[JANUARY 19th, 2024 EDIT: This is an old review that I plan to update once I get around to beating the now-complete game. It's only gotten better since then, though. They fixed a lot of text errors and added cardinal directions to the compass, too.]

Blood West is an extremely fun game that already feels mostly complete in terms of mechanics. The devs have promised an additional 2 scenarios that I honestly can't wait for. The current scenario isn't terribly long (it took me about 4 hours to complete), but because of how much fun the game was, it still felt like a fulfilling experience and I personally already feel like I got my money's worth. (If you're wondering why I have so many hours in the game, know that I speedrun it.) If you're willing to listen to the largely positive reviews for this game and jump in early, you won't be disappointed.

Some pros, mids, and cons to consider:

PROS

1. Shooting feels good, especially if you invest in perks that deal with aim sway, and ESPECIALLY if you nab a Winchester. (Yes, there is aim sway. This isn't DOOM. Think about your shots before you take them.)
2. The gameplay cycle of carefully taking out enemies, looting, selling what you don't need and buying new items and gaining new perks may seem simple, but it's rewarding as all hell. Finding a health potion is wonderful. Finding an artifact that goes well with your build is more wonderful. Finding a unique weapon that's perfect for your playstyle? Priceless.
3. It's extremely hard to go gung-ho in this game. It's not impossible, but you're going to have to earn that guns-blazing glory. The game rewards methodical play, and in my opinion, that suits it perfectly.
4. The perks you earn upon leveling up and the artifacts you find on enemies and hidden in certain places feel substantial. Even though they're generally stat increases as opposed to new abilities or anything, you *will* feel those stat increases. (Usually.)
5. The atmosphere and storytelling is really nice. Walking through the fort and hearing the calls and footsteps of ghostly soldiers was such a neat touch. I also liked the little stories the Totem of Souls told you when you brought it cursed items.
6. This is by no means a movement shooter—your movement options are limited to crouch-walking, walking, running, and jumping, and you can't run and shoot—but that doesn't really stop the movement itself from feeling great. Running jumps allow you a nice freedom of movement, and you can pull off some fun parkour here and there, if you're so inclined, since there's not much in the way of invisible or simplified geometry. If it looks like you could stand on it, you probably can. (If a speedrunner is saying this, you know it means something.)
7. There's a fun variety of enemies for you to fight, and they all act in unique ways. They'll all pursue you, but humanpedes avoid close-quarters combat in favor of spitting at you from a distance, while prodigal daughters will move faster if you shoot off their masks. Even the "standard" zombie has a lunge attack up its sleeve to mix things up. I never felt bored with the enemies throughout my playthrough (although I'm not sure this would extend for two more scenarios; here's hoping they add more enemies for them!)
8. The ranged attack enemies are VERY good at leading their target (AKA you). You will not get away with simply strafing in one direction to avoid taking shots, which makes defeating them more difficult and more gratifying.
9. Some have considered the soul flaw and curse system to be something they don't like about the game, but I think it's an effective way to make you care about death. Deaths actually have an impact beyond sending you to a checkpoint, and the game gives you tools to prevent or cure these effects. The system is a pro, not a con, in my opinion.
10. The scenario ends right around when you'd get overpowered. Realistically, the monsters are ALWAYS capable of mauling you if you get too comfortable. But by the time I felt my power was reaching its peak, it was time to face the boss. It felt right.

MIDS

1. I won't spoil much about the boss, but it felt a bit underwhelming to me. It wasn't bad, and I kinda like what they went for, but I feel it could have been better.
2. The map/compass is not great. With regards to the map, it's really not supposed to be, which is why this isn't a con (you're supposed to explore the mines for yourself; the map just tells you where to find the mines, not their whole layout). But a glaring omission is the lack of cardinal directions on the compass; it just points you towards objectives and enemies who are aware or becoming aware of you, which is nice, but finding out which direction you're facing is weirdly difficult.
3. I said before that enemy behavior is nice and varied, but enemies whose attack plan consists of chasing you can be gamed if you're above them or past something they can't move through (the latter is especially true about the hulking Vendigo). This is also not a con because the tutorial makes it clear that this is sort of supposed to be the case, but it feels a bit cheap to defeat enemies because they have no way to climb ladders.

CONS

1. Lots of mistakes in the text in this game. As an aspiring editor, this hurts me; not because I personally care that much, but more because I know it takes away from the professionalism of the game's presentation. Trust me when I say this is a very well-made game in almost every regard; the text is just messily written in a lot of places. (Side note: I love this game so much that I'd be willing to proofread all the text in the game for free. I mean, I doubt they'll take me up on that, but I'm serious.)
2. The depiction of natives is not great. It's far from the worst I've seen, and I'd like to think it keeps from being outright disrespectful, but the way the Shaman is depicted is at the very least pretty lazy. This kind of thing is a bit prevalent in Westerns, so I'm just glad it's not worse, even if that doesn't really excuse it. But if you're socially conscious in that sense, it's worth being informed of.

You may notice I haven't listed any cons pertaining to actual gameplay. That's because I couldn't think of any. Make of that what you will. I think you should buy this game!

