Call of Juarez Gunslinger

79%
Game Brain Score Based on 17,566 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Call of Juarez Gunslinger Game Cover
Dont mistake price for quality this is a top-notch shooter, limited in resources but not in heart.
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"Call of Juarez: Gunslinger" is a first-person shooter set in the Wild West. The game features a story-driven campaign with historical figures such as Billy the Kid and Jesse James. Players control a bounty hunter who recounts his adventures, with each level designed as a stylized retelling of his past encounters. The game is known for its challenging gunplay and unique "concentration" mechanic that slows down time.

  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

79%
Audience ScoreBased on 17,566 reviews
story4,757 positive mentions
grinding85 negative mentions
  • story10,047 mentions

    The story of "Call of Juarez: Gunslinger" is presented through the lens of Silas Greaves, an unreliable narrator recounting his adventures in the Wild West to a group of patrons in a saloon. This unique storytelling approach allows the game to dynamically alter environments and scenarios based on Silas's recollections, often leading to humorous and unexpected twists. While the narrative is engaging and filled with historical references, many players note that the overall plot is relatively short, typically taking around 4-6 hours to complete, but is complemented by replayable arcade and duel modes.

    • “A masterpiece of cowboy vengeance, a classic of gaming, beautiful action with a captivating story.”
    • “Really interesting setting, where the story of the game is told in a way you'd never expect, ending with a really good plot twist.”
    • “The storytelling is quirky, as the entire game is based on memories that might not always be correct, and how the game world changes as the story changes, which was brilliantly implemented into this fast-paced western-themed shooting gallery game.”
    • “Game is ok, story wise it's very lazy.”
    • “Instead of an actual plot line, it just makes you do the same mission over and over differently because the story was told 'different'.”
    • “The story is uninspired and it pretty much relies on name-drops.”
  • gameplay4,302 mentions

    The gameplay of *Call of Juarez: Gunslinger* is characterized by its fast-paced, arcade-style shooting mechanics that effectively blend action with a unique narrative approach. Players engage in satisfying gunplay, utilizing mechanics like bullet time and a "sense of death" to enhance their experience, while the storytelling is woven seamlessly into the gameplay, often changing based on the protagonist's unreliable narration. Although the game is relatively short and some mechanics, particularly the dueling system, can be frustrating, the overall experience is enjoyable and offers good replay value through its arcade and duel modes.

    • “The gameplay is also noteworthy, with a focus on fast-paced action and quick reflexes.”
    • “The game's shooting mechanics are satisfying, and the variety of guns and upgrades available keeps the gameplay fresh.”
    • “The gameplay is fast-paced and satisfying, with tight gunplay mechanics that make you feel like a true gunslinger.”
    • “The duel mechanic is irritating enough to begin with, and inescapable, but when it doesn't matter if you're first because the devs are insistent you play some daft matrix bullet-dodging nonsense, it's time to move on.”
    • “The gameplay itself is immensely repetitive, essentially being a rail shooter (the possibility of controlling the character's movements is anecdotal at best, given how constrained it is) for the vast majority of the game, only to be punctuated by 'duels', which were very obviously designed for a controller.”
    • “The big problem with this game is the dueling mechanic.”
  • graphics2,853 mentions

    The graphics of "Call of Juarez: Gunslinger" are widely praised for their vibrant, cel-shaded art style, reminiscent of the "Borderlands" series, which enhances the game's western aesthetic. Many players appreciate the colorful and detailed environments, noting that the visuals have aged well since its 2013 release, providing a unique and engaging experience. However, some critiques mention that the graphics can occasionally hinder gameplay, making it difficult to spot enemies against the busy backgrounds. Overall, the game's artistic direction and visual presentation contribute significantly to its charm and appeal.

    • “The game's graphics are colorful and vibrant, with detailed environments and character models.”
    • “The art style, guns, gameplay... it's all perfect!?!”
    • “The graphics are fantastic and the story line is most acceptable but the difficulty is too much for me to enjoy this game.”
    • “Unless you're looking at them through a magnifying glass, that graphics boost just isn't noticeable.”
    • “Graphics have not aged well and on more modern machines, the edges of most objects are fuzzy and low-res.”
    • “The visuals could be a little muddy at times though, and it is often hard to make out enemies against the background which can get annoying.”
  • humor936 mentions

    The humor in "Call of Juarez: Gunslinger" is widely praised for its clever and engaging storytelling, often delivered through the unreliable narration of the protagonist, Silas Greaves. Players appreciate the mix of absurdity and wit, with many moments eliciting genuine laughter as the narrative unfolds in a humorous and self-aware manner. The game's comedic elements, combined with its action-packed gameplay, create a fun and entertaining experience that resonates well with fans of the western genre.

