Hard West 2

The gameplay is kinda OK, but again I preferred the original. It's main gimmick, Bravado, is just too OP and feels like it should have been an end-game top end special ability for 1 or 2 characters, not the core focus of the game. Bar a few unpredictable events when you first encounter something new, you can easily control all battles once you get the hang of it. I played on "Hard" difficulty (medium setting) first, and it was way too easy; I lost only 1 battle in my entire playthrough, and that was simply a case of setting a "pod" off prematurely. I then tried Nightmare and the timer actually emphasises this flaw, rather than helping shake things up. And that's where the real crux of the lameness lies for me - it's a game which enourages you to beat the system not the scenario. From not hurting magical opponents until you can definitely kill them in that turn, to pulling back when you sense a "pod" is up ahead, to taking shots to increase luck before taking shots to actually kill someone, it's grating how much this game rewards you for predicting what the (predictable) AI will do rather than playing the scenario naturally. The balance is all off as there are few well rounded enemies and there's almost always a way out of your situation, and so you rarely feel pressured. What you do get though is a buzz out of chain-killing enemies. This is why I think a lot of people are able to tolerate all the sub-standard stuff, and enjoy it for a while. Despite my gripes, I've found some enjoyment in the gameplay too, and when I sat back and pondered why it really was down to this, just basic bloodlust. Story is also a downgrade, and a big one at that. Gone is the forboding sense of doom and desperation, where everything and everyone is evil and doomed. Instead, here you have a Bioware-esq gang of too-happy wannabee badasses, who feel limp. I skipped tons of it, it was just weak. It is OK, I'm just very disapointed in how gimmicky a direction they've taken the series in.

I very much enjoyed first one, and second is even better the good: It's dripping with lore and immersive climate, gamplay is decent too the bad: linear and short scenario, not bad for tactical shooter, but this series could evolve into something more, it screams more sandbox freedom and rpg the ugly: it's been made with unity, I don't know why games on that engine are always so damm ugly, not counting Green Hell which is made well and 7 Days who is getting there plus I know for a fact that you can make shaders in unity that are as good as those made in unreal, so why?

It's been months since 1.5 patch released on Steam, bringing controller support and this version is still stuck on 1.2 with no further support in sight. Do not buy this.

Strategic with some interesting ideas. For example, the luck mechanic, and bonuses unlockable with poker cards. Unlike some reviews, I did not find it particularly difficult. On normal difficulty, only once did a character fall in battle. There are definitely some things to improve. I suggest to the developers, in order: 1) Give more information about the enemies. For example, it is not possible to understand how many squares they move, so as to take cover with full knowledge of the facts. 2) The camera management is a real torture. I would avoid moving it automatically, every time you select a character or an ability. 3) The bounces of the shots are not always intuitive. Sometimes you can make seemingly impossible bounces, or vice versa, without it being clear why. 4) I would add more interaction with the scenario. Chandeliers that can be dropped, barrels that can be exploded, etc.. 5) More interesting extra objectives. Some small puzzles to solve, instead of simply going to the indicated point. 6) Add unique items, perhaps particularly expensive, to some shops to be able to buy.

the game mechanice, character special abilities, and the storyline have me wanting to "play just a bit longer."