Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood

Cynamite

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

Game Chronicles

Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood has quickly become my favorite game of 2009, and with future DLC on its way, it’s not going back on the shelf anytime soon.

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.

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.

GameFocus

Call of Juarez Bound in Blood has one of the best Western FPS games period with one of the grittiest story lines this side of a Clint Eastwood movie. With its solid graphics and audio mixed with the outstanding gameplay this is one of the best action games for the hot summer nights.

NZGamer

Bound in Blood has a lot to offer. Great, fun gameplay mixed with likeable characters, an unpredictable plot-twisting storyline and jaw dropping visuals makes up for a high-quality title.

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.

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.

Console Monster

If you are after just the single player experience then you could easily complete this game in a matter of hours; but those hours are thoroughly enjoyable ones.

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.

Gamers' Temple

It's hard to pick out any particular aspect of the game and call it outstanding, but everything in the game just comes together nicely for a fun overall experience. Recommended for most gamers except for bowler-wearing city slickers.

Multiplayer.it

The McCall brothers are back in action in this Call of Juarez prequel. The game is an absolutely good looking representation of the American Civil War period and gameplay is pretty solid and fresh. Tons of weapons and good multiplayer action bring you into the wild wild west!

MondoXbox

With Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood, Techland delivered us an experience worthy of the best Sergio Leone movies: one on one duels and saloon brawls recall to our memory some of the best movies ever seen. A solid story coupled with excellent visuals make the game very enjoying, while on the cons side we find some difficulty spikes that make some scenes quite frustrating.

DailyGame

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

Talk Xbox

Bound in Blood greatly exults over its predecessor and proves to be one of the finer single player experiences you’ll get to play through for your Xbox 360.

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.

MS Xbox World

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is an enjoyable romp into the murky and dust filled world of yore.

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.

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.

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.

ActionTrip

Amidst all the generic shooters, Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a great relief and offers a surprisingly convincing depiction of the Civil War era, coupled with satisfying gameplay.

The Onion (A.V. Club)

Between story-driving sequences in Mexico and Arizona, there are opportunities to saddle up and explore. These open-world breaks are a handsome reward—not fully realized sandboxes, but vast, lovely diversions from the dirty business of unraveling a family tragedy.

XboxAddict

I honestly had this title under my radar but by the end of it all, I did quite enjoy its entertainment value; and finding a decent Western game is no real easy task with so few being released these days.

Games Master UK

Technically it lacks polish but as an arcade-style shooter with tons of variety it's superb. [Aug 2009, p.72]

HellBored

If you’re a fan of the western genre and era but are unsure about investing in Bound in Blood, worry no more. Without a doubt the best game in its genre for now, it’s a worthy investment. Rich single player, functional and enjoyable multiplayer which will be supported with downloadable maps, it ticks all the boxes.

GamingTrend

Overall Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a significant upgrade over it’s predecessor.

AtomicGamer

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is just as good as the original game, and its two main characters do a great job of keeping you interested even when the action falters.

Gamervision

Gamers looking for a fun Western-themed shooter should look no further than Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood. There’s nothing incredible about it, but it’s a strong title with a solid enough story to keep most people interested.

GameZone

Bound in Blood is not only an improvement but also a fun shooter with a lot to offer. Although the game does suffer from a few problems, what really stand out are the great story, bullet-fueled action and excellent multiplayer mode.

X360 Magazine UK

A really pleasant experience. [Issue#48, p.78]

Level7.nu

This is an action packed western experience that will entertain in singleplayer as well as multiplayer sessions. Despite a heavy emphasis on gunslinging the plot and characters are well crafted and manage to stay interesting until the very end. With Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood the bar has been set high for the niche genre that is western games.

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.

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.

Everyeye.it

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood takes all the best features of his prequel a further step ahead. With strong graphics, always fresh gameplay, an interesting plot and a bit of humor, Bound in Blood reaches the high grades in our rankings, being one of the best FPS in the business.

Da Gameboyz

Overall Bound in Blood is one of the best western shooters we have seen in sometime.

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.

TeamXbox

The game is one of the better Westerns we’ve seen on a video game console, and while that’s not saying a whole hell of a lot when you put it into context, it should be taken as faint praise.

GameTrailers

A big step up from the previous title. It delivers on the classic Western setting, provides lots of gameplay options, and even lets you pull off bank heists with friends online. And without a single assault rifle to be found, it's a welcome change of pace from the standard shooter fare.

Telegraph

With a comprehensive class-based multiplayer rounding off the package, Bound in Blood is an altogether more polished prospect than its predecessor. At the very least it’s a hugely enjoyable parade of satisfying shooting galleries. But when it finds its stride, it’s a thrilling, wild ride down a road that remains surprisingly less traveled.

GameSpot

Though the game is marred by its short length and weak enemy AI, those looking for a fun and different shooter experience shouldn't have any hesitation about biting the bullet and taking a ride with the McCalls.