[JANUARY 19th, 2024 EDIT: This is an old review that I plan to update once I get around to beating the now-complete game. It's only gotten better since then, though. They fixed a lot of text errors and added cardinal directions to the compass, too.] Blood West is an extremely fun game that already feels mostly complete in terms of mechanics. The devs have promised an additional 2 scenarios that I honestly can't wait for. The current scenario isn't terribly long (it took me about 4 hours to complete), but because of how much fun the game was, it still felt like a fulfilling experience and I personally already feel like I got my money's worth. (If you're wondering why I have so many hours in the game, know that I speedrun it.) If you're willing to listen to the largely positive reviews for this game and jump in early, you won't be disappointed. Some pros, mids, and cons to consider: PROS 1. Shooting feels good, especially if you invest in perks that deal with aim sway, and ESPECIALLY if you nab a Winchester. (Yes, there is aim sway. This isn't DOOM. Think about your shots before you take them.) 2. The gameplay cycle of carefully taking out enemies, looting, selling what you don't need and buying new items and gaining new perks may seem simple, but it's rewarding as all hell. Finding a health potion is wonderful. Finding an artifact that goes well with your build is more wonderful. Finding a unique weapon that's perfect for your playstyle? Priceless. 3. It's extremely hard to go gung-ho in this game. It's not impossible, but you're going to have to earn that guns-blazing glory. The game rewards methodical play, and in my opinion, that suits it perfectly. 4. The perks you earn upon leveling up and the artifacts you find on enemies and hidden in certain places feel substantial. Even though they're generally stat increases as opposed to new abilities or anything, you *will* feel those stat increases. (Usually.) 5. The atmosphere and storytelling is really nice. Walking through the fort and hearing the calls and footsteps of ghostly soldiers was such a neat touch. I also liked the little stories the Totem of Souls told you when you brought it cursed items. 6. This is by no means a movement shooter—your movement options are limited to crouch-walking, walking, running, and jumping, and you can't run and shoot—but that doesn't really stop the movement itself from feeling great. Running jumps allow you a nice freedom of movement, and you can pull off some fun parkour here and there, if you're so inclined, since there's not much in the way of invisible or simplified geometry. If it looks like you could stand on it, you probably can. (If a speedrunner is saying this, you know it means something.) 7. There's a fun variety of enemies for you to fight, and they all act in unique ways. They'll all pursue you, but humanpedes avoid close-quarters combat in favor of spitting at you from a distance, while prodigal daughters will move faster if you shoot off their masks. Even the "standard" zombie has a lunge attack up its sleeve to mix things up. I never felt bored with the enemies throughout my playthrough (although I'm not sure this would extend for two more scenarios; here's hoping they add more enemies for them!) 8. The ranged attack enemies are VERY good at leading their target (AKA you). You will not get away with simply strafing in one direction to avoid taking shots, which makes defeating them more difficult and more gratifying. 9. Some have considered the soul flaw and curse system to be something they don't like about the game, but I think it's an effective way to make you care about death. Deaths actually have an impact beyond sending you to a checkpoint, and the game gives you tools to prevent or cure these effects. The system is a pro, not a con, in my opinion. 10. The scenario ends right around when you'd get overpowered. Realistically, the monsters are ALWAYS capable of mauling you if you get too comfortable. But by the time I felt my power was reaching its peak, it was time to face the boss. It felt right. MIDS 1. I won't spoil much about the boss, but it felt a bit underwhelming to me. It wasn't bad, and I kinda like what they went for, but I feel it could have been better. 2. The map/compass is not great. With regards to the map, it's really not supposed to be, which is why this isn't a con (you're supposed to explore the mines for yourself; the map just tells you where to find the mines, not their whole layout). But a glaring omission is the lack of cardinal directions on the compass; it just points you towards objectives and enemies who are aware or becoming aware of you, which is nice, but finding out which direction you're facing is weirdly difficult. 3. I said before that enemy behavior is nice and varied, but enemies whose attack plan consists of chasing you can be gamed if you're above them or past something they can't move through (the latter is especially true about the hulking Vendigo). This is also not a con because the tutorial makes it clear that this is sort of supposed to be the case, but it feels a bit cheap to defeat enemies because they have no way to climb ladders. CONS 1. Lots of mistakes in the text in this game. As an aspiring editor, this hurts me; not because I personally care that much, but more because I know it takes away from the professionalism of the game's presentation. Trust me when I say this is a very well-made game in almost every regard; the text is just messily written in a lot of places. (Side note: I love this game so much that I'd be willing to proofread all the text in the game for free. I mean, I doubt they'll take me up on that, but I'm serious.) 2. The depiction of natives is not great. It's far from the worst I've seen, and I'd like to think it keeps from being outright disrespectful, but the way the Shaman is depicted is at the very least pretty lazy. This kind of thing is a bit prevalent in Westerns, so I'm just glad it's not worse, even if that doesn't really excuse it. But if you're socially conscious in that sense, it's worth being informed of. You may notice I haven't listed any cons pertaining to actual gameplay. That's because I couldn't think of any. Make of that what you will. I think you should buy this game!