Wasteland 3 is a role-playing game developed by inXile Entertainment and published by Deep Silver. The game is the third installment in the Wasteland series. W3 transports the action from the deserts of southeastern United States to the frozen north. As a Desert Ranger, the player will set up a base of operations in the snow-covered Colorado, training recruits and braving the wilderness in search of resources.

The plot of Wasteland 3 revolves around the Patriarch of Colorado’s request for aid in stopping his children from overthrowing him. The game will offer a system of moral choices, which will influence the plot and mission availability. Multiplayer will also be available, with various co-op missions the player will be able to complete with a friend online. W3 received warm initial reception, with reviewers noting the game’s interesting premise and some novel gameplay solutions.

Post-apocalyptic RPG gameplay

The core gameplay mechanics of Wasteland 3 remain similar to those in the previous installments, as well as many other RPGs available on the market. What makes them stand out is definitely the setting – snow-covered fields and icy peaks of Colorado are far from welcoming and combined with hostile activity in the region make for a less than ideal conditions for survival.

As the Ranger, the player’s job in the area will be setting up a base, recruiting and training recruits within. These troops will form the core of the player’s forces in the region. The base will change over time depending on the player’s actions throughout the game. The turn-based combat mechanics of Wasteland 3 involve spending action points on taking cover, attacking the enemy, etc. The game introduces a squad-based skill system, where certain abilities can influence the player’s entire team or negatively affect the enemy ranks.  

Vehicles are another new gameplay mechanic of W3. The player can take the wheel of various types of armored snow-mobiles, often equipped with heavy arms. The vehicles can be used as additional storage space and cover during firefights. The player can upgrade their ride with elements found in the wild, increasing their resistance and firepower. Wasteland 3 will include a multiplayer feature, where the player can team up with others to carry out missions together. However, the players will stay connected even if one of them logs out, which can lead to interesting situations.

Welcome to Denver, Colorado

The apocalypse spares no one. It will find you wherever you go, turn all your instincts against you, forcing you to make impossible choices just to survive. This time, the end of the world pushes you north, away from your home in Arizona. At the request of local Patriarch, you arrive in Denver to end what appears to be a family squabble. But when a tragic turn of events leaves your squad dead and you stranded in the frozen wilds of Colorado, it becomes personal. You’ve survived so far – the scorching heat of the desert didn’t do you in, so neither will the snow. Just keep your wits about you, gather a solid crew and figure out who you can trust in this cold, cruel world. These are the traits of a true Ranger, and they will keep you alive.

Reception

The initial impressions of Wasteland 3 were mostly positive. The reviewers noted the improvements over the previous installments, mainly in the gameplay area. Vehicular mechanics and squad-based skills were praised, as well as more developed dialogue trees and choices system. The asynchronous multiplayer piqued the curiosity of some critics, with many wondering how the constant connection between the players, even after logging out, will work in practice.