Blood West is a weird-west horror FPS in which a cursed land keeps the dead from leaving, and an Undead Gunslinger is resurrected by totems of souls to purge the corruption. Three open-ended acts, from the Canyons to the Swamp and the Mountains, each offer artefacts, bosses and sprawling interconnected areas.
The open-ended level design evokes Metro Exodus, with large intertwined maps whose routes loop back on themselves. The interconnected layout makes exploration impressive, and the scale of some areas is considerable.
Stealth is the primary approach, with backstab one-shots and rock and distraction tools enabling quiet takedowns. The gunplay is punchy and satisfying, and encounters encourage a slow, planned approach rather than constant action.
The perk tree and artefact system provide extensive choice, with so many worthwhile options that progression stays engaging across the whole run. In-game lore notes deliver storytelling at its best, with a farm diary that descends from chicken-feeding entries into horror.
The atmosphere is dark and oppressive, with danger lurking around every corner, and the cursed land itself feels alive with threat. The closing act reworks the established tools, ending in a confrontation that reshapes the journey’s purpose.
The chapter one boss stands out as a massive difficulty spike, summoning additional enemies mid-fight. The game also lacks a proper credit sequence, and minor frictions such as inconsistent gunshot detection linger.
Overall, stealth, gunplay and atmosphere make Blood West an emphatic recommendation. Around twenty-five hours of content for a modest price is exceptional value, with only the early boss spike marking a real stumble.