West of Dead

West of Dead is a game that takes two already powerful genres — classic western and supernatural action game — and melds them into an intense experience of tactical action and cover-based shooter. Developed by Upstream Arcade and published by Raw Fury, this isometric shooter with roguelike mechanics stands out due to the dark setting, cel shading art style and the unmistakable voice of Ron Perlman as narrator and protagonist.

We are facing a game that is not limited to shooting for the sake of shooting, but demands precision, positioning and cold blood. In Wild West Purgatory where wandering souls don't rest and violence is the only law, you play as William Mason, a gunslinger resurrected with no memories, forced to fight his way through a spiral of death and redemption.

Gameplay: Cover, timing and lethal decisions

The main mechanic of West of Dead is based on real-time cover-based shootings. Each confrontation is a deadly choreography, where right movements, using the environment to your advantage and shooting at the right moment make the difference between staying alive or falling dead... and starting over from scratch.

The isometric view creates a clear vision of the battlefield, and the pace of the game is designed to reward caution. Cover is never perfect and enemies do not hesitate to flank you or throw explosives at you, so it is vital to move with agility. Unlike in other shooters, the gunplay is not frantic, but rather tactical, almost like a chess game with shotguns and revolvers.

The arsenal is varied: from double pistols to rifles, shotguns, explosives, traps and special objects that alter the rules of combat. Each weapon has its own shooting rate, damage and use, so you have to change your style depending on the circumstances. There are also abilities and upgrades that you can unlock with "sins", the currency that you accumulate with each run.

As in all roguelikes, dying is part of the learning process. Each new game generates different maps, places enemies in unexpected locations and offers weapons that are not always the same ones. This forces you to adapt constantly and turns every run into a fresh experience.

Narrative: Redemption, death and mystery in Purgatory

The story of West of Dead does not count to grandiloquent cinematics, but consists rather of monologues, memory fragments and an atmosphere full of symbolism. You play as William Mason, a spectral figure with a flaming skull who wakes up with no memories in Purgatory, a no-man's land where souls stagnate because of their sins or unresolved issues.

The deep and thoughtful voice of Ron Perlman, an actor known for roles such as Hellboy or Clay Morrow in Sons of Anarchy, gives Mason a magnetic presence. His introspective narration, full of lapidary phrases and significant silences, constructs a fragmented story that is revealed as you delve deeper into the world and advance through its infernal zones.

More than a conventional narrative, what the game offers is an atmospheric and sensory story. Encounters with certain characters, key objects and echoes of the past compose a narrative about guilt, punishment and the possibility of redemption. It is not necessary to understand every detail to feel the emotional weight of what is being told.

Visual design: Dark comic with cursed western essence

One of the highlights of West of Dead is the visual style. The use of cel shading makes the game to look like a comic book in motion, with marked contrasts between light and shadow, as well as reddish, yellow and black tones that evoke both the hellfire and a desert sunset.

Every setting — from ghost towns to crypts and cemeteries — is carefully designed to convey tension and hopelessness. Dark areas only light up when you use lamps or lighten them up while shooting, what not only generates atmosphere, but also has playable implications: many enemies stay hidden in the dark until you activate a light source.

The enemy design is also noteworthy. Spectral creatures, zombified bandits, disembodied monsters and grotesque figures that look like something out of a Hellblazer or Preacher comic book. Everything radiates that "supernatural western" flair that mixes the classic with the demonic.

Sound section: A legend's voice, echoes of purgatory and singing bullets

In addition to the visual style, West of Dead stands out for its sound section. As we have already mentioned, Ron Perlman's voice not only acts as a narrator, but also defines the protagonist with an intensity rarely seen in independent games. His melancholic and rude tone conveys the feeling of being trapped in a story written by death.

The soundtrack accompanies the gameplay with a mix of acoustic guitars, harmonicas and slow chords that evoke loneliness, dust and danger. When a shooting breaks out, the music rises in intensity with more accelerated western riffs, but without ever reaching the raucous. The rhythm of the game and the music are perfectly synchronized.

The sound effects are also worth mentioning. The clicking of revolvers, the falling casings, the creaking of old doors and the groans of enemies create an immersive and oppressive atmosphere. Every bullet has weight and every reload sounds like a sentence.

Progression and difficulty: Learn from failure, shoot better next time

As a good roguelike, West of Dead punishes mistakes with immediate death, but rewards perseverance. Each match allows you to collect "sins" and unlock new weapons, abilities or permanent upgrades for future runs. This mitigates the frustration of failure, as there is a steady sense of progress.

The difficulty curve is demanding but fair. Reading the map, using cover, mastering reloading and developing good timing when shooting, are all essential skills. It's not just about reflexes, but about strategy and muscle memory.

As you progress, enemies become harder, arenas more closed and ambushes crueler. However, you also become more competent. Each run is longer, more precise and more lethal. And that feels pretty satisfying.

Conclusion: An atmospheric, intense and different shooting experience

West of Dead is not a game for everyone, but for lovers of tactical action, roguelikes and dark settings, it's a gem you don't want to miss. With its slow but brutal combat system, its unique visual design and its powerful atmosphere, this game offers an intense, challenging and very immersive experience.

Although it can be repetitive for those looking for a linear narrative or more variety of scenarios, its strong character and replayability do more than compensate for it. It is one of those games that do not stand out for being the biggest or most complex, but for executing exactly what they want to be... and doing it with style.