Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive is the first strategy game ever to combine a movie-based and story-driven atmosphere of an adventure game with the intellectual challenge of a real time tactic game.
In this western-style title, discover a game of strategy and tactics played out in exceptional rea...
Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive is the first strategy game ever to combine a movie-based and story-driven atmosphere of an adventure game with the intellectual challenge of a real time tactic game.
In this western-style title, discover a game of strategy and tactics played out in exceptional real time. You're in charge of a team of 6 mercenaries and must find a way to complete your missions, be it infiltrating an enemy fortress, saving a team member or escaping an ambush... Combine the different skills of your 6 heroes to lead them to victory.
The Story
El Paso, a typical Wild West town in the southwestern United States near the Mexican border. It is the year 1881. For the last few months, the trains belonging to the famous railroad company, Twinnings & Co have been the target of a whole series of hold-ups and ambushes. The management of the company has decided enough is enough and they have to put an end to the raids. It has offered a reward of $15,000 for anyone who captures the leader of the gang responsible.
But no one in and around El Paso has the courage to take on the might of the bandidos, so the outlaws just keep on robbing train after train. Even the local Marshal is keeping well out of it.
It’s only when a stranger rides into town that things start to change. Bounty hunter John Cooper pays a visit to the local Twinnings & Co manager offering to end the railroad company’s problems once and for all. He gathers together a gang of his old partners and declares war on the bandidos. But during his pursuit, which will take him through half of the southwestern United States, Cooper soon discovers that on this mission nothing is quite what it seems...
More than 20 enemies with different profiles, from the lazy and cowardly bandit, to the fearsome mercenary.
A team of 6 characters, each with their own very distinct characteristics, to manage in real-time.
25 different levels provide nail-biting intrigue, with cinematic transition scenes and landscapes that will take your breath away. Amazing artificial intelligence!
Each enemy is ranked on 10 different criteria, including intelligence, courage, marksmanship, resistance to alcohol, etc.
An array of different settings: day-time, night-time, storms, dusk, villages, ghost towns, fortresses, gold mines, saloons, prisons, boats 6 training levels to allow the player to really get into the story
Desperados Wanted Dear or Alive was one of my very first games that I purchased years ago and I never regretted it. Desperados has a exciting and long story line with beautifully designed large and fun maps. Only drawback is that unlike in games nowadays, you have to use your brain in this one. If you liked Commandos and you are looking for a long and exciting game, you won't regret buying this one!
In my opinion one of the few strategic games that were able to compete with Commandos and Commandos 2 in regard to tension, skill and difficulty. Paired with a compelling story, likable characters and stereotypical design in the best meaning of the word stereotype, this game is a timeless classic. Absolutely a no-brainer to buy.
I would love to play this game, unfortunately it runs extremely slowly on my computer, which is a modern powerful gaming laptop handling the latest releases, most frustrating as its unplayable, its like its on 0.5 speed, tweeking options provides no joy either.
Tough action, that will require a remarkable amount of patience and... strategy.
PROS: Amazing scenarios, graphics are at best in it's pure isometric 3D/2D perfection, characters are well made with very interesting skills and all of them are likable, guaranteed satisfaction after finishing each level
CONS: Sometimes limited and linear level designs that does NOT allow for creative strategies as would be expected in this type of game. Repetitions will become a norm to you as you attempt different approaches, so there should be a quick save + secondary quick save just in case you saved right before a "dead end" situation. AI is sometimes buggy and limited and does not allow for some more creative approaches and/or frustrate you with situations where you just end up giving up doing something fun to do something that just works and gets the job done.
Worth knowing, and not only for "western" fans, it is a solid strategy game for anyone. Can be really fun, regardless of the cons.
When I was just a kid, I played the demo (featuring an exclusive mission, try it first) back in 2001, I didn't understand the game mechanics much at that time but its charming little 2.5D world had me coming back to it until I finally figured it out. By the time I got the full game I was totally hooked; this is the first game I was truly addicted to. I remember playing the rainy mission and my mother asked me to get ready for school and I said to her "..but, but it's raining!", that's how deep into the game I was. Although difficulty-wise very unforgiving, I liked how you had to use your brain to stay alive in the game. Just get it, don't miss out.
Gameplay: 9.5
Visual: 9.5
Music: 10
Story: 9 (including about 20 video clips!)
[I haven't tried the GOG version yet but don't listen to the old reviews; GOG removed this game several times from their catalogue, I'm sure they tweaked it to perfection by now.]
*Also, check out Robin Hood - Legend of Sherwood if you like this type of games.
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