Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood

Release Date: June 30, 2009

Action, FPP, western, FPS, Polish, shooters, 19th century, multiplayer, singleplayer, internet, LAN

87%

Steam

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The second installment in the series of FPS games developed by Polish studio, Techland. This game is actually a prequel to the original title. We play the part of two brothers: Thomas and Ray McCalls, of whom the latter is known from the first game. Much like in the original Call of Juarez, the two characters play very differently – they have individual skills and equipment.

Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood is a sequel to a shooter set in the Wild West created by Polish studio Techland and released in 2006.

Bound In Blood tells about the adventures of young McCall brother – Ray, the protagonist of the first game, and his brother Thomas. The American Civil Ware is raging, while the two brothers are stuck in trenches fighting for the Confederacy in Georgia. Their first objective is to repel the army of General Sherman. However, their priorities shift quickly, as the commander of the Union employs a scorched earth policy. If Sherman manages to get to McCall’s farm it would mean losing their estate and family. The Confederates do not seem to care about the problem, so the brothers must act on their own. The only way out seems to be desertion.

Most missions can be played by either of the brothers. This means that the player can solve problems in two ways. Depending on the choice of character play style changes, as Ray and Thomas have different specializations. Ray wields two revolvers, shoots quickly, and is deadly at short distances. He also skillfully uses dynamite to eliminate opponents. On the other hand, Thomas prefers fighting over medium distance, effectively using all sorts of rifles. Moreover, he knows how to use a lasso, e.g. to climb on rooftops.

The gameplay is richer than in a typical action game. There is e.g. a co-called Concentration Mode, in which time slows down, and the characters can eliminate enemies in a truly spectacular manner. There are also duels represented in a Wild West fashion, in which you have to pick the right moment to draw your gun and take a shot. The second installment of the series also sports a cover system.

Bound in Blood features multiplayer with game modes like classic Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, and objective missions, such as bank heists. Before every match players select one of several character classes. Good score is rewarded with small bonuses.

The game uses Chrome Engine 4 developed by Techland, which is able to generate vast spaces and support modern visual effects – blur, spectacular explosions, particular effects, and hot air effect.

Last updated on August 18, 2015

guide

Last Update: July 31, 2009

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood Game Guide & Walkthrough

This game guide contains walkthrough of each chapter of the game, all secrets, useful tips and hints, maps.

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood Game Guide & Walkthrough

Originals

October 31, 2018

Don’t Go West – why developers ignore westerns?

There are really not many alternatives to Red Dead Redemption for players who long for a proper western video-game experience. Most developers seem to look the other way when considering possible settings – and that’s no surprise.

Don’t Go West – why developers ignore westerns?

Videos and Screens

[0:17] Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood Chapter XIV - Description of the passage - Thomas

[0:25] Call of Juarez: Bound In Blood Chapter XIII - Characters

87%

STEAM Score

All Reviews: Very Positive (3,840)

STEAM

User Reviews Summary generated by AI

The main pros of the game

Improved Storyline: Many users appreciated the depth and engagement of the story, which connects well with the original game and explores the backstory of the McCall brothers.
Graphics and Presentation: The game features impressive graphics for its time, with many reviews noting that it holds up well even when compared to more modern titles.
Gameplay Variety: Players enjoyed the ability to switch between two characters with different play styles, which added variety to missions and kept gameplay fresh.
Engaging Gunfights: The shooting mechanics, while not perfect, were generally considered fun and satisfying, especially for fans of the Western genre.
Atmospheric Setting: The game effectively captures the essence of the Old West, enhancing the overall experience for players who enjoy that theme.

The main cons of the game

Difficulty with Dueling Mechanics: Some players found the dueling system to be overly challenging and frustrating.
Technical Issues: Several users reported technical problems, including crashes and loading screen issues, which detracted from the gameplay experience.
Fall Damage: A common complaint was the excessive vulnerability to fall damage, making exploration feel punishing.
Limited Replayability: While the ability to switch characters was appreciated, some users felt it did not significantly enhance replay value.
Linear Gameplay: The game was described as having a somewhat linear structure, which could lead to moments of tedium.

The features or elements that are missing from the game according to users

Multiplayer Mode: Users noted the absence of a multiplayer component, which was present in earlier titles and is missed in this iteration.
More Diverse Gameplay Mechanics: Some players expressed a desire for more varied gameplay elements beyond shooting and action sequences, such as stealth or puzzle-solving mechanics.
Improved Character Differentiation: There were suggestions for more distinct play styles or abilities for the two brothers to enhance the gameplay experience.
Better Technical Support: Users pointed out a lack of fixes for technical issues, particularly for modern systems, which could hinder new players from enjoying the game fully.

This summary reflects a mix of positive and negative feedback, highlighting the game's strengths in storytelling and atmosphere while also acknowledging its technical shortcomings and areas for improvement.

Summary generated on: November 25, 2024

8.5

GAMERS Score

Average score from 4994 votes. 1023 players anticipated the game.

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GAMES

in Call of Juarez Game Series

Game Series

Call of Juarez Series

Created and developed by Techland, a series of first-person shooters (FPP) with action set in the Wild West. The international publisher of the series Call of Juarez is the Ubisoft corporation.

4 video games

Call of Juarez Game Series