Call of Juarez: Gunslinger puts the player in the boots of a gunfighter who has spent decades wandering the Old West, chasing down the men he killed in his prime. The game asks a simple question: what happens when you relive the same death over and over? That answer is the whole story.
Trailer, via Ubisoft.
Reliving the Past
The premise is a twist on the standard shooter formula. Instead of charging forward through a campaign, the player steps into memories, revisiting old fights and old enemies. Each level is a snapshot of a moment in the hero’s career, and the game lets the player choose which fight to face next. That freedom gives the game a structure that feels different from most shooters, even if the shooting itself plays by familiar rules.
The system works well in theory. Players can pick which memory to visit, which enemy to hunt, which skill to unlock next. In practice, the pacing suffers. Some fights are dull, and the game does not always make clear why one memory matters more than another. The loop is clever, but it is also easy to lose track of what the player is actually trying to accomplish. That confusion is a symptom of the game’s central design decision: the memory system is built around choice, and choice can sometimes create a sense of directionlessness rather than purpose.
Shooting and Controls
The shooting is solid, though not remarkable. Enemies fall to bullets, and the player’s aim carries weight. Close combat rewards timing and patience. Standing still gets a man killed fast.
The controls are tight on PC and console, and the game handles motion well enough that fights feel satisfying when they land. Nothing about the shooting stands out as innovative, but nothing drags either.
Story and Voice
The story is told entirely through the voice of the gunfighter himself, a gruff, weathered character who speaks directly to the player. His narration frames each memory, offering context and color where the action alone might miss. The performance is strong, and the writing leans on wit and weariness rather than pure violence.
The narrative does not always hold together. Some plot threads get dropped mid-way through, and the game’s final stretch rushes toward a conclusion that feels rushed rather than earned. The emotional weight of reliving death is a good idea, but the execution leaves room for improvement. The middle stretch is where the story loses its momentum, and the rushed ending does little to restore it.
Technical Performance
The game runs on PS3, PC, and Xbox 360, and the presentation shows its age. Textures are rough, lighting is dated, and the frame rate holds steady but rarely impresses. On PC, the game supports higher resolutions and better settings, giving players who want a sharper look somewhere to turn.
The sound design does more with less. Gunfire carries weight, and the ambient noise of a dusty town adds atmosphere without overwhelming the player. Music is sparse, letting the gunfire and dialogue carry the emotional weight of each scene.
Where It Falls Short
- The memory system is fun in concept but weak in delivery.
- Some levels feel like filler rather than set pieces.
- The story loses momentum in its middle stretch.
- The technical presentation shows its age across all platforms.
- The ending feels rushed after a slow middle.
None of these flaws sink the game, but they keep it from greatness. The strongest moments come when the memory system is working best, and the weakest moments come when it falls apart. The game is uneven by design, and that unevenness is the clearest sign of ambition that did not quite pay off.
Final Word
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger is a game that tries something new with the shooter format. Its memory system gives players real choice, and its story offers a fresh take on the western genre. The shooting is competent, the voice acting is strong, and the atmosphere carries weight. But the pacing is uneven, the story loses focus, and the presentation shows its age.
It is a game worth playing for its ideas, even if those ideas do not always land. For players who enjoy a shooter with a bit of personality, it offers a memorable experience. For players looking for polish, it comes up short.
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger earns a 7.5 of 10.
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