Info about West of Dead:

Official game description:
Purgatory, Wyoming, 1888.  
A place of gun smoke and darkness, sin and damnation, wendigos and witches. A shifting, chaotic world that takes its form from the memories, culture or beliefs of the souls who pass through. When a dead man awakens with only the memory of a figure in black, he sets into motion a chain of events that have truly mythic consequences.  
Step into the boots of the dead man William Mason (voiced by Ron Perlman) and descend into the grim and gritty world of Purgatory in this cover-based shooter which combines the fluidity of twin-stick controls and tactical cover usage. Put your skills to the test - Dodge behind cover as you try to outgun your enemies in the unknown procedurally generated hunting grounds. The Wild West has never been this dark.

Release date: Jun 18, 2020

Categories: Twin-stick Shooter, Roguelike, Cover Shooter, Western-themed Roguelike Shooter, Procedural Generation, Dark Fantasy, Atmospheric Horror, Character Progression

Feature scans:
- MTX: score 20; verdict: Fair with DLC Complaints; summary: The reviews identify paid DLC as the only real-money element, specifically a Day-1 extra area and DLC achievements. Players criticize the Day-1 DLC as cut content and low-value, but they do not report an in-game cash shop, premium currency, loot boxes, gacha, battle pass, or pay-to-win systems. Grind and technical complaints are outside the monetization scope. Under the DLC and one-time-purchase override, the score remains in the fair range.
- Steam Deck: score 15; verdict: Seamless on Steam Deck; summary: The filtered feedback contains no Steam Deck technical blockers: no Proton Experimental requirement, no external launcher, no unreadable text, no battery-drain report, and no crash or anti-cheat failure. Two reviewers explicitly praise Steam Deck play. The main recurring complaints concern general control responsiveness, camera behavior, and cover mechanics, which are gameplay design issues rather than Deck compatibility friction. The Deck friction score is therefore low.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $5.00 - $10.00
  - Reasoning: The reviewed price anchors cluster below the current-style $20 full price: reviewers repeatedly call $20 unjustifiable, describe $4-$5 sale prices as excellent value, and say the game is worth buying around $5-$10 but not more than roughly $10. Although a few comments show tolerance for full price, the dominant community sentiment supports a fair base-game range of about $5 to $10.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 8.5h
  - Story completion: 6.0h
  - Session length: 0.8h
  - Endgame: 20.0h
  - Reasoning: The true-ending quote supports storyCompletion at about 6 hours. The 8-9 hour finish and the separate reference to a quick 9-hour affair support gameCompletion at roughly 8.5 hours. The 20-40 minute run length, together with other mentions of half-hour to one-hour sessions, supports a sessionLength of about 0.75 hours. The 100% completion estimate of 15-25 hours, corroborated by a full 17-hour completion and 22+ hours for most achievements, supports an endgame value of about 20 hours.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: West of Dead can click after an initial learning curve and slow start, with one reviewer explicitly enjoying it after two hours, but other players report it never becomes fun or turns repetitive after the first few runs.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: After the initial learning curve and slow start, around two hours in
  - Time to anchor: 2h 0m
  - Friction: Learning curve and patience required before enjoyment; Slow start and slow pacing; Initial difficulty; Repetitive tutorials and NPC dialogue on subsequent runs; Essential movement or teleport ability locked behind progression; Forced spending of progression currency expands the drop pool and worsens RNG
  - Unlock drivers: Learning weapon archetypes, ranges, accuracy, and reload mechanics; Unlocking the healing potion and runes; Permanent upgrades that allow access to new map areas; Permanent unlocks via Sin and multiple paths that create a sense of progression; Fast-travel rune enabling movement between ground runes
  - Conditions: Having patience for the learning curve; Investing around two hours into the game; Tolerance for slow pacing and repetition; Preference for western and roguelike themes; Benefiting from RNG luck; Using mouse and keyboard rather than controller; Willingness to invest substantial time across many runs; Acceptance of limited build variety and weak later meta-progression
- Player Archetypes:
  - Achievement Hunter Completionist (sale)
    - Motivation: To achieve 100% completion and unlock all achievements despite grind and RNG.
