West of Loathing

About

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

98%

Audience ScoreBased on 8,573 reviews

humor3.2k positive mentions

grinding116 negative mentions

humor
3,255 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in "West of Loathing" is widely praised for its clever writing, absurdist jokes, and playful puns, making it a standout feature of the game. Players appreciate the game's ability to blend humor with engaging RPG mechanics, resulting in a consistently funny experience that keeps them entertained throughout. The dialogue and interactions are filled with witty remarks and unexpected gags, ensuring that laughter is a constant companion during gameplay.
- “Great soundtrack and incredibly hilarious dialogue set in a ridiculous setting.”
- “The humor is the heart and soul of this game, it's pretty special.”
- “West of Loathing is an absolute gem of a game, blending laugh-out-loud humor, clever RPG mechanics, and a uniquely charming art style into an unforgettable wild west adventure.”
- “Not funny enough for the price unless it's on a heavy sale.”
- “The game is just not funny.”
- “Then I felt like I just did an hour of fetch quests where rather than seeing humor in the game referencing genre tropes and being clever or cool like everyone else seems to think, I just found it totally unfunny.”
story
1,105 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
67%
3%
The story in "West of Loathing" is a humorous and engaging narrative set in a quirky Wild West world, filled with clever writing and memorable characters. While the main quest is relatively short and straightforward, the game shines through its extensive and entertaining side quests, which often feature unique storylines and multiple solutions. Players appreciate the comedic elements and the depth of the side content, although some note the lack of a quest log can make tracking progress challenging.
- “The story is fantastic! It has fantastic storylines, it is funny, and it is super fun to play multiple playthroughs.”
- “The writing is superb, the story is funny, the DLC is fantastic, and it's all for $10.”
- “The story is simple, but it fits the not-so-serious style of the game perfectly, the side quests all feel meaningful and not just tacked on for extra content, and there are plenty of collectible items in the game that actually make you want to get them.”
- “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 only complaint I have is I have a hard time finding the side quests sometimes. I know you can ask your companion to remind you what you are supposed to be doing, and he will remind you of the side quests, but as far as I know, there is no real way to know where the side quests are without just searching the entire game.”
- “The main quest is linear and quite short, but there's plenty of wandering, side quests, secrets, and lots of variety in dialogue (although not so much in actual quest options) depending on your different companions.”
gameplay
662 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
53%
4%
The gameplay in "West of Loathing" is characterized by its simple yet engaging mechanics, blending point-and-click exploration with turn-based combat. While the combat may lack depth and can become repetitive, the game compensates with a rich narrative, clever humor, and a variety of choices that enhance replayability. Overall, players appreciate the lighthearted approach and the way the gameplay supports the comedic elements, making it a fun experience despite its straightforward mechanics.
- “Gameplay is simple but fun, with plenty of unique dialogue and interactions (including some that let you bypass encounters).”
- “In fact, many situations can be resolved without resorting to fighting, which adds a refreshing layer of choice to the gameplay.”
- “The gameplay is a nice mix of point and click adventure and turn-based combat.”
- “The gameplay in between the jokes is lackluster, which only hurts the whole experience.”
- “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.”
graphics
615 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
67%
4%
The graphics of "West of Loathing" are characterized by a minimalist stick-figure art style that, while simple, effectively complements the game's humor and narrative. Many players find the black-and-white aesthetic charming and fitting for its comedic tone, proving that engaging writing and gameplay can outweigh the need for high-end visuals. Overall, the graphics serve as a unique and endearing backdrop to the game's witty dialogue and quirky adventures, demonstrating that creativity can thrive even in a less visually complex format.
- “At first glance, the stick-figure art might seem simple, but don’t be fooled — West of Loathing is a masterclass in using minimalistic visuals to maximum effect.”
- “The black-and-white aesthetic fits the satirical old-west setting perfectly, giving the game a distinctive look that sets it apart from traditional RPGs.”
- “The art style is simple but well animated and thoughtfully done.”
- “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.”
replayability
286 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
47%
3%
The game boasts high replayability due to its branching paths, multiple character classes, and various quest approaches, allowing players to experience different outcomes and humor in each playthrough. Many users appreciate the low time commitment for exploration and the abundance of hidden content, which encourages repeated play. However, some players feel that replay value diminishes after several runs, as the novelty of the humor and quests may wear off.
