{{short description|2017 video game}} {{Use American English|date=August 2021}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox video game | title = West of Loathing | image = West of Loathing game logo.png | alt = | caption = | developer = Asymmetric Publications | publisher = Asymmetric Publications | series = ''Kingdom of Loathing'' | composer = Ryan Ike | engine = Unity | platforms = Linux, macOS, Windows, Nintendo Switch, Stadia, iOS | released = {{ubl|'''Linux''', '''macOS''', '''Windows'''|August 10, 2017|'''Nintendo Switch'''|May 31, 2018<ref>{{Cite web| title = West of Loathing for Nintendo Switch – Nintendo Game Details| work = Nintendo of America| access-date = May 29, 2018| url = https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/west-of-loathing-switch| archive-date = March 21, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180321073432/https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/west-of-loathing-switch| url-status = live}}</ref>|'''Stadia'''|July 1, 2020|'''iOS'''|TBA}} | genre = Role-playing | modes = Single-player | director = Zack Johnson | producer = | designer = Riff Connor | programmer = Victor Thompson<br/>Chris Moyer | artist = Wes Cleveland | writer = }} '''''West of Loathing''''' is a comedy adventure role-playing video game developed and released by Asymmetric Publications on August 10, 2017.
The game is set in the universe of Kingdom of Loathing, an earlier video game in the series. The game was well-received by critics, with ''Rolling Stone'' magazine describing it as "one of the year's best games."<ref>{{Cite magazine| title = How Stick Figures and Absurdism Power One of the Year's Best Games| magazine = Rolling Stone| access-date = September 16, 2017| url = https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/features/west-of-loathing-interview-w501675| first = Steven T.| last = Wright| date = September 8, 2017| archive-date = September 17, 2017| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170917032516/http://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/features/west-of-loathing-interview-w501675| url-status = dead}}</ref> A standalone sequel, ''Shadows Over Loathing,'' was released in 2022.
==Gameplay== ''West of Loathing'' is a single-player role-playing video game with turn-based combat. The setting is a fantasy Western rendered in monochrome stick figure art style.<ref name="pcgamer_preview" />
== Story == What happens in the game is generally decided by the player, such as the class and dialogue choices, but the story remains generally the same. First, the player leaves their family farm and makes their way to a town known as Boring Springs. After obtaining a horse, they then head to a town called Dirtwater, solving problems for the Manifest Destiny Railroad Company to eventually get to the city of Frisco, where they speak to a man named Emperor Norton. If they give him a crown he lets them build the railroad into Frisco, but if they don't, Norton gives the player an "Ant-Eye" virus (a reference to the Norton AntiVirus) and steals the train, forcing the player to fight him. After this, the player settles down in a very narrow house.
In the ''Reckonin' at Gun Manor'' DLC, the player heads to Gun Manor, a house owned by Terri Gun (the in-universe creator of the gun). The player then teams up with Flo, a ghost exterminator, to destroy the ghosts in the house. The player can either kill the ghosts or solve their problems peacefully, both paths revealing that Terri is a ghost herself.
==Development and release== ''West of Loathing'' was developed by Asymmetric Publications.<ref name="toucharcade_desktop" /> The game was announced in May 2016 as a follow-up to the browser-based multiplayer online role-playing game ''Kingdom of Loathing'' (2003).<ref name="pcgamer_preview" /><ref name="rps_announce" /> ''West of Loathing'' was submitted to the Greenlight community voting system on digital distribution service Steam.<ref name="rps_announce" />
''West of Loathing'' was released for Linux, macOS, and Windows on August 10, 2017.<ref name="rps_launch" /> An iOS version was once scheduled for a 2017 release.<ref name="toucharcade_desktop" /> A Nintendo Switch version was released for download on May 31, 2018. It was released for Stadia on July 1, 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://9to5google.com/2020/07/01/stadia-pro-july-2020-games/|title=Google adds four Stadia Pro games for July 2020|website=9 to 5 Google|last1=Li|first1=Abner|date=July 1, 2020|access-date=September 8, 2020|archive-date=October 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005172128/https://9to5google.com/2020/07/01/stadia-pro-july-2020-games/|url-status=live}}</ref>
The DLC expansion pack ''Reckonin' at Gun Manor'' was released on February 8, 2019, for the PC version of the game.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Moran |first1=Miguel |url=https://www.nintendoenthusiast.com/west-of-loathing-gets-new-reckonin-at-gun-manor-dlc/ |title=West of Loathing gets new Reckonin' at Gun Manor DLC |website=Nintendo Enthusiast |access-date=October 25, 2020 |archive-date=October 27, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027092342/https://www.nintendoenthusiast.com/west-of-loathing-gets-new-reckonin-at-gun-manor-dlc/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was released on the Nintendo Switch on January 21, 2020.
