West of Loathing

92%
Game Brain Score Based on 15,917 reviews
  • humor
  • story
  • gameplay
West of Loathing Game Cover
West of Loathing is a hilariously clever and original RPG game that will give you the best darn tootin' adventure this feller's every seen.
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West of Loathing is a single-player RPG set in a stick-figure wild west, filled with quirky humor, turn-based combat, and countless jokes. Create your character as a Snake Oiler, Beanslinger, or Cow Puncher, and explore an open world of danger, quests, and characters, while discovering the secrets of over 50 hats. The game boasts hand-drawn black and white graphics, and a liberal dose of the Oxford comma.

  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Linux
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

92%
Audience ScoreBased on 15,917 reviews
humor5,986 positive mentions
grinding210 negative mentions
  • humor6,002 mentions

    The humor in "West of Loathing" is widely praised for its clever writing, absurdity, and consistent comedic elements, often drawing comparisons to the humor found in its predecessor, "Kingdom of Loathing." Players appreciate the game's ability to blend witty dialogue, puns, and slapstick moments with engaging RPG mechanics, making it a delightful experience that keeps them laughing throughout. While some find the humor can become repetitive over time, the overall consensus is that the game is a must-play for fans of lighthearted, quirky comedy.

    • “It's a brilliant, witty RPG that masterfully blends adventure, good humor, compelling characters, and manifest destiny.”
    • “Amazing, hilarious game that is definitely worth buying!”
    • “The humor is great, writing is honestly great as well.”
    • “The game is just not funny.”
    • “Funniest unfunny game ever.”
    • “Not funny enough for how long it is.”
  • story2,038 mentions

    The story in "West of Loathing" is characterized by its humorous and absurd narrative, set in a quirky wild-west world filled with demonic cows and eccentric characters. While the main quest is relatively short and straightforward, the game shines through its extensive and engaging side quests, which often feature clever writing and multiple solutions, enhancing replayability. Players appreciate the comedic dialogue and the depth of the side stories, although some note the lack of a quest log can make tracking progress challenging.

    • “This is the best game I have ever played, the story is so good, the side quests are so thought out.”
    • “The story has got a very 'Airplane!' mixed with 'Earthbound' sort of comedic sensibility, with an excess of memorable characters and recurring jokes packed into a charming satirical wild-west setting.”
    • “The story is well-written, funny, and quite deep, with lots of secrets and different choices that permanently affect your playthrough.”
    • “Yeah, I admit, the main storyline is bare bones and mostly a poor excuse to explore the world.”
    • “The story... there isn't one, really.”
    • “The main quest is fairly barebones, serving to gate the three sections of the overworld, and making a beeline for it would lead you to miss so much of the clever writing and wonderful characters that make the game worthwhile.”
  • gameplay1,192 mentions

    The gameplay in "West of Loathing" is characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics, combining traditional turn-based RPG elements with humorous writing and quirky exploration. While the combat can become repetitive and lacks depth, the game's charm lies in its clever humor and the variety of choices available, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of players. Overall, it offers a fun, light-hearted experience that prioritizes comedy and storytelling over complex gameplay mechanics.

    • “The game has easy to learn mechanics and is a really fun kickback game to play.”
    • “The gameplay loop is pretty fun and the combat reminds me of Pokémon/old RPGs.”
    • “This game is outstandingly fun with its unique gameplay of looting & fighting at the same time you get to free roam the world by doing various tasks, and remember, never dig through spitoons!”
    • “One particular choice made me very frustrated when the game told me that there's a better way to deal with the enemy after I dealt with it (and an hour or so of gameplay).”
    • “The gameplay is quite shallow, so don't go expecting any revolutionary mechanics or anything.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive, the side-quests are dull, the story isn't compelling, the characters are forgettable, and the battles aren't exciting.”
  • graphics1,096 mentions

    The graphics of "West of Loathing" are characterized by a simplistic, stick-figure art style that some players initially find off-putting. However, many reviews highlight that this minimalist aesthetic complements the game's humor and writing, allowing for a charming and engaging experience that prioritizes storytelling over visual fidelity. Overall, while the graphics may not be groundbreaking, they effectively enhance the game's quirky narrative and comedic elements, proving that engaging gameplay can thrive without high-end visuals.