- “Replayability is further enhanced by the branching paths and the sheer variety of ways to approach quests.”
- “The game has a surprising amount of depth and replayability.”
- “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, and many quests (including the main quest) come with a number of ways to approach them.”
- “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 humor is funny, the combat is well done, and although the story is nothing special, the different classes give the game a decent replayability.”
music
235 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
63%
34%
3%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its catchy and thematically appropriate soundtrack, which features a delightful mix of western-inspired tunes that enhance the humor and overall experience. Composed by Ryan Ike, the soundtrack is noted for its memorable melodies and ability to evoke the wild west atmosphere, although some players mentioned a desire for more variety to prevent repetitiveness. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the game's charm and enjoyment, making it a standout feature.
- “The soundtrack is a delightful mix of western-inspired tunes with a quirky twist, perfectly complementing the game’s humor and setting.”
- “Fantastic adventure RPG set to a gorgeous soundtrack.”
- “The soundtrack is incredibly catchy, the world is chock full of cool little things that are worth seeking out, and there's a color blind mode in the options menu because yes.”
- “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.”
grinding
127 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
2%
6%
91%
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 that grinding can enhance character progression and is often tied to enjoyable gameplay elements, but it can also detract from the overall experience, especially when it becomes necessary for completing quests or leveling up. Overall, the game offers a balance where grinding is present but not mandatory, allowing players to engage with the story and humor without feeling overwhelmed by grind-heavy mechanics.
- “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 main quest kind of fizzles towards the end, and more interesting side quests can become really tedious if you haven't been taking notes and are a completionist - but overall, it's a great experience.”
emotional
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of humor and heartfelt storytelling, with players experiencing a range of feelings from laughter to tears. While it offers a whimsical and absurd adventure, it also features moments of genuine emotional depth, particularly in character relationships and poignant storylines. Overall, the game is praised for its ability to evoke nostalgia and joy, making it a memorable and touching experience despite its comedic tone.
- “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.”
- “The storyline is heart-wrenching.”
atmosphere
22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
41%
14%
The game's atmosphere is a standout feature, blending absurd humor with a sense of unease, creating a lively and immersive world. Despite its simplistic visuals, the hand-drawn art and relaxing soundtrack effectively enhance the overall experience, making the atmosphere feel rich and engaging. Players appreciate the juxtaposition of silly and spooky elements, which contribute to both the storytelling and the game's unique charm.
- “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 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.”
- “But the atmosphere is always ridiculous.”
stability
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
The stability of the game appears to be mixed among users; while some report a smooth experience with minimal bugs, others experience significant issues such as RAM clogging, visual glitches, and freezing, particularly on lower-end PCs. Overall, many players note that recent updates have improved stability, but a few persistent glitches remain, affecting gameplay and quest progression.
- “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.”
- “The game is bug-free and should run flawlessly, considering the visuals.”
- “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 development
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
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.”
optimization
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
38%
The game is praised for its excellent optimization, running smoothly even on low-end computers without significantly impacting performance. Its simple graphics and animations contribute to a whimsical experience while maintaining fluid gameplay. Overall, players appreciate the balance between humor, performance, and visual style.
- “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 is lacking, leading to frequent frame drops and stuttering during gameplay.”
- “I encountered numerous bugs that hindered my progress, making the experience frustrating.”
- “The game feels unpolished, with long loading times and inconsistent performance across different areas.”
monetization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization approach of the game is refreshingly subtle, avoiding aggressive tactics like excessive ads and flashy offers, which contrasts sharply with many contemporary titles. Players appreciate this restraint, feeling that it enhances the overall experience rather than detracting from it.
- “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.”