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Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2013

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Quick resume

"Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive" is the first strategy game ever to combine a movie-based and story-driven atmosphere of an adventure game with the intellectual challenge of a real time tactic game.In this western-style title, discover a game of strategy and tactics played out in exceptional real time.

Global score

88/100

Genres

Action, Strategy, Real Time Strategy (RTS), Tactical

Similar games

    Pros

    • Challenging and deep tactical gameplay
    • Engaging wild west atmosphere and story
    • Multiple approaches to missions
    • Nostalgic and well-loved classic
    • Updated compatibility for modern systems

    Cons

    • Technical issues on modern os before patches
    • Some bugs and crashes reported
    • Dated graphics and interface
    • Steep learning curve and difficulty
    • Lack of multiplayer or social features

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Leadership, Survival, Violence, Strategy. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Creativity. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Expression, Relaxation.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players must devise their own strategies and choose how to use unique character abilities; no scripted or linear solutions."

    • Competence
      5

      "High difficulty and challenging AI require skillful planning and execution; players receive clear feedback on success or failure."

    • Competition
      -4

      "Focus is on single-player experience and personal challenge without competitive or leaderboard elements."

    • Continuation
      4

      "Players repeatedly replay the game and its levels, often multiple times, indicating strong attachment and habitual play."

    • Cooperation
      -3

      "Gameplay centers on controlling a team of characters solo; no multiplayer or cooperative play."

    • Creativity
      5

      "Multiple ways to complete missions and creative use of character skills and environment encourage player creativity."

    • Domination
      -4

      "Interactions are balanced within the team and with enemies; no social dominance or trash talk aspects."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Immersive Wild West setting and engaging story provide strong escape from real life."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of personal interest and nostalgia, not due to obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      5

      "Game encourages trying different tactics, experimenting with character combinations and approaches."

    • Exploration
      3

      "Varied and detailed levels with different environments encourage discovery within mission maps."

    • Expression
      -3

      "Limited customization; players use predefined characters and assets without personal visual expression."

    • Fantasy
      3

      "Set in a stylized Wild West with exaggerated characters and scenarios, blending fiction with historical elements."

    • Fellowship
      -4

      "Primarily a solo experience with minimal social interaction or community involvement."

    • Growth
      4

      "Players develop skills and strategies over time to master difficult missions and AI behavior."

    • Health
      -4

      "Typical sedentary computer gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement; not suited for casual or background play."

    • Intimacy
      -4

      "No emphasis on forming close relationships; interactions are limited to game characters and story."

    • Leadership
      3

      "Players direct and coordinate a team of characters, making strategic decisions and issuing commands."

    • Progression
      3

      "Players unlock new characters and gain access to new missions, showing some progression through the game."

    • Relaxation
      -3

      "Game is challenging and can be frustrating, requiring patience and focus rather than relaxation."

    • Sensation
      2

      "Enjoyable audio-visual style and atmosphere but not focused on intense sensory stimulation."

    • Status
      -4

      "No social recognition or status systems; achievements are personal and not publicly ranked."

    • Story
      4

      "Engaging narrative with character development and plot progression enhances immersion."

    • Strategy
      5

      "Core gameplay revolves around tactical planning, problem solving, and strategic use of character abilities."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Tense stealth and combat situations create suspense and excitement."

    • Value
      4

      "Players find strong value in gameplay depth, replayability, and nostalgia at a low price."

    • Violence
      3

      "Combat and elimination of enemies are central gameplay elements, with various violent methods."

    • Survival
      4

      "Players must avoid detection and death, managing resources and positioning to survive missions."

    Where to buy

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    Last update: 29/04/2026