Western Death

About Western Death

Western Death is a 2D roguelike RPG set in a Wild West fantasy world. Developed by Myzieks and released September 26, 2025, it blends Western themes with magic and dark fantasy. You play as Jack Wotson, a bounty hunter tracking down John Willams, a sorcerer killing to unleash chaos. The game runs on PC and Linux, offering single-player only. It’s a mix of procedural maps, permadeath, and RPG progression, all framed in a pixel-art style. Think Gunpoint meets Hades but with six-shooters and hexes.

Gameplay

Each run starts in a randomly generated town where you gather clues, fight enemies, and level up skills like marksmanship or spellcasting. Combat is turn-based, alternating between shooting and casting fireballs. You manage ammo, health, and mana while navigating shifting maps. Boss battles force you to adapt, John Willams summons monsters and warps the environment. Exploration rewards include crafting materials and lore about the killer’s trail. Sessions last 1, 3 hours, but permadeath means mistakes reset progress. The controls are responsive but grindy, favoring strategy over reflexes.

What Players Think

PlayPile users rate it 4.3/5. Average playtime is 15 hours, with 70% completing the main story. Community moods are split: 45% “nostalgic,” 30% “frustrated,” and 25% “amused.” Critics praise the creative worldbuilding but call combat repetitive. One review says, “The magic system feels tacked on,” while another calls it “a wild ride with great replayability.” 23% of players own all 35 achievements, which include killing 500 enemies or collecting every spell. The price isn’t listed yet, but Linux support is a plus.

PlayPile's Take

Western Death works best for fans of niche 2D roguelikes who don’t mind clunky mechanics. The fantasy-Western mashup is charming, but combat lacks depth compared to peers. With 35 achievements and 15+ hours of gameplay, it’s a decent $20 pick if you enjoy permadeath and quirky stories. Skip if you want polished action or traditional Westerns. It’s a bold experiment that leans into its weirdness, just don’t expect perfection.

Storyline

In Western Death, you play as Jack Wotson, a fearless bounty hunter on a mission to track down the notorious serial killer John Willams, a man with the power to wield magic. Your goal is to stop Willams before his dark sorcery brings ruin to the world.