The in depth-look comes on the heels of a few other Devolver Digital announcements. However, this new video emphasizes the interactivity in Weird West’s world. Wolfeye wants every interaction to seem plausible. Interactions don’t only apply to characters, players can pick up bottles and through them, kick over barrels, set things on fire, and more. The video also details more about characters, specifically the bounty hunter Jane Bell, whose son has been killed and whose spouse abducted.
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Weird West is a top-down RPG, described by the developers as an “immersive sim.” That’s no surprise considering WolfEye Studios was founded by Raphael Colantonio, the former founder of Arkane Studios, and the co-creator of the Dishonored and Prey series. He set WolfEye up with fellow Arkane veteran Julien Roby. The action RPG, set in a surreal version of America’s developing frontier, and players will be able to customize abilities and perks, embark upon quests, or just explore. Colantonio tells fans about the full overworld map that will enable open-ended roaming, complete with random encounters, hidden oases, and good ol fashion frontier towns.
The game features five heroes with interlocking narratives that shift as players make their way through the game. As Colantonio explained, the actions players take will have permanent consequences in the stories and could mean permadeath for their companions. However, players can revive and keep playing, but if a companion falls in combat and players missed the opportunity to revive before being taken down, they’re gone for good. According to Colantonio, players can employ combat in a number of different playstyles from a classic guns-blazing forward attack to laying traps and using stealth.
In November 2019, Colantonio and Roby announced the creation of their new endeavor, WolfEye Studios. Colantonio was one of the cofounders of Arkane Studios back in 1999 and also served as creative director until he left in 2017. Roby was also part of the Arkane Studios team for over a decade, filling roles that ranged from intern to executive producer before he also moved on to other ventures. The two ultimately started Wolfeye Studios for more creative freedom.
Pre-orders are now available and will grant players an in-game horse named Calamity. This horse doubles inventory size and will come with saddlebags stocked up with lockpicks, bandages, tools, and other items, as well as a Golden Ace of Spades upgrade token.
Weird West will release for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on January 11, 2022.
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