==Reception== {{Video game reviews | MC = 87/100<ref name="metacritic" /> | Destruct = 9/10<ref name="destructoid" /> | GSpot = 8/10<ref name="gspot_review" /> | NLife = (NS) {{Rating|9|10}}<ref name="nlife_review" /> | NWR = (NS) 8/10<ref name="nwr_review" /> | PCGUK = 88/100<ref name="pcgamer_review" /> | Poly = 9/10<ref name="polygon" /> }} ''West of Loathing'' received "generally favourable" reviews from professional critics according to review aggregator website Metacritic.<ref name="metacritic" />
Writing for ''Polygon,'' Noah Caldwell-Gervais lauded ''West of Loathing's'' humorous writing, music, and its underlying "surprising intricacy of design,"<ref name="polygon" /> while ''PC Gamer'' reviewer Christopher Livingston called the game a "delightfully written RPG absolutely packed with humor,"<ref name="pcgamer_review" /> but criticized its relatively simple combat system. In a review for ''Rock, Paper, Shotgun'', Alec Meer recommended the game and praised its warm and welcoming tone.<ref name="rps_review" />
''West of Loathing'' was awarded Best Comedy Game and nominated for Best Open World Game in ''PC Gamer''{{'}}s 2017 Game of the Year Awards,<ref name="pcgamer_award" /><ref name="pcgamer_nom" /> and was ranked #16 on ''Polygon''{{'}}s "50 Best Games of 2017."<ref name="polygon_best" /> It was also nominated for "PC Game of the Year" at the Golden Joystick Awards,<ref name="goldenjoysticks" /> for "Gamer's Voice (Video Game)" at the SXSW Gaming Gamer's Voice Awards,<ref name="sxsw_nominees" /><ref name="sxsw_winners" /> and for the Seumas McNally Grand Prize at the Independent Games Festival Competition Awards.<ref name="igf_nom" /><ref name="igf_winners" />
=== Soundtrack === The music of ''West of Loathing'' was composed by Ryan Ike and gained praise as a "pitch-perfect Spaghetti Western soundtrack."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/west-of-loathing-review-wild-wild-west/1900-6416928/|title=West Of Loathing Review: Wild, Wild West|website=GameSpot|last1=Trand|first1=Edmond|date=August 10, 2017|access-date=September 7, 2020|archive-date=October 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018120039/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/west-of-loathing-review-wild-wild-west/1900-6416928/|url-status=live}}</ref> The 20-track soundtrack was licensed and released by video game music label Materia Collective.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vgmonline.net/west-of-loathing-original-game-soundtrack/|title=West of Loathing (Original Game Soundtrack)|website=Video Game Music Online|last1=Farrell|first1=Reilly|date=June 7, 2018|access-date=September 7, 2020}}</ref>
{{clear}}
==References== {{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web | url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/west-of-loathing/critic-reviews/?platform=pc | title=West of Loathing for PC Reviews | work=Metacritic | access-date=December 23, 2017 | archive-date=January 17, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240117124055/https://www.metacritic.com/game/west-of-loathing/critic-reviews/?platform=pc | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="pcgamer_preview">{{cite web | url=http://www.pcgamer.com/west-of-loathing-preview-the-rpg-adventure-is-a-six-shooter-loaded-with-comedy-bullets/ | title=West of Loathing preview: the RPG adventure is a six-shooter loaded with comedy bullets | work=PC Gamer | first=Christopher | last=Livingston | date=July 26, 2017 | access-date=August 13, 2017 | archive-date=August 13, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813150211/http://www.pcgamer.com/west-of-loathing-preview-the-rpg-adventure-is-a-six-shooter-loaded-with-comedy-bullets/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="gspot_review">{{cite web | url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/west-of-loathing-review-wild-wild-west/1900-6416928/ | title=West Of Loathing Review: Wild, Wild West | work=GameSpot | first=Edmond | last=Tran | date=June 8, 2018 | access-date=September 3, 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="nlife_review">{{cite web | url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/west_of_loathing/ | title=West of Loathing Review (Switch eShop) | work=Nintendo Life | first=Alex | last=Olney | date=July 19, 2018 | access-date=September 3, 2018 | archive-date=September 3, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180903215310/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/west_of_loathing | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="nwr_review">{{cite web | url=http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/review/47344/west-of-loathing-switch-review/ | title=West of Loathing Review – Review | work=Nintendo World Report | first=Neal | last=Ronaghan | date=May 31, 2018 | access-date=September 3, 2018}}</ref>
<ref name="pcgamer_review">{{cite web | url=http://www.pcgamer.com/west-of-loathing-review/ | title=West of Loathing review | work=PC Gamer | first=Christopher | last=Livingston | date=August 10, 2017 | access-date=August 24, 2017 | archive-date=August 23, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170823041021/http://www.pcgamer.com/west-of-loathing-review/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="polygon">{{cite web | url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/8/10/16123148/west-of-loathing-review-kingdom-asymmetric-pc-mac-ios | title=West of Loathing review | work=Polygon | first=Noah | last=Caldwell-Gervais | date=August 10, 2017 | access-date=August 24, 2017 | archive-date=August 25, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170825062454/https://www.polygon.com/2017/8/10/16123148/west-of-loathing-review-kingdom-asymmetric-pc-mac-ios | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="rps_announce">{{cite web | url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/05/21/west-of-loathing-kingdom-of-loathing/ | title=Stick 'Em Up: Kingdom Of Loathing Goes West | work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun | first=Joe | last=Donnelly | date=May 21, 2016 | access-date=August 13, 2017 | archive-date=August 13, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813142740/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/05/21/west-of-loathing-kingdom-of-loathing/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="rps_launch">{{cite web | url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/10/west-of-loathing-released/ | title=Cowboys and clowns ride out with West of Loathing | work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun | first=Alice | last=O'Connor | date=August 10, 2017 | access-date=August 13, 2017 | archive-date=August 13, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813143803/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/10/west-of-loathing-released/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="rps_review">{{cite web | url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/08/11/west-of-loathing-review/ | title=Wot I Think: West of Loathing | work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun | first=Alec | last=Meer | date=August 11, 2017 | access-date=August 24, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name="sxsw_nominees">{{cite web | url=https://gaming.sxsw.com/news/2018/2018-sxsw-gaming-gamers-voice-nominees/ | title=Announcing the 2018 SXSW Gaming Gamer's Voice Award Nominees | work=SXSW | first=Andrew | last=McNeill | date=January 23, 2018 | access-date=January 31, 2018 | archive-date=February 1, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201080801/https://gaming.sxsw.com/news/2018/2018-sxsw-gaming-gamers-voice-nominees/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="sxsw_winners">{{cite web | url=https://www.512tech.com/technology/pubg-and-legend-zelda-take-top-prizes-2018-sxsw-gaming-awards/aP9g20knujXrF5T2CfxcbJ/ | title='PUBG' and 'Legend of Zelda' take top prizes at 2018 SXSW Gaming Awards | first=Will | last=Harrison | date=March 17, 2018 | access-date=March 18, 2018 | work=Austin American-Statesman | archive-date=March 19, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319004218/https://www.512tech.com/technology/pubg-and-legend-zelda-take-top-prizes-2018-sxsw-gaming-awards/aP9g20knujXrF5T2CfxcbJ/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="toucharcade_desktop">{{cite