Totally360

A really fun title. I enjoyed the western setting as well as a couple of the twists that were in the story. In addition the fact that I can go through the campaign a second time and get a slightly different view of events is a great idea.

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.

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.

Armchair Empire

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is one of those games that has “cult hit” written all over it – maybe it won’t hit critical mass with a general audience but those that appreciate a good shooter and a well-told story should be happy.

Worth Playing

All in all, the campaign has plenty of solid action, but the lack of variety in objectives causes the gameplay to wear thin after a while.

Xbox360Achievements

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a great realisation of the western genre both in single player and online in multiplayer. It truly is an authentic western experience that builds on the foundations of its predecessor and will be lapped up by western fans worldwide. If it wasn't for its lack of single player longevity and its few technical hang ups, some of which hamper the gameplay, the game would easily be shooting in the 80's.

Xbox World 360 Magazine UK

Not totally slick but crammed full of ideas, and the best Western we've played. [Sept 2009, p.82]

Gamer Limit

An amazing experience. This is a game which I will remember for a long time. Not particularly for the game play, but for the truly immersive atmosphere and enticing story.

IGN

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

1UP

While it doesn't reach the status of a great Western, it's still a marked improvement over its mediocre predecessor (I likely would have given Call of Juarez a C+).

Meristation

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood is a comeback to the first game's gamestyle, but it has evolved, with more gameplay options, and much more features that are really fun. But there's still much work to do, for example with the AI. A good game that could have been much better overall.

Game Revolution

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

Planet Xbox 360

A shooter that has the look but doesn’t play the part.

Play.tm

A dynamic cover system makes shootouts enjoyably tactical and the action remains quick and consistent throughout. What's more, it's a massive improvement over the comparatively rough first game, especially where the visuals are concerned.

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.

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.

GamesNation

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood represents a big step forward on many issues in comparison to the previous episode. It is not a top-class FPS overall, but it certainly has interesting characters and a nice atmosphere. Yet it could’ve been much better… In fact it suffers a few glitches and rigid gameplay.

Official Xbox Magazine

But none of those gripes can compare to the biggest crime committed here: no co-op! In a game that focuses more than a little on the exploits of two seemingly inseparable brothers, why would we not be able to bring a friend down the dusty trail? That absence is completely inexcusable, and the addition of pointless, paint-by-numbers competitive multiplayer only adds insult to injury.

Gamer.nl

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

Kikizo

Bound in Blood is a slow but steady cowboy crowd-pleaser which rides close to the beaten track. An excellent story is left to shoulder much of the entertainment value while the gunplay sits back in the saddle. Never less than competent, but not essential.

Eurogamer

Above all, it's a proper western, set in a tangibly real Wild West, with proper, honest-to-goodness cowboys, Indians and bandits in it. Experience tells us that's harder to pull off in videogames than you might think, and it counts for a lot, no matter where it comes from.

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.

Gamer's Hell

With detailed attention paid to its more lacking qualities, there's no reason why this couldn't burst into a full-fledged contender in the FPS genre. However, such was also the argument made for its predecessor.

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.

Edge Magazine

Far more polished than its ragged forebear. [Aug 2009, p.100]

games(TM)

Atmospheric, technically strong and really rather enjoyable to play, Call Of Juarez: Bound In Blood is every bit the sequel it needed to be. [Aug 2009, p.112]

Boomtown

What it lost in this pursuit of silver-screen-esque mayhem was subtlety and character. It's a solid First-Person-Shooter – one I would recommend to any fan of the genre – but it doesn't quite possess the same diversity as the first – something I never thought I'd miss.

GameDaily

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

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.

DarkZero

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

Eurogamer Spain

For fans of the western genre this is the only option on the market (at least until Rockstar publishes the next entry for the Red Dead Revolver saga).

AceGamez

Will you enjoy it? Yes - when you get the hang of the gunfights and the cover mechanic. Will you play it twice? Not on your life - unless you're a gamerscore-whore. Will you come back if Techland make a threequel? Almost certainly, if only to see if they can finally iron out the little niggles that still manage to hold this game back even after ironing out the little niggles that held back the first one.

Giant Bomb

Makes for a good diversion. It doesn't last too long, tells a decent story, and offers enough multiplayer to give you something to mess around with when the single-player's done. It certainly isn't the most ambitious game in the world, but if you're looking for a competent western shooter, Juarez fits the bill just fine.

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.

Teletext GameCentral

Although it means little given the lack of competition this is the best Wild West shooter for years.

Official Xbox Magazine UK

Bound in Blood is like a Wild West theme park: corny, but at least there's constant gun smoke and plenty of bad guys being put to rights. It's not a must-buy by any stretch, but it is bearable.

Destructoid

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood isn’t a terrible game. On the contrary, it’s a game with a ton of unrealized potential that executes with the grain.