WolfEye Studios released patch 1.05 for Weird West, fixing a few bugs and introducing support for mods. One of the showcased mods adds first-person view:

Weird West Patch 1.05 launches with mod support + First-Person mod!

Weird West Patch 1.05 is now live. This new free update introduces mod support for the game and fixes a handful of bugs reported by the community.

Edit: please note that due to a technical issue the release of patch 1.05 on the Epic Game Store has been delayed but should be available within 24 hours (the build update is just pending Epic approval but is all ready to go!)

MOD SUPPORT (STEAM/EGS/GOG Only)
You can now browse and install mods directly from the in-game mod menu, courtesy of mod.io!

We threw in a few sample mods for you to toy with as a starter pack:

• Gender Swap mod: lets you swap the visual gender of the Bounty Hunter, Pigman, Protector and Devotee
• Undead Animals mod: lets you swap animals' visual model for undead variations
• Long Lasting Tools mod: new shovels, pickaxes, and skinning tools will have increased durability
• No Friendly Fire mod: disables friendly fire even in higher difficulty modes

[...]

Thanks Redglyph!

Worthplaying has reviewed Weird West:

Weird West is an action RPG experience set within a surreal vision of the developing frontier.

The Wild West remains a popular setting for games, mostly because there aren't enough of them to reach critical mass. It is also a setting that seems fitting to mix with the supernatural, as evidenced by games like Darkwatch, Hard West, West of Dead, and Hunt: Showdown. Weird West is another offering that slots itself into the category of supernatural Wild West game, and while it has the right ideas, the execution is less than stellar.

The story tells the tale of five different protagonists, each with their own motivations. An Oneriest can see the future and seeks to stop future events. A bounty hunter tries to save her husband from cannibals and avenge her murdered son. A werewolf seeks to grow his kind. A native protector is on the hunt for an evil spirit. A pigman tries to find a cure for his cursed fate. The only thing tying them together is a mark and the mystery of why they were chosen in the first place.

[...]

Weird West is a game that players can grow to love, provided you can forgive some of its issues and design decisions. The idea of going through five different protagonists with somewhat connected stories is fascinating, but the resetting of items and skills when changing characters doesn't contribute to the desire to explore. The lands don't vary much given the setting, but the changes based on your actions are fun to see. The combat is fine, but the enemy behavior can sometimes be laughable, while the presentation teeters between amazing and average. It's worth checking out if you're prepared to invest some time waiting for its magic to hit.

Score: 7.5/10

Bart's Gaming Corner checked out Weird West:

Weird West - Review (Excellent and Dark Action RPG)

Update 1.03 for Weird West is live with some new content:

Weird West Update 1.03 is Live

Put your boots on and grab your trustworthy pickaxe, for Weird West latest free update "The Miners and the Restless" (Patch 1.03) is now live on all platforms and storefronts! #PraiseYeb!

Aside from a healthy dose of bug fixing, this new update adds some brand new Mine locations to the game to keep exploration and bounty hunting fresh. To help with exploring those mine sites, some additional aiming system options are now available and all weapons have also received a facelift with additional stats and loot variations. The game progression system has been also fully revised - with acquired Weapon Abilities now carrying between Journey Heroes - and the game economy received a full balancing pass to go with all this, under the benevolent eyes of the Wanderers, from their brand new outpost location, where Nimp Relics can now be purchased! Not mentioning Companions AI received a lot of love.. oh.. and if you want to keep track of all this mayhem, we are also throwing in a new “Reputation” tab in your journal to keep tabs on your Friends for Life and Vendettas! Finally, console players should be delighted to know the game now runs at 60Fps on Xbox Series S too! Check-out the patch trailer video and more in-depth details below.

Mordarim reviewed Weird West:

Weird West - Detailed Review

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Redglyph spotted a sneak peek on patch 1.02 for Weird West:

Patch 1.02 Sneak Peek Part 1: New Content

Hey folks, as a first sneak peek into some of the content that will be in Patch 1.02 coming early May, just wanted to share some screenshots of some of the new location maps, location scenarios and travel encounters we are adding to the mix in this incoming free content update (and we will continue on adding more over the next patches to bring in even more variety throughout the game).

