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Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood

EMAIL PRINT ps3

8.3 User Score:

Generally favorable reviews

Based on 47 critic reviews
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Based on 25 votes
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Game Info

Publisher: Ubisoft

Developer: Techland

Genre(s): First-Person Shooter

Players: 16

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: June 30, 2009

Summary

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood transports players from a ravaged Civil War-era Georgia to the Aztec ruins of Mexico. In the wildest West ever depicted, players can embody both McCall brothers in an intense storyline full of greed, lust and lawlessness that takes place during a legendary period of American history. Become a Gunslinger - Harness a variety of weapons from various revolvers to heavy-caliber cannons and machine guns. Every accurate shot increases concentration, which allows players to unleash deadly shooting modes when outnumbered and even deadlier ones when the brothers work together. Dual Collaborative Gameplay - Players choose to embody Ray or Thomas, each with a distinctive gameplay style (close or long range), specific abilities (lasso, dynamite, etc.) and arsenal of deadly weapons (dual guns, long-range carbine, etc.). Take advantage of each of their strengths and join in the fiercest fights imaginable. Never Before Seen Western Experience - Experience the iconic settings full of outlaws - the West before it was tamed. The McCall brothers face a renegade Apache Chief, a greedy Mexican bandit, a vindictive Colonel, and others, all driven by greed with moral disregard. Enjoy a wide variety of situations, using horses, canoes and wagons to explore the vast natural landscapes of the fabled Wild West and its legendary period. Innovative Online Multiplayer - Developed in unison with the single player mode, multiplayer offers numerous modes and maps, resulting in endless hours of Wild West mayhem. Gunslingers, bandits and marshals struggle online for the bounty. Multiple characters are unlocked for team-based objective modes or the straightforward team death match. With a new Bounty system, players increase the bounty on their head with more kills. Get rid of the deadliest among you to increase your bank roll. [Ubisoft]

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GAMES: Call of Juarez

Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central

Also On The Web: Official Website

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Cynamite

Outstanding western-shooter, whose love for details, brilliant graphics and great variety make it an instant hit.

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GameShark

From start to finish, the single player campaign of Bound in Blood definitely provides one of the most memorable FPS gaming experiences of the year.

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Gaming Age

It's a great shooter, with a fantastic rendition of the old west that really adds a lot of character to the game overall.

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GamePro

It was definitely a nice change of pace from the standard World War II/sci-fi settings and until someone does it better, Bound in Blood is, in my opinion, the best Western-themed shooter around.

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TotalPlayStation

I really am amazed at just how impressive Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood turned out to be. Some technical problems mean the PS3 version is probably the least attractive, but the game itself is so good you shouldn't let that stop you. So don't, buy!

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WonderwallWeb

The game may not be long but what it lacks here it makes up for in quality. A soild and enjoyable shooter which everyone should experience.

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Cheat Code Central

If you’ve been waiting for a great Western-themed shooter, then look no further than Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood. The gameplay is fun and varied, the story is entertaining, the visuals are well done, the voice acting is terrific, and the game even sports a respectable online offering.

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ImpulseGamer

In conclusion Call of Juarez Bound in Blood is a breath of fresh air to an overly populated World War II or Modern Military first person shooter experience.

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DailyGame

This prequel has a great narrative, great voice acting and improves upon most of the gameplay shortcomings from the original.

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Game Chronicles

A fantastic shooter that FPS and western fans are going to love.

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Play UK

While it's not outstanding or original, Bound in Blood is an extravaganza of high-octane, gun-toting entertainment that'll have western fans frothing at the mouth and keep any gamer occupied for hours. [Issue#181, p.78]

ZTGameDomain

The environments are lush and lively; I'll never forget leaning against a tree and being startled by a tarantula crawling across the bark an inch away, or the time I had my rifle poked over a boulder in a tense standoff, and a butterfly landed right in front of my face, only to fly away when my opponent shot at me.

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Extreme Gamer

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is an extremely satisfying shooter that should please any shooter fan who is looking for something new.

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3DJuegos

Bound in Blood is gritty, violent and frantic. A must have for western movies fans, and a videogame with amazing gunfights and eye-catching graphics.

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XGN

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is in every way much better than its predecessor. It's just an excellent game in the first person shooter genre with a nice setting. Therefore this game is meant for everyone who's just looking for a little variation in this genre.

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TheSixthAxis

Thematically the game succeeds with aplomb, the story line works well, the co-op and alternative routes through sections with your brother never feel forced and there’s some welcome appearances of both characters and plot twists during the campaign.

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Total Video Games

Bound in Blood is one of those rare games that you'll remember more for what it did right than the many ways it fell short of the mark.

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PALGN

It does very little new or unique, but Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood makes effective use of its theme and setting to deliver a taut, focused experience which feels novel amidst an ocean of repetitive WWII or post-apocalyptic shooters.

