Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,463 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood Game Cover
Call of Juarez is the pinnacle of story telling in first person shooter games and one that you will remember for a long time to come.
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"Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" is a first-person shooter game set in the American West during the late 19th century. Players control the McCall brothers, outlaws seeking to save their family farm while being pursued by the law and rival bandits. The game features fast-paced gunplay, horseback riding, and environmental destruction, with a heavy emphasis on multiplayer modes.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Uplay
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,463 reviews
story375 positive mentions
stability17 negative mentions
  • Engaging story that explores the relationship between the McCall brothers and their descent into outlaw life.
  • Improved gameplay mechanics, including a more satisfying gunplay and a unique cover system.
  • The ability to choose between two characters, Ray and Thomas, each with distinct abilities, adds variety to the gameplay.
  • The dueling mechanic is frustrating and poorly implemented, often leading to repeated failures.
  • The game suffers from a low field of view and some graphical issues, including upside-down cutscenes for some players.
  • The linear level design can feel restrictive, limiting exploration and making the game feel like a series of scripted events.
  • story946 mentions

    The story of "Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" serves as a prequel to the original game, exploring the complex relationships between the McCall brothers amidst themes of loyalty, betrayal, and ambition during the American Civil War. While some players found the narrative predictable and clichéd, many praised its emotional depth, engaging character dynamics, and well-executed twists, making it a compelling experience for fans of the western genre. Overall, the storytelling is considered a significant improvement over its predecessor, with a mix of action and character-driven plot that keeps players invested throughout the campaign.

    • “The story begins in 1864 with the two brothers: Ray and Thomas McCall fighting in the American Civil War.”
    • “Bound in Blood tells the story of the McCall brothers and it covers some familiar ground.”
    • “The story is a surprising highlight; a classic story of greed, lust, and redemption.”
    • “The story is forgettable unless you've played the first game, but still even then there isn't really anything special holding everything together into a coherent plot other than 'gold' and 'family.'”
    • “Storywise, the game is not only awful, but damages the franchise which is unforgivable.”
    • “The story itself is a whole mess of family drama, and you'll almost need a chart to keep track of it all.”
  • gameplay432 mentions

    The gameplay of "Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its improved gun mechanics, cover system, and the ability to choose between two characters, each with unique abilities. However, the dueling mechanics are widely criticized as poorly implemented and frustrating, detracting from the overall experience. While the game offers enjoyable shooting and action, it suffers from some dated mechanics and repetitiveness, making it a step up from its predecessor but still not without flaws.

    • “The gameplay retains the series' trademark gun-slinging action while introducing subtle refinements that keep things fresh.”
    • “The gameplay is a huge step up from the original Call of Juarez and has aged a lot better than that game.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics are more fleshed out, the duels are more intense, a cover system is present, and the shooting is fun.”
    • “I wanted to like this game so much, but the dueling mechanic is so bad that I genuinely couldn't continue past the duel against Rattler.”
    • “For every five minutes of actual gameplay, you spend an hour repeating the same ten-second duel over and over again because the mechanics of the dueling mini-game are either broken or so poorly designed as to effectively be broken.”
    • “The gameplay is riddled with all sorts of random cheap kills and bugs from AI.”
  • graphics261 mentions

    The graphics of "Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" are generally regarded as a significant improvement over its predecessor, showcasing decent visuals for a game released in 2009. While some players appreciate the art style and atmospheric environments, others note that the graphics can appear dated and occasionally suffer from glitches. Overall, the game is praised for its beautiful set pieces and character models, though it may not meet the standards of more modern titles.

    • “The graphics look fantastic for a game of its age, and the voice acting is done well.”
    • “The graphics are surprisingly beautiful for their time, and the visuals are a major improvement over the first game.”
    • “The graphics and gameplay hold up well, and it runs great on deck.”
    • “The shooting is clunky at best, and the graphics - even for a game over a decade old - are ugly as sin.”
    • “Voice acting is also awful to the point I laughed at some one-liners, animations are awful and the graphics are ugly even for a game made in 2009.”
    • “The graphics look worse than the first game when played on DirectX 10; not only that, the whole game lost its charm. Details like the blood gushing out or the bullets hitting the enemy or the amazing sound of the slow motion (concentration mode) are all gone.”
  • music76 mentions

    The music in the game effectively captures the wild west atmosphere, featuring a dynamic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, particularly during duels and intense moments. While many reviews praise the orchestral and rock-infused compositions as engaging and fitting, some critiques mention that certain tracks can feel repetitive or generic. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong aspect of the game, contributing significantly to its immersive storytelling and ambiance.