So essentially with Patch 1.02, we are delivering two new travel encounters (Howling Hatch and Serpent's Mouth) which will be added to the global pool of travel encounters the game can use. We are also adding Wraith and Ridgeback Scenarios to the existing Secondary Abandoned Mine Location Maps, so it's not all about Outlaws and Sirens and is less repetitive. We are adding a brand new Natural Cave Map and its 3x Sirens / Wild Animals / Wraith Scenarios to the pool of Natural Cave Maps the game can pull from when creating a secondary cave location, and doing the same for Haciendas, with a brand new Hacienda map, so you dont always do Bounties in the same Hacienda Map over and over!

But that's not all that's coming with 1.02!

Next week we will tell you more about some of the main feature adds, changes and tweaks that will be introduced with Patch 1.02 and some insights on the key bug fixes coming with said Patch as well, so you all have a better understanding of what is in-store with 1.02 (and as an exclusive announce: Patch 1.03 which will follow in early June will continue introducing even more new content, encounters, new secondary location maps and scenarios etc and will have a huge focus on a global economy overhaul along with a global player progression model overhaul).

[...]

GameCross reviewed the action RPG Weird West:

Weird West Review - Is It Worth Your $40? (PS4/PS5/Xbox/PC)

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Bluesuit checked out Weird West:

Weird West Review - What's It Worth?

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Today we're doing our Weird West review! This sprawling real time tactics RPG certainly lives up to its name with it's uniquely original story and world, but with bit of baggage in tow.

The isometric RPG Weird West has been released:

Weird West | Out Now on PC, PlayStation, & Xbox

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Survive and unveil the mysteries of the Weird West through the intertwined destinies of its unusual heroes in an immersive sim from the co-creators of Dishonored and Prey.

Weird West will be released tomorrow - learn more about character's relationship with locations and other characters in the following video:

Road to Weird West #5

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The final video in the Road to Weird West series explores how player actions affect each character's relationship with locations and other characters. The Weird West never forgets...

Thanks Redglyph!

SplatterCatGaming checked out the action RPG Weird West:

Weird West - Occult Open World Western Action RPG

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The latest road to Weird West focuses on systems related to crime and relationships.

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The fourth video in the Road to Weird West series focuses on the frontier laws of the Weird West, from interactions with the world's notorious lawmen, to making allies and creating adversaries.

Weird West comes to PC, PlayStation & Xbox on March 31.

http://www.weirdwest.com

Devolver Digital are looking for more people to join the next beta phase.

The last Weird West private beta was a resounding success and we’re looking for more folks to join the posse! Apply to join the Devolver Beta Squadron here: https://betasquadron.devolverdigital.com

WolfEye Studios shared the next short episode, on combat, stealth and abilities.

Road to Weird West: Ep. 3 - Combat, Stealth, & Abilities

Hi everyone.

The new episode of Road to Weird West just landed, and in this one, WolfEye Studios creative director Raf Colantonio chats about combat, stealth, and special abilities that await you in the West. Check it out below.

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Weird West launches on March 31st, so pre-order now to get your hands on Calamity, a dependable mule that provides a leg up at the beginning of your adventures by doubling your inventory size, allowing you to escape locations even if enemies are chasing you, and faster travel to avoid missing out on timed objectives.

WellPlayed interviewed WolfEye Studios.

The Accidental Immersiveness Of Shovels In Weird West

We chat with WolfEye Studios about their upcoming western

[...]

WellPlayed: Having worked in large studios before, how has the team handled the transition to a smaller one?

Raphaël Colantonio: Both Julien and I were there at the very beginning of Arkane, back in 99 so it felt pretty familiar, to be honest. Start with the core team, it’s the most fun part of the project – quiet, efficient, we can pick and choose the best elements… it feels amazing.

WP: Do you feel there are inherent creative freedoms in smaller team structures? 

RC: Yes, simply because what’s at stake is not comparable with a big AAA team. The budget to recoup in a AAA studio encourages you to do what’s familiar and safe.

[...]

WP: Devolver Digital has amassed something of a cult following in the industry over the past few years, how has it been working with the irreverent publisher?

RC: It’s been perfect. Devolver is amazing to work with; competent, great communicators, fun, fast to make decisions, flexible… a dev’s dream.

