From Adamant Entertainment.
Written by Gareth Michael Skarka.

Folks, let me tell you something straight from the heart: Far West has finally arrived—and it was absolutely worth the wait. This review is long overdue. I’ve been psyched about it ever since the Kickstarter clear back when it was originally offered. I’ve been looking forward to making characters for years. It was worth the wait.

This book is more than a TTRPG. It’s a promise fulfilled, a labor of love that’s steeped in grit, honor, kung fu, and just the right amount of steampunk style. Far West blends the mythic tones of wuxia with the dusty soul of the Western frontier. Yes, it pulls it off beautifully.

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Wuxia Western Fantasy (and Then Some)

If you’ve ever dreamed of playing a wandering martial arts hero riding into a steam-powered border town on a thunderbird, or dueling corrupt governors with revolvers in one hand and iron palms in the other, this is your game.

Creator Gareth-Michael Skarka and his team have poured years of passion into crafting a unique setting—the Dust Road, the Empire, the Periphery—all humming with rich culture, danger, and dramatic potential. The tone is pitch-perfect. Imagine Crouching Tiger meets The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, with a dash of Firefly for seasoning.

The System: D6Plus looks a bit familiar…

Far West runs on the D6 Plus system, a fast-moving, narrative-friendly engine that gives players room to shine. You’re rolling six-siders with a “Wild Die” for surprise twists. And it just feels right. Simple enough for newcomers, but layered enough for veterans who want narrative hooks like Aspects, Spirit, and Destiny Points.

Combat is swift and dynamic—no endless grind here. The system wants your fights to feel like action scenes from classic kung fu films or high-stakes shootouts in windblown ghost towns. And the Joss mechanic (essentially dramatic fortune or misfortune from the dice gods) adds spice to every roll.

The system should look pretty familiar to anyone who has played D6 Adventures or Star Wars D6 from West End Games. I know Gareth is a big fan of that system. Needless to say the system looks very familiar to me, plays much the same way. Will we ever get a sourcebook for this thing?

Clever Folk with Depth

This isn’t a game about murder-hobos. These are legends in the making. Character creation encourages story. Your hero isn’t just numbers and stats; they come from the world. Backgrounds and Occupations help ground each PC in the setting, and your Aspects give you hooks that matter in play.

And then there’s Kung Fu. Real styles. Real flash. Real cool. Want to walk on air? Use chi to blow your enemies back? Throw a punch that breaks stone? You can. There’s even Cog Science if you want to go a little mad inventor with it.

Grit Meets Grace

The art, the layout, the vibe—it’s all dripping with dusty mystique and martial elegance. Far West looks as good as it plays. From sepia-toned maps to character silhouettes that could’ve walked out of a Sergio Leone flick, everything screams style.

Final Thoughts

I’ve been waiting a long time for Far West. Through all the years, delays, and doubts, I held onto a hope that this would be something special. And now, with the book in hand, I can say without hesitation:

It’s more than special. It’s legendary. This is staying on my shelf for a very long time so I can maybe someday write/run a campaign for this game.

If you’re a game master looking for a setting that inspires bold stories, or a player itching to be the wandering swordsman with a six-shooter and a code, saddle up. Far West isn’t just a game. It’s a journey.

And I, for one, can’t wait to ride further into the sunset.

Come for the kung fu. Stay for the heart.

Thank you for being here with me today. I appreciate you. Keep it real, but please strive for positivity, too. Please embrace the things that bring you the most joy in your life.

Disclaimer: Statements expressed in this article are strictly my opinion. If you disagree or have a different opinion, that’s okay. I’m not an expert on everything. I’m not always right. I’m just writing from my experience as I know it. Your mileage may vary.