Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West Review

Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West is a multiplayer only 3rd person shooter from Swedish game developer, Fatshark; and it’s not bad either.

The game mechanics are ancient but well loved, each of the four classes is a stereotypical wild west character, there’s the gunslinger, deputy, hunter and a burly miner. The character models are some of the most detailed and genuinely good looking I’ve ever seen in a game, which says a lot, considering this is a download only game.





Each class has unique weapon and a unique secondary ability. The miner has a shotgun and can throw dynamite, the hunter has a sniper and can lay traps, the deputy has a pump action rifle and mark targets for extra damage, the gunslinger, has a revolver which he can fire rapidly. This is all very exciting but it makes for very limited diversity. You’ll be tired of all four characters within the first two games. They all have their strengths, some have a little more strength than others, the gunslingers secondary ability to fire out his revolvers six bullets in quick succession is immensely powerful, and sometime it seems unfair. Nothing breeds frustration like turning a corner to meet certain death without any chance of escape. You will get annoyed at the slight imbalances in this game; I guarantee it.

It would certainly be a more a more balanced game if it was 1st person. The characters aren’t necessarily clunky, yet sometimes cornering and aiming is just a bit too hard. It doesn’t kill the game, but it doesn’t do it any favours. Along with an aiming reticule a brightened circle also signifies your weapons spread. It is extremely ugly and will often ruin the atmosphere. More often than not, in fact. All in all the character control is basic, seen in a great deal many other games, it’s in them for a reason though, it works; but it won’t break any boundaries.

There are six game types, some are staples of multiplayer, some are surprisingly original. You’ll see team death match and territory control in there; pretty standard stuff. Gold Rush is where it’s at though, a multi-staged game type which sees one team attempting to carry powder kegs to the oppositions safe in a joint effort to get the to the sacks of gold to their base. This is where the game really comes together, each role has their part to play, each has to hold their own in the fight. This game type really fits in beautifully with the wild west setting, it’s pace is genuinely exciting.


At least, it’s exciting if you get a decent map. Devil’s Pit is one of the most poorly designed maps I have ever seen in a game. It is effectively a maze, you have to worm your way around the map before getting to the fight. Its labyrinthine design negates any fun to be had. Saying that, the six other maps found in the game are original in there design, and very good looking. The almost cell shaded look of the game combined with the wild west setting make for an extremely scenic game.




This game by no means creates an definitive multiplayer experience, it is however, worth a purchase. Especially if you can coax a number of your friends into buying it also. If you fancy some wild west action check out Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West for £11.99 available on PSN now.