Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood (2009)

While this was fun, it wasn't as groundbreaking as the first game or as inventive with its mechanics. So, I personally liked the first game more. Bound in Blood still has a unique charm and some fun exploratory concepts. However, this game feels like wading through a shallow miniature golf-course of levels at times Call oF Duty-style. It has a 'hide behind cover to get your health back full after like 3 seconds'
Like the first, you can play as two different characters in this sequel as well (all the characters are different and there isn't really any connection in story to the first game other than the titular 'Call of Juarez' legend and treasure.

The shooting in this is pretty solid and maybe a bit better but the variation in guns is still a little lacking and i like the same weapons that i did in the first (quick shooters + lever-action) I also found myself only wanting to play the character who dual wields and has bullet time. (other dude has a whip and a bow and arrows, kinda lame)


Rays bullet-time ability is pretty OP. You can basically tag everyone around you and go into a Fallout 3 VATS-like sequence. It's a little different than the first game, but still similiar.

Story is mediocre and I didn't get into it as much as the first but there are some rather good and imagination action sequences that have you shooting off of horseback as you are pursued, a civil war battlefield, and being tossed down the rapids, and more scripted action sequences and whatnot.

I still dont like that 'draw' minigame. But its less annoying in this one. Overall good looking game it reminded me a bit of Oblivion due to lighting effects and flare/glare maybe.
Sometimes the finish of your gun will reflect (particuarly if its a higher grade weapon) Oh your weapons dont degrade... you basically buy them at pawn shops in levels. Tier 3 (or four?) weapons tend to have better stats. But this effectively railroads you into deciding early on what you want to save up for and well, if you replace it you wasted your investment.

I really liked Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood. It was a great improvement from the previous game and the western cowboy theme is spot on. The mechanics, graphics, sound and voice acting was revolutionary for me at the time and overall, this is just a great piece of gaming history.

For starters, this game has a great story that really sucks you in and let you bond with the two main characters, the McCall brothers. Because, (in my opinion), this is one of those games in which the story is the best/main focus of the game, I will not spoil it.

The mechanics in Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood work great. You can choose to play as Thomas or Ray in almost every stage, giving you new advantages and challenges each time you play. Besides the standard, excellent gunplay and a good function cover system, you can ride horses, achieve headshots on enemies to earn “concentration points”, which you can then use to active slow motion, giving you time to tag up 12 enemies and then enjoy the show as Ray empties both his revolvers in mere seconds, killing all tagged enemies.

Both Ray and Thomas each have different abilities and advantages/disadvantages. Ray is much stronger and beefier, allowing him to kick down doors and take more damage. He is also slower and cannot jump that high. Thomas is much more agile and can use some hillbilly weapons like throwing knives, bows and lasso’s. Trying both brothers in the campaign can be fun and the outcome of play can be different each time.

Graphicly, I think this game looks amazing. The detail in the desert wastelands, the effects of TNT explosions, the polished, accurate weapons of the time period, it was stunning for me back then when I first booted it up.

What makes this game shine however, are the sound effects. Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is one of those examples in which the sound is near perfect. For me, this really enhances the overall experience. The sounds from firing a rifle or revolver provides your ears with feedback and solid, sharp bangs, making you really feel the shots you just fired. The voice acting is excellent and environmental sounds are also great. In terms of sound, this game would get a 10 out of 10.

I really liked the duels in this game. Normally, you could compare this to some pointless quick time event, like many other games, but here, it was actually intense and I really needed to focus and react quick. The bell rings, the slow motion kicks in, and my hand is shaking the mouse into the right direction with all my fury and tenseness in order to be the first to fire the gun.

The only problem, which still surprises me to this day, is that Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood does not feature any co-op. This is THE game to feature it, one player as Thomas and one as Ray. But for some reason, this was not implemented into the game, Such a shame if you ask me. It would have been great.

Another small issue is the stupid AI. Most of the time, enemies just walk somewhere, sit in a ducking stance or behind a barrel, and just wait for you to put a bullet in their heads.

Overall, I think Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a fine piece of work. It tells a great story while offering an intense combat experience.

Definitely recommend this game.

This game might have one of the weakest (by personality wise) and the most retarted female character in the whole gaming history. Maybe not the whole gaming but you'll understand what i mean if you played the game.

Marissa. You're only reason CoJ:BiB can't get 5 stars from me.

Graphics are really good for a 2009 game. Story is ok. Much better than the first game. Gameplay, it's good to play both different characters.

Ray is the man. Thomas is a meeeh. Main villain is so shallow.

Overall. Very enjoyable.

I have a huge soft spot for the original Call Of Juarez. Despite some clunky stealth sequences and terrible fistfights it was a fun FPS with an impressive attention to detail. I loved climbing a mountain to retrieve a single Eagle's feather, and shouting passages from the bible while gunning down outlaws.

This prequel streamlines the original. Removes everything that didn't work, but unfortunately lacks those weird little touches that made it so memorable. Despite this, it is clearly the better game. Better shooting, story and characters (though Marisa is cringeworthy and one-dimensional - really piss-poor female representation). I haven't finished it yet, but so far is has been really addictive and fun.

I haven't played Red Dead Redemption. I usually get bored with Rockstar's games, though everything about RDR appeals to me, so I should give it a chance. The world needs more western games. Other then Red Dead, what is there? Call Of Juarez, Gun and... and... seriously, please help me. If you can think of any worth playing let me know.