Wild Bastards

Last updated
Wild Bastards
Wild Bastards cover.jpg
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
  • WW: September 12, 2024
Genre(s) First-person shooter, roguelite
Mode(s) Single-player

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.

Contents

Gameplay

Wild 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

Developed 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

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]

Related Research Articles

<i>Spelunky</i> 2008 video game

Spelunky is a 2008 source-available 2D platform game created by independent developer Derek Yu and released as freeware for Microsoft Windows. It was remade for the Xbox 360 in 2012, with ports of the new version following for various platforms, including back to Microsoft Windows. The player controls a spelunker who explores a series of caves while collecting treasure, saving damsels, fighting enemies, and dodging traps. The caves are procedurally generated, making each run-through of the game unique.

<i>The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth</i> 2014 indie video game

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth is a 2014 roguelike action-adventure game designed by Edmund McMillen and developed and published by Nicalis. Rebirth was released for Linux, Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita in November 2014, for Xbox One, New Nintendo 3DS and Wii U in July 2015, for iOS in January 2017 and for Nintendo Switch in March 2017. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S versions were released in November 2021.

<i>Crypt of the NecroDancer</i> 2015 video game

Crypt of the NecroDancer is a roguelike rhythm game by Brace Yourself Games. The game takes fundamental elements of a roguelike dungeon exploration game and adds a beat-matching rhythm game set to an original soundtrack written by Danny Baranowsky. The player's actions are most effective when moving the character set to the beat of the current song and are impaired when they miss a beat, so it is necessary to learn the rhythmic patterns that the various creatures follow. The mixed-genre game includes the ability to import custom music, and the option to use a dance pad instead of traditional controllers or the keyboard. The game was released for Linux, OS X, and Windows in April 2015, being co-published by Klei Entertainment, for the PlayStation 4 and Vita in February 2016, for the Xbox One in February 2017, and for Nintendo Switch in February 2018. Crypt of the NecroDancer Pocket Edition, developed for iOS, was released in June 2016.

<i>Dungeon of the Endless</i> 2014 video game

Dungeon of the Endless is a roguelike tower defense game developed and published by Amplitude Studios. It is the third game of their loosely connected Endless series, which includes Endless Space and Endless Legend. It was released in October 2014 for Microsoft Windows and OS X, August 2015 for iOS, and for Xbox One in March 2016. The PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch ports were released in May 2020. A revamped version for iOS and Android devices, called Dungeon of the Endless: Apogee, was released in March 2021 by Playdigious.

<i>Quest of Dungeons</i> 2014 video game

Quest of Dungeons is a roguelike video game released on March 25, 2014 by Portuguese developer Upfall Studios. The game has graphics resembling 16-bit game consoles. It was initially released for Windows, Mac, and iOS, then for Xbox One via ID@Xbox on September 7, 2015. In February 2016, it was announced that the game was being developed for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS and was released on September 29, 2016. It was later released for PlayStation 4 on January 17, 2017. On August 2, 2017, it was announced that it would be coming to the Nintendo Switch.

<i>Risk of Rain 2</i> 2019 video game

Risk of Rain 2 is a roguelite third-person shooter developed by Hopoo Games and published by Gearbox Publishing. A sequel to 2013's Risk of Rain, it was released in early access for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in 2019 before fully releasing in August 2020 with a release for Stadia coming a month later. Versions for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S released in August 2024.

<i>Descenders</i> 2019 cycling video game

Descenders is a cycling game developed by RageSquid and published by No More Robots. It was released for Linux, macOS, Windows, and Xbox One on 7 May 2019, for PlayStation 4 on 25 August 2020, for Nintendo Switch on 6 November 2020 and Xbox Series X/S on 8 June 2021. A mobile version for iOS and Android was released on 4 August 2022.

<i>Contra: Rogue Corps</i> 2019 video game

Contra: Rogue Corps is a run and gun twin-stick shooter in the Contra series developed by Toylogic and published by Konami. It was released on September 24, 2019 for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Xbox One.

<i>Rad</i> (video game) 2019 video game

Rad is a roguelike action game developed by Double Fine and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment. It was released for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in August 2019 and for Amazon Luna in May 2021.

A roguelike deck-building game is a hybrid genre of video games that combines the nature of deck-building card games with procedural-generated randomness from roguelike games.

<i>Kings Bounty II</i> 2021 video game

King's Bounty II is a turn-based tactical role-playing game developed by 1C Entertainment and published by Prime Matter that was released for Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on August 24, 2021. It is a direct sequel to the first King's Bounty game released in 1990 and follows the 2008 spin-off title King's Bounty: The Legend, also developed by 1C.

