Evil West is an explosive third-person shooter that takes place in a fantastical version of the Old West. You'll play as Jesse Rentier, a vampire hunter that's on a quest to protect the land from hordes of unnatural monsters. Critics found the storyline to be a bit lackluster, but compelling combat and a captivating backdrop allowed it to pull in a solid 74 Metascore.

Frantic battles are the reason Evil West managed to win over most of its fans, as you'll be treated to a hectic combat system that gives you endless ways to dispatch all the supernatural creatures that get in your way. Along with an assortment of firearms and melee weapons (all of which create some eye-catching special effects), you'll get to master a combo system that begs you to constantly push forward and search for your next target. Fast, visceral, and unabashedly violent, Evil West is a game that revels in its chaos.

When you get tired of blasting bad guys solo, you can team up with a friend for some added firepower. There's also an interesting upgrade system that lets you modify your playstyle without becoming so complex that it bogs down the action. And if you're playing on a new-gen console or PC, you'll be treated to impressive graphics and a striking art style that deftly combines Western and horror tropes to create something entirely new.

Evil West is a relatively short game, with most players tearing through the main campaign in around 15 hours. Thankfully, there are plenty of similar titles to check out once the credits roll — ranging from other third-person shooters to nuanced western adventures.

Here are 10 games like Evil West to play next, listed by Metascore.

Red Dead Redemption 2 (PS4)

Metascore: 97
Best for: Fans of gritty Westerns
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If the main reason you were drawn to Evil West was its quasi-western atmosphere, then Red Dead Redemption 2 needs to be on your list. The highly reviewed adventure follows Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang as they try to maintain their outlaw lifestyle in a world that's becoming increasingly modern. Throughout the journey, you'll face off against other outlaws, evade capture from the police, and explore a breathtaking version of the western United States. It's a much more nuanced game that Evil West, but fans of Westerns will find hours of fun in this well-crafted world.

"Red Dead Redemption 2 tests the boundaries of interactive immersion. Few games look this good, play this well, and have this much to offer." — Easy Allies

Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition (PS5)

Metascore: 89
Best for: Fans of frantic action games
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Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition is an enhanced version of the original Devil May Cry 5. It keeps the fast-paced, combo-driven combat intact, but throws in a new playable character, new game modes, and updated graphics — making this the definitive way to experience the demon-slaying action. Its third-person combat changes slightly depending on which character you're controlling, but flashy combos and over-the-top action are always at the heart of the experience. An intriguing story about a Demon King's quest to destroy the world keeps things interesting from start to finish, and even newcomers to the series should be able to pick up the story threads without any prior knowledge of Dante or Nero. 

"Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition makes a great game even better with a new character, new modes, and overhauled visuals for next-gen consoles." — GameSkinny

Doom Eternal (PC)

Metascore: 88
Best for: Fans of fast-paced FPS games
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Video games don't get more violent than this. Doom Eternal is a bloody FPS that thrusts you into the iconic shoes of the Doom Slayer as he rips and tears his way through wave after wave of demons. Beyond testing your reflexes, it'll also test your ability to think on the fly and bring the right weapons into each encounter. Shotguns, chainsaws, and machine guns all serve wildly different purposes, and the correct tool changes based on which enemy you're facing. There are also a few jumping puzzles to break up the action, along with an online multiplayer mode and tons of hidden secrets to discover.

"A ceaseless, panicked nightmare that pushes you to point and click with more skill and style than ever before." — PC Gamer

Returnal (PS5)

Metascore: 86
Best for: Fans of brutally difficult shooters
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As one of the most difficult games on this list, Returnal won't be for everyone. The third-person shooter is a roguelike that'll send you to the "Game Over" screen after just a few missteps, and you'll be forced to start from square one after each death. A few unlockables carry over between each run, which does make subsequent attempts a bit more manageable than before, and folks that can put up with the challenge will be treated to a nuanced shooter with a stunning atmosphere, mysterious story, and tight gameplay that can't be found anywhere else in gaming.

"It's a genre-defying delight that raises the bar on so many levels. If you own a PS5 you need to play Returnal. It's as simple as that." — GameSpew

Gears 5 (XB1)

Metascore: 84
Best for: Fans of violent, cover-based shooters
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Like its predecessors, Gears 5 is a brutal cover-based shooter that merges tactical shootouts with gory melee battles. Combat is the main attraction, with each mission composed of enemy encounters that'll leave your screen filled with different shades of red. The solo campaign is compelling enough to make Gears 5 worth the investment, but you'll also be treated to a variety of cooperative and competitive modes that give you plenty of reasons to keep coming back for more. The highly reviewed title received a new-gen update around the launch of Xbox Series X (improving graphics and enhancing framerates), making it a great game to play, despite it having been released several years ago.

