The Wild West is probably one of my favorite settings when it comes to any form of media. From the many popular movies like the John Wayne movies to the video games like Red Dead Redemption, they really give you a good idea as to how wild things would get around this time. The developers at 612 Games thought the same and decided to make their own MMO Western game called Wild West Online. In this game, you are one of the original settlers and it is up to you as to how you will lead your life in the new world.
You start out by coming off of a train in any one of the towns across the map and are left to do whatever you want after that. You can leave and live a peaceful life growing crops and selling them, you can become a miner and dig through the earth to find precious minerals and resources, but you will have to be careful. It is possible that you will have to fend off a few thieves who think it easier to steal from you rather than work for it themselves. You can become one of these bandits, stealing and killing to get what you want or you can be the sheriffs and deputies that are sent to stop those outlaws. It all depends on what you want to be and how you behave in front of others.
Wild West Online has a passive Reputation system in place. Keep your nose clean and you have nothing to worry about, but if you decide to try to steal something or take someone out and get caught, your Reputation will get a star on it. Want to keep your Reputation clean but still do bad things? Don’t get caught. Do too many unlawful things and get enough stars, your name and face will be up for all to see with a nice cash reward for your return, dead or alive. Any player can take this and begin the hunt to take you down and net that reward.
Now, if you’ve done too many bad things and this happens, it is safe to say that returning to any town with your picture up on a wall is a terrible idea, unless you enjoy getting shot by everyone there. If this is the case, you can always live off the land and create yourself a hideout. Here, you can store your loot, meet up with other players, and create your own bandit posse. You may not have access to the town and its plentiful services and resources, but you can still get these from your hideout, just with a little bit more work.
The towns are big and have plenty of things for you to do. You can go to one of the many gunsmiths and get yourself a new rifle and get it fitted exactly how you want it to be. You can stop by the tavern, which acts as the Hub for players. Here you can make friends, play poker, get a cold drink in you, and a bunch of other activities that you can enjoy. How you live and what you do is up to you. Just make sure that you are ready to face the consequences, be they good or bad.
Sign-up for the alpha and beta on the game’s website.
Played it? We’d love to know what you thought about it.
