Last week Rockstar games released its latest title, Red Dead Redemption, to extreme success and sales. Here is a quick run down of the game if you happen to be one of the few people who have not yet purchased it yet or are still on the fence.
After five years of development and delayed release dates the main question is, does the game live up to all of the buzz? The answer is simply YES. The first thing that should be thrown out the door is that this game is not a GTA clone. Sure it has the same open world load out, map system, and mission structure, but you can rule out picking up hookers, thick accents, and drive bys.
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The game revolves around John Marsten, a former gang member of rag-tag outlaws who dropped out after his posse left him for dead. After that event he decided to walk a straight line, got married, and had a son. When he thought his past was long forgotten the U.S. Government pays him a visit and kidnaps his family. The catch is that they want him to go after his former gang in exchange for his family’s safety. John agrees and enters the last remnants of the Wild West and enters the world he left behind. Unlike other Rockstar games that have the protagonists enter a new land to hopefully make a better life for themselves, John finds his world changing at a rapid pace. The days of horseback riding are switching over to automobiles, cowboy hats are being replaced by top hats, and word is spreading quickly about the first airplane.
At its core, Red Dead Redemption is an action/shooter game that takes all the stereotypes from western movies including duels, lassoing, and the occasional damsel in distress. But what really drives the game is an epic story of a man trying to forget his past and redeem himself. It isn’t until the third act that this presents itself, and questions like “am I playing for the right team” are brought up. The last 13 missions of the games ending are juxtaposition very similar in structure to the ending of “The Lord of The Rings: Return of The King.” At first it seems like the story is complete and you are left feeling kind of cheated, but the next 12 missions are what really show what the games is about. Without giving the ending away just know that it is action packed, dramatic, and definitely unlike any other ending in gaming history.
From a graphical standpoint this game delivers even with a few glitches here and there. Everything from character facial expressions to the dirt on your boots is detailed with great accuracy. The controls are nothing new and can be pretty clunky at first. The cover system is not the worst I’ve played but compared to a game like Uncharted 2 it has a lot to learn. My only big complaint sadly was the lack of radio stations while traveling. Once again this is not a GTA game. However, the games soundtrack filled that void from the opening credits all the way till the bitter, rewarding end. The game allows for a easy to use fast travel system that will take you from anywhere on the map to your marker, but you will be missing out on some great scenery and ambiance. For example, at any given time while riding your horse through the map you may see a crime you can prevent, a stranger to help, a group of hunters out to get you, etc. Rumor has it there is even a few Easter eggs out in the world including a Mexican zombie. Missions for strangers are even sometimes more fun than the main missions since they always involve a darker tone and seem to end in tragedy.
The game’s multiplayer is comprised of the typical death match, capture the flag, and territories game types, but also introduces something new and unique. Free roam can easily described as a giant map for up to 16 people to gather in as a lobby and team up for more unique co-op missions not associated with the campaign. In fact there is so much to do in Free roam that it could have easily been a separate game on its own. All in all, it’s ok to believe the hype this game has generated. Will it be game of the year? It very well could be, but being released so early may make people forget once the fall lineup hits. My advice, stop what you are doing, get this game, and aim for the head.
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