Review: Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (PS3)

Westerns are a bit like Bond films; they are full of clichés, and yet you'd be disappointed to see one that wasn't. Every so often, a Western comes along that refreshes the formula, but underneath this fresh lick of paint are the same old set pieces and characters. A Western just wouldn't be a Western without saloon fights, high-noon showdowns, train robberies, Native Americans, and cattle rustlers. Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood feels like an homage to every Western ever made, and each chapter seems to be a tick-box exercise in cramming in as many scenes as possible. You've got a quick-draw shoot-out, a stage-coach getaway, a jail break-out, and a Mexican stand-off. You visit goldmines, South American villages, mountain trails, and dusty towns complete with tumble weed blowing across the streets. The soundtrack is full of Spanish guitars and trumpets, and if you're a fan of the Wild West, you may not be able to contain your excitement.

This comprehensive approach, however, leads to a fairly disjointed game. The story that runs through the game is weak, and involves a love triangle that ultimately brings about a most heinous family feud. Bound in Blood is a prequel to the first Call of Juarez, and its mundane story may be of some interest to those who have played it, but it's a slow and dull tale for those who haven't. You follow three brothers, whose home has been torn apart by the Civil War. The two eldest are outlawed after deserting the army, and the miserable and whiny younger brother (who appears to be inspired by the priest in the film There Will Be Blood) tags along, and is unfortunately the game's narrator.

The older brothers are the game's protagonists, and you get the choice to play as either one for the majority of the chapters. Each has their own strengths and weaknesses, and although not wildly different, their unique skills mean that there's a variety in the paths that the levels can take. Ray is stronger and good for close combat, whereas Thomas is stealthy and ideal for shooting from afar. Ray carries dynamite to open up new areas, and Thomas utilises a lasso to reach high places. Being able to go back and play each level as a different brother, combined with a multitude of secrets to find and unlock, means there's a good replay incentive. It's just a shame that, like the story, playing each level isn't particularly gripping.

The levels are very formulaic, and each one feels the same (kill boss's posse, find boss, challenge boss to a showdown, escape). Although a couple of the levels take on a semi-sandbox feel, where you can choose from a limited selection of side quests, there's little variety in the AI enemies or objectives, and so each chapter begins to feel like the last. The concentration mode from Call of Juarez returns, enabling you to quickly pick-off groups of enemies, but there's not enough variety in the weapons, and the fiddly selection system means that you will more than likely stick to using just one. The cover system means that dying should be a rarity, unless you are unable to get out of the way from a stick of dynamite thrown at you, get trapped by an hidden part of the scenery, or you are beaten in the frustrating quick-draw duels. All of these events happen fairly frequently, and winning the showdowns can take many infuriating attempts. It's strange that during a gunfight that they're obviously winning, Ray and Thomas accept the option of a duel, when they could probably just blast the gang leader from across the street with their Winchesters. That's how the West was apparently won, however, and there is a sliver of satisfaction when you eventually see your opponent crumple in a heap in slow-motion.

Bound in Blood begins promisingly, with the first two levels introducing you to the two playable characters, but soon becomes monotonous. The various changes in setting are welcome, and in fact the backdrops are at times breathtaking, but what lies beneath the glorious mountain skyline and deep canyons is not as impressive. The graphics are a highlight of Bound in Blood, and save for a few dodgy moments in the cut-scenes, the standard is very high. During the side quest levels, you get to explore your surroundings in more detail, and galloping around the desert on your horse is fun. During the chapters there are regular checkpoints, so the game is ideal for those who want to grab a few minutes game-time when they can. The levels are long, and the single player story will keep you occupied for many hours (and that’s without replaying the levels as a different brother or collecting all secrets). The disjointed story is echoed during the chapters, however, with long freezes when checkpoints are reached, breaking the flow of the game.

Solid is the best way to describe Bound in Blood; it's not a particularly bad game, but it offers nothing new. This is carried over to the online multiplayer, which is entertaining enough, but lacks the depth and polish of other First Person Shooters available. It's a good distraction from the single player campaign, and with unlockable characters and weapon upgrades there is a good deal of longevity. Gamestyle likes the bounty scoring system, which rewards players for dispatching those who have a higher kill-count, and each map is well thought out. There are five different game modes, including the return of the Wanted Man game from the first Call of Juarez, and the Western homage continues with the Legendary mode, which recreates some of the more memorable moments in Wild West history.

Bound in Blood is certainly an improvement on the first Call of Juarez. Its impressive visuals and smooth gameplay are let down by repetitive levels and an uninspiring story, however, and the online multiplayer just isn’t good enough to compensate. The Western twist is the only real reason to buy Bound in Blood over other First Person Shooters out there, and the aspects of the game that are done well, others, unfortunately, do them better.

Rating: 6 / 10

Words by Chris Thornton