West of Loathing

98%
Game Brain Score Based on 7,951 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

98%
Audience ScoreBased on 7,951 reviews
humor2,989 positive mentions
grinding105 negative mentions
  • humor2,997 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 witty dialogue, quirky characters, and the way humor is seamlessly integrated into gameplay, making it a delightful experience filled with laugh-out-loud moments. While some find the humor to be juvenile or repetitive after extended play, the overall consensus is that the game offers a refreshing and entertaining comedic adventure.

    • “It's a brilliant, witty RPG that masterfully blends adventure, good humor, compelling characters, and manifest destiny.”
    • “Wonderful writing and humor, with both of these being the main selling point to me.”
    • “This game is a hilarious, heartfelt romp through everything that makes side-scrolling RPGs amazing.”
    • “The game is just not funny.”
    • “Funniest unfunny game ever.”
    • “Not funny enough for how long it is.”
  • story1,017 mentions

    The story in "West of Loathing" is characterized by its humorous and absurd narrative, set in a quirky wild-west environment filled with demonic cows and eccentric characters. While the main quest is relatively short and straightforward, the game shines through its extensive and cleverly crafted side quests that often provide deeper and more engaging storytelling. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, multiple quest solutions, and the replayability offered by different character classes and choices, making the overall experience both entertaining and rich in content.

    • “This game is funny and whimsical, yet the story is amazingly coherent and well-fleshed.”
    • “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 writing is superb, the story is funny, the DLC is fantastic, and it's all for $10.”
    • “The main storyline is a bit short, but there are plenty of long and interesting side quests.”
    • “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.”
    • “The story is short but it puts the story at the back and lets you dick around in a post-apocalyptic kingdom of loathing and kill as many things as possible to get levels and skills.”
  • gameplay595 mentions

    The gameplay of "West of Loathing" is characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics, combining traditional turn-based RPG elements with humorous writing and quirky exploration. While some players find the combat and mechanics to be somewhat repetitive and lacking depth, the game's charm lies in its clever humor and extensive content, making it enjoyable for casual play. Overall, it offers a light-hearted experience that balances fun gameplay with a rich narrative, appealing to both RPG enthusiasts and fans of comedy.

    • “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.”
    • “The gameplay is a nice mix of point-and-click adventure and turn-based combat.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive, the side-quests are dull, the story isn't compelling, the characters are forgettable, and the battles aren't exciting.”
    • “The actual gameplay kind of sucks, and there's a lot of reading which gets dull after a while.”
    • “The gameplay is quite shallow, so don't go expecting any revolutionary mechanics or anything.”
  • graphics547 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 cutting-edge, they effectively enhance the game's quirky narrative and comedic elements.

    • “The graphics are intentionally primitive in a charming sort of way.”
    • “Don't let the simplistic graphics fool you, this game is a lot more complex than you'd think.”
    • “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.”
    • “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.”
    • “You reach a point in the game, however, where the novelty of the poor art style wears off, and the combat becomes repetitive.”
  • replayability265 mentions

    The game boasts a high level of replayability, with players praising its humor, multiple character classes, and various choices that lead to different outcomes and experiences. Many reviews highlight the abundance of side quests, hidden content, and the ability to approach challenges in unique ways, making each playthrough feel fresh. While some players noted that replay value may diminish after several runs, the overall consensus is that the game offers significant replay potential for those who enjoy exploring its quirky world.

    • “The low time commitment to find stuff in this game helps a ton with replayability, letting you get to late game areas pretty quickly.”
    • “Funny, clever, and packed full of little references, this game has replayability out the wazoo.”
    • “Your choices in this game do have consequences as well, and depending on certain choices made, you'll be locked out of certain side quests or areas, so there's a good amount of replay value, especially since you can play as multiple classes with rather distinctive play styles.”
    • “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.”
    • “The characters are original and memorable, and it feels like there's a lot of replayability based on the impact your early choices have on the rest of the gameplay.”
  • music212 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 of the game. Many players appreciate the humor and charm that the music adds to the overall experience, although some note that the limited number of tracks can lead to repetitiveness over time. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a standout feature that enhances the game's quirky atmosphere and engaging gameplay.

