Where have all the cowboys gone?

In the game world, there are regular trips to far-off planets or the battlefields of World War II, but rarely are gamers brought to the Wild West. However, for all the gamers asking where have all the cowboys gone? their answer is held in Call of Juarez for the PC and Xbox 360. The first-person shooter follows the intertwining paths of Billy Candle, a boy on the run and in search of himself, and Reverend Ray, the gun-toting, bible-thumping step-uncle pursuing him. This mechanic provides for some interesting moments where you see the other character, and then proceed to play his path to that point. Unfortunately the plot of the game is a bit convoluted and seems to force too many points within the last hour of gameplay. The graphics in Call of Juarez are quite good. The environments are all nicely textured, making the outdoors feel rugged and the interiors of the old west-style homes feel authentic. The firearms look great, with some featuring intricate styling and others sporting more rust than a tin cup left out for a few winters. The only complaint is that the character models are not quite as good as the environments and items, and move less fluidly than a regular person. The games sound is also well-done for the most part. Reverend Ray sounds just like a possessed holy man should, and the enemies, while somewhat stereotypical in their delivery of Mexican and western accents, also add to the experience. The gunfire is also well done, from your own shots to those whizzing by your head. Sadly, while Billy Candle has some well-voiced moments, he occasionally zips through dialogue that needs to be spoken more deliberately. Much like the sound, the actual gameplay of Call of Juarez is a mixed bag. Reverend Rays levels are filled with gunplay that would make Clint Eastwood proud; in addition to the regular gunfights, there are one-on-one duels, a chase on horseback, and the ability to slow down time in concentration mode, giving you the ability to pump even more lead into your enemies. Add to that the good Reverends ability to wield a six shooter and spout hellfire-and-brimstone bible verses to paralyze enemies, and youve got a great time. Unfortunately, Billys levels are based mostly on avoiding combat and making difficult jumps. If Billy is spotted by enemies, you can pretty much expect a trip to the beyond. While this makes the stealth more thrilling, it feels unfair and irritating, and I often found myself wishing the level was over so I could get back to the infamous wild west shootouts. Ultimately, Call of Juarez is a mixture of great and mediocre that ends up better than average. The Reverends gunfights and the overall atmosphere are great, but Billys levels detract from the experience. The game is a bit short, as most players should finish it in about 10 hours, but Xbox Live multiplayer extends the experience with some cool modes. However, if you are a fan of spaghetti westerns or want one of the few old west-based games, Call of Juarez is a must.