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Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood

Currently playing through Call of Juarez:Bound in Blood in between bouts of Lotro. I really liked the first Call of Juarez game and this sequel was a complete steal on sale from Go Gamer, Eurogamer's digital download service (still on sale as of 3rd October 2010 by the way).

I am enjoying Bound in Blood so far. Just like the first game it features a very strong storyline which is in fact a prequel to the original. The Wild West setting is superbly done at least to my Hollywood trained eyes and top notch graphics and sound effects provide a great immersive experience. The quick draw bullet time mode has been expanded on with different effects for different situations but it no longer feels like an I win button. Partly this is because it no longer charges up automatically meaning that it is no longer a given that you will have it available whenever you need it. Another reason is that the enemies are a lot smarter and inclined to use cover which prevents the from being easy targets for quick draw mode.

You still play as a one of two characters - a twin six gun toting tough guy ( who we recognise as an earlier version of the reverend from the first game) or his more agile rifle wielding brother. Neither character has stealth ability so the stealth missions that made the first game so unusual are gone.  In my opinion those stealth missions missed more often than they hit so I personally don't miss them.

The opening chapter deserves special mention because it is actually a war scene set during the American Civil war and it is very well done. It makes a refreshing change from the standard second world war battle scene and even from the modern warfare version which has now become almost as ubiquitous. Sadly it only lasts for one scene but I would totally go for "Call of Duty: Johhn Reb versus the Yankees"

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