    • “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.”
    • “Starts off decently funny, but then you start noticing the game only has like 5 songs with very repetitive melodies.”
  • grinding115 mentions

    The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a mixed experience; while some players find it optional and manageable, others describe it as tedious and repetitive. Many appreciate the humor and engaging story that help alleviate the grind, but note that certain areas and quests can feel unnecessarily drawn out. Overall, while grinding is present, it is often seen as a choice rather than a requirement, with some players enjoying the farming aspects while others find them dull.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “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.”
    • “The tedious parts outweigh the fun parts, and the annoying parts outweigh the interesting parts.”
    • “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.”
    • “The only minor complaint is the end feels a bit abrupt and I felt like I was significantly underleveled whenever I entered a new portion of the game, so it required some grinding in the areas where enemies spawn infinitely.”
  • emotional27 mentions

    The game is praised for its blend of humor and heartfelt moments, offering a unique emotional experience that ranges from laugh-out-loud absurdity to touching character development. While it may not evoke deep emotional connections like some AAA titles, players appreciate its ability to elicit genuine laughter and occasional tears through its clever writing and whimsical storytelling. Overall, it is described as a wholesome and engaging RPG that resonates emotionally, making players feel nostalgic and connected to its quirky characters and narratives.

    • “Heading out west has never felt so heartbreakingly adventurous.”
    • “The graphics are intentionally silly, but don't be fooled - the writing in this game lifts it head and shoulders above most others, going from ridiculous to touching to heartbreaking at the drop of a hat.”
    • “Come for the cowboy action, stay for the heart-wrenching story of Gary and his quest to explode.”
  • atmosphere18 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by a unique blend of absurdity and spookiness, creating a lively and engaging world filled with humor and unexpected tension. Despite its simplistic visuals, the hand-drawn art and relaxing soundtrack enhance the overall experience, making the atmosphere feel rich and immersive. Players appreciate the effective juxtaposition of silly and serious elements, which contributes to a memorable 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, which can produce an atmosphere of suspense and uneasiness purely with the power of text.”
  • stability11 mentions

    The stability of the game appears to be mixed among users; while some report significant issues such as RAM clogging, visual glitches, and freezing, others have experienced a smooth and bug-free experience. A few players noted minor bugs that affected gameplay, but many found that recent updates have resolved most of these issues, leading to a generally polished experience. Overall, stability seems to vary significantly depending on the hardware used.

    • “Runs great, haven't found any bugs at all.”
    • “On top of all 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 development9 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the deep and emotional growth of certain characters and the robust RPG mechanics that allow for player choice and customization, others feel that the main character lacks significant development and that partner characters receive minimal backstory. Overall, the game offers a blend of humor and exploration, but some players desire more depth in the main narrative arcs.

    • “It has exploration, humor, and great character development.”
    • “Has everything a good game should have (combat, exploration, weapon upgrades, character development and a good story line), but has much more - humor, diplomacy, and quests, as well as the option to replay with different AI companions and an equally good, though shorter, DLC.”
    • “- deep and emotional character development”
    • “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.”
  • optimization7 mentions

    The game is praised for its excellent optimization, running smoothly even on low-end computers without significantly impacting performance. Its simple graphics, primarily stick figures and line-drawn cartoons, contribute to a whimsical aesthetic while ensuring a seamless gaming experience. Overall, players appreciate the combination of humor, animation quality, and efficient 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.”
    • “The optimization in this game is severely lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
    • “I found the game to be poorly optimized, as it struggles to maintain a stable frame rate even on high-end hardware.”
    • “Despite its charming visuals, the optimization issues make it frustrating to play, with long loading times and laggy controls.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization approach of the game is refreshingly subtle, avoiding aggressive advertising and in-game purchases that are common in many new titles. Instead, it focuses on delivering a humorous experience without overwhelming players with flashy offers, which has garnered positive reviews and appreciation from users.

    • “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
Negative mentions (%)Negative

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 38 analyzed playthroughs

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