GUN actually makes the wild west look fairly interesting - PLAY IT
The reason I like GUN so much is because of the sheer quality and effort that went into it.
Graphics: The most notable thing about the game is the landscape. There are many different places from the old west - canyon, mountain, desert, prairies, farmland, etc. - they are all very detailed and you can see that much scrutiny was put into it. Every area is a masterpiece, you do wonder how someone can make something so breathtaking when the world is so wide. It takes you a while to learn the different landmarks, but eventually, you know which way leads where, and you can enjoy the sights. The characters look as amazing as in the cutscenes, the people all look real and you could easily imagine them from the western times. Lots of creativity has been put in here. The towns are clever, the game makers have taken the two stereotypical cowboy towns - the city and the town that stretches out, and those are the key places that the story revolves around, there's even a wooden fort later on.
I find it hard to describe the graphics, except that they are just incredible and you have to buy this game if only to look at the scenery.
Gameplay: The gameplay in GUN is addictive and you can hardly get bored.
What you expect in a western game: Wanted posters, Bandits, Sheriffs, Horses, ranching, shoot-outs, Jails, Trains, Caravans, Indians, Hunting etc. etc. - It's all there.
The weapons you can wield and have LOTS of fun with are: Shotguns, Rifles, Pistols, Scopes - and even Bows and melee weapons like tomahawks and swords.
Health is slightly un-realistic - you have a health bar, and a whisky bottle, as soon as your health goes red, you can simply press 'UP' and it refills your health. Guns don't really kill you very quickly, like they would, however the bandits aren't so lucky - one shot from your rifle and they are dead. The bosses are a bit more challenging though, however not impossible.
When you look at the story mode, it's rather short - but you can fill your time by doing side-missions, which increase stats, and you gain money to buy weapon and item upgrades.
These side-missions involve: using a horse for errands, wanted posters (it wouldn’t be a western game without them), being a deputy and keeping the peace, Federal Marshal - more law keeping, though its a different place, Poker (I have yet to really try). And one of my favourites - hunting, where you have to find an animal that randomly appears and use stealth to send an arrow into it's eye - It can be a wolf, cougar, or even a bear.
Sound: The voice acting in GUN is all done really well, and the voices fit the characters perfectly - to the hero Cole and the wimpy safecracker Soapy. They all sound like the stereotypical cowboys - to the enemies, shopkeepers, and normal citizens. The sound effects are all realistic, and the wolf howls and horse whinnies all add the amazing reality to the game.
The Music is incredible, all the instruments from the old west - the violin and the flute, etc. are included in amazing music. Truly one of the best things to do is to ride across the plains, with the sound turned right up, enjoying the grassy prairie, the perfect daylight and the beautiful blue sky - all accompanied by a brilliant orchestral soundtrack that is wonderfully thrilling - like a movie. Sometimes they could put more music in places where it’s appropriate, but overall it is a great soundtrack
GUN is a game that you have to play, borrow it, rent it - or better yet, buy it. You won't regret having it. Some people say that it is short, but I think its good that they have sacrificed longevity for golden quality, because you get to enjoy the game rather than labour on with a tired plot
The score given in the Gamspot is a sin; it deserves at least a 9. Use all the Xmas money you got this year and save up for GUN, you definitely won't take a wrong choice.