The gameplay keeps both barrels smoking with intense third-person combat interspersed with side quests that give you a chance to catch your breath. You'll carve a path through a saloon, square off in duels on dusty streets, blow away marauding Indians with your shotgun, and even quietly stalk prey with a bow and arrow, all while swigging whisky to restore your health. The highlight-reel moments, though, come as you careen around on horseback through hornet-like swarms of airborne lead - the frantic intensity and fun never dulls, and a handy bullet-time move helps you survive when the crap hits the fan too hard.
In between the story missions, you can roam the landscape (just don't expect a GTA-like open world) and admire the gorgeous scenery. Or you can tackle side quests, which range from cheating in poker to riding the Pony Express. Unfortunately, the hunting missions unlock far before you have the bow and arrow needed to complete them, so don't waste time trying to tackle them until after you escape from jail.