Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

10 Hours or Less

The Bottom Line:

"Solid"

The first Call of Juarez is definitely on my "top 10 under-appreciated games" list. It was a surprisingly awesome shooter with above average graphics (including satisfying and bloody enemy death animations) and a well told story sporting top notch voice acting. As cool as it was though, it had a couple major issues, most notably the switching between two different player characters as a means of story telling. Now in most cases this concept could be interesting as it tends to mix up the pace and gameplay style, but concerning CoJ, one character (Ray) was a blast since he was basically a revolver-wielding deez machine, whereas the other character (Billy) was so lame (you almost always had to do stealth with him) that you basically wanted to stop playing. Thankfully (and this is my favorite part about the new game) in CoJ:BiB there isn't even so much as a mention of Billy, since it's a prequel taking place before the character was born (niiice). What's more, rather than replace Billy with a similar character and play-style in BiB, Ubisoft/Techland completely did away with the mandatory character-flipping from the first game. In BiB, you are still switching between 2 characters, but neither sucks to play as and you're not forced to switch back and forth. Almost every level gives you the option to play as Ray from the first game or his younger brother Thomas (who i believe died early on in the first game). It may seem like im dwelling too much on this aspect of the game, but I think it's the most significant improvement over the first game. BiB unlike CoJ is all about shooting and seeing as how that's what everyone wanted to do in the first place, I'm totally fine with it; especially since it is still satisfying. Though I must admit, the gun play in the first game was a bit more brutal and there was more blood that stayed on objects after the enemy went down. In BiB, there is still plenty of blood but after you kill an enemy, they are void of blood. This sort of annoys me, especially since unlike in the first game you can shoot into a body on the ground (and it does nothing). If anything, I wish BiB was as gory as the first game, but I can easily get over it. The actual death animations are more realistic imo, just not as brutal (you dont see where the bullets impacted the body anymore etc). There are a lot of tradeoffs like this in BiB but I think overall it wins over its predecessor. You don't have to be Billy which is awesome, but then again the shooting has been watered down a little. I will admit that the voice acting and story line was better in the first game but for the most part BiB holds up. In it there are actually some semi-free-roaming portions where you can do a couple side missions and buy guns from a gun store with money you earn/find in-game. Speaking of the guns, there are more of them (different quality levels) and they are generally more realistic, and slower-loading than their CoJ counterparts (actually a good thing) which feature extracting shells and for some reason no longer overheat or blowout. Couple that with BiB's superior environmental graphics and resolution (box label says up to 1080p ) and you get major points over the first game. An online mode returns in the sequel (all the rage these days) though it's much more developed than it was in CoJ. A word of warning though: it is fast, furious, and brutal. You will die a lot; you will also kill a lot (prepare for a lot of shotgun deaths) - It's just the way it is. There are 13 different character "classes" that all look different, carry a different loadout, and actually have varying toughness/speed stats. When you play online games you'll earn money so you can unlock these classes. I believe you start with 5 or so. This online mode plus the fact you can play through the game once as Ray and once as Thomas means it should last a while. Gamespot's review actually said the game was too short and it got a demerit for that, but I disagree. Compared to most games of its type I think it's average length or better. As long as you break it up appropriately, you should get your money's worth out of it. If you love shooter games and you love 1800s stuff/westerns it's mandatory you play this game. Maybe it's not worth a purchase for everyone but this time around CoJ should at least be seen as a valid option for someone itching to play (yet) another shooter. Amongst a sea of modern and futuristic setting FPSs out there, BiB stands out as something more unique. With it's a fun gameplay (you'll love that first duel scene with the sound turned up), immersive graphics, and decent story it's a solid shooter in all respects. check it out.