Call of Juarez: The Cartel is a first-person shooter released in 2011 for the PC platform. It places players in control of one member of a three-person law enforcement task force tasked with confronting a Mexican drug cartel responsible for an attack on a U.S. agency office.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on linear campaign missions where the player selects one of three fixed protagonists before starting and remains with that character for the entire story. The unselected agents accompany the player as AI companions or as additional human players in cooperative sessions. Each protagonist brings distinct advantages, such as preferred weapon ranges and special abilities that influence combat approach.
Shooting forms the foundation of encounters. Enemies drop quickly under sustained fire, and a concentration system builds through successful hits. Once charged, concentration activates a temporary slowdown effect that allows precise targeting of multiple threats. Movement emphasizes speed with unlimited sprinting available at all times. Loadouts draw from a selection of contemporary firearms including pistols, assault rifles, sniper rifles, and heavier options, with new weapons unlocking through progression. Dual-wielding pistols serves as a common tactic for close-range aggression.
Cooperative play supports up to three participants who can join or leave sessions freely. The AI handles missing players without requiring restarts. Vehicle sections appear during certain objectives, requiring players to manage escapes or pursuits while under fire.
Game Modes
The single-player campaign forms the primary experience and can be completed alone or with up to two others in drop-in co-op. Missions follow a structured sequence of objectives focused on investigation, combat, and extraction against cartel forces.
Separate competitive multiplayer supports team-based matches. Available formats include standard team deathmatch and objective-driven scenarios where one side completes tasks while the opposing team interferes. Proximity-based team perks activate when players stay near designated partners, encouraging coordinated movement. Some objective matches incorporate vehicle driving as a core element for completing goals or evading opponents.
Campaign Structure and Progression
Progression occurs through mission completion and weapon unlocks tied to character level. Each of the three protagonists follows their own perspective on events, revealing differing motivations and backstories that intersect during shared missions. Customization remains limited to loadout selection at the start of each mission rather than extensive skill trees.
Environments span urban Los Angeles settings and cartel-controlled territories, with combat encounters mixing open firefights and more confined spaces. The campaign length supports multiple playthroughs when switching protagonists to experience alternate viewpoints and dialogue variations.
Is It Worth Playing?
Player reception at launch was largely negative, with widespread criticism directed at technical issues including frequent glitches, inconsistent frame rates, animation problems, and poor voice acting. The campaign offers some engaging moments through its co-op ideas and fast-paced gunplay, yet many reviewers described the overall package as generic and unpolished.
Today the game exists only through physical copies or secondary markets because digital distribution ended years ago following a rights dispute. No patches, seasons, or ongoing support have appeared since the original release. Individuals who enjoy straightforward run-and-gun first-person shooters and can locate a working copy at low cost may find brief entertainment in the co-op campaign or quick multiplayer sessions. Those seeking refined mechanics, modern visuals, or reliable performance will encounter better alternatives in the genre. The title suits players tolerant of older technical shortcomings more than those expecting a polished experience.
