For those who are unaware, there is a sequel coming this fall to the greatest game ever made. Red Dead Redemption 2 is anticipated for release late this year, and so it makes me think that perhaps it’s time I start adding some game commentaries to this site. So why not start with Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption? For those who are already aware, this may all be familiar ground, so I write with my thoughts geared towards the western fan who may not be the most video game savvy.
Red Dead Redemption is just about everything a fan of the old west, and especially fans of the wild gunplay, could ask for in a video game. One doesn’t have to be an expert game player to have a good time with this game. Right from the start you are immersed into a western world with varied settings and surroundings, as well as different types of people and animals you’ll come into contact with that all fairly represent the frontier realities. It’s done in a style that is called “open world” and this means that you are not obligated to move along a predetermined path at the mercy of the computer system. Beyond the fact that this makes for fun gameplay, it’s most valuable quality is that it let’s the player enjoy this frontier world on their own terms.
Right off the bat you are given objectives to complete, but you can do these when you want to. If you desire, you can simply mount a horse and explore; this can take up all your time on it’s own. Completing objectives are important for gaining improved resources, such as better guns and better horses, but you won’t be stopped from simply tumbling along with the tumbleweeds, if one so desires.
Let me paint you a picture, first, so that you can understand the canvas on which you exist. There are many different areas, and each with it’s own topography, all evoking classic western feels. There is America, and there is Mexico, divided by a river that emulates the Rio Grande. In Mexico you have red rock desert and small villages, as well as white stone terrain and Spanish style missions. North of the river you have a couple of towns, one a classic western locale with a saloon, hotel, bank, train station, etc. The other town is a bit bigger and more developed, representing a place such as Denver, though not nearly as big. It has multi-storied building of 3 or 4 floors, a cobblestone street, and even a theater you can frequent.
Each of these places is connected by riding trails as well as by railroad. This in itself is a wonderful plus to your time playing; you can ride your horse anywhere you want to go, or if you’re feeling nostalgic, just hop on the train and let it take you to your destination while you watch the scenery pass by. Not to be forgotten, of course, is the stagecoach. As long as you have the small amount charged for a ride, you can take the stage to any location accessible by a trail. If the trail doesn’t take you to your exact location, it’ll drop you as close as possible along the nearest trail spot.
So you can imagine that if this much detail is put into creating the world for you to run around in, that the actual gameplay and gunfighting must be pretty good, too. That would be correct. As mentioned, there are preset objectives you can work your way through, as well as side stories, and even random events to engage in. You may be out for an evening perambulation when suddenly you hear a cry for help, or perhaps you hear startling gunfire. You have the choice to get involved or not. It may be travelers being robbed by evil highway robbers, or it may be a local lawman trying to catch an escaped outlaw. You have the choice to help out or keep to yourself.
The gunfights are fantastic, especially once you collect a good sized arsenal. Whether you’re defending a fort or raiding a bad-guys’ hideout, the gunfights are arguably the best element of this game. The more time you spend playing, the better your accuracy will get, making it easier to gun down the bad-guys before they plug you. You’ll even get a slow-mo mode that allows you a brief time to super-focus and aim with great accuracy and deadly precision.
There’s plenty more that could be said about this game, but at this point it’s safe to say that if you haven’t played it yet, then you probably should. And if you have played it but didn’t get very far, then I’d also suggest giving it enough time to become a deadly gunfighter and really take out those gangs! And nothing beats strolling across the street when suddenly a gang of cow-boys arrives on horseback, firing their pistols and hurrahing the locals, then quickly drawing your six-shooter or rifle and taking control of the situation, immediately restoring order to the town.
It does have a few drawbacks, though not many. The horse steering when riding at a full gallop can be a bit touchy, but with a little bit of time at it you can quickly get the hang of the maneuvering. Also, the story takes place in 1911, but this makes it a bit anachronistic. It’s a slight item that never really becomes noticeable in the actual experience of the game, and my suspicion is that the developers just didn’t realize the small nuanced differences in the times. The game projects a feel of probably between 1875 & 1882, but, like I say, the purported date is not noticeable or impactful.
You can pick up the game for probably around ten dollars used, and even xbox 360’s are pretty cheap now-a-days, so if you don’t have any other reason or interest in video games, you could justify a purchase just for this game.
Handy With A Gun...! 