You find yourself standing in the middle of the dusty main street. Sixty seconds until noon. You reckon the man down the street would love nothing more than to take a shot at you. The tumbleweed passes by dramatically as you prepare to draw your six-shooter. The bells chime at noon. DRAW!

I’m convinced westerns connect with a deep part of the human brain. The sense of freedom and adventure. Heroic cowboys and dastardly villains. The bustling saloons and the quiet trails. I do love a good western and lucky for me, many game developers have felt the same way. Here is a list of fifteen great western games you can find to live out your own wild west escape!

15. Gun (GameCube, PS2, Xbox, Xbox 360, PSP, PC, 2005)

Gun Gameplay

I vividly remember coming across this game on a Blockbuster rental shelf and deciding to check it out and man was I impressed. Gun featured an open-world western experience that was way ahead of its time. Featuring an impactful faction system where your actions affect how the gangs, tribes, and townsfolk see you, as well as snappy 1st and 3rd person combat. Hunting both prey and bounties. A sweeping and engaging story where you choose if you will take the path of the hero or the outlaw. Safe to say I rented this one several more times.

The freeroam of Gun was way ahead of its time

14. Red Dead Revolver (Xbox, PS2, 2004)

Red Dead Revolver Gameplay

Not to be confused with its much more famous younger brother (Don’t worry we’ll get there.) Red Dead Revolver was originally developed to be a follow up to a 1980’s arcade title called Gun.Smoke. However, the game took on a life of its own when none other than Rockstar Studios acquired it and its developer. Featuring a fun western shoot ‘em up feel and the brand new “Deadeye” targeting system, Red Dead Revolver is still fun to revisit to this day, particularly if you’d like to destroy your buddies in the split-screen multiplayer.

Red Harlow hides in a gunfight

13. Westerado: Double Barreled (Xbox One, PC, 2015)

Westerado: Double Barreled Gameplay

If the tongue in cheek name didn’t clue you in, the fact that this title is published by Adult Swim games should certainly warn you that this game is not to be taken seriously. However, the silly nature of the game should not distract you from how much there is to love in this underrated shoot 'em up. Playing as a bounty hunter out for revenge on the scum who killed his family, you take to the west to solve the mystery and bring those bandits to justice. The trick is, every time you play again the culprit is different giving Westerado near infinite replayability.

The well designed pixel art doesn't detract from the intensity of the gunfights.

12. Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath (Xbox, PS3, Android, iOS, PC, Switch, 2005)

Oddworld Stranger's Wrath Gameplay

I should warn you if you’ve never played a title from the Oddworld series, I guarantee playing this game will certainly be a jarring experience. Pick up the critter crossbow of the Stranger and head to the dust bowl that is Mudos to take on bounties in a western adventure that has a surprisingly well-written story full of twists and turns and the signature wit of Oddworld. Originally for the Xbox, this action-adventure got the HD Remake treatment a few years back and is now available on pretty much every platform, so you really have no excuse to not check this one out.

The Stranger and his critter bow

11. Fistful of Frags (PC, Mac, 2007)

Fistful of Frags Gameplay

If you ever accidentally screamed “Yee-Haw” while playing a game of CS:GO then you might have accidentally downloaded Fistful of Frags. A ludicrous experience, this free to play mod for the Valve Source Engine is the picture of stupid fun. Despite being a mod release several years ago, the development team and community of FoF is still alive and well to this day with the inclusion of the now-famous battle royal mode. Even without the constant updates, the low buy-in price of absolutely nothing is reason enough to check this title out on steam.

Pure, unadulterated stupid fun.

10. Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (Xbox 360, PS3, PC, 2009)

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood Gameplay

Brotherhood, that’s the core of this first-person adventure. Outlaws, Ray and Thomas scour the west in intense first-person shootouts in search of the titular gold of Juarez. One of the best features in the game is the ability to choose the brother you control. Ray favors an up-close style of combat while Thomas uses his trusty rifle to dispatch his foes at range. This was an underrated gem in the last console generation so check it out if you get the chance.

Frantic first person western shootouts

9. The Feud: Wild West Tactics (PC, Mac, 2020)

The Feud: Wild West Tactics Gameplay Trailer

As famous as the old west itself, the legendary blood feud of the Hatfields and McCoys takes center stage in this indie hit. Choosing for a more strategic approach, The Feud makes use of the methodical tactics of the XCom games. In the months following its release, players and critics have praised the game for its production values and fair and challenging gameplay. So if you like a bit more thought to your Wild West action, then this new indie title is for you.

