Do you like Helldivers 2, but wish its gameplay loop of dropping into a hostile environment solo or with buddies, completing some side objectives, a main mission, and then escaping by holding back waves of enemies and extracting via vehicle was a bit more chill? Maybe a bit more cowboy-themed, too? Well, one of the most popular demos out now as part of Steam’s Next Fest, for a game called Far Far West, makes it seem like exactly the game you’ve been wanting.
Far Far West is from the indie devs at Evil Raptor, the same small team behind the excellent Pumpkin Jack and the good-if-a-bit-flawed Akimbot. Unlike those single-player action platformers, however, the studio’s next game is a co-op (or solo) mission-based first-person Helldivers-like robot cowboy adventure. And folks, it’s a blast to play even in this unfinished demo stage.
The basic gameplay loop of Far Far West has you and up to three other players hopping into a large western-themed map to complete small side objectives and open-world activities before deciding to take on the map’s boss in a big final fight. Each run rewards you with a few different currenices and XP, letting you upgrade your rifles, pistols, and magic spells (robot magic!), and equip joker cards that offer bonus abilities and special traits. I found one card that let me do extra damage when I was low on health. Useful! Another card would sometimes make headshots spit out confetti. Useless, but very funny!
Like Helldivers, you can explore the entire map and complete everything, or just go straight to the big finale mission and then (hopefully) escape alive via a hover train.
This is a very rewarding loop, but that alone doesn’t make Far, Far West worth playing. The actual reason I enjoyed the demo so much was how well it plays. Guns feel both snappy and hefty in a way that makes blasting away skeleton armies a blast. I also really loved how movement feels in Far, Far West, with its air dashes and big jumps. You also have a horse you can ride whenever you want, which makes it easy to get across empty sections of the world.
The magic spells, while a bit odd in this cowboy sci-fi world, add an extra layer of depth to the combat. The acid spell doesn’t just spit out damage-dealing green goo; you (or your buddies) can shoot a fireball at the puddles and blow it all up, and any enemies nearby along with it.
Between missions, you return to a little Wild West-themed town, complete with a saloon, sheriff’s office, and a few different vendors and shops that let you upgrade your gear, guns, and abilities using the resources you collect from missions. There’s also a shooting range where you can try out new guns or upgrades, something I’d love to see in Helldivers 2, actually.
The vibes in town, like in the missions, are a bit more laid back, at least on lower difficulties, compared to those in Helldivers 2. You don’t die as fast. Enemies don’t hit as hard. It’s a bit easier to stick around and fight, even if you make mistakes. But be warned: If you crank up the challenge, Far Far West will slap you down quickly and teach you a lesson.
I’m excited to play the full game when it launches sometime later this year in early access. I also hope it gets a console port, as I know my friend group that plays primarily on console would sink hours and hours into Far Far West.