    • “The way the story is told is a mix of total bullshit and absolute hilarious recounting from the memory of an old drunk, and the game shifts around in the levels as the story is told.”
    • “The unreliable narration made the story strange, funny, and unpredictable.”
    • “The humor in this game is perfect because it doesn't try too hard to be funny like Saints Row or Borderlands, but all the humor comes from the background commentary of the bar patrons, which all ties in perfectly.”
  • music752 mentions

    The music in "Call of Juarez: Gunslinger" is widely praised for its ability to evoke the classic wild west atmosphere, featuring a mix of catchy soundtracks that include plucky guitars, banjos, and harmonicas. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack's effectiveness in enhancing the game's storytelling and immersion, although some note that it can become repetitive over time. Overall, the music is considered a standout aspect of the game, contributing significantly to the overall experience.

    • “The music is great too, littered with plucky guitars, banjos, and out of tune pianos; the constant gunfire feels like an instrument of its own.”
    • “The art style and soundtrack perfectly capture the essence of the wild west, immersing you in its dusty towns and lawless landscapes.”
    • “The game's soundtrack and sound design further enhance the immersion, creating a truly atmospheric experience.”
    • “The music is nothing noteworthy, but the sound design is excellent.”
    • “The tracks got a bit repetitive, and the music began to sound the same.”
    • “The music in this game gets very bland quick; I mean, hell, it's not inception-good, or even red dead redemption good.”
  • replayability594 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting its high value due to features like New Game Plus, various difficulty levels, and engaging arcade modes that encourage repeated play. However, some reviewers criticize the short campaign length and limited narrative depth, suggesting that while the game offers enjoyable mechanics and challenges, it may not sustain long-term interest for all players. Overall, it is generally considered highly replayable, especially for those who enjoy score-chasing and skill-based gameplay.

    • “However, the game's replay value is high, with multiple difficulty levels and a variety of challenges to complete.”
    • “This game is incredibly replayable, concise, and kick-butt.”
    • “There is also a lot of optional/extra content after you've completed the game which makes this game very replayable.”
    • “The replay value is non-existent; I genuinely cannot see myself ever playing this again.”
    • “The only major issue is that the game lacks heavily in replay value.”
    • “Good game if you like satisfying western combat; the only problem is that it has almost no replay value, so you play it and get like 3.6 hours on it and it just sits in your library for the rest of time, never to be played again.”
  • atmosphere340 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Call of Juarez: Gunslinger" is widely praised for its authentic and immersive depiction of the wild west, enhanced by strong storytelling, engaging narration, and a fitting soundtrack. Players appreciate the game's ability to blend humor and action within a richly detailed environment, making it feel like a classic western film. The combination of solid graphics, dynamic level design, and atmospheric sound design contributes to a captivating experience that keeps players engaged throughout.

    • “The game's soundtrack and sound design further enhance the immersion, creating a truly atmospheric experience.”
    • “The atmosphere and story are where this game shines.”
    • “The atmosphere engulfs you and it's hard to put down.”
    • “I found the cartoony atmosphere after a while detaches you from being absorbed into the gameplay especially combined with the constant narration.”
    • “The previous Call of Juarez in the wild west, Bound in Blood, had slightly better atmosphere though; that is something I had wished for Gunslinger as well.”
    • “Also, this special 'dark' atmosphere of the first two Call of Juarez games is gone here.”
  • optimization170 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising its performance on modern hardware, reporting smooth gameplay and high frame rates, while others have encountered significant stuttering and launch issues, particularly on older systems. Some users noted that minor tweaks could improve performance, but overall, the game is considered well-optimized for a variety of setups, despite some lingering bugs and performance inconsistencies.

    • “The game felt really well optimized and was smooth sailing.”
    • “They optimized the hell out of this game.”
    • “And insanely well optimized, too, it gave 130 fps on gtx1050ti with the highest graphics.”
    • “Terrible optimization!”
    • “It has not yet been optimized for modern machines; try as I might, the game simply won't launch.”
    • “Horrible optimization and is completely unplayable in its current state.”
  • grinding117 mentions

    Overall, players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly in relation to the dueling mechanics and boss battles, which often require multiple attempts to master. While some appreciate the lack of repetitive grinding typical in other RPGs, many express frustration with the combat's repetitiveness and the learning curve associated with dueling. Despite these criticisms, some players note that the game maintains a satisfying narrative progression without excessive grinding.

