This title transports players to the untamed landscapes of frontier America, offering an expansive, persistent online world set in the late 1800s. As a standalone expansion, it allows players to forge their own path in this detailed historical setting without needing to own the core narrative experience it originated from. The atmosphere is rich with the grit and grandeur of the fading Wild West, providing a backdrop for diverse player activities.

Core Experience and Setting

The gameplay centers on player agency within a massive, shared environment. Players create and customize their own outlaw or frontiersperson, developing their reputation through various endeavors. The world is characterized by stunning natural beauty, from snowy mountains to arid deserts, all populated by dynamic wildlife and various non-player characters. While sharing the same foundational world, this online iteration focuses heavily on emergent gameplay and player interaction rather than a linear, character-driven story. The focus shifts to building a life—or a criminal enterprise—within the established setting.

What makes this game unique in the genre?

The gameplay loop is defined by a variety of specialized roles and activities that players can pursue. These roles offer distinct progression paths and unique gameplay mechanics:

Bounty Hunting: Tracking and capturing targets, both AI-controlled and other players.
Trading: Hunting, skinning, and delivering goods to a local butcher or establishing a larger trade network.
Moonshining: Running an illicit distillery operation, involving crafting, delivery, and evading law enforcement.
Collecting: Searching the vast map for hidden treasures and exotic items using specialized tools.
Naturalist: Studying and documenting wildlife, offering an alternative to aggressive hunting.

These mechanics blend elements of Shooter, Simulator, and Adventure genres, allowing for both cooperative play with posse members and competitive interactions with other players in the shared world.

Standalone Availability and Platform Access

This game functions as a complete, standalone experience, meaning access to the original narrative game is not required for play. It is available across a wide range of modern platforms, ensuring broad accessibility for those interested in the Wild West setting. Platforms include PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Google Stadia, Xbox One, and the newer Xbox Series X|S consoles.

As of its current iteration, the core experience is delivered as a single, continuously updated online world. Content is typically integrated through major free updates to the online environment.

Gameplay Differences from the Main Experience

While utilizing the same core engine and control scheme as its narrative counterpart, the online environment emphasizes player freedom and persistent progression over scripted missions. The scale remains vast, mirroring the scope of the single-player world, but the content is geared toward long-term engagement with other players. Combat mechanics remain grounded and realistic, consistent with the overall tone of the setting.

How can I experience life in the frontier?

Life in the frontier is shaped by player choice. Whether one chooses the path of a respected trader, a notorious outlaw, or a dedicated explorer, the game provides the tools—from firearms and horses to specialized role equipment—to pursue that chosen lifestyle across the detailed map.