Wild West

BDB Project, The 2025

Language:: English
Authors:: Garry Francis, Gianluca Girelli
Systems:: Inform
Platforms:: Amiga, Amstrad CPC , Amstrad PCW , Apple II, Atari 400/800, Atari ST, BBC/Electron , Browser, C16/Plus4, C64/128 , MEGA65, MSX/MSX2, Spectrum Next , Z-Machine
Genres:: Crime, Western
Related:: Kenneth Johnson trilogy [1: Wild West, 2: Tin Star, 3: Desperados]
Entered by:: Garry
Added:: 02-11-2025
Edited:: 14-03-2026

Synopsis

At the end of 1865, the damage caused by the American Civil War was a major factor in everyday life. Civil unrest was widespread and the border between Mexico and the USA was often crossed by the outlaws of both countries.

In this environment, you lead a simple life. You own a small ranch near Tucson, Arizona, where you live with your wife Sarah and daughter Betty. You dream of a bright future for your daughter and work hard every day to earn the money you need to provide her with a good education.

Then, one day, your peaceful existence is shattered when Pablo Cortez and his gang raid your ranch on their return to Nogales after a robbery in Tucson. They shot you in the head and left you for dead. Luckily for you, the wound was superficial, but, when you came to, you discovered that Sarah and Betty had been kidnapped. You dressed your wound and quickly recovered, determined to find Sarah and Betty.

A few hours later, you were in hot pursuit of Cortez's gang. In retrospect, this was a stupid thing to do by yourself, for you were on the outskirts of a desert and your horse died from the heat and exertion. You are now on foot, on your own, and your horse lays at your feet. Despite the odds, you must press on if you want to see your family alive again.

Your adventure now starts in earnest. You are in a life or death situation, as the Wild West is a deadly and unforgiving place.

Notes

This game is an adaptation of the Italian adventure Kenneth Johnson: Wild West by Bonaventura Di Bello. It has been translated to English and rewritten for a modern audience with the original author's permission. The new version includes many enhancements that weren't in the original. Type ABOUT in the game for further info.

Release 1 was an entry in ParserComp 2025, where it placed 10th out of 10 entries in the Classic category.

Release 2 was a post-comp release for the launch of The BDB Project.

The latest version can be played online or downloaded from Wild West at itch.io.

The Apple II version requires an Apple IIe. The Atari 8-bit version requires an Atari 130XE.