Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood

America’s North vs. South Civil War is the backdrop for this Call of Duty style first-person action thriller on high-end consoles and PC.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 is expected to become the fastest-selling game of all time; faster even than Grand Theft Auto IV. Why? We think the name says it all: Modern warfare! Guns that cause unholy amounts of damage, artillery that’ll obliterate a tank. Helicopters, missile launchers… in Modern Warfare you have the pick of the greatest weapons that only ridiculous sums of money can buy.

The reason we’re dwelling on this is because, as historic battles go, the American Civil War is a curious starting point for a first-person-shooter experience. Standard-issue guns all the way up to placement speciality weapons and vehicles were crude. Pistols went crack and explosives basically bang as opposed to an assault rifle with its deafening roar and missile strikes hailing BABOOOM.

The original Call of Juarez didn’t take itself so seriously. Instead it paid gleeful if not comic-book homage to the Spaghetti Western, as will Rockstar Games’ Read Dead Redemption. Everybody likes cowboys, right? This sequel begins with more earnest to bring us closer to lead protagonists Ray and Thomas McCall. Effectively a tutorial, you’re unfortunately introduced to the game’s shortcomings before settling into the Wild West theme in which ‘greed, lust and lawlessness’ add more colour.

We first encounter the brothers in uniform, shooting at Blue Bellied Yanks and broadly following sensible orders. However when they realise their family is at stake the war becomes personal and professionalism goes crashing out the window. Although you’re firing cannons at rafts laden with Union soldiers and tossing sticks of explosive from the trenches, this isn’t quite what you signed up for; not as soldiers nor as a gamer.

When the game finally does return to its roots of dusty leather chaps, bullet belts and scruffy beards it’s a huge relief. Having learned how to rapid-fire by keeping your finger on the trigger and flicking the hammer (Thomas) and developed a sense of the most opportune moments to slow time and target multiple enemies (Ray) you’ll feel like more of a gunslinger with a vengeance. The story flits between the two brothers to vary the action slightly between long-range bombast and close-range requiring a more tactical approach. An almost constant banter between the lads helps provide hints while carrying the story. If you’re still not sure what’s going on there’s always a nice helpful star for you to follow.

The iconic Wild West setting is handled maturely and with imagination by the Ubisoft development team Techland who forged the original COJ (2006). In between shoot-outs in dusty streets and alleyways you’ll also get involved in fights from horseback and proving your mettle in classic duels. Gatling guns mix things up providing some proper firepower in short bursts, random objects can be picked up and used as projectiles, making saloon brawls more of an event. It’s all tightly scripted, however, with not much reward for hanging around after the dust has settled.

There’s no co-op mode, which seems odd considering the strong emphasis on brotherly love here. The only way to enjoy proceedings with your pals is to engage in a Wild West deathmatch, amusing bank heist themed team battles, or invite the most bounty on your head by killing without being killed.

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood feels rough around the edges in most respects, with a clunky cover system and enemies that exhibit more stupidity than a belly full of moonshine. But we think anyone looking for a Western shoot out against lush, detailed backdrops will certainly get their money’s worth.

3 out of 5