Just so you don't misunderstand, GUN is classified as an Xbox360 title only in the sense that when the game is inserted, the console is able to make use of the disc's assets without the assistance of a backward-compatibility profile. Normally this is where I'd cite an example pertaining to evolution, but with it becoming an 'increasingly discredited theory', that seems inappropriate. As a title originally designed for the consoles of yore (Xbox, PS2, GC), GUN faces stiff competition on the next-gen platform with its many visually superior brethrens. So it's fortunate that the game's appeals run more than skin-deep.

The game casts you as Colton White, a gifted gunslinger living in the lawless Wild West of America. Fortunately for evildoers, he is content to hunt mountain lions for a living with his 'father' who raised him and taught him the art of the hunt. That is, until the pair boards a steamboat that comes under siege by a band of murderous thugs led by a maniacal preacher. From there on, Colton is set on a quest to find out the truth behind his own past, as well as to avenge the death of those he loved. And deaths there are, plenty and often. As the fairly engaging plot unravels, the bodies continue to pile up, both during missions as well as in the frequent story sequences. One can't help but get the impression that people are being disposed of in gruesome fashions left and right, less for the sake of plot development, but for the shock value. Nevertheless, consenting adults should find the story of the game an enjoyable ride, albeit a brisk one.

When you're not watching people being horribly maimed by one of the game's villains, you will partake in a variety of third-person perspective shoot-outs, both on foot and on horseback. Aiming and shooting is rather intuitive, and as a console-shooter idiot I definitely appreciate the ease with which Colton can aim at and before you can say 'subsequently', blow away his enemies. The hardest of hardcore players will most likely be turned off by how easy the game is to get through, even on the harder difficulty settings.

This is not helped by the Quickdraw mode, which slows down time and allows the player to lock on to and switch among a group of targets and pump them full of hot lead. In its defense, the Quickdraw function works really well, and is integral in a number of memorable missions, one of which has Colton defending an explosive barrel from a barrage of flaming arrows fired by some angry Apaches. As a whole, the story missions exhibit a lot of creativity on the part of the developer and are fun to play through, even if some of the mechanics can feel a little clunky. On the other hand, riding a horse in GUN is an absolutely delightful experience and should serve as an example for all future horseback-involved games to follow (Oblivion, I'm looking in your general direction).

In a bid to provide players with more freedom, you can take on optional quests in between story-advancing missions that range from collecting bounties on outlaws to herding cattle, and even poker game or two. The missions earn you moolahs that you can then use to purchase upgrades for your abilities, whether it be a larger ammo clip for your pistol, increased firepower, or even an extension to your Quickdraw meter. These optional missions can be fun for a while, but are entirely unnecessary. Even what I presume is an attempt at open-endedness ala Grand Theft Auto falls short since the 'world' of GUN includes two tiny towns and a patch of wilderness in between that you'll ride around in to accept and carry out missions.

In transcribing the game to the Xbox360 platform, GUN comes with its own lot of gamerscores to earn by unlocking achievements in the game. Completing the game without delving into the optional missions will earn you just short of half of the gamerscores this game offers (1000 in all). I would have preferred the extra content to come in the form of a multiplayer mode of some sort (a game of cowboys and Indians perhaps?), and until Microsoft announces that Gamerscores can be exchanged for tangible goods, I'm not going to work too hard at it. That's just a personal preference though, and for the completist, it's nice to have bragging rights for your hard work.

We've already established that the game hasn't quite made the generational leap unscathed. However, it isn't to say that the game's visuals are entirely unredeemable. The character design is distinctive and everyone from the evil preacher to the hooker with a heart of gold look the part. The animation throughout the game is commendable, especially during the numerous cutscenes, and adds a lot of life to the characters. The Old West as established by GUN, however, looks less appealing. Everything has a 'this is a staged set that we will demolish as soon as the director yells "Wrap!" look to it, thanks to some fairly muddy textures and blocky object models. Having a widescreen HDTV helps, but not as much as one would think. So if you already own GUN on your Xbox and are thinking about a visual upgrade, don't bother.

Boasting several Hollywood talents, GUN sounds a whole lot better than it looks. Having Kris Kristofferson play Colton's mentor is perfect, lending much gravitas to a rather brief role. Colton is voiced by Thomas Jane, and while he talks rarely, it's another fine casting choice. The cast is rounded out by Brad Dourif, Ron Perlman and Lance Henrikson as the trio of bad guys, and they do not disappoint. Everything else from gunfire to ambient sounds that remind you of the Western setting sound great, as is the score throughout the film that is reminiscent of an epic Hollywood film - meaning it's heavy-handed but effective.