Call of Juarez: the cartel

18 cert, Ubisoft, Xbox (also PS3, PC) **

Call of Juarezgets shoved into the modern day with the latest title in the line-up. Set between LA and Mexico – the new Wild West – the game revolves around drug wars and the cartel of the title, which is intent on expanding into the US. The main characters are three law enforcement officials who are intending to stop them: an FBI agent, an LAPD officer and a DEA officer. All three are playable, each with their own abilities and specific missions, either in a single player campaign or in three-player cooperative. On the surface, it sounds alright. In practice it's repetitive, and elements that are intended to hook you in only put you off. The combat and car chases get boring very quickly. And while having three playable lead characters is a good idea, they're a little clichéd. It's playable, but the whole thing feels a bit flat.