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Call Of Juarez: Bound In Blood

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.
80%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
stability, grinding
83% User Score Based on 3,394 reviews
Critic Score 77%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

Playstation 3Xbox 360Xbox Series X|SPCXbox OneXboxUplayWindowsPlayStation

About

"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.

Call Of Juarez: Bound In Blood screenshot
Call Of Juarez: Bound In Blood screenshot
Call Of Juarez: Bound In Blood screenshot
Call Of Juarez: Bound In Blood screenshot
Call Of Juarez: Bound In Blood screenshot
Call Of Juarez: Bound In Blood screenshot
Call Of Juarez: Bound In Blood screenshot
Call Of Juarez: Bound In Blood screenshot
Call Of Juarez: Bound In Blood screenshot
Call Of Juarez: Bound In Blood screenshot
Call Of Juarez: Bound In Blood screenshot
+13
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83%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,394 reviews
story882 positive mentions
stability40 negative mentions

  • Engaging story with strong character dynamics between the McCall brothers, exploring themes of loyalty, greed, and betrayal.
  • Improved gunplay mechanics and satisfying shooting experience, with the ability to choose between two characters, each offering unique gameplay styles.
  • Visually appealing for its time, with well-designed environments that capture the essence of the Wild West.
  • Linear gameplay with little room for exploration, often forcing players to follow scripted paths.
  • Frustrating duel mechanics that can feel unresponsive and detract from the overall experience.
  • Outdated graphics and audio quality that may not hold up to modern standards, leading to a less immersive experience.
  • story
    2,191 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" is a gripping prequel that follows the McCall brothers, Ray and Thomas, as they navigate themes of loyalty, greed, and betrayal during the American Civil War and their quest for treasure. While the narrative is engaging and features strong character development, it often treads familiar territory and suffers from linearity, limiting player agency. Overall, the game is praised for its immersive storytelling and emotional depth, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the western genre.

    • “While it struggles with linearity and dated visuals, its heart lies in the story of the McCall brothers—a tale of loyalty, greed, and betrayal that’s worth a ride for fans of the Wild West.”
    • “The story is well-written and continuously keeps the player engaged with the characters’ choices, leading to a satisfying, albeit tragic, conclusion filled with consequences.”
    • “Bound in Blood tells the story of the McCall brothers and it covers some familiar ground.”
    • “The story is mediocre.”
    • “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.'”
    • “The story itself is a whole mess of family drama, and you'll almost need a chart to keep track of it all.”
  • gameplay
    1,031 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of "Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" is characterized by satisfying gunplay and a variety of mechanics, including a unique cover system and the ability to switch between two protagonists, each with distinct abilities. While many players appreciate the engaging shooting mechanics and cinematic moments, criticisms arise regarding the poorly implemented dueling system and some clunky controls, which can detract from the overall experience. Despite its dated graphics and occasional repetitiveness, the game is generally seen as a solid improvement over its predecessor, offering a fun and immersive western shooter experience.

    • “Gunfights hit different as the guns feel so satisfying, and the duel mechanic adds an exciting layer to the gameplay.”
    • “Developed by Techland, the game excels with engaging gameplay, an emotionally charged story, and an authentic atmosphere that makes players feel like part of an epic western adventure.”
    • “The dual-wielding mechanic adds an extra layer of strategy to the gunfights, making each encounter a test of reflexes and tactics.”
    • “The gameplay of this game feels so horrible compared to what I remember, but the storyline itself isn't that bad. I would only recommend it if you can deal with bad controls.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics
    635 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" are generally regarded as a significant improvement over its predecessor, showcasing vibrant environments and a distinct wild west aesthetic that captures the game's setting well. However, many reviewers note that while the visuals were impressive for a 2009 release, they have not aged well, with some textures appearing outdated and certain graphical glitches present. Overall, the game is praised for its artistic design and immersive atmosphere, though it may not meet the expectations of players accustomed to modern graphics standards.

    • “The environments are vibrant and varied, ranging from desolate villages to majestic landscapes, and the design team did an impressive job capturing the aesthetic and atmosphere of the wild west.”
    • “While the game doesn’t feature ultra-realistic graphics, it does present detailed textures and fluid animations, with an artistic design that effectively conveys the wild west atmosphere.”
    • “The graphics are surprisingly beautiful for their time and the voice acting is done well.”
    • “People around my age, like middle age and senior, might be able to cope with the graphics, and it sure has aged like milk: it looked amazing in 2009, but now?”
    • “The shooting is clunky at best, and the graphics - even for a game over a decade old - are ugly as sin.”
    • “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.”
  • music
    198 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" has received generally positive feedback, with many reviewers praising its ability to capture the western atmosphere through twangy guitar melodies and intense battle scores. The soundtrack effectively enhances the game's narrative, providing a fitting backdrop for both action-packed shootouts and quieter exploration moments. While some critics noted that the music can be repetitive or generic at times, the overall composition and integration into the gameplay were highlighted as strong points, contributing to an immersive experience.

    • “The soundtrack, which blends epic themes with more melancholic tones, creates the ideal atmosphere for each moment in the story, whether during a tense shootout or a quieter exploration scene.”
    • “Beautiful scenery and perfect soundtrack highlights the western lore so well.”
    • “Amazing soundtrack and fits so well with the wild west setting.”
    • “Audio: this is probably the worst component of the game, the music is fine, but sounds, voices, and ambiance are horrible.”
    • “The music is bad.”
    • “Even the music sounds out of place; it's all bombastic generic brass sections and choirs chanting almost unhearable phrases, just like every other video game soundtrack.”
  • atmosphere
    108 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game successfully captures the essence of the old west, featuring a rich and immersive atmosphere that ranges from dusty towns to lush landscapes. Players appreciate the vibrant environments, engaging characters, and a dynamic soundtrack that enhances the overall experience, making them feel part of an epic western adventure. Despite some minor flaws, the atmospheric design and cinematic elements contribute to a compelling and authentic portrayal of the wild west.

