Wild Bastards: Everything We Know

One thing about AAA titles is that not every good game makes the cut. Even though they deserve that title. Take Void Bastards as an example. The sci-fi roguelike game is an underrated title with many layers beneath its surface. As an FPS, the game crafted a new formula where you put your wits to the test and your aim, too. It's unfortunate that such games don't get the critical acclamation they deserve, but this didn't deter the devs from launching a sequel.

Wild Bastards picks up the pieces with a new protagonist, backstory, and terrain to conquer your enemies. It also adds a touch of the Wild West scene. The upcoming title was released at the PC Gaming Show, and we can't wait to peel back its layers. So sit tight as we unpack everything we know about Wild Bastards.

What is Wild Bastards?

Wild Bastards is a first-person shooting combat game cut from the same cloth as Void Bastards, where you take on a range of enemies on various planets. It involves a series of heists with plenty of shootouts. But the game takes a new direction with amped combat, characters, and play style. 

The sprucing up doesn't stop there. The devs revealed that they are intentionally giving the characters a better personality. Instead of a generic character, the upcoming title will feature vibrant and relatable gun-slinging bandits. Plus, the characters' backstories are tied to their quests and abilities. For instance, Smoky, ‘the cook who burned to his demise, can launch fireballs from his hands. Hopalong carries a lasso that he uses to whip his adversaries to oblivion. 

Moreover, the game's design genome is a sibling to System Shock and BioShock. The stealth elements, daring escapes, and perfecting the art of deception to lure enemies to their deaths all scream Irrational Game's finest offering. 

Story

The narrative paints a picture of the deadliest outlaw brothers in town, the Wild Bastards. Their days of glory turn into darkness after the ruthless, puritanical magnate Jebediah Chaste orders his entourage to take down all the gang members. But two members, “faced with their own mortality,” escape thanks to The Drifter, a sentient ship that came to their rescue. They now embark on a quest to resurrect their buddies and seek new solace.

Gameplay

Wild Bastards is a thrilling first-person shooting combat game where you reinstate your fallen crew of 13 gunslingers. Like its predecessor, it'll feature procedurally generated galactic areas with distinct terrain, gravity, and weather traits. The gameplay loop has you visiting various planets and engaging in epic heists. But before you deploy your team members, you must decide who goes where. Some character traits will be specifically adapted to the threats and the planet's features. 

Each outlaw has a unique play style complemented by their weapon, personality, stunt, relationship, and skill tree. It might sound easy on paper to band your mates back together, but a complex dynamic is at play. The devs described this relationship system as something akin to Darkest Dungeon 2's gameplay, where the outlaws will turn to each other for a helping hand. “Kaboom will turn to his pal Invisible, while Preach will toss out some health pickups ‘. It's the type of alliance that builds on a love-hate relationship, but do what you must to keep the ball rolling. Speaking of keeping things moving, you'll need to keep your friends alive. Scavenge resources from the planets you visit to heal injured members. You can also equip characters with mods to level up their skills.

The shootouts display a colorful show, with players earning points for successful hits and casino-like tokens flooding your screen. Down an enemy, and a glowing coffin appears as it gravitates toward the sky. Aside from mastering your aim, you'll need to use your wits to outmaneuver foes. Some will use stealth and special techniques to gun you down. Watch out for nemeses with poisonous quills and teleportation tactics. 

Finally, after wrapping things up in the campaign mode, you unlock a challenge mode, which is not an easy feat. 

Development

Wild Bastards is a brilliant creation by Blue Manchu and Modus Games. For the sequel, the devs are adding more variety. They revealed, “We have six completely different environments, ranging from snow-covered mountains to airless, low-gravity, hostile worlds.” This means the game is doing away with the labyrinths for terrestrial open-air maps. The developers further revealed that each environment is complete with roadblocks, rail stations, wilderness areas, and small settlements. Players can leverage their surroundings for cover and sight lines while being wary of environmental hazards. 

Trailer

Are you excited to see how Blue Manchu is piecing all this together? Well, you don't have to let your imagination run wild. The devs launched a release trailer during the PC Gaming Show, and it looks stunning. The visuals are a work of art, giving off a comic-book-style impression. The trailer showcases the gameplay, including epic shootouts and a glimpse of some characters. I won't spill the beans any further. You can see for yourself in the video embedded above.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Wild Bastards will be launching on PC in 2024. A precise release date has yet to be communicated by the developers, but the anticipation is definitely building. We will have to keep you posted on this one. The same goes for special editions. 

You can now wishlist the game on Steam to be among the first to be notified once it launches. You might even have a glimpse of the beta-version walkthrough. 

If this game floats your boat, you can keep up with the devs on the official social media handle here. If anything exciting drops before launch day, we'll be sure to give you the exclusive scoop right here on gaming.net.

So there you have it. Will you pick up a copy of Wild Bastards once it launches on PC? What features of the game stand out the most for you? Let us know in the comments below or on our socials here.