Westlanders: Open-World Wild West Survival Game Coming in 2026

Westlanders is an upcoming open-world first-person action-adventure survival game set in 19th-century North America during the height of the Wild West. Developed by Radical Theory, the game blends survival mechanics, crafting, settlement building, and cooperative gameplay into one large-scale frontier experience.

Scheduled for release in 2026, Westlanders is planned for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam. A Kickstarter campaign is currently live, allowing players to support development and follow the game’s progress.

What Is Westlanders About?

Westlanders places players in a harsh, untamed wilderness where survival is only the beginning. Starting with limited resources, players must endure environmental dangers, hostile wildlife, and human threats while slowly expanding their influence across the valley.

Unlike traditional survival games, Westlanders focuses heavily on long-term progression. Players can build settlements, manage production chains, recruit workers, and create a connected trade network that evolves over time.

Dynamic Open-World Survival

The world of Westlanders is fully dynamic and reacts to player decisions.

• Day and night cycles with environmental impact

• Extreme temperatures, frostbite, and heat exhaustion

• Diseases, injuries, and environmental hazards

• Wildlife encounters and hostile bandit raids

Each biome presents unique risks and resources, requiring careful planning and adaptability.

The Wagon: A Mobile Base of Operations

One of Westlanders’ most distinctive features is the customizable wagon that serves as a mobile headquarters.

• Upgradeable and customizable design

• Attach workstations and utility modules

• Raise and select horses suited for different terrains

• Deploy campsites with essential crafting and survival tools

The wagon allows players to explore deep into dangerous territories without abandoning their base.

Settlement Building and Customization

Players can establish multiple settlements across the frontier and transform empty land into thriving hubs.

• Build and place structures freely

• Decorate and personalize settlements

• Construct roads connecting outposts

• Watch the environment change as settlements grow

Each settlement becomes part of a larger network rather than a standalone base.

Crafting System and Technology Progression

Crafting plays a central role in progression.

• Late 1800s technology-based crafting system

• Craft tools, weapons, and advanced structures

• Progress through a large technology tree

• Unlock new buildings, wagon upgrades, and gear

At launch, the tech tree is expected to feature over 100 unlockable advancements.

Resource Management and Production

The Westlands are rich in natural resources spread across different biomes.

• Farming, ranching, and mining operations

• Lumberyards and specialized outposts

• Establish production chains across settlements

• Optimize resource flow for long-term sustainability

Efficient resource management is essential for survival and expansion.

Automation and Workforce Management

As settlements expand, players can automate production.

• Hire workers with unique strengths and weaknesses

• Assign jobs and manage wages

• Workers improve efficiency over time

• Higher productivity leads to higher salary demands

This system adds an economic management layer rarely seen in survival games.

Trade Routes and Logistics Network

Westlanders allows players to connect settlements using road systems.

• Create trade routes between outposts

• Assign workers to transport and protect resources

• Maintain steady supply lines across the valley

• Build a self-sustaining frontier economy

The logistics system visually and mechanically shows the impact of expansion.

Combat and World Events

Combat remains a constant threat.

• Bandit raids and wild animal attacks

• Dynamic events that disrupt settlement production

• Defend outposts to restore operations

• Explore dangerous regions for high-risk rewards

Each event can change the balance of power in the region.

Solo and Co-Op Gameplay

Westlanders supports both solo and cooperative play.

• Play alone for a focused survival experience

• Team up with friends in co-op

• Share responsibilities such as exploration, crafting, and defense

Co-op play encourages strategic teamwork rather than simple combat assistance.

Release Date, Platforms, and Kickstarter

• Planned Release: 2026

• Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam)

• Kickstarter: Live now

Early supporters can help shape development while staying updated on future features.

Why Westlanders Is Worth Watching

Westlanders combines open-world survival with city-building, automation, and economic simulation. Its focus on long-term progression, logistics, and player-driven storytelling sets it apart from traditional survival games.

For players interested in deep systems, strategic planning, and a rarely explored Wild West setting, Westlanders is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious survival titles coming in 2026.