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The Good, the Bad, and the Hardcore
At A Glance
Packed with raw action and adult themes, GUN makes you feel like an outlaw.
Try these hardcore challenges from the grizzled old cowboy himself on for size.
Ever since I was a wee Hardcore, I wanted to be a cowboy. Classic Eastwood flicks like The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, along with newer fare like Unforgiven brought me up to believe that the life of a gunslinger was as passionate as it was violent. When I heard Activision and longtime Tony Hawk developer Neversoft were crafting a free-roaming tale in the spirit of the classic western, I dusted off my ten-gallon Stetson, strapped on my sixgun, and started practicing my quickdraw in anticipation.
"Hey guys, which way to the casino?"
Now that Xbox 360™ is out and I've got my copy of GUN™ firmly in hand, it's off to the dusty plains I go. If you think you've got the tumbleweeds to tame the Wild West, join me as I make the rounds. It's time to scalp some outlaws.
One Word You know you're playing a game overloaded with machismo if the title is one word—especially when that word is as blunt as GUN. No other name would have been as apt; the world of GUN is ruled by hot lead and whisky shots. You play as Colton White, a hunter and skilled marksman going about his life. When tragedy strikes and he is robbed of the man he knew as his father, he travels the rugged plains in search of answers—and revenge.
Don't be a prairie dog—abstain from sipping the hooch during combat and try dodging bullets instead of catching them.
At its heart, GUN is a third-person shooter. Whether you're running and gunning on foot or picking off outlaws from the saddle, the game play mechanics are similar to those in Max Payne and other action titles. In addition to the shooting gallery aspect, GUN features a kickass storyline and Hollywood voice talent that includes performances by Thomas Jane, Lance Henriksen, Ron Perlman, and Kris Kristofferson. The creepy preacher is even voiced by Brad Dourif—you know, the voice of Chucky?
Oh yeah, and the game's real bloody, too.
Earning the Hardcore Badge When you're ready to prove you're the baddest sharpshooter in the Wild West, try these challenges on for size.
Melee master: Sure, anybody with two hands and a heartbeat can pull the trigger on a pistol, but real men gut their foes like a prized buck. Don't shoot your enemies; get face-to-face with your prey until you can see the whites of their eyes and then carve them up like a Christmas ham.
Naked dueling: No, it's not what you think. What I'm talking about here is the Quickdraw mode. It's similar to the "bullet-time" effect in games like Max Payne and it comes in handy when you're duking it out against dozens of raving Indians (Native Americans to you politically correct types). Quickdraw makes gunfights much easier, so don't use it unless you're required to (like when you have to shoot arrows from the sky). The same goes for target-switching.
Don't drink during a mission: Pulling a few swigs from your trusty canteen will replenish a portion of your health. You can't fire while drinking, but provided you're hiding behind cover you might just save yourself from certain death. Don't be a prairie dog—abstain from sipping the hooch during combat and try dodging bullets instead of catching them.
The completist: Similar to games like the Grand Theft Auto trilogy, GUN lets you tackle a number of optional side missions. Finish every last one. For those that believe in renting their games (suckers who don't have access to a user manual, in other words) you can use this list as a reference:
Pony Express: Deliver items to the proper recipient within the time limit.
Ranching: Assist farmers and corral their livestock.
Bounty Hunting: Bring outlaws to justice. Do it the Hardcore way and bring your bounty back alive.
Mining: Find every last pocket of gold hidden in the game.
Poker: Win multiple hands in a row. Then beat that number.
Keep the Peace: Assist the Sheriff and flush out bandits and other scum.
Hunting: Bag yourself a hefty collection of wildlife—without missing a single shot.
Rescue: Defend the townspeople from outlaws and eliminate hostage-takers with a headshot.
Nab your prey.
With so much to keep you occupied, you'll be picking off bandits well past sundown. And if you're really looking for a challenge, earn every achievement possible.