    • “No grinding, no season pass.”
    • “Skill progression is very well paced and not grindy at all.”
    • “The gameplay is fun, there are skill trees which are fun to unlock, but there is no grinding (it's definitely not skill-driven).”
    • “The boss battles are tedious and pretty dull since it's the same thing on every one, just some are faster than others.”
    • “Nice graphics and story, better duels, no jank but man, the combat is tedious as hell.”
    • “I'm more of a casual gamer, so I found the duels in story mode somewhat tedious and repetitive.”
  • stability72 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with some players reporting a smooth experience with no crashes or major glitches, while others encountered frequent freezes and minor bugs, particularly related to specific gameplay mechanics like ladders and exiting the game. Overall, many users found the game to be more stable than typical AAA titles, though some persistent issues, such as soft-locks and graphical glitches, detracted from the experience for a portion of the player base.

    • “The game feels very polished and bug-free.”
    • “Technically it is done well; the game is running smoothly with no glitches.”
    • “It's a very fun game with little to no glitches or bugs.”
    • “At some points, the game seems polished, but at others, the game will soft-lock (solution for me was killing myself with dynamite over and over until the next checkpoint) and there are some bizarre graphical glitches that I experienced as well.”
    • “Game freezes and unfreezes every 40 seconds, don't waste your money.”
    • “The frame rate seems to be smooth, but I had frequent and random freezes where I would need to ctrl+alt+del to get the game minimized, then maximize it to unfreeze it.”
  • emotional46 mentions

    Players find the game emotionally engaging, with a blend of comedic and heartwarming moments that evoke nostalgia and a strong connection to the characters. The storyline, while sometimes criticized for being simplistic, culminates in a touching conclusion that resonates deeply, making players feel invested in the characters' journeys. Overall, the game successfully immerses players in a vibrant, emotional wild west experience, prompting laughter and tears alike.

    • “At the end of the story, you will feel very attached and emotionally connected to the characters of the story, due to their very human plights.”
    • “I laughed, I cried, and I would do it all over again.”
    • “Just finished Red Dead Redemption 2 and feeling emotionally destroyed like I did, crying in the shower... getting PTSD whenever you hear a cough... but still wanted to play a good ol' western?!”
    • “I didn't like the graphic style and the fact that after more than 1 hour of play, it was only 'run and shoot' with a boring story.”
    • “- boring storyline”
    • “- boring storyline”
  • character development26 mentions

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the intriguing narrative and the depth of certain characters, others feel it lacks depth and is overshadowed by fast-paced action. The character designs are praised for their creativity and style, reminiscent of old west posters, but the overall development is seen as insufficient for those seeking a more immersive story. Additionally, character progression through perk trees adds a layer of development, though it may not satisfy all players looking for a rich narrative experience.

    • “If you want a quality narrative with interesting character development and decent gunplay, it's a great deal.”
    • “Amazing story - I really loved the character development and that you could never really tell if Silas was telling the truth.”
    • “It has an authentic atmosphere, satisfying gunfights, character development through perk trees, and movie-style duels.”
    • “If you're looking for an immersive story-driven western featuring character development and whatnot, you should probably look elsewhere.”
    • “However, all-in-all, it's a fast-paced and fun action-based western, perhaps a tad short, but it isn't layered very well in terms of character development, so it's not a huge deal.”
    • “"No character development!" hit my impromptu table fortress, sending splinters flying into the air.”
  • monetization16 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn mixed reactions, with some players perceiving it as a cash grab reminiscent of other franchises like Call of Duty and Red Dead Redemption. While the presence of ads is noted, some players feel they contribute to a more realistic game environment, despite frustrations with gameplay mechanics and the overall execution of the monetization strategy.

    • “Right trigger shoots, left trigger is ads.”
    • “When I first saw this game on Steam, I thought it was a stupid cash grab from the Call of Duty franchise and Red Dead Redemption.”
    • “The ads don't do this game justice.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

74% average critic score

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Play time

6hMedian play time
7hAverage play time
5hMain story
14hCompletionist
5-10hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 110 analyzed playthroughs

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