I really like cowboys, but I haven’t actually played as many cowboy games as I’d like. Notably I’m not actually that interested in playing RDD (probably should do it someday though), but I’ve played a couple others I liked.
Rail Heist
The most recent cowboy game I’ve indulged and the reason I thought to make this thread. One of two cowboy games contained within UFO 50 and certainly the best of the two (though I do like Grimstone). A puzzle platformer of sorts about good ol fashion train robberies. There’s lots of ways to approach each level and you’re rewarded for both killing all the lawmen on the train and also not killing any of them which I think is interesting cause most games usually only reward non-lethal play. I’ve seen people jokingly call this one an immersive sim which I can see, but it definitely feels more tongue and cheek than a genuine evaluation. Really like this game though and it’s very cowboy so a good place to start here.
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger
Now I don’t know anything about the rest of the Call of Juarez franchise, but what I do know is that this game rules. It’s got all the classic cowboy guns in it and they all sound and feel fantastic. It oozes with style in its presentation. The whole game is told as a bar story from a somewhat unreliable narrator and also has a lot of fun little actual history tidbits in it as collectibles. Probably one of the best cowboy shooters out there for me money.
Gunple: Gunman’s Proof
Very silly little game that I can best describe as cowboy Link to the Past. I wouldn’t say that’s like a super standout game gameplay wise, but it’s pretty fun and honestly I’m not that on Zelda and Zelda-adjacent games and much prefer this one to a lot of those offers. All the sprite work is great and I had a lot of the music stuck in my head after playing. I’d recommend it if you want something short and cute.
Dead Man’s Hand
This game is not actually particularly good or really that notable, but it’s one of the cowboy games I have played so I’m gonna mention it anyways. The PC port of it is abandonware which is how I learned about it and it’s super jank and took me like 2 hours to get working properly. It’s built in what I feel is a very awkward way cause stuff pops up like it’s a rail shooter and you move super slow, but you walk around wherever you want like a regular FPS. There’s no checkpoints or saving in levels so if you die you have to do it all over which lends to the rail shooter feeling. I would not recommend playing this, but I’m also the exact sorta of person who plays things regardless of recommendations so take that as you will.
Additionally here’s some cowboy games I want to play, but haven’t yet.
Westerado
Really like the art style and seems like it’s got a lot going
Boot Hill Heroes
It’s a cowboy RPG which is a perfect match for my tastes
12 is Better Than 6
Looks like a cowboy Hotline Miami
Sunset Devils
It’s not out yet, but it looks incredible and I will be buying day one
These are not all the cowboy games I know and I might be blanking on some notable ones I’ve played, but this is what came first. What are some cowboy games or games featuring cowboys that you’d recommend? I’d especially like to hear about lesser known ones regardless of quality, but even more so if they’re good.
