Wild Bastards, developed by Blue Manchu and published by Maximum Entertainment as their follow-up to Void Bastards, takes players on a sci-fi adventure filled with intense shootouts and tactical combat. With its blend of FPS mechanics and strategic elements, the game throws players into a chaotic galaxy where assembling and managing a gang of outlaws is just as important as gunning down enemies. We checked it out on a PlayStation 5.
At its core, Wild Bastards delivers an intriguing premise. Set against the backdrop of a lawless universe, the story follows two surviving members of the Wild Bastards gang, alongside a sentient spacecraft known as the Drifter. Their mission is to resurrect their fallen comrades and escape to the mythical Homestead, all while being hunted by the puritanical Jebediah Chaste. The game’s narrative sets the stage for a compelling mix of action and strategy, but its storytelling ultimately takes a backseat to the gameplay, which is where the real focus lies.
The heart of Wild Bastards is its tactical FPS combat, which delivers fast-paced, bite-sized shootouts. Each planet you visit presents a unique set of challenges, from varying terrain to enemy types, and the game encourages strategic planning before each encounter. Choosing which gang members to take on missions, factoring in their abilities and relationships, adds a layer of depth that feels refreshing for a shooter. The dynamic between gang members, who may not always get along, creates tension both in and out of combat, forcing players to carefully manage relationships as much as they manage resources.
The gameplay strikes a balance between tactical decision-making and frenetic action. The 13 outlaws you recruit each have distinct weapons, stunts, and ability trees, allowing for diverse playstyles. The shootouts are short but intense, requiring quick reflexes and smart positioning, as enemies employ tactics like flanking and using cover. The addition of special moves like teleportation and poison attacks adds variety to combat, making each encounter feel distinct. However, while the shootouts are satisfying, some players may find the repetitive nature of the missions and procedural generation to be a bit tiresome after extended play sessions.
Visually, Wild Bastards embraces a colorful, stylized aesthetic that goes well with its chaotic, over-the-top action. The game’s galaxy, with its procedurally generated planets, offers a variety of biomes, from desolate wastelands to lush alien landscapes, giving each mission a distinct visual flavor. However, while the environments are vibrant, they can occasionally feel a bit empty, with the procedural generation leading to some repetition in design as well. The audio design complements the visual style, with energetic music and sound effects that ramp up the intensity during shootouts, though the voice acting can sometimes feel a bit stiff.
As mentioned earlier, one of the game’s standout features is its focus on character relationships and progression. The outlaws you recruit each have their own personalities and backstories, and managing their dynamics is crucial to success. This relationship management system adds depth to the game, though it can sometimes feel a bit underdeveloped, as the interactions between characters don’t always have a significant impact on the overall gameplay.
While Wild Bastards offers a satisfying blend of action and strategy, its roguelike elements, with procedurally generated planets and loot, can sometimes feel repetitive, and the difficulty curve may prove frustrating for players who aren’t accustomed to the trial-and-error nature of roguelikes. Additionally, while the combat is engaging, the limited variety in mission objectives and enemy types can make the experience feel a bit monotonous over time, and we feel there’s room to expand on this post-launch.
In conclusion, Wild Bastards is a solid entry in the tactical FPS genre, offering a unique mix of fast-paced combat and strategic decision-making. The dynamic between the gang members, combined with the intense shootouts and vibrant visuals, makes for an engaging experience, though the repetitive nature of the missions and the interesting but underdeveloped relationship mechanics may leave some players wanting more. For fans of Blue Manchu’s previous work, Wild Bastards is a worthy successor that builds on the studio’s strengths, and as such is an easy recommendation for them.
Score: 7.8/10
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