Call of Juarez is a wild west game brought from the past for new players to enjoy. This game is quite good and has a nice historical element to it. I have enjoyed learning about the wild west’s legends and this game has made it a touch more fun. The power in the west is won by the skill of one’s guns and this game takes all the advantage to prove that. Call of Juarez stars a mercenary named Silas Greaves who has just rolled into a new town. After telling a patron his name, he is soon roped into talking about his past. This begins the game in earnest and he starts with the first adventure where he dealt with Billy the Kid. Though he was once just a newbie, he has become quite renowned and this mercenary isn’t someone to be trifled with.
The game is broken down into chapters and each chapter is broken into parts. There are bits of the story told over the action and the voice acting is quite good. Silas is telling the story as the player plays and it flows quite nicely. I wasn’t expecting this game to flow as well as it did but it is a nice surprise. It is great to have the story continue as players progress in the game because it can often be tricky figuring out where to go next.
Silas roams through the west encountering outlaws and the like. He finds himself facing sheriffs and even winds up in jail at one point. Though without these instances he wouldn’t have been able to acquire the weaponry and he will need every gun he can find. There are a few gun types for the hero to collect and he will need to use them wisely as the enemies always seem to have ammo stocked. As Silas travels through the game he will have moments where he needs to fire quickly. These shots are done by the computer and are one-hit kills. Silas can also build up his special meter to dodge bullets that would kill him in one hit. Player’s will need to take that into account because they never know when someone is going to aim for a one-shot.
Players can also go into a slow down mode, where their foes will walk slowly. It turns the world grey and gives Greaves the chance to take out any number of foes before they know what hit them. It’s similar to Fallout but just a hair quicker, and it usually ends in a flash. Though killing a bunch of guys in a row is always a blast. Players will be able to find loads of ammunition as they roam the west. The ammo will instantly fill the gun but Silas will need to reload so be sure of his aim. Players can also find treasure which will tell some history or story. There are quite a few to collect so be on the lookout! These nuggets of truth as they are called do make the game that much more interesting. They add some solid learning which I found to be worth picking up.
The player will also earn achievements through playing the game. These achievements can be arduous to attain but they are all worth the effort. If a player is enjoying their time in the west they are worth aiming for. Some of them require expert marksmanship or even an honorable duel kill. It’s worth doing what the player can because it adds just another layer of challenge. Though the game can be vicious the west will be a little more wild, going for these challenges! The guns themselves also are often named by the people Silas steals them from. It’s just another layer of curiosity to this game that should keep the players invested. Plus the big bosses are all named and I always find that to be a nice touch. The Old Man is a fight I had trouble with early on, but he’s probably one of the crazier characters in the game.
Silas levels up through the course of the game. As he gun slings his way to victory players can upgrade certain skills. There are three skill trees for players to tinker with that offer different boons. One is for pistols, one is for long-range, and one is for close range. It might behoove the player to take a look at all of the perks and choose them based on their playstyle. This game does allow for customization and I’m always thankful for that.
This game has an arcade mode where players can play through a host of different levels. This game mode is great to play to break up the story and can help the player practice. It’s a solid mode on its own though and that is another plus. Arcade mode is at its core a great way to set higher scores for the player can become more attuned to the mechanics of the game. Duel Mode though is where things get tricky. Duels are an interesting mechanic that are fought between two characters. These duels require focus and speed and can be lost in a moment. Duel mode takes what the story offers and provides the player with five duels in a row. Duels are the most challenging parts of the game so battling through 5 isn’t a walk in the park.
Players might get multiple chances but perfecting the art of the duel takes time. The player must actively focus Silas’ gaze on his adversary while timing the speed. These hombre aren’t going to play around and will shoot at a moment’s notice. Players get bonus points for being honorable but honestly, I doubt the AI is being honorable in the slightest. Sometimes it’s better to shoot first and win the round, but it is all about how the player feels. This game has fixed up visuals and a cleaner look. It’s great to have a game return from beyond looking as nice as this one does. It makes for a good time as visually it looks great. The world is lush and filled with intrigue and seeing it look so nice is a plus.
Call of Juarez is a stellar wild west game and one that shows off what the west was like. There is something so cool about a game that blurs the lines between legend and reality. These cowboys tore up the west and it’s up to Silas to take them down and change the west for good. This game is filled with action and shooting so it should be up against many players alleys. The West is a wild and awful place, will the player help Silas clean things up?
Disclaimer: A review key was provided