Hard West debuts today in physical format on Nintendo Switch

After becoming one of the most acclaimed turn-based strategy titles on Nintendo eShop, Hard West makes the leap to physical format on a double feature.

The original CreativeForge Games title hits stores today for Nintendo Switch in both a ‘classic’ physical format and a spectacular collector’s edition packed with all kind of extra features.

Developed by CreativeForge Games, Hard West is a supernatural western with mechanics inspired by turn-based strategy classics like XCOM. Only here, instead of taking on aliens, we’ll survive in the Wild West against gunmen, hustlers, demons and the undead.

Satan walks through these dusty scenarios, and it won’t be long before we see his footprint across eight chapters that host 40 missions where strategy will be as important as good aim.

When the time comes to go “into action”, each of our characters will have different parameters that will vary depending on the cards we have assigned them (which provide extra advantages and skills), their weaponry and the location we assign them throughout the scenario of the confrontation.We can even distribute them on the upper floors of the buildings, something very useful when you have a character specialized in shooting at long distances.

Distribute your men around the map and use the surrounding elements as covers. In Hard West world, shooting face to face is suicide. Use the cellar doors as a parapet and watch where they put their backs – the wood won’t stop a bullet.

And don’t forget to study every detail of the scenario: metal objects and surfaces can make bullets bounce, a pretty useful manoeuvre that can turn a dogfight into a deadly pool carom. And watch out for shadows: they can tell you the position of an enemy, no matter how well he’s parapetted.

One of the newest aspects of Hard West compared to other turn-based strategy games, besides the supernatural element, is the importance of luck in the game mechanics, both when shooting at an enemy and when taking a shot. This makes every game different, regardless of the player’s skill.

Hard West also stands out for its excellent setting, which has a lot to do with the soundtrack created by Marcin Przybyłowicz, the composer of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, who also worked as a sound designer on The Vanishing of Ethan Carter.

If you’re a fan of turn-based strategy, or just want to try something completely different to what’s usually in the Nintendo Switch catalogue, you shouldn’t miss Hard West. It’s tough, sinister and offers a whole new take on the Wild West. If dysentery and bullets don’t kill you… the Devil’s work will.

Hard West is available from today, for Nintendo Switch and in physical format, in two editions: the “classic” and a Collector’s Edition that includes the DLC Scars of Freedom, a T-shirt, an exclusive artbook and a badge.