Cowboys, vampires and a gauntlet that shoots lightning. What more do you need?
Evil West is a fast, brutal, over-the-top third-person action game from Flying Wild Hog, the studio behind Shadow Warrior and Hard Reset. You play as Jesse Rentier, a vampire hunter in an alternate Old West, and you fight hordes of bloodsuckers and monsters with revolvers, shotguns, a flamethrower and a lightning-powered Gauntlet. Here is our full review: story, characters, combat, size, playtime, pros and cons, and the final score.
🎯 Quick Verdict: A satisfying, old-school action game with punchy combo-based combat and a fun western-horror setting. The story is simple and the game can get repetitive, but if you want pure, stylish action, it delivers.
🎬 Evil West Gameplay
▶️ Want the full walkthrough? Watch the Evil West playthrough episode by episode on our YouTube channel.
▶ Watch on Our YouTube ChannelOfficial store page. Price varies by region and often drops during Steam sales.
📋 Game Info at a Glance
| Developer | Flying Wild Hog |
| Publisher | Focus Entertainment |
| Release Date | November 22, 2022 |
| Platforms | PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S |
| Genre | Third-person action, hack and slash, vampire horror |
| Modes | Single-player and online co-op |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
| Install Size (PC) | 40 GB (official Steam requirements) |
| Playtime | Roughly 10–15 hours |
| Minimum PC Specs | Windows 10 · Core i5-2500K / FX-6300 · 8 GB RAM · GTX 750 Ti / RX 460 (4 GB) |
| Recommended PC Specs | Core i5-10505 / Ryzen 5 1600 · 16 GB RAM · GTX 1060 / RX 590 |
| Critic Score | Metacritic 74 |
| Our Rating | 7.9 / 10 |
📖 Story (Spoiler-Free)
The game is set in an alternate 1895, where vampires, called the Sanguisuge, hide in the shadows of the American frontier. The Rentier Institute, a secret organization funded by the government, hunts them. Jesse Rentier, the son of the Institute's director, teams up with veteran hunter Edgar Gravenor to track a powerful vampire who wants to start an open war against humanity.
After a devastating attack on the Institute's headquarters, Jesse is forced to run, rebuild and fight back while a much more dangerous enemy rises. The plot follows a classic western revenge formula with vampire twists. It is not deep, but it is entertaining and moves quickly from one big set piece to the next.
🧑🤝🧑 Main Characters
Jesse Rentier — The hero: a tough, skilled vampire hunter trained since childhood, wearing a duster coat and the Rentier Gauntlet.
Edgar Gravenor — Jesse's veteran partner and close friend, full of experience and dry western humor.
Dr. Emilia Blackwell — A level-headed vampire expert who leads the Institute's cell in Calico.
William Rentier — Jesse's father and the director of the Rentier Institute.
Felicity D'Abano — The main antagonist, a terrifying vampire who leads an army of monsters.
🎮 Gameplay
This is where Evil West shines. Combat blends melee combos, inspired by games like Devil May Cry and God of War, with a full arsenal of guns. The Gauntlet stuns, pulls and shocks enemies, and you chain that with a revolver, rifle, shotgun, flamethrower and explosives. Finishing moves and environmental kills, like kicking enemies into spikes or shooting explosive barrels, feel great.
You can also upgrade weapons and skills, and the game supports online co-op. The main weakness is repetition: some arenas and enemy types return often, and the story does not match the quality of the action. That is why the final score sits at 7.9.
🎨 Visuals & Sound
The steampunk-western world is full of dusty towns, factories, trains and dark hideouts, all lit with warm tones and blue lightning effects that look great in motion. The soundtrack mixes western tones with heavy action music, and the sound of the lightning-charged weapons adds a lot of impact.
✅ Pros & ❌ Cons
Pros
• Fast, satisfying combo combat
• Great variety of weapons and Gauntlet powers
• Unique vampire-western setting
• Online co-op support
• Good length, no padding
• Fun finishers and boss fights
Cons
• Simple, predictable story
• Repetitive arenas and enemies
• Some characters are forgettable
• Very violent and gory
🤔 Who Should Play Evil West?
Perfect for fans of action games with tight combat, such as Devil May Cry, Shadow Warrior and Bulletstorm, and anyone who loves a western-meets-horror theme. If you prefer deep stories or open-world exploration, it may feel too linear. The game contains strong violence and gore, so it is intended for mature players.
🏁 Final Verdict: 7.9 / 10
Evil West is not trying to reinvent the genre, and that is its charm. It is a loud, confident, well-made action game with excellent combat and a fun setting. Get it on sale, grab a friend for co-op and enjoy the ride.
❓ Evil West FAQ
How big is Evil West on PC?
The official Steam requirements list 40 GB of available space.
How long is Evil West?
Around 10 to 15 hours for the main campaign, depending on how much you explore.
Does Evil West have co-op?
Yes, the game offers online co-op alongside the single-player campaign.
Who made Evil West?
Flying Wild Hog developed it, and Focus Entertainment published it.
Is Evil West worth buying?
Yes, if you enjoy fast action and combo combat. We rate it 7.9/10.
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