    • “Developed by Techland, the game excels with engaging gameplay, an emotionally charged story, and an authentic atmosphere that makes players feel like part of an epic western adventure.”
    • “The environments are vibrant and varied, ranging from desolate villages to majestic landscapes, and the design team did an impressive job capturing the aesthetic and atmosphere of the wild west.”
    • “The soundtrack, which blends epic themes with more melancholic tones, creates the ideal atmosphere for each moment in the story, whether during a tense shootout or a quieter exploration scene.”
    • “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 that 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.”
    • “Objectively, it's a smooth playing game and a pretty good step in for FPS fans who care more about action than about exploration, atmosphere, or plot.”
  • replayability
    90 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game offers moderate replayability primarily due to the option to play as two distinct characters, each with unique abilities and paths, which can enhance the experience. However, many players feel that the overall story and level design do not significantly encourage multiple playthroughs, leading to mixed opinions on its replay value. While some appreciate the variety and customization options, others find the game relatively short and lacking in substantial replay incentives.

    • “Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood offers a good amount of replayability, with side missions and a variety of weapons and combat styles to experiment with.”
    • “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.”
    • “A great prequel to the first Call of Juarez which greatly improves the shooting and level diversity with two different characters to play through for almost each mission, adding tons of replayability.”
    • “Pay no more than 4.99 USD for this, as the game is ~6 hours long and the replay value isn't quite there.”
    • “After finishing the game, there's very little that adds to replay value, not even the option of choosing between the brothers in chapters.”
    • “4/10 - it is playable, but unless you are a die-hard old-west fan, it's quite forgettable and has no replay value.”
  • emotional
    60 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    "Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" is praised for its emotionally charged narrative that explores themes of loyalty, greed, and family through the complex relationship between the McCall brothers. Players report being deeply moved by the story's twists and emotional depth, particularly in its climactic moments, which evoke strong reactions such as tears and gasps. The game's immersive atmosphere and character dynamics enhance the emotional experience, making it resonate with players on a personal level.

    • “The game alternates between the perspectives of these two characters, providing a full view of the events, culminating in an emotionally charged series of betrayals, redemptions, and dramatic decisions.”
    • “And it had, by the end of the game, one of the most emotional and tear-jerking things I've ever experienced in games.”
    • “The emotional gut punch of him saying why he is who he is, actually got me to cry.”
    • “Laughable voice acting, boring story, boring gunplay.”
    • “Solid gameplay, boring story.”
  • humor
    54 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying the witty banter between characters, particularly Ray and Thomas, and finding the over-the-top scenarios and voice acting amusing. Collectible scrolls provide funny commentary, and many moments are described as laugh-out-loud funny, contributing to an overall entertaining experience. However, some players noted repetitive lines and instances of poorly executed humor, which detracted slightly from the comedic enjoyment.

    • “Every level has a set of collectible scrolls hidden around; these unlock cool artwork and funny commentary from the protagonists.”
    • “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.”
    • “Everything in this game is hilariously over the top.”
  • stability
    48 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game's stability has improved compared to its predecessor, with many players reporting a smoother experience on modern systems and minimal crashes. However, some users still encounter occasional glitches, particularly in character animations and graphical issues, especially on certain hardware configurations. While the game runs well for most, a few bugs and performance inconsistencies remain, particularly with specific mechanics and settings.

    • “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.”
  • optimization
    42 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, "Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" demonstrates solid optimization for its release period, delivering a stable frame rate and impressive visuals on capable systems. While most players report smooth performance, some experience minor issues such as crashes, stuttering, and graphical glitches, particularly on certain operating systems. The game is generally better optimized for console controls, which may detract from the experience for keyboard and mouse users.

    • “In terms of performance, 'Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood' shines, especially for its release period.”
    • “Techland managed to balance visual complexity with good performance, ensuring a stable and smooth frame rate.”
    • “The game still offers a decent story for 7 hours, with memorable characters, solid visuals, and amazing performance!”
    • “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.”
  • character development
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in "Bound in Blood" receives mixed reviews, with many praising the transformation of Ray McCall from a killer to a preacher and the depth added to supporting characters, particularly the brothers. However, some critics note that certain parts of the story, especially the first two acts, lack significant character growth, leading to a somewhat shallow experience overall. Despite these criticisms, the overall consensus highlights commendable character arcs and engaging storytelling.

    • “I am not a religious person, but Ray McCall's character development is one of the best you could ask for given his attitude.”
    • “The story as a whole had some great twists and solid character development, especially regarding 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, who used to be a jerk and a killer but turned into a preacher, while also bringing his two brothers, who were barely mentioned in the original, a lot of personality. It's commendable.”
    • “Character development is somewhat shallow.”
    • “The first two acts, for instance, are rather dull and don't show much character development.”
    • “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.”
  • grinding
    18 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players frequently describe the grinding aspect of the game as tedious and repetitive, with many noting that it can lead to boredom and frustration. The gameplay often feels slow, particularly during drawn-out duels and mini-games that disrupt the flow, making the experience feel more like a chore than an engaging challenge. While some appreciate the emotional depth of the story, the excessive grinding detracts from overall enjoyment.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “That said, certain parts of the game feel slow and tedious, and it can drag at times, leaving you a bit bored.”
    • “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 faecal 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.”
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8h Median play time
7h Average play time
8h Main story
12h Completionist
7-8h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs
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