Set in the midst of the Civil War, and pitted against the ruthless backdrop of a country torn in two, Call of Juarez is the virtual epitome of the gunslinger movie genre. It’s gift wrapped in bullets and Bound in Blood.
The McCall brothers desert their battalion when they discover that Confederate troops are approaching their farm. Leaving in the face of battle puts then right in the crosshairs of a vindictive general, and he won’t sleep until he has both of them hanging by their necks. After losing their mother to the wrathful general, the McCalls are on the run, leaving a trail of lead-filled bodies behind them.
Most of the game takes place in the absolutely awe-inspiringly beautiful backdrop of Mexico. Every single ray of light bounces of every canyon, crevice and creak, and the wake of gunfire that envelops every town as you enter it is as beautiful to behold as it is pleasing to execute.
Thanks to an auto-aim system, which allows you to target your enemies with relative ease, the task of playing your way through the story of Call of Juarez is a true pleasure. The vast array of weapons at your disposal range from classic 6-shooters, to long barrelled rifles, all the way down to the primitive bow & arrow. Tie that together with the ability to use your Concentration mode to target numerous enemies in a slow-mo fashion, and death and destruction is the order of the day.
The game is a truly excellent recreation of the Wild West made famous in Hollywood movies. Filled with chases on horseback and shootouts in old style saloons, the feeling of being back in 1865 resonates through every dust filled level.
Character choice
At the start of each level, you are able to choose from either one of the McCall brothers, each with their own unique set of skills. For Ray, your main advantage is his efficiency with two pistols, while Thomas’s strength lies in how comfortable he is with long-range weapons.
Apart from that, each one has different tools for different circumstances. Where Ray might use his brute force to kick open a locked door or use his dynamite to clear a path in a mountain side, Thomas prefers the more agile route, and will use his lasso to get up to new heights or use his speed and agility to climb up the sides of buildings.
Duelling
Then there are the duelling challenges. The feeling of standing a mere few feet away from your opponent, trigger finger at the ready, has never been more realistic.
Using the left analogue stick, you have to move your character to constantly have your opponent in your sights. Move a bit too far away, and your opponent will blur out, causing your aim to be off-centre when you draw.
The right analogue stick is where the real beauty lies though. This controls your shooting hand and decides how quickly you can steal the life from your enemy. Moving it will move your hand closer and further away from your sidearm. The trick is to try and hold it close enough to your ol’ Smith & Wesson without touching it prematurely, and as the noon bell sounds, move your right stick all the way left to draw your piece. Then time it as your crosshairs move over your opponent, pressing the shoulder button at exactly the right moment to put your enemy in an early grave.
Fun Factor
This has to be one of the most fun Wild West themed games yet to be released. Every time you enter a town, a shootout ensues, and every time it does, you wonder if it might be your last. You’re constantly challenged, and choosing when to make use of concentration mode soon becomes a matter of life and death. The weapons are varied, the gameplay is fast paced and dynamic and the duelling offers something completely different yet still enjoyable, adding positively to the overall mix.
Visuals
You know those “Oh my Go*” or “Holy Shi*” moments you sometimes get in games, when the visual mastery is simply so immense, that you can’t help but blaspheme in some manner. Well, Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is littered with them, and there will be numerous times when you will be either standing on the side of a cliff looking out over the vast array of canyons or looking your enemy in the eyes…locked in a duel…thinking: “Wow! This looks freaking brilliant!”
Story
Although it may be slightly predictable, what with the whole love triangle, the innocent priest who happens to be your younger brother and you and your older brother’s quest for a hidden Mexican fortune, it rings so true to Western Stories that you’d swear you’re in a dime novel alongside Jesse James and the gang.
It has everything: Vengeful Indians, Vindictive Generals and beautiful ladies that are torn between two brothers. O, and shoot outs at noon…don’t forget A LOT of shootouts at noon!
Sound
The sound in this game is kind of on the fence. At some points in time the musical score will be top class…saloon piano melodies will be playing in the background as you stroll through town, then at other times, there will be some old school rock music playing while you’re locked in a heated shootout.
However, the beautiful sounds that fill the rest of the game make up for this immensely. The sound of cannon fire and Gatling gun ricochets are truly sound top class, and the sound of the hammer of your six-shooter clicking back as you fire round after round is…nothing less than riveting.
Originality
With titles like Gun & Red Dead Revolver around, some might call Bound in Blood unoriginal. However, this game abolishes all of the basics that make up Western games, and showcases the wild west as it is supposed to be…bloody and ruthless. Never has a duel at high noon or a shootout with a bunch of Indians felt this real!
Longevity
The story is kind of short and will probably take you about 8 hours or so to finish. But if you decide to do all the side missions in the game and explore the gorgeous scenery to find all the secrets, you could easily lose another 12 hours in Bound in Blood. If you’re still not impressed and want more, the online mode is one of the most in-depth I’ve ever seen. With 7 different modes to play, ranging from 1 on 1 duels to 12 player Wild West blowouts…this title will keep you glued for a bit more if you allow it to.
Bottom line
Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood, truly is the most realistic and visually appealing representation of the Wild West that has ever been developed for a video game. The world feels so real that at times you would swear you saw a tumbleweed rolls past your door or that a rattlesnake is hiding underneath your bed.
This title from the boys at Ubisoft truly tests your gunslinging abilities, and leaves your moral values in a questionable state. Welcome to the Wild West boys…she is as cold as she is merciless, and unless you leave your sympathy behind, she’ll chew you up and spit you out.
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