'Westbang' – A Casual and Very Fun Tap Shooter
posted by arn on May 26th, 2009 5:29 PM EDT in $0.99, Action, Reviews, Shooter, iPhone games, iPod touch gamesRake in the Grass, the developers of the highly rated Archibald's Adventures, has released their second game into the App Store: Westbang [App Store].
Westbang is a reaction tap-shooter in which you have become sheriff of a small town and your job is to take out the bandits. But, don't just dismiss the game as just another tap-shooter, as Westbang successfully manages to leverage its simple mechanic into a very enjoyable game.
The game offers 25 different levels set to a storyline of you as sherrif. The goal is to survive as long as possible shooting bandits while avoiding innocent bystanders.
Armed with a six-shooter, doors will swing open randomly revealing either bandits or bystanders. Shoot the bandits and avoid the bystanders. You're allowed 5 mistakes before the game ends and your final score is tallied. Complexity is added with the need to manually reload and properly identify your targets. You can't just shoot bandits arbitrarily, however… as sheriff you must wait until they draw their weapons before firing. Wait too long, and they'll get you first.
Later levels add bandits that will draw their weapons after different periods of time, and some may or may not draw a weapon at all. These constant changes in gameplay elements manage to keep you interested and wanting to try "just one more time" (like all good games).
The developer's video shows the first level which is rather easy:
At only $0.99, we recommend Westbang for anyone looking for a fun and casual gaming experience.
App Store Link: Westbang, $0.99
Looks like a cheap Bank Panic clone but with the best features removed…
Excellent – a remake of West Bank From Gremlin Graphics, one of my favourite lesser known Spectrum games. The original used 3 keys on the keyboard, one for each door.
"Westbang" sounds more like a naughty movie about the White House than it does a shooter. =P
Look out! A woman!
"West bank" by gremlin graphics was a rip off of "Bank Panic" released by Sega in the arcades in 1984, The Master System version ive seen people mention on here came at a later date…
This does look like fun but unfortunately doesn't have all the features of Bank Panic, which is a shame. Suppose they couldn't blatantly copy the whole formula though without incurring the wrath of Sega…
Looks like many of the early popup iphone shooters. Basically terrible. Better to spend $2 to get Wild West Guns and $1 for WWII Alone. However, nothing wrong for buying it for nostalgia sake.
As nice a game as Wild West Guns is, I enjoy playing Westbang more.
arn
Really….ok I'll give it a spin. The video didn't entice me cuz it doesn't show any movement of characters to shoot or depth …some far …some close.
would love to hear your take on it.
arn
Well think it's ok. Basically recognizing characters which will draw and which will pull. Honestly reminds me of Clearout in the sense of recognizing which of the 3 attributes..Westbang obviously just being recognizing which characters.
Clarify …meant to say which characters will draw immediately and which ones will delay their draw of their guns.
I bought this app the other day. It's very polished and the Bank Panic/Hogan's Alley-gameplay is a lot of fun. My only gripe is not supporting multi-touch, so you're limited to shooting one door at a time. Despite that I'd easily give it 5 stars.
looks terrible
Very addicting game for a good price. The graphics is in fact very good – cartoon style, just like the old Outlaws game.