    - Playstyle: Repeatedly grinds runs, optimizes unlock order, and tolerates RNG for achievement goals.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: achievement hunter; completionist
    - Reference games: Hades; BlazBlue Entrophy
  - Roguelite Genre Veteran (sale)
    - Motivation: To enjoy a replayable roguelite loop with quick, fun runs and genre mechanics.
    - Playstyle: Plays fast-paced runs, adapts to RNG, and seeks meta-progression and varied builds.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Dead Cells; Hades
  - Western Atmosphere Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: To immerse in the Western setting, art style, and voice acting.
    - Playstyle: Plays for atmosphere and story, often forgiving of gameplay flaws, enjoys the theme.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Tactical Cover-Shooter Player (buy)
    - Motivation: To master cover-based combat, positioning, and dodging in tense firefights.
    - Playstyle: Uses cover, dodge rolls, and reload management to outmaneuver enemies in tight arenas.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Ron Perlman elevates narration (weight 0.37): Multiple clusters highlight Ron Perlman's voice work as a major strength, praising his gravitas, charisma, and emotional delivery. His narration and protagonist performance are consistently described as excellent and fitting.
- Mignola-inspired art style praised (weight 0.26): Reviewers frequently commend the Mike Mignola-inspired comic-book aesthetic, including cel shading and Hellboy-like visuals. The art direction is seen as stylish and well-suited to the game.
- Good overall game reception (weight 0.2): General sentiment is positive, with many describing the game as good, fun, and addictive. It is seen as worth a positive rating despite minor imperfections.
- Fun combat and shooting (weight 0.18): Combat is widely described as fun, satisfying, and intentional, with shooting feeling good especially on critical hits. The action loop is a key source of enjoyment.
- Good graphics and visuals (weight 0.16): Graphics are generally seen as good, interesting, and high in artistic quality. The visual aspect contributes positively to the experience.
- Cover-based shooting works well (weight 0.12): The cover-based shooting system is praised as unique and strategic, adding depth to the fast-paced action. When cover mechanics function properly, the shooting experience is highly enjoyable.
- Solid roguelike twin-stick shooter (weight 0.12): The game is recognized as a fun roguelike twin-stick shooter with cover-based mechanics. Its blend of genres is appreciated as a strong point.
- Enjoyable weapon variety (weight 0.1): Weapons are considered satisfying with decent variety, and different weapons meaningfully change playstyle. There is no universally bad weapon.
- Great soundtrack and music (weight 0.1): The soundtrack is repeatedly praised for fitting the game's mood and level design. Music is described as solid and complementary to the artistic direction.
- Excellent voice acting overall (weight 0.1): Beyond Ron Perlman, general voice acting and dialogue delivery are highly regarded. Performances are described as amazing and well-delivered.
- Fantastic presentation (weight 0.07): The game's overall presentation is frequently called fantastic and interesting. It enhances the atmospheric and stylistic appeal.
- Satisfying sound effects (weight 0.07): Sound effects are noted as crisp and satisfying, complementing the music. Audio feedback adds to the overall polish.
- Great atmosphere and setting (weight 0.07): The game's atmosphere is described as fantastic, unique, and enjoyable. It contributes significantly to immersion and overall appeal.

Common complaints:
- Persistent bugs and glitches (weight 0.32): The game suffers from numerous bugs, glitches, and softlocks that impact playability. Some of these issues remain even after patches, frustrating players.
- Clunky controls and gameplay (weight 0.24): Many players report that the game feels awkward, stiff, and not smooth to control. This is a recurring complaint about the overall gameplay experience.
- Lacking roguelike mechanics (weight 0.15): The roguelike elements are considered shallow and missing essential features. Players feel the game lacks the depth expected from the genre.
