Cert: 16+
Platform: Xbox 360
Genre: Third Person Shooter
It's always refreshing to see a shooter that doesn't involve marines or aliens. Call of Juarez 2: Bound in Blood follows the McCall brothers prior to the events of the first game and takes place in 1864, around the time of the American Civil War.
The game will be instantly familiar to anyone who has played the recent Call of Duty offerings, thanks to the way it handles checkpoints, mission briefings and triggered events. However, the game is far more than a generic shooter that happens to be set in the 19th century.
Call of Juarez 2 looks great and the locations are immersive. One standout moment sees you creep through a burning corn field and attacking Confederate soldiers, while another has you blowing up a steamship.
You can also play through the inspired campaign as either brother; each have their own strengths and weaknesses. Thomas is best for creeping up on enemies while Ray is a great for taking a shotgun and blasting your way through a crowd. You can also enter a concentration mode which allows you to tag and quick draw on multiple enemies, just like John Wayne.
The multiplayer is also fairly well thought out. There's a couple of original modes, such as bounty hunter, and an addictive ranking system which should hold most gamers' attention long after they complete the relatively short single-player campaign. It's just a shame the developers decided not to include co-op.
Rent or Buy: Buy
Graphics: 4/5
Game Play: 4/5
Replay Value: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
Reviewed By: Bryan Collins
