Done Playing: Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood (PS3)

The review’s been done for a while but writing that headline made me realize I really probably am done with the game. If I were more into online, competitive multiplayer I’d surely still be tearing up the old west but I’m not, so I’m not. Single player was really great though and the game ultimately got a 4 out of 5 from me.

You wouldn’t expect it from “the major Polish games developer” but Techland’s Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood nails everything that makes for a good spaghetti western, except for that first chapter. Being a modern action title I appreciate how the story starts at the end of the game and then retells how the brothers McCall got to that familial standoff. I even understand how turning my expectations on their head by starting out in Civil War Georgia is a great design choice but it came off as more jarring than inspired. Being that the rest of the game uses an almost completely different set of assets the first chapter feels pretty barren and boring despite being set in the middle of this country’s defining war. The explanations of the gameplay aren’t as clear as you’d expect and the whole thing has this ultra-linear Medal of Honor feel that makes you think the game is going to play like a military shooter from 2002.

Now, aren’t you intrigued how it goes from that to a glowing 4 out of 5 rating? Read on, for you have been tempted!