- Unfinished and unpolished state (weight 0.14): The game comes across as unfinished, feeling like an early access title even after release. Many aspects remain unpolished and sub-par.
- Long and slow runs (weight 0.12): Runs take a long time to complete, even for a single level, and the overall gameplay feels slow. This pacing issue detracts from the experience.
- Unbalanced and useless unlocks (weight 0.1): Unlockable weapons and upgrades often feel useless or bloat the loot pool. Players cannot easily assess a weapon's effectiveness before unlocking it.
- Harsh death penalties (weight 0.07): Dying sends players back to the very beginning of the level or chapter, which can be frustrating. This lack of checkpoints makes progression feel punishing.
- Short game length (weight 0.07): The game can be completed in 8-9 hours and feels short to many players. This leaves them wanting more content.
- Problematic camera angles (weight 0.07): The fixed camera angles are often unhelpful and can be annoying during gameplay. Players find the camera behavior frustrating.
- Unreliable auto-aim (weight 0.07): Enemies with guns have auto-aim that can be unfair, and the player's auto-aim can fixate on irrelevant objects. This makes combat feel inconsistent.
- Overly sticky cover system (weight 0.07): The cover system is too sticky, making it hard to detach from cover. This leads to frustrating movement during combat.
- Input lag issues (weight 0.07): Players experience noticeable input lag, especially in tutorials and chat boxes. This affects responsiveness and overall control.

Gameplay feedback:
- Twin-stick cover shooter (weight 0.33): Combat is primarily a twin-stick shooter with cover-based mechanics. Players use an isometric or top-down perspective.
- Roguelike with roguelite elements (weight 0.28): The game is frequently described as a roguelike or roguelite, with run-based progression and random elements. Many reviews highlight its top-down or twin-stick roguelike structure.
- Varied weapon arsenal (weight 0.21): Weapons include shotguns, pistols, rifles, and revolvers, often categorized into distinct types. This variety supports different playstyles.
- Unlockable weapons and upgrades (weight 0.15): Players unlock new guns and upgrades through progression, often between runs. This adds a sense of advancement.
- Dodge and cover mechanics (weight 0.13): The game features dodge rolls and cover usage to avoid damage. Some dodges have invincibility frames or bullet time.
- Lanterns stun and illuminate (weight 0.1): Lanterns can be lit to provide vision, stun nearby enemies, and enable lock-on. This mechanic interacts with darkness.
- Cover speeds up reloads (weight 0.1): Hiding behind cover not only protects from attacks but also increases reload speed. This adds a tactical layer to combat.
- Darkness hides enemies (weight 0.09): Some areas are dark, making enemies invisible and hard to target until light is brought. This creates tension and requires light management.
- Abilities like dynamite and melee (weight 0.09): Players can equip active abilities such as dynamite, throwing knives, or a spear. These complement gunplay.
- Western-themed roguelike shooter (weight 0.09): The game is set in a wild west style, blending roguelike and shooter elements. Reviews highlight the western aesthetic.
- Similar to Dead Cells (weight 0.07): Several reviews compare the game to Dead Cells, noting heavy inspiration. This suggests similar combat and progression systems.
- Chapter-based progression (weight 0.07): Progression is structured into chapters, providing a clear sense of advancement. Each chapter likely introduces new challenges.

Performance notes:
- Numerous critical bugs and glitches (weight 0.13): Players encounter bugs such as falling under textures, getting permanently stuck in the floor, falling through edges, and dying from invisible causes. These issues severely impact gameplay and progression.
- Frequent crashes and freezes (weight 0.11): Crashes occur regularly, including on level switches, after defeating the preacher, and when enemies clip the player through walls. Game frequently locks up on outlaw intros requiring force quit.
- Severe input lag reported (weight 0.09): Players report significant input lag during tutorials, chat boxes, and general gameplay, with delays comparable to the original Resident Evil. This aggravates controls and responsiveness.
