Gun

About Gun

Neversoft Entertainment released Gun back in November 2005 through Activision. This title lands on PC, Xbox, PlayStation 2, and Nintendo GameCube as a straight action adventure set in the late 1800s American frontier. You play Colton White across Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, and New Mexico during 1880. The story kicks off with Colton and his father Ned hunting near the Missouri River before a grizzly attack forces them onto a riverboat. Murderous preacher Josiah Reed ambushes the vessel, revealing a shocking family secret that drives Colton on a path of revenge. It is not just another western shooter but a narrative focused drive where you hunt down those who wronged your bloodline while navigating the lawless territories of the era.

Gameplay

Sessions involve riding horses across vast maps or tackling foot combat in dusty towns. You switch between a revolver and a rifle for ranged attacks while using melee strikes when enemies get too close. The game features single player campaigns and split screen modes for local multiplayer fun. A typical minute means lining up shots on horseback, dismounting to take cover behind crates, or engaging in fistfights with bandits in narrow alleys. Controls feel responsive during chases, though aiming can feel slightly floaty at times. You complete objectives by tracking down specific targets and exploring the environment for supplies. The pacing shifts quickly between high speed rides and tense standoffs against groups of outlaws without much breathing room between encounters.

What Players Think

IGDB users rated Gun 70.4 out of 100 based on 140 ratings, showing a split in opinion among players. Average completion rates suggest many folks finish the main story but skip side content entirely. Community moods hover around mixed to positive for the horse riding mechanics while critics noted the linear structure feels repetitive after an hour or two. Review snippets often praise the graphics and setting authenticity but complain about AI behavior during fights. The average playtime sits around 12 hours for a standard run, with completionists spending closer to 15 hours chasing every collectible. Critics generally agree the story holds interest despite technical hiccups that appear later in the game cycle.

PlayPile's Take

This title works best if you want a western story without complex RPG systems or open world freedom. The price point was standard for its launch era and remains accessible on retro markets today. You earn achievements by completing chapters and finding hidden items, which adds some replay value for completionists. Do not expect deep customization or endless gameplay loops since the campaign ends after roughly 12 hours. Neversoft delivered a solid narrative experience that captures the grim tone of the era even if the combat lacks modern polish. Pick this up only if you want to play through a specific western tale rather than seek out sandbox freedom or multiplayer depth.

Storyline

Set in the American Old West, specifically Arizona, Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico in the year 1880, Colton White and his father Ned are hunting game along the Missouri River and after a close call with a grizzly they board a riverboat to sell meat. But after the riverboat is attacked by murderous preacher Reverend Josiah Reed, in the midst of the chaos Ned reveals to Colton that he is not his biological father, and then tells him to seek out a specific prostitute in Dodge City, prompting Colton White on an adventure of revenge and self discovery.