PAX East 2013: Call of Juarez Gunslinger Benefits from Playing it Safe

If you recall, Call of Juarez the Cartel was kind of terrible. Why the developers felt it was a good idea to take their franchise to the present day and almost completely abandon the authentic western feel of the series is beyond me. Luckily, Techland has opted to bring the series back to its roots by scaling back the scope of the title to create a more focused and enriched experience.

From the outset of the demo, it is clear that Gunslinger is once again fully embracing the classic Western formula. The character you play as narrates the events of the plot as though he is telling a story to a young, aspiring gunslinger. The demo I played involves the aftermath of an explosive train heist that made for a beautiful looking set piece. After wandering through a rugged forest, I came across a canyon where a train had fallen and wedged itself between the cliff walls. In order to make it to the top to stop the thieves, I had to scale the unstable train cars and move fast to ensure that I didn't fall with them. It was predictable if you are at all familiar with Spaghetti Westerns but well produced and effective none-the-less.

Being a downloadable title this time around, Gunslinger sticks pretty close to its linear structure. There weren't any areas that offered any opportunities to venture off the beaten path but as a result, the game has a renewed sense of focus. The mechanics feel well crafted and are fun to use. Shooting dudes with your array of classic western weapons feels appropriately paced and guns definitely pack a punch. A little more reaction from the surroundings during fire fights would be nice but the fun factor is definitely there. Of course, the "Dead Eye" mechanic that has become a staple of the genre is back here but i'm not going to knock them for borrowing a mechanic that results in a more enjoyable combat system. Perhaps most importantly, experience numbers are used to good effect to give the player a sense of progression and satisfaction as you pull of headshots and complex shots.

It wouldn't be a western without a classic showdown between two gunslingers and the game has an interesting method of handling these scenarios. Using the right analog stick, I kept a shrinking reticle focused on my target until my opponent reached for his gun. At that moment, I used the left and right trigger to draw my weapon and get the first shot off. It is a simple mechanic but fun in practice. My only question is how they will progress the concept and make these showdowns more challenging. Player stats are displayed at the end of the level and can be used to purchase new skills that will enhance your ability as a gunslinger, a brawler, or a sniper. Once again, another mechanic that we are all familiar with but an addition that effectively grounds the game after a questionable sequel.

Last but not least, the game has adopted a slightly cel-shaded art style that makes for some beautiful set-pieces and ultimately gives the game a visual flair that I feel was lacking in the previous entries. With that said, nothing that is being done in Call of Juarez Gunslinger is necessarily new or fresh but it IS fun. After such a tremendous disappointment with the Cartel, Gunslinger does a lot to rope in fans that may have strayed and ensures that the series will be viewed as one of the few quality Westerns in the industry today.

Call of Juarez Gunslinger is releasing soon on XBLA, PSN, and PC (Steam).