WP: Can you talk a little about the inspirations for the game? Other media, personal aspirations to create something in the Western genre and so on. 

RC: We see it as our take on a fantasy version of the wild west, which seemed like a cool creative opportunity. A bit of horror, a subtle bit of supernatural stuff. I personally was a big fan of the HBO show “Carnival” that had an amazing balance between reality and the supernatural. References are always a touchy topic because what I see in there might not be what you see, it’s all filtered through perception.

[...]

WolfEye Studios announced another delay in the release of Weird West: this time, it's March 31st.

Road to Weird West: A Little Longer Road

Hi everyone!

Weird West is an impressively deep mix of action RPG and immersive sim which has the potential to deliver incredibly unique experiences, but also comes with a set of variables that can lead to unintended consequences. That's why we want to take some and launch the game on March 31, 2022. This will give us time to iron out some of the bothersome issues and accidental deadends, before delivering an experience you, the community, expect.

Thank you for your support and patience.

It's almost there!

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WolfEye Studios & Devolver Digital posted a new update on Weird West's gameplay.

Road to Weird West: Episode 2

Hi everyone. The Road to Weird West is back!

As the launch day is approaching, warm up your saddles and join WolfEye Studios creative director Raf Colantonio on a walk ride through the elements of simulation in our upcoming action RPG x immersive sim.

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Weird West launches on January 11, so pre-order now to get your hands on Calamity, a dependable mule that provides a leg up at the beginning of your adventures by doubling your inventory size, allowing you to escape locations even if enemies are chasing you, and faster travel to avoid missing out on timed objectives.

[...]

WolfEye Studios held a live stream on Twitch with writers and narrative designers Erin Lee Firestine and Lucas Loredo. The stream starts at about 14'54".

Six Shooters and Bad Magic - Weird West Lore Stream

Cave terrors, werewolves, wraiths… Find out more TODAY! Live Weird West Lore Stream: Six Shooters and Bad Magic with writers and narrative designers Erin and Lucas.

Several critics have been given an early version of Weird West to give their feedback. Here is a video, this time, of IGN's first thoughts about the game.

Weird West: The First Hands-On

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GamesRadar shares their impressions about Weird West.

Weird West hands-on: a top-down RPG that's incredibly immersive and very vibey

Whiffs of Dishonored and Fallout linger in the air around upcoming RPG Weird West

I am getting my ass kicked by undead miners. Time and time again, as I try to travel back to a town called Grackle to cash in on a bounty, I'm interrupted by a trio of zombies hurling sticks of dynamite at me. Time and time again they kill me and I load back up at the last town I was in, just to walk right back into the pyromaniac predators again. I try hurling dynamite at them, hacking them up with a machete, and letting loose a barrage of gunfire from my pistol, but it isn't until I realize my shotgun detonates the dynamite sticks in their decaying hands that I finally best the bastards. This is the world of Weird West, a brutal immersive sim set in a bizarre version of the infamously lawless lands.

It's no surprise that Weird West is so immersive (and so punishing). The top-down, twin-stick shooter RPG is from WolfEye Studios, led by Raphael Colantonio – the former founder, CEO, and creative director of Arkane Studios. Colantonio channeled his love for immersive sims into Arkane games like Dishonored and Prey, but Weird West takes that immersive sim love and adds a healthy dose of top-down RPG flavor reminiscent of Ultima 7 and the original Fallout.

[...]

(Updated) WolfEye Studios announced that Weird West would be released on January 11th, on Steam.

Weird West Rides Toward a January 11th Launch

Hi everyone!

WolfEye and our slack-jawed deputy Devolver Digital have decided to announce that our upcoming action RPG experience set within a surreal vision of the developing frontier, Weird West, is launching on January 11th.

With that announcement out of the way, we are ready to open pre-orders now! As a bonus to all of you who decide to support us early on, we will furnish you with a horse named Calamity.

Calamity is a dependable mule that provides leg up at the beginning of their adventures by doubling your inventory size, allowing you to escape locations even if enemies are chasing you, and faster travel to avoid missing out on timed objectives. Calamity’s saddlebags will also be stocked up with essential items, including lockpicks, bandages, tools and a Golden Ace of Spades upgrade token.

