Fans of Western games like Red Dead Redemption and dark fantasy RPGs like Bloodborne are about to get an absolute banger of a new game to check out, and you might be able to play it sooner than you think.

Developers at Black Hand studios have recently revealed The Dark West, a Western dark fantasy action RPG with a unique top-down isometric gameplay style, and it’s slated to kick off in Early Access this year. You can wishlist the game now on Steam and follow development as The Dark West ramps up for its full launch in 2027.

The Dark West Looks Seriously Awesome

It’s A Must-Play Dark-Fantasy Western

The Dark West is an upcoming dark fantasy Western that fans of action RPGs will absolutely want to put on their radar. The official reveal trailer just dropped earlier this week to give players a sense of what they can expect, and by the looks of things, they’re in for a serious treat.

If it wasn’t obvious from the title, The Dark West is a dark fantasy-themed RPG set in a cursed version of the Western frontier, with occult themes and top-down isometric gameplay and combat that promises to challenge both “your skill and sanity.” Your survival and gun-slinging skills will be put to the ultimate test, and “staying alive means keeping your nerve, choosing your shots, and knowing when to move and when to hold.”

Further, The Dark West promises a robust character-building system where choices “shape how you fight and what you become,” with the potential for various playstyles and approaches to gameplay. Visually speaking, it’s among the most stunning Western RPGs currently in the works, and it will be available to play in Early Access relatively soon.

If Red Dead Redemption And Bloodborne Had A Baby…

“Faith Still Has A Say. Damnation Does Too.”

If you’re a fan of the cursed and occult world of Bloodborne as well as its challenging difficulty curve, in The Dark West, “black magic has sunk into the soil, and it takes what it wants when the time is right,” and gameplay sounds like it will be equally challenging to boot. And any Red Dead fans looking for a dark-fantasy spin just got a new game shot to the top of their wishlist.

Although a specific Early Access release date has not been announced, the team at Black Hand say it will be out this year for sure, and will include “multiple acts, bosses, [and] fully functioning systems such as crafting.” They’ve offered the following statement on why an Early Access period seems appropriate before The Dark West‘s full release next year:

The Dark West is an action RPG featuring tons of loot and powerful character builds, and community feedback is essential before a full release. Loot balance, optimizing enemy difficulty, and refining the in-game economy are key aspects of our development process. Launching without an early access phase would risk compromising the player experience, and that is our top priority. By collaborating with the community, we can refine and enhance the game together, ensuring it delivers a deep and rewarding ARPG experience.

If The Dark West sounds like it’s right up your alley and you don’t want to miss the Early Access launch, be sure to wishlist the game now on Steam and follow its development progress as new updates release throughout the year.