Game Review: Call of Juarez - Bound in Blood

Your hand slowly creeps toward your pistol. Staring into your opponent’s eyes as you wait for what may be the last bell chime you will ever hear. Oh yes folks. I’m talking about a good old fashion Wild West showdown. This is just one of the many exciting elements in the new video game Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood. If you are a fan of westerns, who enjoys first person shooters, this is the game for you. This is the sequel to the original entitled Call of Juarez. I played the original as well, and I can say that the sequel is a better, more refined version of the first game.

As the story of Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood unfolds we find ourselves following three brothers on their search to find the lost gold of Juarez. For the majority of the story missions the player has the option of choosing to play as either Thomas, or his older brother Ray. Each player offers different abilities and skills that the other does not. For example, Thomas is faster, better with a rifle, and can use both a bow and a lasso. Ray is slower but can take more damage. He is better at close range and can wield two pistols at once. Both characters have abilities that allow the player to slow down time after earning a certain amount of kills. This is great for times when you turn the corner, and are suddenly starring down the barrels of six different guns.

The story mode of the game was quite well done. I would say that besides maybe a train robbery, this game gives the player a chance to experience all of the greatest aspects of the old Wild West. For example: shooting Yankee boats with a cannon, mowing down waves of Indians with Gatling guns, shooting enemies while on horseback, on a stage couch, and even from a moving canoe piloted by a rogue apache. There was also free time between missions when you can visit the gunsmith to upgrade your weapons, grab a wanted poster to make some extra doe, or simply jump on your horse and take a ride through the countryside. The scenery and backgrounds are absolutely stunning throughout the entire game.

The multiplayer was also quite enjoyable. As you kill enemies, you take their money (or bounty). As you rack up kills you slowly increase not only your money stash, but also the price on your own head. The most exciting and original type of multiplayer was called Wild West Legends mode. In this game type, teams of up to six compete in real historical situations. For example, one map is called Tombstone. In this map the player is either assigned as an outlaw or a lawman. This is a reenactment that takes place on October 26, 1881 in the town of Tombstone. Players assigned as lawmen are playing as the infamous Earp brothers trying to protect the town. The outlaw’s objective is to take the town by bombing three weapons catches located in different areas. The outlaws only have a certain amount of time to complete their bombings. After one round the players switch sides and go again. I had a lot of fun playing all eight of the historical scenarios online.

I may be biased due to my love of westerns, but I would say that anyone who enjoys games such as Halo and Call of Duty would have a good time with this game. The story mode has a pretty high replay value due to the fact that once you are finished, you still want to play the game again as the other brother. The contrast between the two character’s abilities and story lines keep the game fresh on the second play-through. Add the Very Hard difficulty to the mix, and this game will keep you coming back for more and more.