Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive
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| Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive | |
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| Developer(s) | Spellbound |
| Publisher(s) | Atari |
| Release date(s) | 2001 |
| Genre(s) | Strategy |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: Teen (T) |
| Platform(s) | Microsoft Windows |
| Media | 1 Compact disc |
Desperados: Wanted Dead or Alive is a stealth-based real-time strategy computer game, developed by Spellbound and released in 2001. In the game, the player controls up to six characters in a wild west setting. The protagonist is a wordly knife fighter and gunslinger, John Cooper. He takes on a bounty to capture a notorious train robber named "El Diablo". As Cooper sets off on his quest, he is aided by five other friends and they work together in a real-time, stealth based structure very similar to that introduced in Commandos: Behind Enemy Lines, although an all-out gunfight is still highly possible in the game. A sequel called Desperados 2: Cooper's Revenge was released in late March 2006.
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[edit] Story
The game takes place in El Paso, 1881. Many trains have been robbed the last few months by a mysterious and vicious bandit named El Diablo. The railroad company Twinnings & Co has offered $15,000 to the one who can stop El Diablo. Bounty hunter John Cooper takes the bounty, but soon learns the mission is not as simple as he first assumed. John intends to create a team of his old partners to aid him on his hunt for the train robbers, consisting of Sam, Doc and Kate. When he discovers that Sanchez is not in fact the leader of the raids, he releases him and enlists his help too. the team of 5 end up increasing by one more when Mia's father is killed at his outpost, and she vows to avenge his death.
In a surprising twist, the Marshal who has been chasing the wanted gang is in fact El Diablo, who then captures the characters and jails them in his secret cave-headquarters. With the help of Mia, they successfully escape out of their cell. Cooper then chases El Diablo up to his office and kills him in the ensuing gunfight.
[edit] Characters
John Cooper — the leader of the gang, the player begins the game with this character. His tutorial is the first level, taking place in Opelousas, LA. He is the most important character in the gang, and is playable in every mission except in five tutorials. Also, he is the most rapid shooter (he has a Colt Peacemaker), and can shoot three men within a second. Cooper is one of two characters that can carry unconsious or dead bodies, but he is the only character who can climb walls and mountains and cut saddles.
Samuel Williams — an African-American, he is picked up by Cooper at a cotton plantation in Louisiana. His tutorial takes place at an Indian territory in Louisiana. He's obsessed with explosives. His tools include dynamite, a sack with a rattlesnake in it, rope for tying unconscious people, and he can also use barrels of TNT in certain missions. His Winchester rifle has the longest range and contains the most amount of bullets. Sam is also one of two characters that can also use gatling guns but only at fixed stations.
Doc McCoy — a physician, he is saved from being lynched for forgery in Jennings, LA. His tutorial takes place at his cabin, which is located in a swamp in Louisiana. Doc McCoy wields a powerful Colt Buntline Special, for which he has crafted special high-precision bullets that transform the revolver into a sniper rifle. Being a man of science, McCoy also has knock-out gas tubes which can be thrown or delivered by balloons filled with helium. He can also revive unconscious characters and heal wounded allies. His massive trenchcoat can also be used as a scarecrow.
Kate O'Hara — a gambler, she is saved in Baton Rouge after being accused of cheating. Just like Cooper's tutorial, her tutorial takes place in Opelousas. She has poker cards, a mirror and a powerful, silent, but short-range Derringer. Kate can attract men by playing with her garter belt and then can kick them. Her kick is faster and stronger than Cooper's punch.
Pablo Sanchez — a Mexican bandit leader, he is captured by the first four characters in New Mexico, thinking he is guilty for the train robberies. But when John realises Sanchez is innocent, he decides to free Sanchez from Fortezza. His tutorial takes place at his fortress in New Mexico. He has tequila, which attracts enemy guards and also makes them inebriated. Sanchez can also take a siesta, which causes enemies to approach him curiously. He has a sawn-off shotgun that can harm or kill multiple men with only one shot and carries two shells at a time. Like Sam, Sanchez can use gatling guns, although he can carry them. When Sanchez enters a buildings with three or less enemies, he will throw them out a door, leaving them unconscious. Sanchez can use his strength to carry two bodies at a time or push heavy objects aside.
Mia Yung — a Chinese girl, she joins the gang right after her father is killed by the marshall. Her tutorial takes place at a mine in New Mexico. She has a whistle, firecrackers, peanuts and her monkey, Mr. Leone. Her blowpipe has very short range, contains only one dart at a time, and does minimal physical damage. The darts will, however, drive the victim into a psychotic shooting spree, attacking friends, foes, and civilians. If the victim is not shot dead by his own friends, he will eventually fall unconscious. Mia is also the youngest character in the gang at 18 years. She can use her small size to hide inside barrels.
Mr Leone the monkey is a reference to Spaghetti Western director, Sergio Leone.
[edit] Gameplay
The game is well-known for having a very advanced AI. The player can use flashlights on NPCs to see their fields of vision. Depending on the color of the cone, the player can see the mental state of the NPC. If the cone is green, it means the person is calm. Similarly, a yellow cone signifies suspicion, and a red means the NPC has spotted one of the characters. Some colors signify special status such as a pink cone, meaning the NPC has become attracted to Kate, or a black cone, meaning they have been hit by Mia's blowpipe.
