I think we can all reasonably agree that the Square Enix GO games (Hitman GO, Deus Ex GO, Tomb Raider GO) were all really great and that it’s a shame that Square Enix has decided to conclude the series. Why do I bring this up? Because Infinite West is the closest you could get to an unofficial sequel to those games. It follows the same core principles – it’s presented like a board game, but fast paced and accessible like an action title. Unlike its spiritual predecessors, Infinite West leans into the rogue-like mentality, and it lacks a core narrative beyond being a wild west gunslinger, but with gameplay this good you just don’t care. You can impart any persona you want over your protagonist, all the while enjoying some richly presented shootouts that give XCOM a run for its money.
[sc name=”quote” text=”You want this game on your phone, whether you’re a fan of the wild west, rogue-likes, or sharp strategy-puzzlers.”]
Every step or action you take moves the board forward. Enemies all have unique firing patterns, drawing from Chess pieces of all things. Blue pawns can only melee attack, while yellow rooks can snipe you from afar and green bishops strike at odd angles that dramatically shift how you engage with the environment. All the while, you’ve got a handful of tricks up your sleeve and bullets in the chamber to make your way past. That right there is another major shift that Infinite West bears proudly – instead of being about shooting every cowboy that comes your way, you only have to survive until you reach the exit, but it costs you any loot you leave on the ground. You also can upgrade your stats or refill your supplies from crates, but you’ll only get one out of six options to choose from per-level. There’s no wrong answer either, and you have no idea what’s ahead in the randomly generated levels, adding another layer of possible outcomes.
Aesthetically, Infinite West is one of the prettiest low-poly games I’ve seen in a while. It’s not going to blown away technical achievements like Fortnite Mobile but it more than makes up for that with crisp presentation and decent animations. This is bolstered by a fantastic low-key score that keeps the battles lively but not tense, ensuring it’s a pleasant challenge rather than nerve-wracking conundrum – though the gameplay can certainly leave your head spinning at points. Controls are great with a simple tap and drag interface harmonized with a slick isometric perspective that ensures you can see all critical information at all times.
[sc name=”quote” text=”Infinite West is one of the prettiest low-poly games I’ve seen in a while.”]
Even in terms of in-app purchases, Infinite West is beyond reasonable. While it normally goes for $6, it lets you go further and further into its campaign just by every so often asking you watch an ad. They don’t even force the ad upon you – you can just stop if you don’t want to see it, no harm, no foul. Microtransactions can help you keep your run going with additional revives and supplies, but the balancing is so reasonable that it feels like cheating to do that, but if you do need the extra help, the pricing is very conservative here as well. If you do take the plunge, there’s additional modes to play.
I’m stunned. When I nabbed Infinite West off the appstore, I had no idea it would be this utterly compelling. You want this game on your phone, whether you’re a fan of the wild west, rogue-likes, or sharp strategy-puzzlers. A must have, no doubt about it.
[review pros=”Everything. I’m serious, I have no complaints and that’s incredibly refreshing to say.” cons=”There’s no real story to speak of.” score=10]
[appbox appstore id1312336623?mt=8]