    • “Don't let the simple yet charming art style and incredibly ridiculous comedy fool you, this is an amazing RPG that transcends into so much more as you continue to play it.”
    • “The graphics are intentionally primitive in a charming sort of way.”
    • “The stick figure graphics lend themselves well to the nonchalant and ridiculous nature of the game, which is a big component of its comedic charm.”
    • “The graphics are extremely simple, but that makes it accessible to play for all gamers regardless of how amazing or crappy your graphics card is.”
    • “You reach a point in the game, however, where the novelty of the shitty art style wears off, and the combat becomes repetitive.”
    • “The graphics might be a turnoff for people preferring modern day graphics, but since I've been used to this particular style since 2008, I don't mind at all.”
  • replayability530 mentions

    The game boasts a high level of replayability, with players praising its humor, diverse character classes, and multiple choices that lead to different outcomes and experiences. Many reviews highlight the enjoyment of exploring various paths, side quests, and the ability to play through the game multiple times without losing interest. However, some players note that replay value may diminish after several playthroughs, particularly once all content has been unlocked.

    • “This game provides endless replayability, whether it's for achievements, exploring things you didn't in other playthroughs, or having different partners.”
    • “The game has a surprising amount of depth and replayability.”
    • “The replayability is great as well with 3 unique classes and tons of story to explore.”
    • “Sure the replayability is lacking but god was I cackling to myself in my chair.”
    • “Your runs don't vary as much as I'd like so it doesn't have the greatest replayability, but the combat system with the different abilities you have depending on your class can be interesting.”
    • “Despite branching storyline, not a ton of replayability.”
  • music425 mentions

    The music in "West of Loathing" has received widespread acclaim for its catchy and thematically appropriate soundtrack, which effectively captures the wild west vibe and enhances the game's humor and charm. Composed by Ryan Ike, the soundtrack features a mix of whimsical and dramatic tunes that, while occasionally repetitive, are generally well-loved by players. Overall, the music is considered a standout aspect of the game, contributing significantly to the overall enjoyment and immersion.

    • “The soundtrack is amazing.”
    • “The world is full of strange places, memorable characters and adventures galore, along with a wonderfully adventurous wild west soundtrack.”
    • “With fantastic soundtrack and great characters, it's really easy to have your character spiral into something you never thought they'd be.”
    • “The biggest issue I've had is the music overlapping; it even does it when you restart everything.”
    • “The soundtrack is thematic, but there aren't many songs on it, and they can get repetitive real quick.”
    • “Music gets boring after a while.”
  • grinding230 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed feedback from players. While some find the optional grinding areas enjoyable and rewarding, others describe them as tedious and detracting from the overall experience, particularly when the main game content offers limited experience points. Many players appreciate the humor and engaging story, which help mitigate the grind, but note that it can become repetitive and dull, especially during multiple playthroughs.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “There isn't 'scaling' on the HP side, so some enemies going from the first section to the second will feel overpowered if no grinding has been done at the beginning.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “The tedious parts outweigh the fun parts, and the annoying parts outweigh the interesting parts.”
    • “There's no journal to keep track of what you're doing (and you typically have more than a few side quests brewing in the background), the puzzles are nothing but tedious obstacles in the way of the amusing parts, the combat is either boringly easy or you're dead in one round, you'll often have to grind for drops.”
    • “I probably got a good 8 or so hours that were fun, but when I started having to use a walkthrough to tediously check things off that there was no way for me to figure out in the game, just to progress, I realized the fun was over.”
  • emotional54 mentions

    The game is praised for its blend of humor and heartfelt moments, with players experiencing a range of emotions from laughter to tears. While it may not reach the emotional depth of some AAA titles, its clever writing and quirky characters create a uniquely touching and entertaining experience. Overall, it offers a wholesome adventure that resonates emotionally, making players feel nostalgic and connected.

