Evil West (Windows)

Overview: A Bloody Western Brawler

Evil West for Windows is a third-person action-shooter that marries the rugged aesthetic of the American frontier with over-the-top vampire-hunting combat. Developed by Flying Wild Hog (known for the modern Shadow Warrior series) and published by Focus Entertainment, it drops you into the boots of Jesse Rentier, a secret agent of a vampire-hunting institute. The game's core pitch is simple: you've got a six-shooter, a high-voltage gauntlet, and a lot of bloodthirsty undead standing between you and the sunset. Key highlights include a deeply satisfying melee-and-gunplay hybrid system, a beefy skill tree that rewards aggressive play, a short but punchy co-op campaign, and a visual style that makes every bullet impact and lightning punch feel like a cinematic moment. This title is tailor-made for players who love fast-paced action games like Doom Eternal or God of War but want a steampunk-ish Wild West twist — especially those who enjoy combos, upgrades, and no-nonsense power fantasies.

Grab Your Gun and Your Gauntlet — The Combat Loop

Let's be honest: the moment you see a vampire explode into a cloud of ash after a point-blank shotgun blast, you know you're in for a good time. Evil West isn't trying to reinvent the wheel — it's trying to hit you with it. The combat system revolves around two main tools: your revolver (which can be upgraded with explosive rounds, ricochet shots, and a six-minute cooldown super bullet) and the Thunder Gauntlet, a glowing right-hand weapon that can deliver electric punches, ground slams, and even a long-range taser hook to pull enemies in. What makes this special is how seamlessly you can flow between ranged and close-quarters combat. Shoot a vampire to stagger it, then rush in with a charged uppercut that sends it flying into a wall, and finish with a spinning kick — all without breaking a sweat. The gauntlet also serves as a traversal tool for zipping to enemies, and later upgrades let you electrify your entire body for area damage. It's brutally satisfying, and the game leans into that power fantasy without apology.

The Skill Tree: More Than Just Numbers

Unlike many shooters where upgrades feel like boring stat boosts, Evil West offers branching paths that genuinely change your playstyle. You can invest in “Marksman” upgrades to boost your firearms — think ricocheting bullets that chain between enemies — or go down the “Brawler” tree to unlock devastating melee combos like a double-punch slam that creates a shockwave. There's even a “Survivor” branch that adds lifesteal and health-on-kill effects, letting you tank hits if you're aggressive enough. The game encourages you to mix things up: you'll want to alternate between shotgun blasts and gauntlet attacks to keep your energy bar (called “Volt”) charged, which powers your special moves. It's a system that feels organic, like a dance rather than a spreadsheet.

User Experience: Rough around the Edges, But Solid at the Core

The interface is clean and functional — health and Volt bars sit in the lower corners, and a circular weapon wheel lets you swap between your revolver, shotgun, rifle, and explosive crossbow on the fly. The load times on Windows are decent (around 10–15 seconds), and the game runs smoothly on a mid-range rig (I tested on a GTX 1660 Super at 1080p, and it held a steady 60 fps with medium settings). The learning curve is gentle but not boring: the first hour eases you into basic shooting and punching, then gradually introduces tougher enemy types that require you to use your entire toolkit. I did hit a few minor frustrations: the dodge roll has a slight input delay, and the camera can occasionally get stuck behind scenery in tight corridors. Also, the game's checkpoint system is a bit punishing — if you die midway through a long fight, you might have to redo a three-minute wave of enemies. Still, these are small scratches on an otherwise polished experience.

What Makes It Stand Out in the Shooter Crowd?

Here's the thing about Evil West: it doesn't try to be another multiplayer battle royale or a realistic tactical shooter. Its unique advantage is the rhythm of combat — a combination of guns, melee, and superpowers that feels more like a beat-'em-up than a traditional third-person shooter. Take the “Vampire Bat Swarm” enemy, for example. It flies at you from above, so you can't just shoot it — you have to use the gauntlet's lightning hook to yank it down, then slam it with a ground-pound. That verticality and forced melee interaction is rare in shooters. Another standout is the “Rodeo” mechanic: when a big enemy is staggered, you can jump on its back and punch it repeatedly while it tries to shake you off — it's ridiculous, messy, and incredibly fun. The co-op mode (up to two players) adds a chaotic layer where you and a friend can share health pickups and revive each other, but the enemy scaling doesn't change significantly, so it feels more like a power fantasy than a challenge.

Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?

If you're looking for a deep, narrative-driven open-world cowboy simulator, this isn't it. Evil West is a lean, mean, 10–12 hour campaign that packs its punches and then throws a chair at you. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoyed Doom 2016 or Shadow Warrior 2 and wants a western skin on that same adrenaline. It's also a great pick for a weekend co-op session with a friend — though the story is forgettable (something about vampires, electricity, and a rogue sheriff), the gameplay is pure dopamine. Just be aware that there's very little replay value outside of two harder difficulty levels and a handful of collectibles. At full price (around $50), it's a solid buy if you crave linear, polished action. If you're on the fence, wait for a 30% off sale — then grab it and enjoy feeling like a lightning-powered cowboy punching Dracula in the face.

FAQ

How do I start a new game and adjust the difficulty settings?

From the main menu, select 'New Game' to begin. To change difficulty, go to Options > Gameplay and choose from Story, Normal, Hard, or Evil difficulties. You can adjust difficulty at any time during gameplay from the pause menu.

Can I play Evil West with a friend, and how do I set up co-op?

Yes, local or online co-op is available. From the main menu, choose 'Co-op' and invite a friend via Steam or Epic. Each player needs their own copy. Progress only saves for the host player.

What are the system requirements for running Evil West on Windows?

Minimum: Windows 10, Intel Core i5-2500K, 8GB RAM, NVIDIA GTX 770. Recommended: Windows 10/11, Intel Core i7-4770K, 16GB RAM, NVIDIA GTX 1060. Check the Steam store page for full details.

How do I unlock and upgrade new perks in Evil West?

Perks are unlocked by leveling up and spending skill points. Open the pause menu, go to Character > Perks. Choose a perk slot and purchase or equip it. Points are earned by defeating enemies and completing missions.

What types of weapons are available and how do I upgrade them?

You can wield firearms like the Repeater, Shotgun, and Revolver, plus a lightning gauntlet. Upgrade weapons at workstations found in safe rooms. Use money and collected parts to enhance damage, reload speed, and special abilities.

How does the lightning-fueled gauntlet work and what are its abilities?

The gauntlet is your melee and crowd-control tool. Press the assigned key (default F) to punch, or hold it for a charged attack that stuns enemies. Unlock new gauntlet skills like ground slams and lightning arcs through the perks menu.