At Summer Game Fest, we had the opportunity to play Bounty Star: The Morose Tale of Graveyard Clem, a western-inspired mech action game that’s basically Armored Core set in the Wild West. Developed by DINOGOD and published by Annapurna Interactive, it brings a unique concept and premise that immediately sets itself apart.

Bounty Star is a narrative-driven mech action title where players manage a ranch and outfit their personalized mechs for bounty missions. During a 30-minute demo at the Annapurna Interactive booth, we dove into the game’s core loop, which blends life-sim mechanics with tactical combat.

Well, what are you waiting for, pardner? Saddle up that mech and let’s collect some bounties!

Graveyard Clem Had a Mecha Farm

Our journey began on Graveyard Clem’s mecha farm, your central hub and staging ground for bounty hunting. But before diving into combat, ranch life takes precedence. Like any good rancher, Clem has chores to tackle, and it’s up to us to clear those up.

Tasks range from drawing water from a well, crafting and upgrading mech components, to stocking up on weapons. These activities help prepare your machine before heading out, emphasizing the importance of maintenance and planning. After all, mechs don’t repair themselves.

Once the groundwork is laid, it’s time to head into the badlands for high-value bounties. And this is where Bounty Star truly shines.

Outlaws Killed The Bounty Star

The mech combat is accessible, avoiding the overwhelming complexity of other simulators for a more straightforward approach. Whether opting for melee strikes or ranged shots, intuitive controls make it easy to engage, though reckless strategies come with harsh consequences, as I learned after charging in guns blazing, only to get torn apart and forced to restart.

“A methodical approach is key,” according to DINOGOD Founder and Creative Director Benjamin Ruiz, who guided me throughout my playthrough. Most encounters mix heavy mech battles with ranged human enemies that require careful, calculated takedowns. Tactical positioning and prioritization are critical, especially with limited healing resources.

Fortunately, your mech can be repaired mid-combat, adding a strategic wrinkle to each mission. But healing isn’t infinite, and aggression without thinking things through can quickly backfire.

I completed my first run in roughly ten minutes, then dove into a second attempt with fresh knowledge. Even armed with awareness and repair capabilities, I failed again, reinforcing that slow and steady is the ideal way to hunt in Bounty Star.

Despite the setbacks, I’m eager to explore more of what the full release offers when it launches later this year. Bounty Star is shaping into an intriguing blend of frontier grit and mechanized warfare.

Bounty Star is coming soon on PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC.