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GF Rating
9
Excellent
Redeeming its name by improving the Game!!
posted by sTuaart99 (OLYMPIA, WA) Jun 30, 2009
Member since Feb 2009
113 out of 134 gamers (84%) found this review helpful
Lets get down to business: The first call of Juarez was nothing special. It had a cool style, but not enough replay value or entertaining gameplay to back it up. Which is why i am proud to say that Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood, is much, much better than the first. It retains its compelling style from the first, gets a worthy multiplayer component, adds new cool ideas into the gameplay, and gives itself a full Next-Gen makeover. To summarize: This is the REAL Call of Juarez. This is the way it was meant to be played.
Premise: You and your brother go on a quest in the wild west (no pun intended) and, well, you shoot a bunch of corrupt cowboys. The story is around average, but it pulls you along with some cool set pieces and fights that make the story worth paying attention to
Gameplay: Call of Juarez's version of bullet time returns, and while that is still there, you can also paint your target with your guns and then unleash a flurry of caps. Thats how it do. Put these elements alongside some explosive gameplay, varied environments, and some basic yet clever objectives and you have some gameplay that'll keep you entertained for months to come.
Presentation: COJ's Graphics are simply amazing. They're definately next-gen, and while they aren't the greatest on the planet, They beat Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway's graphics by a mile. The sound effects and score also pull you along for the ride in the game. Now, the one nit-picky thing of the game: glitches. When tons of enemies are onscreen, you'll inevitably get some slowdown, and in multiplayer, you may get a lag-tastic day every once in a while. For such a game that needs to redeem its name, this doesn't help it in any way.
The Final Verdict: Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is amazing. It redeems its name by giving you exciting gameplay, enticing you with great sounds and effects, and giving you a solid multiplayer component. While it's infected with glitches and lag, its also infected with awesomeness. A 9/10
Premise: You and your brother go on a quest in the wild west (no pun intended) and, well, you shoot a bunch of corrupt cowboys. The story is around average, but it pulls you along with some cool set pieces and fights that make the story worth paying attention to
Gameplay: Call of Juarez's version of bullet time returns, and while that is still there, you can also paint your target with your guns and then unleash a flurry of caps. Thats how it do. Put these elements alongside some explosive gameplay, varied environments, and some basic yet clever objectives and you have some gameplay that'll keep you entertained for months to come.
Presentation: COJ's Graphics are simply amazing. They're definately next-gen, and while they aren't the greatest on the planet, They beat Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway's graphics by a mile. The sound effects and score also pull you along for the ride in the game. Now, the one nit-picky thing of the game: glitches. When tons of enemies are onscreen, you'll inevitably get some slowdown, and in multiplayer, you may get a lag-tastic day every once in a while. For such a game that needs to redeem its name, this doesn't help it in any way.
The Final Verdict: Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is amazing. It redeems its name by giving you exciting gameplay, enticing you with great sounds and effects, and giving you a solid multiplayer component. While it's infected with glitches and lag, its also infected with awesomeness. A 9/10
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GF Rating
8
Very Good
Great story, great acting, good game.
posted by Broon43 (NAPLES, FL) Jul 21, 2009
Member since May 2009
22 out of 26 gamers (85%) found this review helpful
Going in, I thought this game would be a lot like "Gun," but this is a linear FPS game, so it's a bit different. Plus, you have the choice to play two different characters throughout the game, which adds a lot more replayability to this title.
I really enjoyed the story, the cutscenes, including the black and white cartoon stills during loads between chapters, which was a very nice touch that is rarely seen in games. It moves the story along while you're waiting to play the next level.
There is a learning curve to the controls, but nothing difficult, and actually easy to use after the first few chapters.
Ammo was plentiful throughout the game, and the variety in weapons and upgrades was perfect as you progress throughout the story. A few breaks in the main story to do some side jobs and earn some extra cash (and achievements, too) was a welcome addition to this game.
The biggest problem that I have with the gameplay of this title is when you have to do a "SHOWDOWN" against a major enemy. The idea is great, but the overall design of these scenes is entirely frustrating. I think they could've done a better job with making these crucial parts of the game more playable than they are. I found myself having to replay these parts a minimum of 6 or 7 times before being successful. Fortunately, someone at Ubisoft knew to make the start of each Showdown a checkpoint, so the turnaround for retry was quick. Still, one of the most frustrating things I've ever encountered in any game on any system.
Overall, I really enjoyed this game. The landscapes are fantastic, and the graphics are stunning, especially on Chapter 12 in the river, where you can see the riverbottom turn to murky, then rocky, then clear, and so on - wow. Beautiful.
Overall:
Story - 10
Replay - 9
Gameplay - 6 (would be higher if not for the Showdowns)
Graphics - 8
Surround - 8.5
Dialogue - 10
I really enjoyed the story, the cutscenes, including the black and white cartoon stills during loads between chapters, which was a very nice touch that is rarely seen in games. It moves the story along while you're waiting to play the next level.
There is a learning curve to the controls, but nothing difficult, and actually easy to use after the first few chapters.
Ammo was plentiful throughout the game, and the variety in weapons and upgrades was perfect as you progress throughout the story. A few breaks in the main story to do some side jobs and earn some extra cash (and achievements, too) was a welcome addition to this game.
The biggest problem that I have with the gameplay of this title is when you have to do a "SHOWDOWN" against a major enemy. The idea is great, but the overall design of these scenes is entirely frustrating. I think they could've done a better job with making these crucial parts of the game more playable than they are. I found myself having to replay these parts a minimum of 6 or 7 times before being successful. Fortunately, someone at Ubisoft knew to make the start of each Showdown a checkpoint, so the turnaround for retry was quick. Still, one of the most frustrating things I've ever encountered in any game on any system.
Overall, I really enjoyed this game. The landscapes are fantastic, and the graphics are stunning, especially on Chapter 12 in the river, where you can see the riverbottom turn to murky, then rocky, then clear, and so on - wow. Beautiful.
Overall:
Story - 10
Replay - 9
Gameplay - 6 (would be higher if not for the Showdowns)
Graphics - 8
Surround - 8.5
Dialogue - 10
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GF Rating
8
Very Good
It's great to play as the Reverend Ray (again)
posted by y2mckay (MENLO PARK, CA) Aug 13, 2009
Member since Mar 2003
7 out of 8 gamers (88%) found this review helpful
Well, he's not a reverend yet, since this is a prequel. However, fans of the first Call of Juarez will be happy to know that Ray is back (with the same voice actor) and in full form. While Bound In Blood has most of the same gameplay mechanics (including Ray's double-pistol "concentration" mode), it boasts signifcantly improved graphics, a more involved storyline, a richer cast of characters, and plenty of amusing dialogue between Ray and his brother Thomas (also a playable character with his own set of unique abilties).
One new feature to the game is the occasional "sandbox" chapter where you're set loose in a large area and given free reign (literally) to mount a horse and explore at your whim, finding out of the way secrets and treasure, as well as the occasional random encounter. Each of these sandbox levels also has 3 "bounty" quests, where you can grab a wanted poster from the gun store and ride out to hunt down outlaws, hostile indians, etc.
The old west theme means you'll have a limited array of weapons (although you do get to pick up a gatling gun every now and again), but the graphics and environments are gorgeous, especially the flowing water effects in all of the rivers you come across (the scenery is only occasionally marred by some texture pop-in).
My complaints about the game are that you often feel too rushed through most of the levels, missing out on finding secrets and loot. If you stray too far exploring, you'll end up getting a fail and have to restart from checkpoint. Also, the quick draw duel mini-games can be extremely frustrating at first unitl you get the hang of it (then they're easy for a while, then they get frustratingly hard again on the final bosses). It really takes a while to get the feel and timing down. I don't remember it being that difficult in the last CoJ game.
Flaws aside, the game offers a fun romp through the old west and a solid 10-12 hour single player campaign (didn't try multiplayer). Good to have Ray back!
One new feature to the game is the occasional "sandbox" chapter where you're set loose in a large area and given free reign (literally) to mount a horse and explore at your whim, finding out of the way secrets and treasure, as well as the occasional random encounter. Each of these sandbox levels also has 3 "bounty" quests, where you can grab a wanted poster from the gun store and ride out to hunt down outlaws, hostile indians, etc.
The old west theme means you'll have a limited array of weapons (although you do get to pick up a gatling gun every now and again), but the graphics and environments are gorgeous, especially the flowing water effects in all of the rivers you come across (the scenery is only occasionally marred by some texture pop-in).
My complaints about the game are that you often feel too rushed through most of the levels, missing out on finding secrets and loot. If you stray too far exploring, you'll end up getting a fail and have to restart from checkpoint. Also, the quick draw duel mini-games can be extremely frustrating at first unitl you get the hang of it (then they're easy for a while, then they get frustratingly hard again on the final bosses). It really takes a while to get the feel and timing down. I don't remember it being that difficult in the last CoJ game.
Flaws aside, the game offers a fun romp through the old west and a solid 10-12 hour single player campaign (didn't try multiplayer). Good to have Ray back!
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