Already released for PC, Human Head's western-themed first-person shooter has now confidently swaggered over to the Xbox. As you'd expect, the game is more or less a direct port, offering you the chance to virtually don those spurs and that Stetson and get down to some serious six-shooting cowboy action.
In the game, you take on the role of a guy called El Tejon, a master gunslinger who rides with one of the roughest gangs in the West, known as The Nine. When the ruthless leader of The Nine betrays El Tejon, he's left in a rather awkward situation, deciding that the best course of action is to systematically track down each member of the gang and give them more than just a knuckle sandwich.
As you would hope from such a game, Dead Man's Hand is practically bursting at the seams with all your favourite western cliches. As you traverse the American Frontier, experiencing the likes of bar brawls, shoot-outs, stagecoach chases, and a host of other definitively cowboy-esque scenes, along the way, all the customary iconic images are in abundance, such as six-shooters, rifles, black hats, horses, hombres, dancing girls, riverboats, and as an added bonus, saloon poker.
Besides the typical straight shooting, the game also incorporates a number of other unique gameplay elements taken from the Old West. Along the way, you get to try your hand at the likes of blasting desperados from the back of their trusty steed and shooting it out on a moving train (but mind your head when those tunnels crop up!). In addition, as the game progresses, you acquire what's known as 'Legend', a scoring system that awards points based on your performance and cowboy skills. When accumulated, Legend enables you to pull off stunts such as trick shots and death-defying feats.
As mentioned before, the game also gives you a chance to take a rest from the rootin' tootin' action and enjoy a good old game of cards - poker, to be more specific. Before each mission you're dealt a hand from which you can win such necessities as health, ammo or 'Legend' - if you play your cards right!
There are more than 20 missions to undertake in total - taking you through deserts, hills, towns, mountains, mines and cities - as well as the opportunity to get your hands on nine accurately modelled Old West firearms, knives and (of course) dynamite. If you've always fancied yourself as a cowboy, and not the kind that overcharges housewives for sub-standard building work, then now's your chance to try your luck.
Go on punk, etc.
| Publisher: |
Atari |
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Platform: |
XBox |
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Category: |
Shooter |
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| Players: |
1-8 |
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Release Date: |
30 Apr 2004 |
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PEGI Rating: |
 |
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