8.5 /10 18

Desperados III resurrects a dormant franchise with precision. Developed by Mimimi Games—architects of Shadow Tactics—this prequel strips away the original’s shoot-first simplicity and embraces thoughtful real-time tactics where planning beats reflexes. Set in 1870s America, you orchestrate intricate heists alongside gunslinger John Cooper and his motley crew. The game achieves an 86/100 Metacritic consensus despite its niche appeal, praised for innovative Showdown Mode mechanics, stellar character synergy, and a Wild West setting that feels distinctly lived-in. This review explores why Desperados III ranks among the genre’s finest, and whether its difficulty suits your patience level.

How to Play Desperados III

Gameplay unfolds across isometric maps where stealth and teamwork trump firepower. Each mission presents multiple puzzle-like solutions. You control John Cooper and up to five allies, each with unique abilities—Kate’s femme fatale seduction, Doc’s silent kills, Hector’s brute strength, Isabelle’s voodoo curses. Real-time action pauses for command queuing, letting you choreograph synchronized actions.

1. Controls – Right-click selects characters, WASD moves units. Spacebar pauses for planning. Learning curve is gentle; tooltips explain every ability. Controller support on consoles works smoothly despite strategy game complexity.
2. Progression – Campaign spans 13 main missions plus DLC scenarios. Difficulty escalates dramatically; early levels teach mechanics while later missions demand flawless execution. Completionists chase “Showdown” challenges where you disable enemy perception entirely.
3. Combat/Mechanics – Core loop: scout enemy patterns, identify cover and distractions, queue synchronized actions (hide bodies simultaneously, trigger explosions in sequence), execute and adapt. Enemies have sight cones and hearing ranges; physics-based interactions reward creativity.
4. Tips – Use environmental hazards: barrels explode near guards, chandeliers crush targets, water blocks sound. Save frequently; one guard’s unexpected patrol ruins careful plans. Play on lower difficulties first; “Normal” requires 40+ hours of puzzle-solving mindset.

Who Should Play Desperados III

Desperados III targets puzzle-solving strategists, not action gamers. Turn-based tactics fans find real-time systems refreshing; stealth enthusiasts appreciate the emphasis on avoidance over combat. Narrative lovers enjoy the charming character interactions and spaghetti-western tone.

• Tactics enthusiasts – Shadow Tactics veterans or Commandos fans recognize Mimimi’s signature: pause-and-plan real-time gameplay where creativity outweighs reflexes.
• Puzzle game fans – Each mission is a logic puzzle with multiple solutions. Optimal execution feels as rewarding as solving a Rubik’s Cube.
• Western genre lovers – Ennio Morricone-inspired soundtrack and dusty frontier atmosphere immerse you in 1870s gunslinger fantasy without Red Dead’s cinematic slowness.
• Skip if – You demand fast action, dislike trial-and-error gameplay, or want multiplayer. Body-hiding and guard-pattern observation can feel tedious to impatient players.

Desperados III Platform Performance

PC delivers rock-solid 60+ fps on mid-range hardware. Console ports optimize controls brilliantly for PS4 and Xbox One, with minimal compromises. The isometric perspective and strategic pacing suit controllers well, though keyboard-and-mouse remains the preferred input method.

Desperados III System Requirements

PC requirements are remarkably modest. A 2010-era Core i3 and GTX 560 meet minimum specs, making Desperados III accessible to budget-conscious players. The game scales beautifully; high-end hardware delivers lush environments without diminishing returns.

Similar Games to Desperados III

The real-time tactics genre remains niche but devoted. Mimimi Games defined modern standards; alternatives offer variations on the formula or complementary experiences.

• Shadow Tactics: Blades of the Shogun – Same developer, samurai setting, nearly identical mechanics. Many consider this the genre’s apex. Play this first if you want feudal Japan instead of Wild West.
• Commandos 2: Men of Courage – 2001 cult classic inspiring Desperados III. Dated graphics, steeper learning curve, but the blueprint remains brilliant for nostalgia-hungry players.
• Robin Hood: The Legend of Sherwood – Underrated medieval stealth-tactics game. Fewer units and abilities than Desperados, but loyal fans praise its map design and unique feel.
• Partisans 1941 – WWII setting with faster pacing. Less polished than Desperados but offers distinct character synergies and guerrilla warfare flavor.

Desperados III vs Competitors

Desperados III dominates its genre through mechanical refinement and character design. Shadow Tactics plays identically but appeals to samurai fans; Commandos 2 pioneered the template but feels archaic. Desperados III strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and depth.

Desperados III Story and World

The narrative is a prequel exploring John Cooper’s origins. A hardened gunslinger fleeing past sins, he recruits a colorful gang: Kate O’Hara (con artist), Doc McCoy (assassin), Hector Mendoza (trapper), and Isabelle Moreau (voodoo practitioner). Their chemistry shines through witty dialogue and mission-specific banter. The plot centers on redemption and revenge, never taking itself too seriously. Western tropes—saloon standoffs, bayou mysteries, frontier injustice—ground the story in period authenticity without cynicism. Ennio Morricone-inspired soundtrack elevates every scene, from tense sneaking to dramatic confrontations, creating an atmosphere rivaling Red Dead Redemption 2’s immersion through music alone.

Desperados III Multiplayer and Online

Desperados III is strictly single-player. The game includes The Baron’s Challenge—a free episodic series of bonus missions with a framing device, accessible post-launch. No competitive multiplayer, cooperative modes, or level editors exist at launch (user-created content tools remain undisclosed).

• Campaign Mode – 13 main missions plus 5+ DLC scenarios. Branching solutions allow multiple playstyles.
• Challenges – “The Baron’s Challenge” episodic content released monthly post-launch; additional challenge maps unlock harder variants of campaign missions.
• Difficulty Modes – Easy, Normal, Hard, and “Showdown” (enemies have zero awareness). Each changes enemy counts, intelligence, and respawn timers.
• Replayability – Leaderboards track completion times and body counts; speedrunners chase “perfect” silent runs.

Desperados III DLC and Expansions

Post-launch support remained strong for two years. The “Money for the Vultures” trilogy adds new characters, missions, and setups, completing character arcs. Free updates introduced new challenge scenarios and balance adjustments monthly, justifying the Season Pass investment.

• Money for the Vultures Part 1 – Three new missions expanding the base story; introduces “The Gunslinger” character.
• Money for the Vultures Part 2 & 3 – Subsequent DLC packs with additional missions and mechanics; approximately $5-8 each.
• Season Pass – Bundles all DLC at a discount; includes exclusive cosmetics and early access to challenge content.
• Free Updates – Monthly patches through 2022 added new mission variants, UI improvements, and balance fixes. Support has since slowed.

Desperados III Community and Support

The community remains active on Reddit, Steam forums, and Discord despite the game’s age. Mimimi Games engaged faithfully for two years post-launch but has since shifted focus to newer projects (Shadow Gambit). Legacy support continues through occasional balance patches.

• Official Forums – THQ Nordic moderates the official community. Developer engagement was excellent during Year 1; responses now slower but occasional.
• Reddit & Discord – r/desperados remains vibrant with strategy guides, playthroughs, and speedrun discussions. Fan communities organize challenge tournaments.
• Speedrunning – Active speedrunning scene; Any% and 100% categories have established communities on Twitch.
• Updates – Patch frequency has slowed; final balance update arrived in late 2022. Bug fixes for critical issues continue sporadically.