Two years ago when I reviewed the first Call of Juarez game on the Xbox 360, I was pleasantly surprised by this western first-person shooter. It was a blast laying out good old-fashioned shotgun justice as Reverend Ray but the experience was far from perfect and its flaws held it back from being a true old west experience. Now we answer the call again with Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood for the Xbox 360. Dust off your hat and make sure your six-shooter is loaded because there will be blood and you’ll love it.

Bound in Blood spins an interesting and action-packed yarn about a trio of brothers called the McCalls as they go from soldiers to wanted criminals to the seekers of a legendary treasure that killed many a man that went in search of it. Two brothers in particular stand out as the stars of this story. You see, you can play as Ray (in his early days) and Thomas McCall who were Confederate soldiers when word spread that the Union army was already at the doorstep of their homestead. The only thing that truly counts for these brothers is family and they soon find themselves deserting to aid their neighbors and protect their Ma and their younger brother who happens to be a preacher.

In the early levels, you can select either brother during different portions of a level and we experience a part of the Civil War through their eyes as they desert their post to protect their home. When all is said and done, however, the two brothers find themselves wanted for desertion. We then follow the brothers as they head for Juarez, Mexico in search of the famous treasure that was cursed during Coronado’s greedy quest for gold. Many men have heeded the call and died but this doesn’t bother the brothers that have become more violent to the point that both Thomas and Ray fight over everything including women. When a young Mexican beauty that comes between them, things really get ugly between the two brothers. 

Bound in Blood fixes a few of the issues and gripes I had with the first game, which is great news and the switching between characters makes for a pleasant variety. Ray, for instance, favors using dual guns, is a far more efficient gunslinger and loves to use dynamite. Thomas, on the other hand, is an expert at throwing knives (good for stealth moments) and he can make good use of a lasso for when he wants to reach higher areas. 

No matter which brother you pick, you’ll have a good assortment of weapons at your disposal that includes shotguns, various pistols and revolvers and even better rifles. Sure, you can pick up weapons your dead opponents drop but you can also stop into a store and purchase them with the money you find throughout the game. You’ll also have secondary weapons such as sticks of dynamite and lanterns. Switching between them is easy so you can go from one pistol to shooting two at the same time quickly.

Dueling is also back and it has improved greatly to the point that it’s not only a visceral experience but also an intensely nerve-wracking one as well. In other words, it’s done right. You can circle your opponent during a duel and using the right analog stick you can move your gunslinger’s hand close to your gun until a bell tolls and it’s time to draw.

Thankfully, the controls are still just as good as it was the first time around with the original Call of Juarez. Concentration Mode is back and both brothers can rack up enough kills that can trigger Concentration Mode that slows time down enough that you can aim your pistols (or pistols) at various enemies before pushing the lead in real-time.

The AI has improved greatly as well with your brother skilled enough to actually lend you a hand during fights. The enemy isn’t as dumb as the first game either and will use cover just as well as you, although a few of them still run out in front of you. At least they don’t run behind explosive barrels as often as they did like in the original. Some of them are even good shots so this isn’t really the type of first-person shooter where you can run and gun your way through a level and get away with it.

Surprisingly, the levels offer enough variety to keep each level from feeling like the same thing over and over again. At one point you’ll be riding horses and shooting your way out of a jam and in another you’ll be shooting a town filled with enemies on a stagecoach. Some of the levels will have you working with your brother either acting as a distraction or being the distraction. You’ll be back in the mines again … only this time there’s a Gatling gun attached to said cart. There’s even a river rafting level.

Unfortunately, there are a few problems along the way that are too hard to ignore. There’s framerate issues that pop up often thanks to the auto save game feature that kicks in during checkpoints. It becomes really annoying when you’re in the middle of a gun battle or when you’re aiming a rifle. The game is also considerably short to the point. Thankfully, the game includes online multiplayer with up to five game modes, various maps and thirteen character classes (now including a sniper). One mode in particular stands out and that’s Wild West Legends which includes scenarios based on real old west events such as the OK Corral and Pat Garret’s manhunt for Billy the Kid. It’s great stuff, indeed.

Visually, Bound in Blood sports some attractive graphics with plenty of excellent visual effects. The cut scenes and character models do look great, although their clothing takes on a plastic sheen that looks unnatural. It’s still an eyesore to see bodies blink out of existence. At least the game does the setting just right. The game also has a spectacular soundtrack that brings to mind some great westerns from the big screen. Top that off with a great voice acting cast and detailed sound effects and you have a game that does sound right. 

Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood for the Xbox 360 is an improved and exciting western-themed shooter with enough grit to make this a better game than the first. While there are a few problems that hold it back, there’s more than enough good to outshine the bad and the ugly. This is a must for anyone looking for a good old west first-person shooter. 

Gameplay: 8.0
Ray and Thomas McCall are two brothers you won’t forget anytime soon as they shoot their way through a number of levels filled with plenty of action. The story is actually very interesting and enjoyable thanks to great characters but it’s the shootouts, duels and variety that will keep you playing.

Graphics: 8.5
At times the visuals can be gorgeous and at times it can seem a bit on the ordinary side. Still, it’s hard to ignore the detailed backdrops that are true to the era and the amazing cut scenes. I just wish the bodies didn’t have to disappear like that.

Sound: 8.5
The voice acting is top notch and so is the dialogue that feels like you’re watching a good western. Add a cinematic soundtrack and some detailed sound effects (dogs barking in the distance, etc.) and you get a game that looks and sounds great.

Difficulty: Medium
The enemies aren’t dumb and can take cover as well as shoot with the best of them. Sometimes you’ll be overwhelmed by the number of enemies or fail the mission objectives.

Concept: 8.0
There are plenty of extras and promised Extra Missions to download soon via Xbox Live. The online multiplayer mode really rocks and it’s great to play as either Ray or Thomas.

Multiplayer: 8.5
Up to 12 players can compete or team up with each another online or through a System Link connection. There are plenty of character classes such as Rifleman, Gunslinger, Trapper, Scout and even a Spy. The five game modes are equally good with an objective-based mode being among the best.

Overall: 8.0
When it comes down to it, 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. This is definitely a shooter you’ll want to check out.