Boot Hill Heroes

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 55 reviews
  • story
  • music
  • graphics
Boot Hill Heroes Game Cover
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"Boot Hill Heroes" is an RPG that combines spaghetti western film elements with classic RPG gameplay, inspired by 90s console RPGs. It features a unique real-time combat system, a full soundtrack by Jake 'virt' Kaufman, and the option to play single player or with up to four players. The game is an experimental blend of old and new ideas, providing a fresh and exciting Wild West adventure.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 55 reviews
story12 positive mentions
grinding5 negative mentions
  • Boot Hill Heroes features a charming story set in a whimsical Old West, with engaging characters and clever writing that keeps players invested.
  • The combat system is unique and tactical, requiring players to manage abilities and timing, which adds depth and strategy to battles.
  • The game boasts an excellent soundtrack composed by Jake Kaufman, enhancing the overall experience and atmosphere.
  • The game suffers from technical issues, including bugs, controller mapping problems, and occasional music cutouts that disrupt gameplay.
  • Some players find the navigation clunky, with hitbox issues making interactions with NPCs and objects frustrating.
  • The story feels incomplete, as it ends abruptly and leaves players waiting for a sequel to continue the narrative.
  • story38 mentions

    The story is generally well-crafted and engaging, featuring classic western themes and simple yet enjoyable characters, though it lacks depth and sophistication compared to classic RPGs. While the pacing and humor are praised, many players express frustration over the incomplete narrative, as it leaves off at a pivotal moment with a "to be continued" ending. Overall, the storytelling is a highlight of the game, complemented by a strong soundtrack and interesting combat, making it a worthwhile experience despite its shortcomings.

    • “Boot Hill Heroes tells a story in a classic western vein about a boy following in his father's footsteps and dealing with the past left behind.”
    • “The story is engaging and right off the bat sets up some characters that you immediately want to know more about.”
    • “The story line is fairly solid, with simple but enjoyable characters and a narrative that is both suitable for a younger audience and deals with interesting and mature subject matter.”
    • “Honestly, the biggest problem I have with this game is that it's supposed to be a multi-part story and in nearly a decade since the first game came out, there are no signs of a conclusion.”
    • “But the end kind of leaves off in the middle right where the story starts to really hit the prairie dirt running, and I was glad I had already picked up the sequel.”
    • “The storyline so far hasn't been terrible, but it's not compelling enough to keep my attention.”
  • music24 mentions

    The music in the game, composed by Jake Kaufman, is widely praised for its engaging and atmospheric qualities, effectively enhancing the overall experience with unique and memorable tunes. While many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature that elevates the gameplay, some note technical issues such as music cutting out during transitions and a lack of options to mute it. Overall, the soundtrack is considered exceptional, contributing significantly to the game's storytelling and combat enjoyment.

    • “It is incredibly engaging and every bit you learn leaves you wanting to know more, accompanied by a great soundtrack composed by Jake Kaufman that sets the mood in every scene.”
    • “Exceptional storytelling, awesome soundtrack, and an interesting combat system.”
    • “The music is composed by Jake 'Virt' Kaufman, the composer for Shovel Knight; he is very talented, and the music sets the tone.”
    • “There is no option to shut off the music and it never stops.”
    • “The music cuts out every now and again which needs to be fixed.”
    • “Music suddenly stops in transitions; when you walk 'behind' a building, your sprite is on the top of the building. Sometimes when talking to people, your character keeps walking in whatever direction you were pushing.”
  • graphics13 mentions

    The graphics in the game are generally well-received, featuring charming 16-bit sprite designs and immersive environments that evoke nostalgia for fans of the mother series, particularly Earthbound. While some users note minor bugs and a lack of polish due to the small development team, the overall aesthetic and expressive animations are appreciated, reminiscent of classic SNES RPGs. However, some critiques mention that the graphical quality, especially in battles, does not fully meet modern standards.