    • “The music captures the wild west theme beautifully, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the game.”
    • “The soundtrack really fits the atmosphere of the game and is engaging whether you're in combat or just riding on a horse looking around the scenery.”
    • “Almost all the flaws from the first game are gone here; Bound in Blood runs smoothly, has beautiful graphics, great atmosphere, and a soundtrack that keeps you in tension for the whole game.”
    • “Audio: this is probably the worst component of the game; the music is fine, but the sounds, voices, and ambiance are horrible.”
    • “In Bound in Blood, the music you'll remember isn't just one annoying track; you at least get a few unmemorable but passable knock-offs of spaghetti western scores.”
    • “The music is bad.”
  • atmosphere43 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its rich detail, dynamic soundtrack, and evocative settings that successfully capture the essence of the wild west. Players appreciate the cinematic elements, character interactions, and the immersive environments that encourage exploration, although some repetitive dialogue detracts from the overall experience. Overall, the game is recognized as a standout in creating a compelling western atmosphere, reminiscent of classic western films.

    • “The atmosphere built during those gunfights really helps carry a feeling of adventure as you follow three brothers as they desert the army and become outlaws.”
    • “The soundtrack really fits the atmosphere of the game and is really engaging whether you're in combat or just riding on a horse looking around the scenery.”
    • “I really like this game at the time it came out and I still do because of the western atmosphere, the strong love-hate dialogues between Ray and Thomas, and the ability to switch between characters while exploring various environments like crowded villages, dusty ghost towns, dry deserts, and colorful woods.”
    • “Unfortunately, some of that atmosphere is ruined by the banter between the brothers since they end up repeating the same combat dialogue multiple times throughout the game.”
    • “Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a game that tries to recreate the atmosphere of a western movie within an FPS game, and while it succeeds in more places than any game I have ever seen attempt this, it still falls short in the end.”
    • “The game is a prequel to the first Call of Juarez and, while the story isn't all that great, the atmosphere is really evocative of that period, also thanks to a great soundtrack.”
  • replayability36 mentions

    Overall, the game offers a moderate level of replayability primarily due to the option to play as two different characters, each with unique abilities and paths that enhance the experience. While some players found the character choice and varied gameplay mechanics to provide enough incentive for multiple playthroughs, others noted that the lack of significant differences in level design and story outcomes limited the overall replay value. Despite mixed opinions, many agree that the game is enjoyable enough to warrant at least one additional playthrough.

    • “The game overall is really good, the gameplay is fun and the choice between the two characters with different abilities really gives the game more replayability.”
    • “This essentially doubles the replay value, as certain level paths and objectives will depend on which character you're playing as, though I would say that the differences between both are significant enough to justify playing the game twice.”
    • “The story took me 9 hours to complete, and it appears to have a fair degree of replayability due to the variety of locations, the number of hidden secrets, and the fact that most of the levels can be played as either of the two main characters, who have their own combat styles as well as differing paths/objectives in certain story locations.”
    • “Pay no more than $4.99 for this, as the game is ~6 hours long and the replay value isn't quite there.”
    • “After finishing the game, there are very few elements that add to replay value, not even the option of choosing between the brothers in chapters.”
    • “Pretty short and has no replay value.”
  • humor24 mentions

    The humor in the game is widely appreciated, with players enjoying the character banter, over-the-top scenarios, and amusing voice acting. Many found the comedic elements, such as collectible scrolls with funny commentary and absurd gameplay mechanics, to enhance the overall experience. While some critiques mention repetitive lines and generic story elements, the humor consistently adds a fun and engaging layer to the gameplay.

    • “Every level has a set of collectible scrolls hidden around; these unlock cool artwork and funny commentary from the protagonists.”
    • “Everything in this game is hilariously over the top.”
    • “Had a blast playing this game, Ray is so funny I couldn't stop laughing at his lines, especially the chapter when you're up on the cliffs going down the elevator.”
  • emotional23 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" is highly praised, with many players noting its powerful storytelling and deep character relationships, particularly the bond between the three brothers. The game is described as an exhilarating journey that evokes strong feelings, culminating in tear-jerking moments and impactful twists that resonate with players, making it a memorable experience. Despite some criticisms of gameplay mechanics, the emotional narrative stands out as a highlight, often compared favorably to classic Western films.