    • “Heading out west has never felt so heartbreakingly adventurous.”
    • “The graphics are of course intentionally silly but don't be fooled - the writing in this game lifts it head and shoulders above most others and it goes from ridiculous, to touching, to heartbreaking at the drop of a hat.”
    • “Very emotional game, almost had me in tears.”
  • atmosphere36 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is a standout feature, blending absurd humor with moments of suspense and horror, creating a lively and engaging world. Despite its simplistic visuals, the hand-drawn art style and relaxing soundtrack enhance the overall experience, making the atmosphere feel rich and immersive. Players appreciate the effective juxtaposition of silly and spooky elements, which contribute to a unique and enjoyable gaming experience.

    • “The atmosphere created by the text is fantastic (and honestly does a good job with juggling silly and spooky); it feels like the world is alive around you, and there's tons of things to do.”
    • “The hand-drawn animations are well done, fluid, and the musical score to the game is particularly atmospheric and really helps the overall enjoyment of the game too.”
    • “Even if the graphics seem a bit lackluster at first, they fit in well with the theme and atmosphere of the game.”
    • “There are a few encounters in the game where the light, slapstick atmosphere gives way to serious threats or even horror, and it might partly be the juxtaposition of tones that makes them so effective.”
    • “There were times when I legitimately felt creeped out by some NPCs (the circus people) west of Loathing can produce an atmosphere of suspense and uneasiness purely with the power of text.”
  • stability22 mentions

    The stability of the game varies significantly among users, with some experiencing severe issues like RAM clogging and game freezes, particularly on lower-end PCs. Conversely, many players report a smooth experience with minimal bugs, indicating that the game has been well-polished for optimal performance. Overall, while some glitches persist, many users have found the game to be largely stable and enjoyable.

    • “Runs great, haven't found any bugs at all.”
    • “On top of all of that, they polished the game to make it smooth, easy to play, and bug free for their fans.”
    • “Almost bug free in my experience.”
    • “On lower-end PCs, this will lead to RAM clogging, visual glitches in-game, and a freeze so serious that a hard shutdown is the only way out of it.”
    • “Well written, a tad buggy in parts (e.g. if you get rid of a certain rock pile but don't provide a key to a mechanism, the professor will continue to ask you to remove the rock pile and you can't progress on that quest).”
    • “I don't know why, but every conversation I get into either freezes during or after it's over. Please help.”
  • character development18 mentions

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the deep and emotional growth of characters and the robust RPG mechanics that allow for player choice and customization, others criticize the lack of development for the main character and limited exposition for companions. Overall, the game offers a blend of humor and exploration, but some players feel it falls short in delivering substantial character arcs.

    • “It has exploration, humor, and great character development.”
    • “- deep and emotional character development.”
    • “That's not to say that it's a joke game: as an RPG, it's robust in terms of character development and player choice, especially if you elect to manually spend XP.”
    • “My main complaint is that the main character gets no plot or character development, and your chosen partner only gets a little exposition in the beginning.”
    • “If you're like me and need an RPG to have some deep combat strategy and character development/customization, you might want to take a pass on this one.”
    • “But again, I hope the next game they put out has more character development for the main characters.”
  • optimization14 mentions

    The game is praised for its excellent optimization, running smoothly even on low-end computers without significantly impacting performance. Its simple, whimsical graphics and well-animated visuals contribute to a seamless experience, making it an enjoyable choice for casual play. Overall, players appreciate the game's ability to deliver humor and fun while maintaining solid performance.

    • “Great game to play if you are waiting for something else to download; it hardly affects computer performance and is very funny.”
    • “Very funny and fun game that runs smoothly even on low-end computers.”
    • “The writing is on point, the game runs smoothly, and the art is expressive, despite how simple it looks.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization approach of the game is praised for its subtlety and humor, standing in stark contrast to the aggressive tactics often seen in the industry, such as excessive ads and in-game purchases. Players appreciate that the game avoids the typical cash grab mentality, enhancing their overall experience.

    • “In a world where most new games try to blind and wow us by dangling their shiny baubles and keys in our faces while pelting us with ads and screaming offers in our ears, this game does the opposite.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Critic Reviews

86% average critic score

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Play time

15hMedian play time
19hAverage play time
10-27hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 76 analyzed playthroughs

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