Call of Juarez review

Get biblical in this Wild West shooter

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Conversely, Reverend Ray couldn't be more armed if he was an atom bomb with a Stetson. He makes the most of his dual pistols, and a unique bullet-time-esque quick-draw mode. Both characters get to play with the whole array of Wild West details, such as horse riding, mine-cart abuse, lighting (and putting out) fires and so on.

There's a real love of the genre here. Chances are, if you've seen someone in a cowboy hat do it in a film, it's here somewhere. The two-leads idea works almost infinitely better than you might expect. It creates a distinct tension/release rhythm. Get through a section of the game as Billy, carefully staying out of everyone's way.

Above: Any game that lets you shoot people's hats off is fine by us

Next, play the Reverend, often making his way through the same section and annihilating everyone who dares cross his path. It's immensely cathartic to reduce the people you were just hiding from to a bloody smear. Make me crouch in a bush, will you? EAT LEAD.

Even the plot works. The voice acting for the lead characters is exemplary, and the dual-perspective on the pursuit enables lots of dramatic irony - where we, the player, know more than either of the individual leads.

More info

GenreShooter
DescriptionA fire-and-brimstone shooter that pays homage to the spaghetti western with plenty of duels, wagons, Stetsons, sheriffs and quick-draw shootouts.
Platform"Xbox 360","PC"
US censor rating"Mature","Mature"
UK censor rating"Rating Pending","Rating Pending"
Release date1 January 1970 (US), 1 January 1970 (UK)
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