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Vandal Online

It uses many stereotypes, brings them to the maximum and keeps us in a world of political incorrectness, showing us hard environment were life is worth nothing: Wild West from cinema and literature enters Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood, turns into a videogame and is still recognizable in all its elements, making the most of the spectacle of the medium.

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Game Informer

While it is one of the better looking first-person games to come out this year, it isn’t the most technically savvy. The gameplay isn’t perfectly honed, but an ever-changing mix of clever ideas, evocative locations, and engaging characters tap the best traditions of the Western genre.

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Playstation Universe

Not only does it look fantastic, but the gameplay is exciting, the controls are smooth, and there are plenty of dramatic moments to experience and frantic shoot-outs to enjoy. Inevitably, it’s a game that will appeal to anyone who is fascinated with the Wild West.

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GameSpot

Top production values and exciting gameplay make Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood one call you should definitely heed.

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Play Magazine

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a thematic triumph that makes you look past the gameplay lumps. Come for the western fantasy, revel in the visual presentation and get a decent shot of first-person action in between.

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DarkStation

I really liked how the developers were able to learn from the original game and come back and make an even stronger second outing.

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SpazioGames

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is much better than its predecessor in all areas. The gameplay is well balanced, the duality of the gameplay works well and can give you reasons to play the game at least twice. The action is more intense, the scenery changes very frequently, and some sequences differ significantly from competition. Some players will find some choices limiting, such as the inability to use at will the cooperative actions, but we can assure you that the level of quality of the design and pressing action, tend to make you forget the substantial linearity.

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GameZone

By far, the best game in the Call of Juarez series.

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Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)

A fun, wildly varied romp through the Wild West. [Oct 2009, p.76]

PSM3 Magazine UK

A refreshing love letter to the Wild West, but its variety is part curse. [Aug 2009, p.70]

PSX Extreme

It’s not long and it’s not the best shooter you’ll play in 2009, but it uses several unique concepts, presents us with a very enjoyable atmosphere, and remains mostly entertaining throughout. It just needed a bit more polish and refinement with the controls for us to wholeheartedly recommend it.

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InsideGamer.nl

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood succeeds in bringing a great Western vibe, and we love the amount of action. We are missing a co-op mode and the game is sometimes a little to scripted, but in the end it is a very decent game.

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Game Revolution

The cinematic sequences are easily skipped at the press of a button, and what remains is a tremendously engaging Western romp.

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IGN

The repetitive nature of the missions, coupled with some technical issues, really keeps this title from standing out more.

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1UP

While it doesn't reach the status of a great Western, it's still a marked improvement over its mediocre predecessor.

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GamingExcellence

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a good shooter to play. It really makes the player feel they are an outlaw in the Wild West. The story and gameplay drives it all home, but the multiplayer aspect probably won’t make the player stay after one or two playthroughs.

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PS3bloggen.se

We aren't spoilt with a multitude of western games, which is why Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood poses such a fresh gust of air. Graphically this game is excellent, and if you play on the hardest level you'll encounter resistance enough to make it a challenging experience. Online mode is not as fun as it could be, though.

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Game Over Online

Bound in Blood certainly isn’t without its flaws, but for fans of the genre I definitely suggest picking it up and giving it a try.

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DarkZero

The best thing about Bound in Blood is that it feels different from all the modern first person shooters on the market.

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Eurogamer Italy

Once again stealth sections lack accuracy and once again there is not a co-op mode that could have been great for the game, considering the chance to use two characters. Anyway, fans of western genre can't miss the chance to transform their pad into a revolver and for everyone else it could be a good way to leave modern and sci-fi warfares.

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Gamer.nl

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood has a unique and action packed setting and offers some interesting gameplay mechanics.

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Playstation Official Magazine Australia

There’s no co-op, which is odd (there are cooperative modes in multiplayer though) – but there are some truly memorable moments, like your first shootout at high noon. Horse mounted battles and even stagecoaches get a look in. [Aug 2009, p.70]

GameDaily

Thanks to a gripping story, furious gunplay and cool multiplayer, Call of Juarez makes for a smart rental.

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VideoGamer

It's often gorgeous to look at and the story is worth experiencing, but the multiplayer is nothing more than a slight distraction and the lack of co-op is a missed opportunity. Bound in Blood is worth a look, but as a sequel it doesn't take the series on enough.

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RealGamer

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a solid shooter that requires players to take a more tactical approach then some other recent releases. However, it can also be an extremely frustrating experience due to the very unforgiving AI which may have the less hardcore shooter fan struggling to stick with it.

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GameCritics

Despite Techland's efforts, the Western genre is still wide-open for someone to ride in and claim it.