web | url=http://toucharcade.com/2017/08/10/west-of-loathing-desktop-launch/ | title='West of Loathing' Launches on Steam Today, iOS Version "2 or 3 Months" Away (Hopefully) | work=TouchArcade | first=Jared | last=Nelson | date=August 10, 2017 | access-date=August 13, 2017 | archive-date=August 13, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813143605/http://toucharcade.com/2017/08/10/west-of-loathing-desktop-launch/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="destructoid">{{cite web | url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-west-of-loathing-461976.phtml | title=Review: West of Loathing | work=Destructoid | first=Kevin | last=Merser | date=September 20, 2017 | access-date=December 23, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name="pcgamer_award">{{cite web | url=http://www.pcgamer.com/best-comedy-game-2017-west-of-loathing/ | title=Best Comedy Game 2017: West of Loathing | work=PC Gamer | author=PC Gamer staff | date=December 20, 2017 | access-date=December 23, 2017 | archive-date=December 24, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171224021932/http://www.pcgamer.com/best-comedy-game-2017-west-of-loathing/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="pcgamer_nom">{{cite web | url=http://www.pcgamer.com/nominees-pc-gamer-goty-2017/ | title=Games of the Year 2017: The nominees | work=PC Gamer | author=PC Gamer staff | date=December 8, 2017 | access-date=January 1, 2018 | archive-date=January 6, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106065910/http://www.pcgamer.com/nominees-pc-gamer-goty-2017/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="polygon_best">{{cite web | url=https://www.polygon.com/2017-best-games/2017/12/18/16781674/best-video-games-2017-top-50-mario-pubg-zelda | title=The 50 best games of 2017 | work=Polygon | author=Polygon Staff | date=December 18, 2017 | access-date=December 23, 2017 | archive-date=March 31, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331191219/https://www.polygon.com/2017-best-games/2017/12/18/16781674/best-video-games-2017-top-50-mario-pubg-zelda | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="goldenjoysticks">{{cite web | url=https://www.bestinslot.co/golden-joystick-awards-2017-nominees/ | title=Golden Joystick Awards 2017 Nominees | work=Best in Slot | first=Eri | last=Gaito | date=November 13, 2017 | access-date=January 1, 2018 | archive-date=January 10, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110003232/https://www.bestinslot.co/golden-joystick-awards-2017-nominees/ | url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name="igf_nom">{{cite web | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/independent-games-festival-awards-nominees-announc/1100-6455924/ | title=Independent Games Festival Awards Nominees Announced | work=GameSpot | first=Patrick | last=Faller | date=January 5, 2018 | access-date=January 6, 2018 | archive-date=January 7, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180107042859/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/independent-games-festival-awards-nominees-announc/1100-6455924/ | url-status=live }}</ref>
<ref name="igf_winners">{{cite web | url=https://www.axs.com/complete-list-of-2018-independent-games-festival-awards-winners-129025 | title=Complete list of 2018 Independent Games Festival Awards Winners | work=AXS | first=Kayla | last=Whitney | date=March 22, 2018 | access-date=March 22, 2018 | archive-date=July 1, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701083156/https://www.axs.com/complete-list-of-2018-independent-games-festival-awards-winners-129025 | url-status=live }}</ref>
}}
==External links== {{Wikiquote}} * {{Official website|http://westofloathing.com/}}
Category:2017 video games Category:Fantasy Westerns Category:IOS games Category:Linux games Category:MacOS games Category:Monochrome video games Category:Nintendo Switch games Category:Parody video games Category:Role-playing video games Category:Single-player video games Category:Stadia games Category:Video games developed in the United States Category:Western (genre) video games Category:Windows games Category:Asymmetric Publications games