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.

81%Game Brain Score

story, gameplay

stability, grinding

83% User Score Based on 1,862 reviews

Critic Score 77%Based on 6 reviews

Platforms

Buy Nowfrom $6.01

Buy NowGet on Steam $9.99 Buy NowGet on Xbox Games Store

About

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a single player and multiplayer open world shooter game with fantasy and historical themes. It was developed by Techland and was released on July 2, 2009. It received mostly positive reviews from critics and positive reviews from players.

"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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood screenshot

Skip User Reviews

83%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,862 reviews

story484 positive mentions

stability19 negative mentions

Engaging story that explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption among the McCall brothers.
Improved gameplay mechanics and gunplay compared to the first game, with satisfying shooting and a variety of weapons.
Visually appealing for its time, with well-crafted environments and a strong soundtrack that enhances the Western atmosphere.

The duel mechanics are frustrating and poorly implemented, often leading to repeated failures.
Some characters are unlikable and the story can feel predictable, especially for those familiar with the first game.
The game suffers from technical issues such as low field of view and occasional bugs that can disrupt gameplay.

story
1,198 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
55%
5%
The story of "Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its engaging narrative centered around the McCall brothers during the American Civil War. While some find the plot somewhat predictable and cliché, it effectively explores themes of family, greed, and betrayal, often evoking strong emotional responses. The dual-protagonist mechanic allows players to experience the story from different perspectives, adding depth to the overall experience, though some critiques mention that the story can feel linear and occasionally lacks nuance.
- “The story is phenomenal, a tale of a family whose ties are tested by war, women, and greed.”
- “Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood features a deep and emotional story set during the American Civil War, focusing on the McCall brothers, Ray and Thomas, and their moral conflicts regarding loyalty, greed, and family.”
- “The story wraps up nicely without exploring topics of the first game in needless details.”
- “The story is horrible.”
- “The story felt a bit all over the place, but it was still nice to learn what happened before the first game.”
- “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.'”
gameplay
564 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
59%
10%
The gameplay of "Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" is characterized by its engaging mechanics, allowing players to switch between two brothers, each with unique abilities that influence playstyle. While the shooting mechanics and cover system are generally well-received, some players find the dueling mechanics frustrating and the gameplay loop can become repetitive. Overall, the game offers a mix of fun gunplay and cinematic moments, though it shows signs of age with some clunky controls and dated graphics.
- “Great dynamic between brothers and gameplay for each is quite different.”
- “The gameplay retains the series' trademark gun-slinging action while introducing subtle refinements that keep things fresh.”
- “The dual-wielding mechanic adds an extra layer of strategy to the gunfights, making each encounter a test of reflexes and tactics.”
- “The gameplay is very subpar, even for its time.”
- “The gameplay loop consisting mostly of riding and/or walking somewhere, then shooting at enemies, then having a duel, then moving on, becomes quite repetitive by the middle of the game.”
- “The dueling mechanics is gimmicky, and some people will find that annoying.”
graphics
320 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
38%
54%
8%
The graphics of "Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" are generally regarded as impressive for a game released in 2009, showcasing strong art direction and dynamic lighting that enhance the atmosphere of the Wild West. While some textures and animations show their age, many players find the visuals still hold up well, particularly in vibrant environments and key moments, making it a visually appealing experience despite not being photorealistic. Overall, the game is praised for its graphical improvements over its predecessor, contributing to an immersive gameplay experience.
- “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.”
- “The graphics are dated, but are improved over the first game in the series.”
- “The graphics and cutscenes could easily pass for an early to mid-2010s shooter, and the voice acting is rather perfect for what it is.”
- “The graphics are hit and miss; some parts of the game hold up very well, whilst others, like parts of the terrain, have poor textures.”
music
103 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
46%
5%
The music in "Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" has received widespread praise for its ability to enhance the game's western atmosphere, featuring a blend of twangy guitars, rhythmic percussion, and cinematic elements that complement both action and exploration. Composed by Paweł Błaszczak, the soundtrack is noted for its variety and quality, with many reviewers highlighting its effectiveness in creating an immersive experience, despite some opinions suggesting it can be repetitive at times. Overall, the music is considered a significant improvement over the original game, contributing to the game's engaging storytelling and emotional depth.
- “The music, composed by Paweł Błaszczak, perfectly complements the game’s western setting, blending twangy guitars, rhythmic percussion, and cinematic swells.”
- “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.”
- “Amazing soundtrack that fits so well with the wild west setting.”
- “Voice acting is solid, but the music has taken a steep dive compared to the original.”
- “The music is pleasant but not memorable.”
- “The music is bad.”
atmosphere
58 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
57%
38%
5%
The atmosphere of "Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" is widely praised for its authentic and gritty representation of the Wild West, enhanced by engaging storytelling, varied environments, and a fitting soundtrack. Players appreciate the game's ability to immerse them in a cinematic experience filled with intense gunfights and exploration, although some note that repetitive dialogue can detract from the overall atmosphere. Overall, the game successfully captures the essence of a western adventure, making it a compelling choice for fans of the genre.
- “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.”
- “Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a western FPS adventure with an insanely gripping atmosphere and a great set of two main characters with solid writing.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
replayability
46 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
56%
7%
The game offers a moderate level of replayability primarily through the option to play as two distinct characters, each with unique abilities and paths, which adds variety to combat and mission approaches. However, many players note that the overall level design remains similar regardless of the character chosen, limiting the extent of replay value. While some enjoy the different playstyles and side missions, others feel that the game lacks significant incentives for multiple playthroughs.
- “Gunplay is responsive, the old west atmosphere is gritty and authentic, and the choice between brothers gives a satisfying layer of replayability.”
- “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.”
- “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.”
