Wild Bastards is a science-fiction Wild West first-person shooter and roguelike video game developed by Blue Manchu and published by Maximum Entertainment.[1] It was released on September 12, 2024, for Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. The game received mixed to positive reviews from critics, praising its art style and design, but criticizing the gameplay loop as repetitive.
| Wild Bastards | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Blue Manchu |
| Publisher(s) | Maximum Entertainment |
| Platform(s) | Windows Xbox One Xbox Series X and S PlayStation 4 PlayStation 5 Nintendo Switch |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | First-person shooter, roguelite |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
editWild Bastards is a single-player roguelike first-person shooter featuring a full story campaign with multiple difficulties and modes. There are 13 playable characters (Outlaws), all members of the titular Wild Bastards. Outlaws have feuds and friendships, which affect who can team up and certain gameplay synergies.[2]
The game begins with the remaining 2 outlaws tasked with crossing the galaxy and resurrecting their fallen teammates. The player can warp to different sectors that feature randomized planets and anomalies. Players can choose a path through the sector and land on planets to gather mods, upgrades, and rescue playable characters. While on the planet, the player has a limited move set on a gameboard of encounters. Players must navigate and survive encounters while planning a path to get loot and escape on the Beam Station tile. If an outlaw dies on a planet, they must be healed with a tonic to become playable again.[3]
Development
editDeveloped by Canberra, Australia based[4] studio Blue Manchu, the game is a spiritual sequel to the studio's previous game Void Bastards.[5] The game was announced in March 2024.[6]
Reception
edit| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | PC: 76/100[7] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| GameSpot | 9/10[8] |
| PC Gamer (US) | 91/100[9] |
The game received "generally favorable" reviews from critics. PC Gamer favorably compared Wild Bastards to the Arkane Studios title Deathloop, saying Wild Bastards was "a successful splicing of the roguelike and FPS genres".[9]
NintendoLife was far more critical of the game, calling the cast of characters fun and amusing but criticizing the gunplay as "bland and simplistic", and saying the game progresses to nothing challenging or satisfying.[10] CheckpointGaming rated the title 7.5/10, praising the gunplay as experimental, fluid, and frenetic. They criticized the game length as "dragging".[11]
References
edit- ^ "Wild Bastards Launches September 12 on PC and Console – Demo Available Today!". Maximum. 4 June 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
- ^ Caldwell, Brendan (12 September 2024). "Wild Bastards review: a messy roguelike shooter that's nonetheless full o' beans". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
- ^ "Wild Bastards Review". PlayStation Life. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
- ^ Williams, Leah J. (1 December 2023). "Void Bastards sequel Wild Bastards launches in 2024". GamesHub. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
- ^ "Wild Bastards has got killer style". VG 247. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
- ^ "Wild Bastards announced for Switch". Nintendo Everything. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
- ^ "Wild Bastards PC". Metacritic. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
- ^ Delaney, Mark (12 September 2024). "Wild Bastards Review - Buck Around And Find Out". GameSpot. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Wild Bastards review". PC Gamer. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
- ^ "Mini Review: Wild Bastards (Switch) - Void Bastards' Follow-Up Is A Bland Misfire". NintendoLife. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
- ^ "Getting the band back together". CheckpointGaming. Retrieved 1 October 2024.