Developer - Techland
Publisher - Ubisoft

Features:

Players: 1
System Link: 2-12
4 MB to Save Game
HDTV 720p/1080i/1080p
Online Multiplayer 2-12
Leaderboards

When Call of Juarez arrived on the Xbox 360 in 2007 many praised the game for its storyline and slick visuals; however, many also criticized the game for its performance issues and some lacklustre character modelling. Just over two years later a prequel arrives, aptly titled Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood, with little to no fanfare or hoopla. Let’s face it; we haven’t seen many ‘western spaghetti’ type games on the Xbox 360 of late, so whenever one comes along it usually manages to grab my attention but Bound in Blood slipped under my radar. When it arrived on my desk I was very curious to see what this prequel to the original had to offer. Well after some extended time with the game I have to say I am impressed and fans longing for a gritty western shooter can breathe a sigh of relief. That being said, there are some nagging issues that may annoy some gamers.

Graphics

Overall the visuals in Bound in Blood are very good as the game does a wonderful job creating not only a terrific Wild West feel but it also captivates some of the chaos of the American Civil War. The characters are nicely designed and feature a very life-like level of detail. If anything is certain it is that they are much better looking this time around and their movements/animations are much improved. The maps and level designs are also impressive. From the lush green forest areas to the old western towns, Bound in Blood's environments really enhances the gameplay experience and creates a visually stunning atmosphere at times. Unfortunately there is some negative to be found here. You do come across the occasional clipping issue as well as some screen tearing now and then. This was most noticeable when hiding up close behind a box or crate when all the sudden my weapon would morph into the box. It is not a major concern but more of a noticeable glitch. Otherwise, the game runs very smoothly with only a hint of slowdown when things get a little too crazy on the screen. I should also note that the graphics do not take a hit in the online arena as game features some stunning looking environments here too. All in all, Bound in Blood is a good looking game.

Sound

As far as the audio is concerned, Bound in Blood is good but nothing incredibly innovative or jaw dropping. For starters, the music is very repetitive and typical of any of the spaghetti western games already on the market. It is not that the music is bad but I just found it forgettable and sometimes out of place which never left me with any lasting impression. Then again we have been spoiled so much with so many awesome soundtracks lately it comes as no surprise Bound in Blood left me underwhelmed. The voice work on the other hand is bang-on and features some gritty performances. Just like the first instalment, the characters are believable and they manage to enhance the experience. The two main characters (Ray and Thomas) really compliment one another and the story telling is suburb. Even in those times when the gameplay seems to suffer, the story telling keeps you playing for hours on end. My only issue with the voice work is that sometimes it was out of sync with the movements of the characters lips. Again, not a big issue but just something I picked up. As for the other in-game sound effects are concerned, Bound in Blood is solid. Ubisoft games are seemingly always strong in the weapons sound department and this game is no exception. Everything from the cannons, the pistols, the shotguns to the rifles, all sound as they should as Bound in Blood features some authentic sounding weapons which truly pack a punch.

Gameplay

Bound in Blood tells the story of Ray and Thomas McCall who are two brothers who have absconded from the Confederate Army in an effort to save their families land from the unruly Union Soldiers. Unfortunately, the boys arrive on the scene too late as the soldiers have decimated their land, cattle, and prized farms. This motivates them to head west and seek the "treasures" they need to rebuild their family home. Going Unlawfully at Large from the Army however has also added a twist to the storyline as the brothers former commander is hot on their heels and vows to hunt them down. As the brother’s head west, shooting up anything in their path, they unleash a chain of events that eventually leads them to the legendary gold of Juarez and the hopes of re-building their family home.

The storyline is much more complex then I just described; however it does give you the basic premise of the game. At times you will wonder "who the heck are these guys?" and "what does this have anything to do with anything?", but rest assured it all comes together nicely towards the end of the game. Bound in Blood is narrated by William, the youngest of the McCall's, and this fictional character does a nice job explaining the story as he has a knack for hooking you into the storyline. All in all, the story works and provides a nice back drop to the endless amount of run and gun action in the game. It also helps explain some of the events which occurred in the original too which will be a treat to fans of the franchise.

Before each chapter in the single player experience you have the option of choosing to play as either Ray or Thomas. Each brother has their own style and it really depends on what you like. Ray is more of a ‘loose cannon’ who prefers a close combat and going out with a bang. He is more proficient with short range weapons and has the ability to use dynamite to blow things up. Ray is also more resistant to damage as he is the stronger of the two brothers. Thomas on the otherhand is the more level headed one and has more of a long-range combat style. He is proficient with a rifle and is more accurate with long range shots. He is also the stealthier of the brothers, which allows him to sneak up and silently eliminate his opponents. Unfortunately we do not get enough of the stealth-like sequences so this skill seems to be put to waste. In terms of personal preference, more often than not I chose to raise hell and used Ray for the majority of the missions. Choosing one brother over the other can affect some minor gameplay elements, however at the end of the day it really does not matter which player you use. With this in mind there is no need to worry about choosing Ray or Thomas whether you are headed into mountainous terrain or straight into a good old fashioned gun fight.

Much of the game involves watching some cut scenes or art stills and blowing away the enemy. To say that you will be shooting a lot of enemies is truly an understatement. It can be repetitive, and it is overkill at times, but it can also be highly enjoyable. That being said, I wish there was a little bit more variety in terms of the enemies. Fighting the same type of enemy over and over gets old in a hurry. Additionally, often the enemies are not the sharpest nails in the box either. Far too often they stand in one place as you blast them away or they mindlessly leap right into the middle of a gunfight. Nevertheless, there is some variety to the gameplay as you engage in gun duels, blast through towns on a horse and carriage, and launch cannons towards oncoming rafts full of your foes. These elements can be enjoyable but quite often you run into some technical nuisances. For instance, gun duals are not so much about how quick you can draw your weapon but it is more about the positioning of the camera so you get a clear view as well being able to manage the finicky red target. Much of these sequences involve trial and error; and when pulled off it is enjoyable. Unfortunately, the game could have used some more time in the shop with some areas and the gun duals are just one of them.

As far as the multiplayer component of the game is concerned, I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Although there are only seven maps out of the box, the size and scope of the maps is very good, not to mention that they ran smoothly and the look top notch. I would even venture to say that the multiplayer maps are almost Call of Duty: World at War quality (yep, I said that!). I expected the multiplayer component to be merely an afterthought or cheap add-on, but there is very good value in the online play. There are several modes available too. I spent the bulk of my time in the team deathmatch mode; however the objective based games are equally entertaining. There is also a slick little upgrade system to the online play. With each kill you earn cash and that cash is used to upgrade your character class. It is a great little system and with 13 different classes there is plenty to keep you playing for hours on end.