Desperados III
" Addictive tactical stealth strategy with creative gameplay but punishing difficulty "
Desperados III Review
Desperados III is widely praised as a fantastic real-time tactics game that successfully revitalizes the classic Commandos-style gameplay with modern improvements. Players appreciate the addictive and creative core mechanics, which encourage experimentation through easy saving and reloading, offering multiple solutions to each challenge. The game features a compelling blend of stealth and strategy with unique character abilities, providing a satisfying tactical experience that appeals both to newcomers and genre veterans.
The presentation, including graphics, music, and level design, is frequently highlighted as excellent, contributing to an immersive atmosphere reminiscent of classic titles. While the storyline is considered engaging but not deeply complex, the character interactions and banter add charm. Replayability is strong thanks to additional challenges, badges, and harder difficulties. Despite some frustration from difficulty spikes and occasional AI quirks, the overall reception is overwhelmingly positive, making Desperados III a must-play for fans of tactical stealth games.
Highlights
Players consistently praise Desperados III for its innovative and addictive gameplay mechanics, allowing multiple creative approaches to levels. The graphics and art style are described as beautiful and immersive, enhancing the Western setting. The storyline and character development receive favorable comments for their charm and engaging banter, even if not deeply complex. Additionally, the game's replay value is noted for its extra challenges and varied difficulty settings, keeping players invested for many hours.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include occasional frustration due to the game's difficulty, which some find punishing and requiring patience. Players mention AI behavior issues, such as imperfectly synchronized shots triggering alarms and overly broad enemy alert responses. Some feel the story is less impactful compared to similar titles, and enemy variety could be improved in later stages. The game's price is considered high by a few, suggesting it might be better purchased on sale. Lastly, the genre's niche appeal means it may not engage players unfamiliar with real-time tactics.
Pros
- • Addictive and creative tactical gameplay encourages experimentation and strategic thinking.
- • Excellent graphics and immersive Western-themed art style.
- • Engaging character interactions with charming banter.
- • High replayability through challenges, badges, and difficulty modes.
- • Thoughtful tutorial eases new players into the genre.
- • Quality-of-life features like fast-forward and easy save/load.
- • Level design offers multiple solutions and creative approaches.
Cons
- • Difficulty can be punishing and frustrating for some players.
- • AI issues like unsynchronized shots causing false alarms.
- • Enemy alert system sometimes too broad, causing frequent detection.
- • Storyline less impactful compared to other genre titles.
- • Limited enemy variety in later levels reduces challenge diversity.
- • High price point may deter some potential players.
- • Niche genre appeal might not suit all gamers.
Rating Criteria
Desperados III is a story-driven, hardcore tactical stealth game, set in a ruthless Wild West scenario. Play smart if you want to succeed. A good plan can make the difference between survival and finding yourself at the business end of a pistol.