    • “Really wholesome and shows the bond of three brothers being tested by the trials of life.”
    • “The emotional gut punch of him saying why he is who he is actually got me to cry.”
    • “This game would also make an amazing film, with a story that twists and turns, pulls on all the emotional strings and gets you on the edge of your seat.”
    • “The voice acting is laughable, and the story fails to engage emotionally.”
    • “Despite solid gameplay, the story lacks any emotional depth.”
  • stability21 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while many players report smooth performance and no crashes on modern systems, others encounter various graphical glitches and bugs, particularly on Windows 8 and 10. Some users have noted that certain mechanics can be problematic, but overall, the game is considered a significant improvement over its predecessor in terms of stability. Despite occasional issues, many players find the experience enjoyable and manageable.

    • “The game itself runs great without problems on modern systems like Windows 10, and I encountered zero crashes during the whole playthrough.”
    • “Surprisingly, for a 2009 game, it runs great on modern hardware.”
    • “The game is also optimized very well, so no glitches are found throughout the game.”
    • “Unfortunately, its mechanics are a bit wonky and it's too buggy on modern PCs.”
    • “What a bloody buggy mess this game is!”
    • “There are some graphical glitches and performance issues; for some reason, if you are running Windows 8 or above, the game does weirdly play upside down.”
  • optimization16 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has seen improvements compared to its predecessor, with many players reporting smooth performance and solid visuals on high-end systems. However, some users experienced issues such as crashes, stuttering, and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end setups or specific operating systems. While the game offers an engaging story and atmosphere, it still suffers from clunky controls and a low field-of-view that detracts from the experience.

    • “The game still offers a decent story for 7 hours, with memorable characters, solid visuals, and amazing performance!”
    • “I found performance to be good and keyboard-mouse controls intuitive most of the time (which is saying something really).”
    • “Almost all the flaws from the first game are gone here, Bound in Blood runs smoothly, has beautiful graphics, great atmosphere and soundtrack, cool plot that will keep you in tension for the whole game, epic finale that will probably make you shed a small manly tear, and two badass characters to play.”
    • “This is a great game when I played it for Xbox 360, but I'm having stuttering issues with the intro and the menu says press any key and the key won't register.”
    • “There are some graphical glitches and performance issues; for some reason, if you are running Windows 8 or above, the game does weirdly play upside down.”
    • “I'm really shocked; if they can make this an actual game, Techland should stick with linear-based shooters and not open world non-optimized pieces of filth diarrhea!”
  • character development8 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players appreciate the depth and transformation of characters like Ray, others find it somewhat shallow, particularly in the early acts. The cinematics and character designs receive praise, but the overall execution of character arcs varies, with some characters feeling underdeveloped.

    • “The story as a whole had some great twists and solid character development, short perhaps one of the brothers: Thomas.”
    • “Everything is tied to the original plot so well, it also gives a lot of character development to its characters, like Ray, how he used to be a jerk and a killer and turned to a preacher, while also bringing characters like his two brothers who were barely mentioned in the original a lot of personality; it's commendable.”
    • “The storyline is interesting, the character development is very well done.”
    • “Character development is somewhat shallow.”
    • “The first two acts, for instance, are rather dull and don't show much character development.”
    • “Better character development.”
  • grinding7 mentions

    Players express frustration with the grinding aspect of the game, noting that it often disrupts the flow and enjoyment due to repetitive gameplay and tedious duels that feel overly similar. While some appreciate the emotional story and improved graphics, many find the grinding elements to be a significant drawback, making the experience feel long and monotonous. Overall, the consensus is that the game could benefit from reducing the grind to enhance player engagement.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “But there is just so much choice taken away from the player in terms of actions and approaches and level design for so many chapters of the game too, and then to put the rancid cherry on the fecal sundae, virtually every chapter grinds to a halt for a tooth-grindingly frustrating, game-flow destroying duel.”
    • “Gameplay is repetitive and boring, and the showdowns that conclude every level feel exactly the same, each as broken and tedious as the last.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

77% average critic score

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Play time

8hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
8hMain story
12hCompletionist
7-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 5 analyzed playthroughs

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