14 DAY TRIAL // 
There are a few videogame genres that seem to have followed the same evolutionary path as the dinosaurs: after basking in tremendous glory, they suddenly go extinct without a clear reason. Such is the case of the real-time tactics games, Commandos, Fallout Tactics, or Desperados being just a few names that still ring a bell among the hardcore gamers. Mimimi Games decided to take on the role of crazy scientists and revive a giant of an almost forgotten era, injecting just enough new DNA so the final product does not feel archaic. The result is Desperados III, which tries to convince us that RTT can be fun even today.
Two years after the announcement of the game, we received the final product which tries to return to the roots of the franchise. Moreover, Mimimi Games promised the small, but fervent fan community of the game, that the new episode will make us forget the bad decisions of the sequels which turned Spellbound Entertainment into a footnote in the history of videogames. It is a pleasant surprise that the developers managed to follow the thin line of innovation which ensures that the hardcore fans will be pleased, while Desperados III still feels modern and has appeal to the newcomers as well.
In the main role, we have again John Cooper, a younger, wittier and much more fit reinterpretation of John Wayne. Desperados III is an origin story of his gang, the events of the new game presenting how our cowboy was managed to form a lasting bond with Hector Medoza enamored with his bear trap, Arthur McCoy who can shot off the feathers of a rooster from a 100 paces, the irresistible Kate O’Hara and the voodoo queen Isabelle Moreau.
Each character is introduced gradually, so the players have time to figure out the strengths of each character while battling the DeVitt gang. It is a story inspired by the best western movies, in which we have action, romance, betrayal, and a lot of colts and even Gatling guns. A nice touch is the inclusion of a parallel timeline which takes us back even further in the past presenting us the childhood of Cooper and showing us how he became the present-day outlaw with a heart of gold.
Each character is very different both as abilities and general behavior. They have different tools in their arsenal, suited for different situations, and they even move with different speeds. All the levels are crafted in a specific manner to accommodate these skills while offering a large amount of freedom in the approach of every task. Still, Desperados III is a pure breed real-time tactics game which means that it requires a precise and thoughtful approach. You cannot launch into action hoping for the best.
You have to study the environment, the behavior of your opponents, the skills of your team that you can use, so you can formulate a plan and execute it masterfully. Going up against the DeVitt gang you can be sure that you will be outnumbered and outgunned. So you have to use your wits and use stealth and surprise to your advantage. You have numerous ways at your disposal to distract the guards and control how the events unfold, including the environment. A shaky boulder can mean the tragic end of an entire enemy group.
The level design and the tasks become more and more complex on each new level, requiring you to combine the skills of the characters you control. The events being hashed out in real-time, synchronization is key and made possible thanks to the feature called Showdown. Basically, this is a team-wide skill, which depending on the chosen level of difficulty slows down or stops entirely the time, allowing you to plan a series of actions with different characters and execute this plan with the pressing of a button.
Imagine that you have Kate flirting with a guard, McCoy hidden in a bush at quite some distance in the back and Hector placing his beloved bear trap. At the press of the button the entire scene comes to life with adrenaline feeling the air: Kate introduces the guard to the small caliber revolver she was hiding, McCoy snipes down the enemy positioned above and the last guard alerted by the commotion walks right into Hector’s trap. The feeling you get when a plan like this works like charm makes it worthwhile to plan your approach. Of course, there can be times when a lot of trial and error is required until you figure things out and execute a plan flawlessly.
Next to the skills which complement each other an important part is also the level design, which needs to leave room for our heroes to shine. Mimimi games managed to build levels that potentially can be considered best in the history of the franchise. The attention to the details is amazing with a lot of interactivity incorporated in every map. The developers managed to make you believe that you are part of a living and breathing world, focusing not just on the path which you have to follow to your objective but turning their attention to make every part of a scenario believable. For example, in the level where you have to rescue Kate from a bloody wedding, you have groups of opponents and civilians out of the main path, involved in activities which contribute to the general feeling of chaos. You actually believe that in the midst of this turmoil you have a chance to slip away from a force against whom you would not stand a chance in direct combat.
The level of detail extends even to the weather conditions and the alternation of day and night. On the rainy levels, you have to mind your tracks in the mud, while at night you have to pay attention to the different light sources. Also while in the city you can blend in among the civilians, but in the swamps, your every move comes with a lot of noise. Desperados III is very well thought out and each map offers several paths towards success, leaving plenty of room for replayability.
The great level design is paired with a sharp AI, the game being somewhat a challenge even on lower difficulty levels. On higher difficulty levels you have to watch your every step. Nothing is impossible with good planning, but the faster reaction times of your opponents, reduced quantity of ammo and limited abilities force you to think outside the box. Thankfully quicksave is available at all times, reducing considerably the aggravation of missteps.
After completing each level you are presented with a few extra challenges in the form of sheriff badges, which are not mandatory, but are tremendous fun since they add new secondary objectives or a time limit. If you progress further in the story you will be also presented with Baron’s challenges. These are remixes of the levels, with different opponents and different characters under your command. For some, this will feel like an artificial and forced extension of the playtime, while others will cherish the opportunity to complete missions in a new way.
The spaghetti western feeling is enhanced also by the visual style of the game. No matter if we are talking about a train robbery, a showdown at noon, trouble in the red-light district of New Orleans, the graphics look gorgeous and very detailed. Unfortunately, there were a few times when the framerate dropped a little, but these were minor nuisances that did not affect the gameplay itself. Both the cutscenes and the in-game dialogues highlight the voice acting, the actors doing a very nice job immersing you in the atmosphere of the game.
The Good
- Very good story with characters you easily grow fond of
- Great visual style and graphics
- Excellent gameplay and level design
The Bad
- The game balance is affected by some overpowered skills
- Minor frame rate drops
Conclusion
This is maybe one of the greatest merits of Desperados III, even when it makes you sweat and go back to the drawing board, it remains fun and never becomes a dull repetition of the same actions. Although it's priced as a triple-A game, the content it offers makes it an experience you should not miss. If you were a fan of the original game, Desperados III is the sequel you have been waiting for since 2001.