- “The ability to switch between the brothers doesn't add a whole lot of replayability, but it does add another aspect of creativity and customization to the game, as you will likely become accustomed to one of them over the other.”
- “After finishing the game, there's very little that adds to replay value, not even the option of choosing between the brothers in chapters.”
- “The game does have some replayability, letting you play as both Thomas and Ray, but I will not be replaying everything just for that.”
emotional
35 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
94%
6%
The emotional aspect of "Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" is highly praised, with many players noting its deep narrative and character development that evoke strong feelings, including tears. The dynamic between the McCall brothers, their moral conflicts, and the impactful storytelling create a rich emotional experience that resonates with players, making it stand out among other shooters of its time. Overall, the game successfully balances intense action with heartfelt moments, leaving a lasting emotional impression.
- “The narrative is stronger than most shooters of its time, with voice acting and character development that bring emotional weight to what could have been a standard treasure hunt.”
- “The chemistry between Ray and Thomas feels genuine, and their arguments, banter, and moral disagreements serve as the emotional core of the game.”
- “It strikes a fine balance between cinematic action and personal storytelling, creating an experience that’s both adrenaline-pumping and emotionally resonant.”
- “Laughable voice acting, boring story, boring gunplay.”
- “Solid gameplay, boring story.”
humor
28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is described as a mix of hilarious character banter, over-the-top scenarios, and amusing voice acting, particularly from the protagonists Ray and Thomas. While the game features a fulfilling story with some clichés, it balances serious moments with comedic elements, making it enjoyable and often laugh-out-loud funny. Players appreciate the humor's integration into gameplay, such as quirky mechanics and collectible commentary, contributing to an overall entertaining experience.
- “He's frankly hilarious in how naive he sounds, and they have to constantly remind him that if they stop, they die.”
- “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.”
optimization
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
30%
48%
22%
Overall, the optimization of "Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood" is generally praised for its improved performance and stable frame rates, especially compared to its predecessor. However, some players report issues such as stuttering during gameplay, particularly when aiming, and occasional crashes. While the game runs smoothly on high-end systems, there are notable performance concerns on certain setups, particularly with controller versus keyboard/mouse controls and graphical glitches.
- “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.”
- “Almost all the flaws from the first game are gone here; 'Bound in Blood' runs smoothly, has beautiful graphics, great atmosphere and soundtrack, and an epic finale that will probably make you shed a small manly tear.”
- “Feels like there's some shaking or stuttering, especially when aiming in diagonal directions.”
- “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!”
stability
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
4%
83%
Overall, the game's stability is a mixed bag; while some players report a smooth experience with no crashes on modern systems, others encounter various bugs and glitches, particularly related to graphics and mechanics. The sequel shows improvement over its predecessor, but issues persist, especially for users on certain Windows versions. Despite these problems, many players still find the game enjoyable and playable.
- “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 is 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.”
character development
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
25%
25%
Character development in the game is generally praised for its emotional depth and strong narrative, particularly through the transformation of characters like Ray McCall, who evolves from a violent past to a more redemptive role. While some characters receive commendable development, others, such as Thomas, are noted as lacking depth, leading to a mixed overall impression. The game's stylized depiction of the old west and engaging cinematics further enhance the character arcs, making it stand out in the shooter genre.
- “The narrative is stronger than most shooters of its time, with voice acting and character development that bring emotional weight to what could have been a standard treasure hunt.”
- “Its depiction of the old west is stylized yet rooted in human drama, and its commitment to character development sets it apart from the more generic entries in the genre.”
- “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.”
- “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, who 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
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
10%
80%
Reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is often seen as tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that it disrupts the flow and enjoyment of the experience. While some appreciate the emotional depth of the story, the excessive grinding and repetitive gameplay mechanics, particularly in duels and mini-games, detract from the overall enjoyment, making it feel like a chore at times.
- “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, 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.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization aspect of the game is not directly addressed in the review, but it highlights a significant gameplay flaw related to cover mechanics, which can detract from the overall experience. Players may find themselves frustrated with the controls, suggesting that the game's monetization strategy could be impacted by user dissatisfaction with gameplay elements.

Skip Critic Reviews

77%Critics’ scoreBased on 6 critic reviews

Skip Game Offers

Buy Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood

8h Median play time

179h Average play time

8h Main story

12h Completionist

8-15h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

Skip Videos

Videos

Skip Games Like Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood

76%1.8kreviews

Call of Juarez

2007

Open World Shooter

87%17.6kreviews

Call of Juarez Gunslinger

2013

Arcade Shooter

83%32.6kreviews

Wolfenstein: The New Order

2014

Shooter

+13

79%4.8kreviews

F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin

2009

Shooter

55%1.8kreviews

Lost Planet 3

2013

Open World Shooter

More games like Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood

Skip FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a open world shooter game with fantasy and historical themes.

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, Xbox One, Windows and others.

The main story can be completed in around 8 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 12 hours to finish. On average players spend around 179 hours playing Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood.

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood was released on July 2, 2009.

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood was developed by Techland.

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood has received mostly positive reviews from players and mostly positive reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a single player game with multiplayer support.

Similar games include Call of Juarez, Call of Juarez Gunslinger, Wolfenstein: The New Order, F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, Lost Planet 3 and others.

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood

Platforms