- Bad optimization and performance issues (weight 0.09): The game runs poorly even on high-end PCs, with stuttering when entering the map, loud fan noise, and low frame rates on mobile devices. Optimization is widely criticized.
- Visual glitches and ugly graphics (weight 0.05): Reviewers report ugly visuals even on top-tier hardware after adjusting settings, as well as visual glitches like colorful lines on screen. The graphical quality is disappointing.
- Screen freezes and unresponsive controls (weight 0.03): Occasional bugs cause the screen to freeze and the player becomes unable to move. These freezes can occur unpredictably.
- Audio cutouts and silence (weight 0.03): The audio frequently cuts out and sometimes there is no noise at all during gameplay. This audio bug detracts from the experience.
- Clunky and slow movement (weight 0.03): Movement feels clunky and slow, affecting overall gameplay fluidity. This contributes to a frustrating control experience.
- Character moves without input (weight 0.03): The character sometimes walks in a single direction without any player input every few minutes. This uncontrollable behavior disrupts gameplay.
- Enemy lag and buggy behavior (weight 0.03): Some enemies lag behind or bug out, such as stone golems fidgeting and the final boss sliding unnaturally. This affects combat and immersion.

Recommendations:
- Mixed or conditional recommendations (weight 0.28): Several reviewers give conditional recommendations, noting flaws but still finding enjoyment if players can overlook issues or get it cheap.
- Worth buying on sale (weight 0.27): Many reviewers recommend purchasing only at a discount, citing frequent deep sales. Full price is considered too high for the content offered.
- Wait for sale or deep discount (weight 0.24): Many suggest waiting for a sale, often noting that the game is only worth it at a very low price point, such as 90% off or a few dollars.
- Recommended with reservations (weight 0.19): Some recommend it but note significant issues, such as clunky mechanics, lack of polish, or disappointment for certain players.
- Positive recommendations (weight 0.19): A number of players highly recommend the game, praising its fun factor, uniqueness, and appeal to specific tastes.
- Cannot recommend even on sale (weight 0.18): Several players advise avoiding the game entirely, stating it is not worth playing even at a reduced price due to fundamental flaws.
- Slow pace and action expectations (weight 0.17): The game's slow, tactical combat pace may disappoint those expecting fast-paced action. It is not a traditional action game.
- Short and repetitive content (weight 0.15): The game is seen as good for a few evenings but lacking depth and variety, with repetitive gameplay and sameyness.
- Control and optimization issues (weight 0.14): Multiple reviewers complain about unresponsive controls, lack of key rebinding, poor PC optimization, and clunky mechanics that hinder enjoyment.
- Recommended for roguelike enthusiasts (weight 0.14): Fans of the roguelike genre may find enjoyment, especially those who appreciate a slower, tactical pace or the unique western setting.
- Better roguelites exist (weight 0.12): Reviewers frequently compare the game unfavorably to other roguelites, suggesting players spend time and money on more polished alternatives like Dead Cells or Hades.
- Poor value for money (weight 0.12): Many feel the game does not justify its price tag, even on sale, and better value can be found elsewhere.
- Western setting and atmosphere praised (weight 0.12): The western theme, dark atmosphere, and aesthetic are frequently highlighted as strong points, appealing to fans of the genre.
- Not worth full price (weight 0.11): Full price is considered too expensive for the amount and quality of content provided, with many stating they would not buy it at full price.
- Bugs and unfinished state (weight 0.11): The game suffers from bugs, including a game-breaking bug in the final chapter, and feels unfinished or abandoned. Patches are desired.
- Frustrating and unfair deaths (weight 0.1): Some players find the game frustrating due to unfair deaths, random elements, and a lack of enjoyment, leading to negative reviews.
- DLC and achievement complaints (weight 0.07): Some reviewers criticize paid DLC achievements, grind for achievements, and the necessity of DLC for platinum, calling it unnecessary.
- Steam Deck and controller support (weight 0.06): The game is noted to be perfect for Steam Deck and better with a controller, though keyboard controls are awkward.