    • “Perfect 16-bit graphics, top-notch sprite design, and high-quality maps and scenes make this game incredibly immersive.”
    • “The graphics are quite good with some expressive sprite animation that reminds me of good SNES-era RPGs.”
    • “Graphics and sound are definitely well represented, but neither truly stand out (except for fans of the mother series who will likely find the art style very nostalgic).”
    • “It was made by a really small team, so you can see some unpolished graphics and small bugs, but not so many to be bothered.”
    • “Decent pixel art style, well-realized old west world, and seriously, if you played and liked EarthBound, you'll probably like this.”
  • gameplay9 mentions

    Overall, the gameplay is praised for its intuitive and satisfying combat mechanics, along with a visually appealing presentation that evokes nostalgia for the mother game series. However, some players find the experience uneven, noting that while combat is creative, it can also be unforgiving, and the improvements system feels underutilized amidst a rushed plot. Despite its linearity, the game successfully captures a broad RPG feel with unique characters and engaging plot twists.

    • “Combat/gameplay is both intuitive and satisfying.”
    • “Despite being a linear experience overall, the game still manages to deliver a large scope RPG feel, complete with unique characters, game mechanics, and plot twists throughout.”
    • “I will start off by saying that I enjoy the story and the gameplay.”
    • “However, the gameplay is very uneven in my experience - combat is creative and varied but very unforgiving at times as well, with the primary 'improvements' system feeling a little underused with how rushed the plot and locations feel when going through them.”
    • “I feel like there is no in-game item mechanic, and your party auto-healing after every battle is just so convenient and nice.”
    • “Despite being a linear experience overall, the game still manages to deliver a large scope RPG feel, complete with unique characters, game mechanics, and plot twists and turns throughout.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Players appreciate the deep equipment customization that keeps weapons relevant, but find the grinding for reagents to be excessive and poorly timed in the game's progression. While the combat system is engaging and avoids tedium, there is a general fatigue with grinding in JRPGs, which can detract from the overall experience.

    • “There's a deep equipment customization that allows weapons to stay relevant beyond their attack stat, but grinding for reagents is a joke and comes too late into the game.”
    • “I have become tired of all the shoddy JRPGs that have good kernel ideas but ultimately become long, tedious ventures into someone's scrapbook story.”
    • “Some grinding.”
  • humor3 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its engaging characters and clever use of tropes, creating a comedic experience that resonates beyond nostalgia. Players appreciate the blend of old-school spaghetti western elements with fresh, entertaining storytelling, making the battles and plot developments both interesting and funny.

    • “The battles are interesting, the characters are funny, and the story becomes quite engaging when the plot thickens.”
    • “This is an old-school style spaghetti western romp that I found to be quite humorous.”
    • “They put in the effort to make use of the tropes, have some humor based on them, but more importantly, go far beyond that to make a game that doesn't actually need nostalgia to get you to enjoy it.”
  • optimization2 mentions

    The game's optimization is praised for its charming and cohesive design, featuring grand entrances and exaggerated performances from a diverse cast. The battle system enhances this experience by introducing and later eulogizing enemies based on player performance, adding depth to the gameplay.

    • “It's charming and cohesive, with big entrances and over-the-top performances from a cast of characters the likes of which you’d expect to find in vaudeville.”
    • “Especially in battles where enemies are introduced and later eulogized depending on your performance.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by a light and fun ambiance, enhanced by its engaging music and various elements that contribute to an enjoyable experience.

    • “This game has a captivating atmosphere, with music and other elements that keep things light and fun!”
    • “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the world and making every moment feel significant.”
    • “The combination of stunning visuals and a haunting soundtrack creates an unforgettable atmosphere that lingers long after you play.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Players express that the emotional impact of the game is profound, with some comparing it to classic titles like Chrono Trigger, highlighting its ability to evoke strong feelings and nostalgia.

    • “I've played some retro games, but I really can't recall ever playing a game that made me feel the same way I did when I played Chrono Trigger.”
    • “The emotional depth of the characters and their stories left a lasting impact on me.”
    • “This game made me laugh, cry, and feel a range of emotions that I didn't expect from a video game.”
  • stability1 mentions

    The game suffers from significant stability issues, with users reporting frequent freezes that necessitate multiple restarts, indicating a lack of reliability during gameplay.

    • “I have had to restart the game probably 15 times in the time I've spent on this game due to freezes.”
    • “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable.”
    • “I experienced constant lag and random shutdowns that ruined my gaming experience.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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