Mac|Life

Desperados III

Rootin’ tootin’ strategy

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$49.99 From Mimimi Games, desperados­game.com

Needs macOS 10.13 or later, 64–bit processor

The Desperados series has been absent from the Mac for a long time, and if this is your first look at the Wild West tactical stealth game, then you’re in for a treat. Desperados III is a rich, satisfying game that repays your patience and planning with handsome rewards.

If you’ve ever played the likes of Shadow Tactics or Commandos, you know how Desperados III works. The game is divided into large set pieces, enclosed areas crawling with hostile enemies who won’t hesitate to shoot you on sight. Using stealth and cunning, you must avoid capture and eliminate your targets.

It sounds simple enough, but the art is in the execution — charge in all guns blazing and you’re sure to meet a swift end; cause too much noise and the guards will come looking for you; leave a body in plain sight and your foes will raise the alarm.

However, failing to be completely stealthy is not necessaril­y a bad thing — Desperados gives you ample tools to redirect the guards and create space for you to sneak past. You can throw coins, whistle, drop bodies, use loud weapons, and more. All of this can be used to focus your enemies’ attention where you want it — and away from where you do not.

FILL YOUR HAND, STRANGER

Each character has their own unique tools and abilities, ranging from decoys to deadly weapons. For example, Cooper has his trusty knife, which can be used up close or thrown; Doc McCoy has a decoy bag and a long–range rifle; Hector comes with his bear trap Bianca. These characters and more define how you approach each level, and each one has their own strengths and weaknesses.

You may not always have the tools you want, but this only makes you work more creatively. Desperados encourages sideways thinking and patience: it knows each set piece may

take time to plan out, so there’s no timer adding to the pressure. The frequent quick–save reminders let you try new things and simply reload if your idea is a dud. Failure and experiment­ation are key to the game.

When you do strike on a workable plan, seeing it succeed is hugely gratifying. It’s particular­ly rewarding to use multiple characters at once, something facilitate­d by the game’s Showdown mode that stops time and allows you to give several commands that will be executed together.

Too much head scratching might make you tired of the game, but Desperados’ mission structure helps give you a break. You can play for an hour or so, complete a set piece, then quit if you’ve had enough without feeling like you’re missing out. With this much enjoyment, though, quitting is easier said than done.

You probably never thought you would see patience and creativity in the Wild West, but Desperados III proves they are more than welcome. With a plethora of tactical approaches at your disposal and numerous ways to complete your objectives, no two missions play out the same way.

THE BOTTOM LINE. Desperados III is a great game for greenhorns and old hands alike. ALEX BLAKE

 ??  ?? There are many tools to defeat enemies — make sure you pick the right one.
There are many tools to defeat enemies — make sure you pick the right one.
 ??  ?? Each character has their own abilities, so tailor your strategy accordingl­y.
Each character has their own abilities, so tailor your strategy accordingl­y.
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