"Gears 5 offers up an amazing campaign that isn't afraid to take risks, while staying true to its core." — XGN

Control (PS4)

Metascore: 82
Best for: Fans of compelling narratives
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Control is a third-person action game that's wrapped around a compelling (and often chilling) narrative. You'll take on the role of Jesse Faden, the newest Director of the Federal Bureau of Control — an agency tasked with studying mysterious happenings that seem to defy reality. The story is among the best in gaming, and it's backed up by an innovative combat system that requires fast-reflexes and quick thinking to survive. There's also a fun skill system that lets you upgrade your abilities to better fit your playstyle, and plenty of side quests to keep you busy when you're not chugging along through its main story.

"With strong combat, an engaging story and striking visuals, Control is a masterclass in both style and substance. It's abstract, it's bold, and it's wicked fun." — Press Start Australia

Metal: Hellsinger (PC)

Metascore: 79
Best for: Fans of rhythm games
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: PS5, XBX

Metal: Hellsinger is a wild mash-up of FPS and rhythm games, as you'll be shooting your way through hordes of enemies to the beat of a metal soundtrack. Every action is more powerful when performed in sync with the music. That means you'll need to pay close attention not just to the monstrous enemies barreling towards you, but also the pace of the background music, carefully timing your shots for maximum impact. There's also a bunch of unlockable weapons and upgradeable skills that give you a reason to keep coming back for more after clearing a level. Toss in a high score board and arguably one of the best soundtracks in gaming, and you've got a fast-paced shooter that's every bit as fun as Evil West.

"Metal: Hellsinger delivers engrossing rhythm-based shooting fun alongside a genuinely fantastic metal soundtrack." — Windows Central

Weird West (PC)

Metascore: 76
Best for: Fans of top-down shooters
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Weird West is a top-down immersive sim that gives you a wide degree of freedom to accomplish your mission. It follows a group of quirky heroes as they trek across a fantastical version of the Wild West, which is filled with just as much magic as gun-slinging, until their fates finally intertwine at the game's conclusion. Action can be as tactical or chaotic as you'd like, since Weird West lets you sneak around in the shadows, lay traps for enemies, or simply rush in with your trusty firearms. Everything in the world will change based on your in-game actions, making it an excellent game to replay once you've reached the final credits.

"While the gameplay itself is simple, seeing the crazy Western setting through the lens of five different main characters is fascinating, and the mysterious story wraps up in an interesting way." — IGN Japan

Outriders (PS5)

Metascore: 73
Best for: Fans of cooperative, third-person shooters
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Outriders is technically a third-person, cover-based shooter, but it's often in your best interest to avoid cover and simply rush your enemies. Most playable classes offer a unique skill that regenerates HP for slaying opponents in rapid succession, which in turn make Outriders a surprisingly hectic experience. The game is best played with a few friends by your side, as many bosses are easier to handle when combining your firepower. If you're not rattling off bullets at enemies, you'll get to work through an engaging narrative, make use of several interesting upgrade systems, and sift through mountains of loot.

"An exciting evolution of the third-person shooter genre, with thrilling sci-fi powers and satisfying gunplay that makes nearly every battle feel fast-paced and gripping." — Hardcore Gamer

Shadow Warrior 3 (PC)

Metascore: 71
Best for: Fans seeking another over-the-top adventure
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It might look a bit different from Evil West, but Shadow Warrior 3 shares much of the same DNA. Developed by Flying Wild Hog (the team responsible for Evil West), it should come as no surprise that Shadow Warrior 3 is a hyper-violent shooter that lets you (mostly) turn off your mind and hack your way through wave after wave of enemies. Movement is stylized and fluid, as it uses a parkour system to help you run along walls or spring into the air to evade enemy attacks. It's a bit rough around the edges (hence the 71 Metascore), but there's a lot of wild fun to be had with the FPS. 

"Dazzlingly colorful, unrelentingly fast-paced, unrepentantly zany, and bursting with potential for player creativity, Shadow Warrior 3 is absolutely joyous to play from start to finish." — Hey Poor Player