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Playstation Official Magazine UK

There's a technically solid shooter here somewhere, hidden beneath ugliness and questionable design. [Aug 2009, p.110]

Gamestyle

Bound in Blood is certainly an improvement on the first Call of Juarez. Its impressive visuals and smooth gameplay are let down by repetitive levels and an uninspiring story, however, and the online multiplayer just isn’t good enough to compensate.

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GameSpy

This is an entertaining shooter with many good points, but nothing's particularly outstanding or original here. Members of the Old West FPS posse should snap it up faster than Doc Holliday could clear leather, but city-slicker varmints oughta just wait till it hits the bargain bin at the local general store.

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What Our Users Said

The average user rating for this game is 8.3 (out of 10) based on 25 User Votes

Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Nijinski 1 gave it a5:
Shootouts and concentration mode are cool but like the rest of the game are repetitive. As long as you use your rifle the on rails gameplay will never really challenge you. It's essentially shoot a load of guys move to next settign shoot a load of guys then a showdown and repeat. I'm a major western movie fan and shooter fan so this shoudl be an ideal game for me. The only thing that makes this worth playing is a reasonable story, an the mexican chicks fien ass.... i know she is just polygons but it doesn't matter.

samurai s. gave it a9:
I thought it an absolutely OUTSTANDING gaming experience! One of the most enjoyable games I've ever played. It totally captures the feeling of the wild west in a very realistic way. The weapons feel spot on and the atmosphere is truly inspiring. One complaint is that you can't move while in slow-mo mode and they could've added a few more "face" designs to the friends & foes. Other than than that, this game is an absolute rootin' tootin' good time!!!!

Scorpy M. gave it a3:
The game tries to tell an interesting story, but the controls for just about everything it tries are awful. The automatic cover system is garbage. Having to repeat what would be simple sections of the game due to clunky controls and a broken cover system made this game frustrating. I am unemployed, and did not care to devote enough time to this game to finish it. Keep it simple. I don't need automatic cover systems, let me choose when to go into cover. I died several times trying to get Doofus McCall into cover. The game also tracks terribly hit/miss of mobs. The cursor on the screen will turn red, and it will not register a hit. The game does look great on a 1080P screen, that is about all I can say positive about it. If you have the patience to put up with a clunky, broken control scheme, then this game might be for you. let me know how the story ends, I have no intention of finishing it. Sent back after about an hour of playtime.

Justin D. gave it a7:
Good game, fun to play with a solid story, the only problem I have with the game is it seems like more story then game play, just as you get into the game, there is a cut scene. Also there is a slight pause when you reach checkpoints that is very annoying, kinda dissipointing that Ubisoft would release the game with such a major & obvious flaw.

Gerry J gave it a9:
Well done! Techland did a good job on the first title, but it wasn’t as polished as it should have been. Still, they turned in a great game that was ultimately fun. Well bravo to them! For Bound in Blood they apparently listened to what gamers liked and didn’t like about the first. There’s plenty more action, less stealth, and the game play itself is very solid and responsive. Top it all off with gorgeous graphics and this unusual fps is hands down better than the first.

Thomas M gave it an8:
Let me start off by saying I am a huge fan of western themed games. The lust, greed, power, violence, and outlaw aesthetic appeal of the western genre are a few reasons that make me love these types of games. Anywhere between the rough cowboys, working girls at the brothel, corrupted town officials, or Indian raids western games are my favorite. In Call of Juarez, not only do we get two hardcore cowboys known as the McCall brothers, but we get a dramatic story ranging from their home roots, to their days in the Confederate army, and eventually their dangerous hunt for treasure as they succumb to the Call of Juarez. Throughout the game you can have the option to play as Ray or Thomas McCall, each character has their own unique abilities and fighting styles. Also between some chapters you will enter different large open worlds which you can do side quests (wanted posters), protect settlers/travelers, visit the gun shop to purchase ammo and weapons, or just simply explore the beautiful landscape. I have to give props to Techland and the Chrome 4 engine because this game looks simply AMAZING graphics wise. The lighting, bloom, and focus effects are all great on my 1080p tv. High def textures and detailed environments add to the pure eye candy. Some of the scenery is so good that I stop what I am doing just to admire how wonderful it looks. The graphics are even great on multiplayer (especially on Stinking Springs). The character models are fantastic ( though in cut scenes they are a bit stiff, but that is a very minor complaint). My friend said that in some areas Call of Juarez looked better than Crysis.. As for the multiplayer portion, it isn't really impressive by any means, but it gets the job done. I love all the modes especially Wild West Legends and Posse. The online portion also has 13 different classes (5 of which are unlock at the beginning, the others need in-game cash in order to be unlocked). My only big complaint about multiplayer is that you can only earn money to unlock the 8 locked classes in ranked matches. I don't see why they couldn't allow you to keep your money in un-ranked matches. In this dry market of good games this summer, you should definitely look into this great game.

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Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood

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