DESCRIPTION

Dead Man's Hand is a first-person shooter taking place in the oft-overlooked Old West setting. Players strap on the holster of a gunslinger named El Tejón, who rides with a ruthless gang known as "The Nine." The posse will soon have to change its name, however, as its leader betrays El Tejón and steers him toward the bitter path of revenge. Big mistake. El Tejón vows to hunt down the outlaws until they are nothing more than tombstones on a deserted prairie. Classic elements of the Western genre play out in cinematic fashion, from bar fights and stagecoach chases to one-on-one duels and riverboat gambling.

Dead Man's Hand, a title referring to the cards Wild Bill Hickok held when he was shot in the back of the head, uses Epic Games' Unreal technology for its graphic engine. Players will advance through more than 20 levels set in deserts, towns, mountains, mine shafts, valleys, and more, while engaging in shootouts on a moving train, on a galloping horse, and amidst dancing girls in a saloon. The flexibility of the engine allows for such details as hats being shot off heads, fallen gunslingers smashing furniture and barrels, and rickety wagons jostling back and forth due to the uneven terrain.

Players will mosey up to enemies using nine weapons of the era, including authentic pistols, shotguns, and rifles, as well as knives, dynamite, Gatling guns, and cannons. A scoring system called "Legend" lets players build notoriety by performing trick shots and dramatic stunts after earning enough points during the main game. Each locale offers multiple missions to complete, with more becoming available as the game progresses. Other notable features include bonus rounds in the form of poker matches, where players can place bets to earn more health, ammo, or Legend points. Split-screen and online multiplayer modes are also available for competitive and cooperative play. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide