The latest Call of Juarez game is a co-op focused FPS, and opts for a complete change of setting. Set in a modern day Los-Angeles and Mexico, the game opts for the type of plot which is often so intriguing in movies, in which an F.B.I. agent, a D.E.A. agent and a veteran LAPD detective (and Vietnam veteran), reluctantly work together to bring down the titular drugs cartel which is threatening to become the biggest evil on the streets.



As mentioned then, this is a First person shooter that, has a reasonable length single player campaign but only in co-op or competitive multiplayer will you experience all of it's features.

So, the setting and the game type are appealing. I'm sure the change of setting was a clever if annoying marketing decision to sell more units in this oh so one dimensional of games markets where this is the type of thing that is most popular, and will sell regardless of quality. Just as well too for Ubisoft, because this game, despite having a pretty solid shooting mechanic and some good multi-player ideas (More to follow), is very badly programmed. It stinks of being rushed. It really needed a longer development time.

Starting with the storyline then. The games characters are so stereotypical of their respective races, with all the bad language and street slang you would expect. But it's done to the MAX! Every time there's a conversation between the 3 main characters, a simple question results in the respondant raging with an expletive fuelled response which is totally out of sync with the manner of the previous speaker. Npc's often respond with something totally out of context with the situation or talk over each other. The subtitles often aren't accurate to the speech. The game's protagonists just aren't endearing to the player either.



Graphically, I found the exterior vistas quite pretty at times, with some nice features, but the interiors are a bit ugly at times and some characters look very zombified. I found myself wondering if this had been ported from the ps2 with HD textures added. Other technical flaws include an erratic framerate, bad pop up such as cars appearing from nowhere and even a necklace materializing on a female character's neck as I approached her. Also, your AI team mates will often disappear, and re-appear 100 metres in the distance in the blink of an eye! It all stinks of a rush job!



What about the good bits then! Well, as I say, the game has a good shooting mechanic which is quite enjoyable, and the muti-player has some innovative ideas. In-co op play, you play through the campaign together, but there is a twist in that each of your characters is essentially a bent copper, and you each have your own agendas and secret missions throughout the game that you have to try and complete without being spotted by another player. You may, for example get a call from a dodgy drug dealer contact who asks you to secretly collect some packets from a scene. Your colleagues will be able to hear your side of the conversation and it adds to the atmosphere when you start wondering what they're gonna be up to next!! It's an original and fun idea!

In competitive multiplayer you have deathmatch or mission type modes, and you can actually have a partner within the team who you spot for and this is quite unique, if nothing too special. The only problem with multi-player is the damn messages and impromptu phone calls that you "Have" to take popping up all over the screen when you really don't need it!!

Overall then, Call of Juarez: The Cartel, could have been a very good game. It's a fairly good shooter, and as such I reckon most of you will enjoy it to some degree. It's worth picking up at a reduced price for the multi-player's unique features. It does however, suffer from some unforgivably sloppy programming for this day and age, and as such, I will score it.....................

6.5/10