Two years
ago when I reviewed the first Call of Juarez game on the Xbox 360, I was
pleasantly surprised by this western first-person shooter. It was a blast laying
out good old-fashioned shotgun justice as Reverend Ray but the experience was
far from perfect and its flaws held it back from being a true old west
experience. Now we answer the call again with Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood
for the Xbox 360. Dust off your hat and make sure your six-shooter is loaded
because there will be blood and you’ll love it.
Bound in
Blood spins an
interesting and action-packed yarn about a trio of brothers called the McCalls
as they go from soldiers to wanted criminals to the seekers of a legendary
treasure that killed many a man that went in search of it. Two brothers in
particular stand out as the stars of this story. You see, you can play as Ray
(in his early days) and Thomas McCall who were Confederate soldiers when word
spread that the Union army was already at the doorstep of their homestead. The
only thing that truly counts for these brothers is family and they soon find
themselves deserting to aid their neighbors and protect their Ma and their
younger brother who happens to be a preacher.
In the early
levels, you can select either brother during different portions of a level and
we experience a part of the Civil War through their eyes as they desert their
post to protect their home. When all is said and done, however, the two brothers
find themselves wanted for desertion. We then follow the brothers as they head
for Juarez, Mexico in search of the famous treasure that was cursed during
Coronado’s greedy quest for gold. Many men have heeded the call and died but
this doesn’t bother the brothers that have become more violent to the point that
both Thomas and Ray fight over everything including women. When a young Mexican
beauty that comes between them, things really get ugly between the two
brothers.
Bound in
Blood fixes a few
of the issues and gripes I had with the first game, which is great news and the
switching between characters makes for a pleasant variety. Ray, for instance,
favors using dual guns, is a far more efficient gunslinger and loves to use
dynamite. Thomas, on the other hand, is an expert at throwing knives (good for
stealth moments) and he can make good use of a lasso for when he wants to reach
higher areas.
No matter
which brother you pick, you’ll have a good assortment of weapons at your
disposal that includes shotguns, various pistols and revolvers and even better
rifles. Sure, you can pick up weapons your dead opponents drop but you can also
stop into a store and purchase them with the money you find throughout the game.
You’ll also have secondary weapons such as sticks of dynamite and lanterns.
Switching between them is easy so you can go from one pistol to shooting two at
the same time quickly.
Dueling is
also back and it has improved greatly to the point that it’s not only a visceral
experience but also an intensely nerve-wracking one as well. In other words,
it’s done right. You can circle your opponent during a duel and using the right
analog stick you can move your gunslinger’s hand close to your gun until a bell
tolls and it’s time to draw.
Thankfully,
the controls are still just as good as it was the first time around with the
original Call of Juarez. Concentration Mode is back and both brothers can rack
up enough kills that can trigger Concentration Mode that slows time down enough
that you can aim your pistols (or pistols) at various enemies before pushing the
lead in real-time.
The AI has
improved greatly as well with your brother skilled enough to actually lend you a
hand during fights. The enemy isn’t as dumb as the first game either and will
use cover just as well as you, although a few of them still run out in front of
you. At least they don’t run behind explosive barrels as often as they did like
in the original. Some of them are even good shots so this isn’t really the type
of first-person shooter where you can run and gun your way through a level and
get away with it.
Surprisingly, the levels offer enough variety to keep each level from feeling
like the same thing over and over again. At one point you’ll be riding horses
and shooting your way out of a jam and in another you’ll be shooting a town
filled with enemies on a stagecoach. Some of the levels will have you working
with your brother either acting as a distraction or being the distraction.
You’ll be back in the mines again … only this time there’s a Gatling gun
attached to said cart. There’s even a river rafting level.
Unfortunately, there are a few problems along the way that are too hard to
ignore. There’s framerate issues that pop up often thanks to the auto save game
feature that kicks in during checkpoints. It becomes really annoying when you’re
in the middle of a gun battle or when you’re aiming a rifle. The game is also
considerably short to the point. Thankfully, the game includes online
multiplayer with up to five game modes, various maps and thirteen character
classes (now including a sniper). One mode in particular stands out and that’s
Wild West Legends which includes scenarios based on real old west events such as
the OK Corral and Pat Garret’s manhunt for Billy the Kid. It’s great stuff,
indeed.
Visually,
Bound in Blood sports some attractive graphics with plenty of excellent
visual effects. The cut scenes and character models do look great, although
their clothing takes on a plastic sheen that looks unnatural. It’s still an
eyesore to see bodies blink out of existence. At least the game does the setting
just right. The game also has a spectacular soundtrack that brings to mind some
great westerns from the big screen. Top that off with a great voice acting cast
and detailed sound effects and you have a game that does sound right.
Call of
Juarez: Bound in Blood
for the Xbox 360 is an
improved and exciting western-themed shooter with enough grit to make this a
better game than the first. While there are a few problems that hold it back,
there’s more than enough good to outshine the bad and the ugly. This is a must
for anyone looking for a good old west first-person shooter.
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Gameplay: 8.0
Ray and Thomas
McCall are two brothers you won’t forget anytime soon as they shoot their way
through a number of levels filled with plenty of action. The story is actually
very interesting and enjoyable thanks to great characters but it’s the
shootouts, duels and variety that will keep you playing.
Graphics: 8.5
At times the
visuals can be gorgeous and at times it can seem a bit on the ordinary side.
Still, it’s hard to ignore the detailed backdrops that are true to the era and
the amazing cut scenes. I just wish the bodies didn’t have to disappear like
that.
Sound:
8.5
The voice acting
is top notch and so is the dialogue that feels like you’re watching a good
western. Add a cinematic soundtrack and some detailed sound effects (dogs
barking in the distance, etc.) and you get a game that looks and sounds great.
Difficulty: Medium
The enemies
aren’t dumb and can take cover as well as shoot with the best of them. Sometimes
you’ll be overwhelmed by the number of enemies or fail the mission objectives.
Concept: 8.0
There are plenty
of extras and promised Extra Missions to download soon via Xbox Live. The online
multiplayer mode really rocks and it’s great to play as either Ray or Thomas.
Multiplayer: 8.5
Up to 12 players
can compete or team up with each another online or through a System Link
connection. There are plenty of character classes such as Rifleman, Gunslinger,
Trapper, Scout and even a Spy. The five game modes are equally good with an
objective-based mode being among the best.
Overall: 8.0
When it comes
down to it, Bound in Blood is not only an improvement but also a fun
shooter with a lot to offer. Although the game does suffer from a few problems,
what really stand out are the great story, bullet-fueled action and excellent
multiplayer mode. This is definitely a shooter you’ll want to check out.
