At this point, it seems like we're never getting the big story DLC that Red Dead Redemption 2 deserved. Neither are we getting the sequel to Undead Nightmare, which totally transformed the first Red Dead Redemption and dropped zombies into the otherwise (relatively) peaceful Old West.
Fortunately, a new game is on the way to Steam that could have all of the requisite ingredients to scratch that proverbial itch.
Western Rye is an open world survival crafting adventure where you carve out your own little slice of heaven in the American frontier.
The game features many of the genre staples that we've come to expect, including the ability to build your own ranch and farm crops to sustain yourself.
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Though the developer doesn't outright call them as such, Western Rye also features its own version of zombies who you'll have to deal with. These are actual humans who have become infected with a mysterious illness known as Rye Fever, a deadly plague that causes the victim to lose weight, before attacking their brain and rendering them gaunt and aggressive, but fundamentally still human.
It's a roundabout way to get to the zombie trope, but a little more unique than the usual approach horror games take.
Even at this relatively early stage, the developer has promised a lot by the time the game comes to full fruition. This includes a fishing mechanic, cooking and brewing, a "robust" building system, dynamic weather, environmental storytelling and trading systems.
Western Rye also has an impressively deep character creator and you can even take on everything this very wild version of the West has to offer with friends, thanks to co-op and general multiplayer support.
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No word yet on exactly when we'll see a playable release, though it will drop in Early Access first so you can play the game as it continues to develop.