-time strategy game blends stealth elements with the Wild West and offers a story-driven narrative. You’ve likely heard of the series before, but this third installment is a joy to play and captures the best aspects of the Wild West.
* Developer: Mimimi Games
* Publisher: THQ Nordic
* Release Date: June 16, 2020
# Red Dead Redemption II
And here we are, at the guest of honor on our list. This is undoubtedly one of the best cowboy games of all time. With its massive open world, brilliantly written characters, abundant content, and thrilling action, Red Dead Redemption II has earned a place in our hearts.
* Developer: Rockstar Games
* Publisher: Rockstar Games
* Release Date: October 26, 2018