Rustler (Grand Theft Horse) Key Art
Rustler (Grand Theft Horse) Key Art

Rustler: A Fun, Goofy Medieval GTA – PC Review

I often want a gaming experience where I can tune out and have a good time. I’ve been playing video games for the better part of my life now, and I, occasionally, just want to shoot things or ram into them with all my might. I grew up on games like GTA and Call of Duty, so you can take away a bit of what I find nostalgic and fun. Rustler is very reminiscent of the older style of open-world games where the open world is a mere supplement to your imagination.

In Rustler, you play as Guy, a common thug who can do pretty much anything. If you want to switch your mind off and run around doing whatever you want to do, then Rustler is perfect. You can steal things, beat up to kill whoever you please, and help people if that’s what you want to do. Rustler relies on the fun you can make with it. The only drawback is the length of the main storyline, which is relatively short, depending on how much time you spend fooling around.

Rustler Screenshot
In-game Screenshot

A considerable part of traversing around in Rustler falls on horses. These were incredibly fun, especially when you’re speeding through the medieval world, smashing through debris. Turning felt a little lacklustre, but it barely hindered my overall experience.

There are times in Rustler where the humour doesn’t particularly land. Fortunately, there are also times where it does.”

As someone who loves combat-focused games, Rustler is quite entertaining. Occasionally, you are killed in one shot, which can be a bit disheartening, but overall, the game’s combat aspect is quite appealing. Rustler even features a Wanted Level system reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto and, of course, better than Cyberpunk 2077. The idea of riping down Wanted posters to lower your wanted level is a hilarious aspect that didn’t fall on deaf ears.

The humour falls with the philosophy that if you just keep swinging as hard as possible, Rustler will eventually meet you with a home run. There are times in Rustler where the humour doesn’t particularly land. Fortunately, there are also times where it does. For example, jokes based on other people’s bathroom escapades are something I find a little stale. On the other hand, witty little gags like horse parking spaces, find the round-earthers or just the absurd name “Pimp A Horse” are enough to bring both a smile and a little chuckle.

Rustler Screenshot
In-game Screenshot

“For those who enjoy a goofy, gory, medieval fantasy, Rustler is worth the money.”

Most of the side missions in Rustler are a swing and miss. Usually, I enjoy assassination missions where you must locate your target and kill him. Except for this time, it did get a little tedious as most of the side missions went this way. The missions themselves would also benefit from some voice acting. The muffled sounds are nice, but I would rather not think of Animal Crossing when I play a game about a raunchy medieval bum.

In the end, Rustler is an enjoyable short game for those wanting to get sucked into a world and relax. If the game was longer, I could definitely see myself sinking more hours into it. For those who enjoy a goofy, gory, medieval fantasy, Rustler is worth the money.

Rustler is available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, and PC via Steam.

Disclaimer: Game code provided by the developer for review.

Rustler (Grand Theft Horse) Key Art
Rustler Review
Summary
Rustler is a good game with lots of humour, combat and just medieval fun. While the jokes don't always land and the story doesn't last very long, Rustler is the perfect game for those looking for a fantasy spin on Grand Theft Auto.
Pros
Enjoyable Combat
Funny Humour
Cons
Repetitive Side Missions
Short Narrative
7