Hard West 2

From small things like great sound effects and voice acting, to more fundamental victories like its mix of overworld exploration and solid strategy-style combat sections, there’s a lot to love here.

For fans of turn-based strategy games, the paranormal, or even just Westerns, I have a hard time imagining a reason to not pick up Hard West II. Nearly everything that Hard West II attempts to do is accomplished very well. It offers fantastic and challenging combat, fun characters, an amazing setting, and some truly jaw-dropping moments.

Hard West 2 offers a fun mix of text adventures and turn-based strategy battles, with just enough of each to keep things fresh. Awesome and unique mechanics are highlighted in a combat system that forces players outside of their "overwatch" comfort zones, allowing new tactics not seen before in games of this ilk. A bit of fiddly control work does little to tarnish the stellar gameplay. Highly recommended for fans of the genre.

Hard West 2 is just as original as its predecessor, with a very bizarre story that I'm sure many will enjoy as much as I have.

A superb tactics game that looks like an XCOM clone but really, really isn’t.

Tough but rewarding, the action in Hard West 2 benefits from the great role played by the element of luck and is supported by a strong pool of characters, with unique traits and abilities. Between its peculiar gameplay mechanics and its dark-hued West, the Ice Cold Games kids' game has hit the mark and we recommend it to all lovers of real-time strategy and to those looking for a challenge worthy of the name.

From believable characters to the gritty, high-detail art style that seethes with atmosphere and the top-notch sound design, everything feels authentic in Hard West 2.

A successful sequel that doesn't innovate but clearly improves on the previous game.

A surprising journey into the "weird west" genre. Thanks to its innovative risk-related gameplay, Hard West 2 is a very interesting choice.

XCOM 2's throne is in jeopardy: Hard West 2 has replaced its predecessor's flaws with new strengths.

Hard West 2 is a definite step forward in the right direction for the series.

A very solid western turn-based strategy that doesn’t really fail at anything it’s trying to accomplish, even though the camera movements are capable of ruining a perfectly good fight and Native American culture should have been significantly more prominent.

Hard West II, just like the predecessor, is the living proof that there’s life after XCOM too. Although the game could do with a bit more weapons, in between the multiple abilities and poker cards system, it offers enough variation to warrant a full playthrough. If you’re a fan of turn-based strategy games, Hard West II is a no brainer. The game does what it sets out to do, despite lacking deeper RPG elements and some balancing issues. I also loved the voice-acting and the overall presentation of the game. I’d like to see more of the latter in small budget titles, it shouldn’t be that hard to achieve. Play this if you love XCOM, but don’t play it like XCOM!

Hard West 2 is a great game for skilled strategy fans. It has a mixture of familiar western elements and supernatural accents, an energetic narrative, and fun characters. While it’s a challenging game, Hard West 2 usually gives you the tools you need to succeed. You’ll need patience and determination, but then, life in the old west was hard.

It's not often that a tactics game asks you to do anything other than lie in hiding and carrying out carefully thought-out assassinations. Hard West 2 does. Here it's all about getting as much as possible done in one round, and the art of combining the characteristics of the characters with the highly engaging Bravado system makes the game an engaging experience.

Held back by a few shortcomings, Hard West 2 is still one of the best tactics games in the genre.

The story and the relationships with companions could’ve been done better, but combat in Hard West 2 is excellent. Action points reset mechanic, interesting skills, card system and well-designed items make for well though out, engaging encounters.

Much like that final mission enemy, Hard West 2 gets it right where it counts. Despite some thin RPG trappings, it's ultimately a highly-accomplished game of tactical combat with two or three genuinely terrific ideas executed exceptionally well. While it does suffer from a lack of imagination in some of its map design, that doesn't detract too much from how enjoyable it is to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with your posse and find creative ways to put down hordes of Wild West demons.

Hard West 2 is a very solid and challenging turn-based strategy game, characterized by a beautiful story and some interesting adventure elements. That said, the difficulty level can be too hard, forcing you to proceed through a thousand trials and errors.