- Game Pass alternative (weight 0.03): Some recommend trying the game for free on Xbox Game Pass rather than purchasing, especially if unsure.
- Pirating suggested over buying (weight 0.03): At least one reviewer suggests pirating the game instead of spending money on it, indicating strong dissatisfaction.

Other player notes:
- Ron Perlman voice acting praised (weight 0.24): Multiple clusters highlight Ron Perlman as the main character's voice actor or narrator. Players appreciate his performance, though some note his lines are limited and repetitive.
- Dead Cells comparison (weight 0.13): Reviewers frequently compare the game to Dead Cells in terms of structure, runes, areas, upgrade system, and safe zones. The comparison extends to specific mechanics like Cursed Chests.
- Game abandoned, no updates (weight 0.09): Feedback indicates the game is in an unfinished and abandoned state, with no updates since 2021. Players feel it likely won't be fixed.
- Short game length (weight 0.09): The game is described as short, completable in about 3 to 9 hours depending on the player. Some find it too brief.
- Lacks full voice acting (weight 0.09): Most characters are not voice-acted, with only rare grunts or silence outside of Ron Perlman's lines.
- Developed by Upstream Arcade (weight 0.07): The game is developed by Upstream Arcade and published by Raw Fury, a small team.
- Feels like early access (weight 0.05): Players report a lack of polish and balancing issues, making the game feel like an Early Access title rather than a finished product.
- Poor Chinese localization (weight 0.05): The Chinese translation has unreadable text with missing strings throughout dialogue.
- Steam Deck compatibility (weight 0.05): The game works well with controllers and is considered perfect for Steam Deck.
- Great soundtrack (weight 0.05): The soundtrack is frequently praised as great and is available for listening.
- Compared unfavorably to roguelites (weight 0.05): Some reviewers compare it negatively to other roguelite games, noting a lack of impact or 'oomph'.
- Bought on sale (weight 0.05): Several reviewers purchased the game during a Steam sale, indicating price sensitivity.
- Rated 8 out of 10 (weight 0.05): Some reviewers gave the game an overall score of 8/10.
- Played since beta (weight 0.05): Some players have been playing since the original beta period and through full release.
- DLC available (weight 0.04): The game has downloadable content available.

Emotions:
- Frustration (weight 0.27): Frustration is overwhelmingly driven by game-breaking bugs, softlocks, and crashes that ruin runs or block progression, such as getting stuck in walls, invulnerable bosses, and save resets. The sticky cover system, unresponsive controls, poor auto-aim, and unfair deaths compound this, while long runs and full resets on death make repeated failures punishing. Sluggish movement, grindy unlocks, and localization or UI problems further worsen the experience.
- Disappointment (weight 0.2): Disappointment stems from the game failing to deliver as a roguelite, with weak meta-progression, poor build variety, and mechanics that do not meaningfully change runs. Players cite clunky and repetitive gameplay, severe bugs, unpolished elements, and a short or grindy experience that wears thin quickly. Strong presentation is often seen as wasted on shallow, unbalanced, or incomplete design.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.11): Enjoyment comes from the unique western-themed roguelike setting, satisfying and fast-paced cover shooting, and the atmospheric art, music, and voice acting. Many players find the combat and progression loop fun once they adjust to the mechanics, especially in earlier chapters. The game's distinct identity and engaging gameplay keep them entertained despite its flaws.
- Annoyance (weight 0.06): Annoyance is caused by the sticky and automatic cover system that slows movement or triggers accidentally, along with unresponsive controls and poorly telegraphed enemy attacks. Repetitive voice lines, slow animations for ladders and teleports, and clunky menus add to the irritation. Boss bugs and design decisions that hinder smooth play are also common sources.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.06): Satisfaction arises from the game's balanced challenge and skill-based combat, where sliding into cover, landing critical hits, and mastering weapons feel rewarding. The slow tactical approach, combined with strong sound effects and visual style, creates immersive and intense shootouts. Progression and mechanics like dodge invincibility and portal movement enhance the sense of accomplishment.
