Why do we love stories about cowboys? Why is our culture so into the idea of the Old West?

Well, these games answer these questions. The Old West is a time of exploration and discovery. The characters we often play as (cowboys) are people who are stubborn, daring, and feel big in a even bigger world. The best part is that the world is very far from perfect. There was a ton of conflict in this time period. That is the perfect setting for a story.

So here are ten of the best western video games according to Metacritic.

10 Red Dead Redemption (Score: 95)

9 West Of Loathing (Score: 87)

8 Hunt: Showdown (Score: 81)

This competitive shooter is known to be strenuous and difficult, but well loved by its players. This is one of those games some players send as much as 500 hours on. The environment and graphics were adored by critics and the game has done nothing but improve through patches.

The game is set in 1895 Louisiana and has a mix of intense PvP and PvE experiences. You fight both other hunters and creatures. So if you want a western game that is more of a challenge and a competitive multiplayer, then this is the game for you.

7 SteamWorld Dig 2 (Score: 88)

6 Fallout: New Vegas (Score: 84)

5 Oddworld: Stranger’s Wrath HD (Score: 83)

4 Desperados: Wanted Dead Or Alive (Score: 78)

3 Wild Guns Reloaded (Score: 80)

2 Gunman Clive HD Collection (Score: 86)

This game came out in 2015 for the Wii U and was later released for the Nintendo Switch. Gunman Clive is a Swedish indie game side-scroller made by a company called Hörberg Productions. You get to play an unnamed gunslinger who is on a mission to save the mayor’s daughter from bandits in a futuristic Wild West. This collection includes the first game and its sequel. Critics have called it one of the best 2D platformers they have played.

1 Red Dead Redemption 2 (Score: 97)

The highest rated western on Metacritic is no surprise. Red Dead Redemption was amazing, and the sequel only advanced a formula that was already good. You got even more customizable options, missions had more depth, and the map was larger and more detailed. If felt a less like Grand Theft Auto with horses like the first game did.

While Metacritics numbers would say this game was better, fans often debate about which of the two games they preferred. Whatever the case may be, both of them are incredible western games.

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