Call of Juarez: The Cartel is a first-person shooter that places players in the role of a law enforcement agent tasked with dismantling a powerful Mexican drug cartel. The story follows a special task force assembled after a cartel bombing targets a U.S. agency, sending the team on a mission across the border from Los Angeles streets to Ciudad Juarez. Players select one of three distinct protagonists at the outset and remain with that character for the entire campaign, experiencing the events through their unique perspective and abilities.
Gameplay
The core loop revolves around linear missions that combine shooting, exploration, and occasional vehicle sections. Each protagonist brings different strengths, preferred weapon ranges, and personal objectives that shape how the story unfolds. Weapons include a variety of modern firearms such as handguns, rifles, shotguns, and machine guns, with loadouts customizable before each mission and additional options unlocked through progression.
A standout system involves secret agendas assigned to each character. These optional objectives require players to complete tasks without detection by teammates, adding tension and replay incentive when playing with others. Completing them grants experience points that help unlock new gear. The game also features a concentration mechanic that charges during combat and allows a temporary slowdown of time for precise targeting once activated.
Cooperative play supports up to three players online, with AI filling in for missing teammates during solo runs. The campaign emphasizes teamwork against cartel forces while managing the hidden personal goals that can create friction among the group.
Game Modes
The primary experience is the story-driven campaign designed for solo or three-player co-op. Players progress through a series of missions that advance the central narrative while pursuing character-specific side tasks.
Competitive multiplayer offers team-based matches where participants join either law enforcement or criminal sides. Available formats include standard team deathmatch and objective-driven scenarios, such as infiltrating locations to seize contraband. A partner matching system pairs players for coordinated efforts during these sessions.
Story and Setting
The narrative unfolds as a modern take on the Western genre, shifting the series focus from historical frontiers to contemporary border conflicts and cartel operations. The journey spans urban environments and more remote areas, highlighting the escalating stakes of the investigation.
Each of the three playable agents carries distinct motivations and backstories that influence dialogue and mission outcomes. Replaying the campaign with a different protagonist reveals alternate viewpoints on the same events without altering the overall structure.
Is It Worth Playing?
Call of Juarez: The Cartel appeals most to players who enjoy cooperative shooters with asymmetric objectives and a focus on law enforcement versus organized crime themes. The secret agenda system provides a layer of intrigue during group sessions that sets it apart from standard co-op campaigns.
Backward compatibility makes the title accessible on Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles. Those seeking polished modern production values or extensive ongoing content may find the experience dated, while fans of the series' earlier entries or co-op experimentation could appreciate the unique mechanics despite technical shortcomings noted in player feedback. The game offers a straightforward action shooter loop without additional seasons or live-service elements.