Hard West 2 is a compelling turn-based tactics offering with a memorable style of combat. While the central story and the characters underpinning it may feel a little sketched out, the world and the little details within it are compelling. A rooting, tooting good time.

With its interesting setting that combines the Old West with supernatural and occult elements and solid tactical turn-based combat with excellent pacing, Hard West 2 is a worthy purchase for fans of the genre. However, balancing issues, limited character customization, which force players to play in specific ways, and a general streamlining of the tactical combat experience make the game more shallow than expected, inevitably turning off some veterans of the genre.

Hard West 2? More like 1.5 or perhaps an expansion with a new campaign and some improvements. It’s not a typical sequel or even a sequel at all. But maybe, if it works, there’s no point making changes?

Hard West 2 is a tactically challenging work of art with a beautifully depicted environment and unique features that, much like its name, become progressively harder as you advance. Hardcore fans of tactical RPGs will savor what it has in store with its distinct combat system and necessity for well-thought-out strategies. Still, on the other hand, casual players may not be too happy with the level of difficulty as the game punishes aggressive and lackadaisical gameplay.

The Wild West, spiced not only with gunslingers, but also with demons, has started its dangerous train and, even if with embarrassment, it is worth getting on it.

In no way would I ever recommend Hard West 2, but I have to be honest and say that I enjoyed myself. I just wish it didn’t come with a heaping bowl of curses. The developers should swallow their pride and listen intently to their customers, as I am sure I am not alone in my grievances. The team is clearly full of talented people who know how to create a good game, as long as they don’t get in their own way. As for me, I’m in need of some whiskey after this ordeal.

None of this matters too much when you're taking one gamble after another and they're all paying off. [Issue#376, p.108]

A good game with a few great new ideas, but this follow up remains a bit too timid.

Hard West 2 has some refreshing ideas to consider, such as perks based on your deck of cards, and consistently refreshing action points by way of kills. Unfortunately, its over-reliance on a puzzle-like, kill-all-in-one-round concept also leads to a repetitive and tedious romp as time wears on.

Hard West 2 is a solid experience despite some shortcomings and missed opportunities. Ice Code Games crafted a unique and action-packed combat system while retaining much of what makes this type of strategy game so engaging. It may not have the production values or depth of either XCOM or Gears Tactics, but Hard West 2 still manages to be an addicting and satisfactory turn-based strategy experience.

I’d recommend Hard West 2 to just about anyone, even if you’ve never played the genre before. Some early growing pains are easily overcome and there’s just the right amount of tactics, exploration, story, and atmosphere. While not a revolutionary take on the mechanics, it’s a solid offering on all fronts.

Hard West 2 is a classic game at heart with a progression system that is lacking. However, the fantastic western atmosphere, coupled with a neat narrative and combat that is both satisfying and varied in tactical situations, make the game a good pick up, both for fans of the genre and for those who would like to learn about turn-based strategy games.

Robust mechanics and some interesting ideas make Hard West 2 an enjoyable sequel, even though it does have its flaws. If you can look past the shallow character development and the occasional trial & error design, it's a solid recommendation, especially if you consider the low price tag.

Quotation forthcoming.

Hard West 2 has plenty of little annoyances, but it's a supernatural western tactics game with a lot of style and the substance to back it.

Hard West 2 comes with an enjoyably aggressive twist on XCOM-like turn-based combat, and with a fun way of upgrading your characters alongside, but it's wrapped up in world exploration and characterisation that just leaves me wanting to get back in the fight. There’s a lot of fun to be had in Hard West 2, even if it’s not blowing minds as a complete package.

Although Hard West 2 delivers on some awesome visuals and sound design, its gameplay didn’t hook me and its characters never grew on me. For those looking to scratch the itch of a turn-based tactics game until a wave of games releases in the fall of 2022, then this could be right up your alley.