Coinciding with this news, we have released the first part of a brand new video series which sees WolfEye Studios creative director Raf Colantonio walk through an overview of the game in the first of a series of deeper dive videos. Check it out below.

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A new trailer for Weird West called Journey.

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The deeper you dig, the stranger it gets.
PC | Xbox One | PS4 | Fall 2021
http://weirdwest.com

Narrative designer for Wolfeye Studios, Lucas Loredo, talked to Gamesindustry about how he plans to tell a story without using cutscenes in Weird West.

Though plot specifics are under wraps, Weird West's storytelling seems to favor unique player experiences over traditional cutscenes. With this dynamic approach, the real story comes from how the game reacts to player input.

"In my ideal world, honestly, there would be no cutscenes -- which is a weird thing to say as a writer," says Loredo. "I think they can be used effectively... but do they even belong in this medium at all?"

To Loredo, taking control from the player creates experiences that "are not the fullest realization of the medium." What keeps Loredo excited is the search for and continued refinement of an alternative source of storytelling in games that feels more organic.

"What does it look like to tell a super story-driven game without cutscenes?" says Loredo. "How would you make The Last of Us Part II without cutscenes? I don't really know but I'm curious to be a part of figuring it out."

[...]

"The strongest tool I have is imagining environments the player gets to move through in order to communicate to my level designer what the stories of these spaces could be -- the way the scene is decorated and how the NPCs are moving about the space, for example," he says.

For Loredo, narrative design is "the ultimate playground" for writers like him who are "interested in expressing themselves not only through words but also through ideas, objects, sets, and moods."

"[This kind of writing] is so much more vast than [prose] fiction," he continues. "It's sort of like you have a billion toys to play with."

Game designer Raphaël Colantonio uses ideas from Ultima 7 and Fallout for Weird West:

How Ultima 7 and Fallout helped shape Weird West, the next immersive sim from Arkane's founder

WolfEye Studios is reworking the immersive sim genre for a dark western game.

The story of Raphaël Colantonio and Arkane, the studio he founded and then left, is well told. But there's one episode that he recounts less often. While working for EA in Guildford, England, he interviewed for Richard Garriott—an RPG legend, and a personal hero.

[...]

"When we did Arx Fatalis [at Arkane], it was the Looking Glass and Ultima Underworld version of those values, that looks like a first-person shooter," Colantonio says. "Whereas this time, it's the Origin and Ultima VII version, more tactical and top-down."

It's almost eerie how closely Colantonio's formative influences echo those of Swen Vincke of Divinity: Original Sin studio Larian. While one is famous for immersive sims and the other RPGs, the principles they both cling to are the same. There's a shared physicality to their worlds, a sense of coherence and possibility. A dedication to rewarding players for finding unusual solutions to their problems. "I can see how we overlap," Colantonio says.

"When I played Divinity: Original Sin, I felt I was having a conversation with developers I've never met. They tried to convey, and honour, and celebrate Ultima VII. I felt like, 'I see what you're doing here. Me too.'"

[...]

Thanks Henriquejr!

Gamespot did an interview with Raphael Colantonio about Weird West.

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Weird West is an upcoming immersive sim and action-RPG set in the wild west that's being developed by WolfEye Studios, which is led by former Arkane president Raphael Colantonio. For GameSpot's Play For All, we spoke to Colantonio--who is best known for his work on Prey and the Dishonored series--about Weird West and how his history as an experienced game developer makes working on a new game feel like a New Game Plus mode.

In the video above, Colantonio talks about how Weird West is inspired by early immersive sim games like System Shock, the original Fallout, and Ultima VII. Though Weird West begins as a traditional western-style story, the narrative quickly descends into the supernatural. These supernatural themes tie into the immersive sim mechanics.

You'll play as five different people in Weird West, but not all at once. Instead, you'll go from one hero to the next--like the baton in a relay race. This means that if the hero you're playing as is still alive by the time the story transitions to the next playable protagonist, you can meet the character you were previously playing as. You can even recruit the heroes you've already played as to your party.

Weird West is set to release for PC in 2021 and may have a closed beta later this year.

Weird West is an upcoming action RPG from Wolfeye Studios which was founded by former President and Creative Director of Arkane, Raphael Colantonio.

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Weird West interview, from the PC Gaming Show 2020