<i>Void Bastards</i> 2019 video game

Void Bastards is a science-fiction first-person shooter and roguelike video game developed by Blue Manchu and published by Humble Bundle. It was released on May 28, 2019, for Microsoft Windows and Xbox One. Ports of the game for Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 were released on May 7, 2020. The game revolves around surviving in the dangerous Sargasso Nebula by boarding and salvaging materials from spaceships. It received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its comic-book art style, dark humor, and gameplay, but criticized its lackluster story and replay value.

<i>Curse of the Dead Gods</i> 2021 video game

Curse of the Dead Gods is a 2021 roguelike video game developed by Passtech Games and published by Focus Home Interactive. The game was released via early access in March 2020, and in full in February 2021 for Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.

<i>One Step From Eden</i> 2020 video game

One Step From Eden is a roguelike action video game created by American independent developer Thomas Moon Kang, and published by Humble Bundle. Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, it was released for Linux, macOS, Microsoft Windows and Nintendo Switch in March 2020, and later ported to PlayStation 4 in June 2020, and Xbox One in November 2021.

<i>Neon Abyss</i> 2020 video game

Neon Abyss is a run and gun video game with roguelike elements developed by Veewo Games. The game's premise is centered around members of the Grim Squad as they descend the Abyss, which consists of a series of levels with procedurally generated rooms, in pursuit of powerful entities known as the New Gods. The characters can use a variety of firearms and special abilities to fight enemies across each level. Neon Abyss was released for multiple platforms on July 14, 2020, with British video game developer Team17 as their primary publisher. Neon Abyss has received a generally positive reception with video game critics.

<i>Dandy Ace</i> 2021 video game

Dandy Ace is a 2021 roguelike action dungeon crawler video game developed by Mad Mimic and published by Neowiz. It was released for Microsoft Windows and macOS in March 25, 2021. Console ports for Xbox One and Nintendo Switch were later released in September 2021, and in November 2021 for the PlayStation 4 version.

<i>The Persistence</i> 2018 video game

The Persistence is a 2018 virtual reality survival horror video game developed and published by Firesprite for the PlayStation 4. It was originally released for the system's virtual reality headset PlayStation VR. A version with support for conventional controls was released for Windows, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One in May 2020; an Enhanced version of the game was released for Windows, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S in June 2021. It is the only game developed by Firesprite to appear on Nintendo and Xbox consoles, as the studio was closely associated with Sony Interactive Entertainment, who later acquired the studio as part of PlayStation Studios.

<i>Mighty Goose</i> 2021 video game

Mighty Goose is a run and gun video game developed by Blastmode and published by Playism. It was released for Windows, macOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S. The game follows Mighty Goose, a bounty hunter travelling across the galaxy to defeat the Void King.

<i>Cursed to Golf</i> 2022 video game

Cursed to Golf is a 2022 roguelike video game developed by Chuhai Labs and published by Thunderful Publishing. Based on an itch.io demo created two years earlier, it was released for Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. The player plays as a golfer in Golf Purgatory, which they have to escape by completing eighteen randomly-selected holes in a specific number of strokes, with the aid of statues that grant extra shots when broken and powerups known as Ace Cards. Cursed to Golf received praise for its mechanics and art, though reviews were mixed on the game's difficulty.

<i>Backpack Hero</i> 2023 video game

Backpack Hero is a roguelike video game developed by Jaspel and published by Jaspel, IndieArk, and Different Tales. Initially funded on Kickstarter, it was released for early access on August 15, 2022, for Windows, MacOS and SteamOS. The full version of the game was released in November 2023 for Steam and Nintendo Switch. Ports for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S, were released on June 11, 2024.

References

  1. ↑ "Wild Bastards Launches September 12 on PC and Console – Demo Available Today!". Maximum. 4 June 2024. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ "Wild Bastards Review". PlayStation Life. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  4. ↑ Williams, Leah J. (1 December 2023). "Void Bastards sequel Wild Bastards launches in 2024". GamesHub. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  5. ↑ "Wild Bastards has got killer style". VG 247. 13 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  6. ↑ "Wild Bastards announced for Switch". Nintendo Everything. 15 March 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  7. ↑ "Wild Bastards PC". Metacritic. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  8. ↑ Delaney, Mark (12 September 2024). "Wild Bastards Review - Buck Around And Find Out". GameSpot. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  9. 1 2 "Wild Bastards review". PC Gamer. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  10. ↑ "Mini Review: Wild Bastards (Switch) - Void Bastards' Follow-Up Is A Bland Misfire". NintendoLife. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
  11. ↑ "Getting the band back together". CheckpointGaming. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.