- Boredom (weight 0.05): Boredom is primarily due to repetition: the same enemies, arenas, power-ups, and chapter-based progression make each run feel identical. Dying resets progress, forcing players to replay similar content, while achievement grinds and repeated music or tutorial popups add to the tedium. The lack of variety and novelty causes the game to become tiresome after a few hours.
- Appreciation (weight 0.03): Appreciation centers on the excellent voice acting, particularly Ron Perlman's performance, along with a great soundtrack and a unified dark atmosphere. The art and design, reminiscent of Mike Mignola's style, are also praised. These elements make the game feel crafted and worthwhile despite negative reviews, with the storytelling through memories standing out.
- Love (weight 0.02): Love for the game is expressed through personal attachment and long-term enjoyment, with some players finding it one of the coolest games they have played in years. The art style, Ron Perlman's voice, story, and music are key factors. It is also appreciated for being easy to play on Steam Deck and fitting into busy lifestyles.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger is triggered by non-responsive controls, unfair combat design, and critical bugs that cause death or force restarts, especially after reaching the final boss. The cover system is so bad it provoked negative reviews, and serious map-spawning bugs that trap the player during good runs waste potential. Delayed inputs and unseen attacks further fuel the frustration.
- Interest (weight 0.01): Interest is sparked by an intriguing story and gameplay that remains engaging until completion. Players are motivated by learning new strategies and builds after each death, as well as pursuing 100% completion. The evolving gameplay and narrative keep them invested.
- Admiration (weight 0.01): Admiration is directed at the amazing voice acting, particularly Ron Perlman's performance, and an art style that strongly appeals to some players. The setting and environment that reflect the story also contribute to this feeling. The overall presentation is highly regarded.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm is driven by the game's unique concept, such as a Ghost Rider-like protagonist and a Curse of the Dead Gods-style undead cowboy theme. The excellent art style and overall quality make it awesome and engaging. The story and roguelike elements combine to create excitement.
- Fun (weight 0.01): Fun is derived from solid gunplay, a compelling story, and dynamic combat with fast action and intelligent cover use. Even players who do not typically enjoy the genre find themselves having a good time. The mix of shooting and narrative keeps it entertaining.
- Irritation (weight 0.01): Irritation is caused by camera angles and movement that make it hard to track the player and fight enemies, along with aggravating input lag on tutorials and chat boxes. Repetitive dialogue that is slow to skip adds to the annoyance. These small but persistent issues disrupt the experience.
- Engagement (weight 0.01): Engagement is maintained by a strong artistic direction that keeps players interested even when the gameplay loop feels familiar. The story is compelling enough to make players want to continue for a few more hours. Emotional investment in the experience drives continued play.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.01): Dissatisfaction arises from the game feeling short, easy, and mediocre, with sticky controls that detract from the experience. Some players feel like they are playing a demo version rather than a full game. The lack of depth and polish leaves them unsatisfied.
- Infuriation (weight 0.01): Infuriation is caused by moments where the game lies about souls being present and forces a game over, or when shots that should hit fail to register. These unfair and inconsistent mechanics lead to intense anger. The feeling of being cheated by the game is central.
- Surprise (weight 0.01): Surprise comes from the dark, gloomy story being unexpectedly excellent, and the game being much more fun than anticipated. Some players are also surprised by the significant difficulty increase from the beta. Positive unexpected elements enhance the experience.
- Eye strain (weight 0.01): Eye strain is reported because the game is too dark, making it difficult to see and causing discomfort during play. The low visibility in certain levels strains the eyes. This physical discomfort detracts from enjoyment.
- Hope (weight 0.01): Hope is expressed that the developer will continue working on the game so it can reach its potential, and that many of the current issues will be fixed. Players see promise in the game and wish for its improvement. This optimism drives continued interest.}