The Hatfields and McCoys's famous feud is a fascinating chapter of history

8. Turmoil (PC, Mac, 2016)

Turmoil Gameplay

If your ideal western experience is less The Man with No Name, and more There Will be Blood then good news, Turmoil is here. A simulation game, Turmoil has you scour the land for deposits black gold so you can become the next oil tycoon. While managing an oil empire and bribing the authorities to maintain your monopoly may sound stressful, playing Turmoil is a very calming experience. So dig away pioneer and good drilling!

Now that's some heafty profit

7. Call of Juarez: Gunslinger (Xbox 360, PS3, Switch, PC, 2013)

Call of Juarez: Gunslinger Gameplay

Did you ever have that friend growing up who always told the most outrageous stories? Gunslinger plays as if you were living one of those stories. You play as the main character in a story being told by a drunken gunslinger. Where for most stories, the narration is used to provide necessary details, this sleepy drunk will instead change the story on you at random. Combine the ridiculous premise with some snappy first-person gameplay and you’ve got yourself one heck of a good time.

The Gunslinger lives up to his name

6. The Oregon Trail (iOS, Android, PC, Mac, 1985)

The Oregon Trail Gameplay

Let me take you on a journey back to your elementary school. You just heard today your class gets to go to the computer lab. Some get on Kidpix, some get on this thing called the “internet” but not you. You are an intellectual and you are playing the Oregon Trail. You are loading up a wagon on your Mac and preparing the historically accurate journey across the west with your posse. Managing resources and making life or death decisions, that is your fate on the trail. Until you die of dysentery that is.

You'll see this message a lot.

5. West of Loathing (Switch, Stadia, PC, Mac, 2017)

West of Loathing Gameplay

“It’s time to get serious” is something you will certainly not say while playing this incredibly charming and unique experience that is West of Loathing. In this point and click adventure game, you control a hapless stick figure set in a large open world that, itself, is also populated entirely by stick people. Whether you are exploring ancient ruins or having a showdown at high noon, you will never not be smiling as this game is absolutely packed to the brim with self-aware humor and gags.

See what I mean? Try to take this seriously, I dare you.

4. Desperados III (Xbox One, PS4, PC, Mac, 2020)

Desperados III Gameplay

A prequel years in the making, Desperados III is a story-driven strategy stealth game, like Shadow Tactics, a genre in which developer Mimimi Games is now the leading authority. The universal acclaim surrounding this new title praises it for its engaging story and astonishing detail put into the level design. With a variety of characters to play each with their own unique play-style, Desperados III will reward the tactician in you with its engrossing but challenging gameplay.

Scatterguns OP

3. Fallout: New Vegas (Xbox 360, PS3, PC, 2010)

Fallout New Vegas: Gameplay

A direct follow up to the smash hit, Fallout 3, Fallout New Vegas had some big power armor to fill. But Obsidian entertainment delivered on a post-apocalyptic Wild West complete with the option to launch nukes at your enemies instead of dynamite. Coupled with the 1st person action RPG gameplay was a rich world packed with quests ranging from hilarious to heart-wrenching. With a series of DLCs that added hours of content and an active modding community to this day, it’s no surprise that this Fallout is often celebrated as the series’ best outing.

He took the phrase "big iron" a bit literally

2. Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360, PS3, 2010)

Red Dead Redemption Gameplay

In 2010 the world was given one of the most finely crafted open-world experiences of all time. Players around the world connected deeply with John Marston and his journey through the Wild West. Incredibly fun and free gameplay set in the finely crafted narrative and breathtaking scenery. This achievement in artistic vision, as well as its phenomenal zombie themed DLC, Undead Nightmare, can only ever be surpassed by one contender.

John Marston "dead-eyed" his way into our hearts.

1. Red Dead Redemption 2 (Xbox One, PS4, PC, 2018)

Red Dead Redemption 2 Gameplay

The mere announcement of Red Dead Redemption 2 exploded with hype when Rockstar teased it on twitter years ago. With such an impressive older brother, the expectations for this sequel were absolutely sky high. Yet, this masterpiece surpassed all expectations. The world was bigger, the story was richer, the gameplay was sharper. Everything that could be improved was. I have spent days worth of time in the boots of Arthur Morgan, and have not regretted a second because at the end of the day Red Dead Redemption 2 is the greatest western game of all time.

The Gang's all here.

You may also be interested in:

• 17 Best Western Games (Best Cowboy Games)
• Top 12 Games Like RDR2 (If You Like Western Shooters)