Red Dead Redemption was a vast improvement on the first installment of the series and Rock Star incorporated a couple dynamics that changed this game from a forced clique to an enthralling sequel. The integration of Grand Theft Auto's game interface wasn't a surprising feature due to its success in the past. However, this game does not spell GTA in any means. Rock Star successfully employs various techniques that improve and set it apart from its counterpart. From its visually pleasing graphics to the subliminal interactions with the environment, Rock Star fruitfully envelopes the vigorous setting of the Wild West frontier. Although there are still redundancy's that leave you feeling like your 'Grand Thieving a Horse' instead of a car, Read Dead Redemption will impose a spark of life and fascination for any who play the game.
Some of the negative elements that occur through the game hardly effect the overall enjoyment, however, are noticeable and somewhat irritating in the midst of gang pandemonium or hogtieing a bounty. At the start of the game, Rockstar introduces a new character, one who looks like he has fought his way to hell and back (and almost enjoyed it). However, after an epic beginning and an introduction to a wide and complex world, you are stuck herding cattle as a form of reparation. Although John Marston is formally a rancher, this act is boring and somewhat tedious. Another irritating dynamic was that hogtieing, riding a horse, and picking flowers are all the same button. This becomes exasperating when trying not to get shot and get a bounty, or stop a robber from running away. You'll find yourself climbing your horse or picking a flower while the enemy, who is probably somewhat demoralized that your picking flowers in front of him, takes free shots at you. This leads into the next negative of RDR which could be categorized more of an annoyance. When skinning an animal or carrying a hogtied foe, there is a one or two second wait for the button icon to show up. However, a problem that created a genuine frustration was an inconsistency that came with switching from any gun to the lasso. Say for example, the player was on a Nightshift missions and you wanted to break up a fight by shooting them both in the leg then hogtie. Switching from any gun to the rope is usually a swift maneuver, but sometimes when switching to the lasso rope, Marston rings the rope in his hands a couple times before the enemy is able to be lassoed. In a heated gun fight, that inconsistent action ultimately relinquishes valuable seconds, concluding in shot/dead Marston. The last negative is not really a negative because it doesn't take away from the experience of the game, however if properly implemented, it could have added to the bountiful layers of beautiful game play. The Fame and Honor system in Red Dead Redemption is what statically kept track of your decisions, fame ranging from 'nobody' to 'legend' and honor ranging from 'desperdo' to 'hero'. Just by going about the missions, you raise both your fame and honor. You can lower your Honor by killing and stealing but all that really did was lower prices at certain store (depending on fame or infamy) and triggered some background NPC sequences that mentions your name and something you did. Nothing really comes of your prestige which had a way of making decisions seem less consequential.
The positives in Red Dead Redemption vastly overshadow the nitpicky negatives. The negatives are so trivial that if you were to rate them on a significance scale from 'Snooki's Twitter' to 'the sun as a source of life to every living thing on this planet", it would probably be right above the VMAs and right below Tara Reid's nip slip. To start, I will begin with a comparative example. I rented Just Cause 2 after completing RDR, and a striking feeling of sobriety over took my game junky body. I was hit with the realization that compares to selling your Les Paul guitar for an Ibanez. I was living in a fantasy world when playing Red Dead and upon moving on, I was hit with the sweeping apprehension that most games cannot compare (to the Les Paul). The acting in Red Dead Redemption was amazing. There was hardly any overly exaggerated roles, or overly emotional situations, which helped institute the gaudy yet realistic depiction of the Wild West. Every character was played with striking realism. Even the more eccentric one's such as Seth 'the grave robbin' Briars were excellent at cultivating an engaging and somewhat humorous cut scenes. The graphics can ascetically be related to peeing on ecstasy. Rockstar (to no one's surprise) has fashioned a wild western setting capable of tricking anyone's little brother for a live action movie. The enormous/open environment is filled with plants, animals, and imaginative desert scenery, just garish enough to want to stop and take in the sites. NPCs were colorful, detailed, and maintained their details from a far. The fluidity of your surrounds allows for an awesome level of depth perception. As an example, you could spot buzzards or horses from miles away. Almost all scenery smoothly came into focus as you approach it, there wasn't any of that randomly appearing mountains that the game decides to load when in proximity.
The game play although not too unique was very smooth, creating a level of difficulty while maintaining the notion of Marston's bad assery. The Dead Eye function was perfectly utilized. As you progressed through the game, you naturally become more skilled with the varying mechanics. It would make sense that your employment of the Dead Eye technique should as well… and it did, for the better. The missions and activities involved in this game can require days for even the most enthusiastic of a gamers. Rockstar did a good job with constructing gripping and non repetitive missions. From epic horse chases to handing a Gatling gun, the experience the player has will leave them with empty chambers and satisfied souls. Just like the genius idea of having Christmas stocking gifts on top of your under the tree presents, Rockstar gives you much more than just the main mission. There are many challenges and side quests to accomplish. Stop robbers or vandals with your trusty lasso, pick samples from the herbal wildlife or go hunting for the most exotic of western creature. Then, when you feel that you deserve a moment to brush the desert dirt of your duster and sit with a bottle of whiskey; Red Dead offers you variety of card games. This is a spectacular edition which I found could indulge the most naive of gamblers for hours. The game includes black jack, Texas Hold'em, and Liars Dice and none of them are half ass. The game play engine is smooth, fare, and very enjoyable.
Despite all of these remarkable attributes previously discussed, the most illustrious part of the game was the story. The premise of Red Dead Redemption is that Marston is being blackmailed by the American Government to take out members of his old gang. Marston's personality is portrayed as a tough but good guy. He is different from the man he used to be but doesn't regret his decisions. He can be seen as a man of two extremes. A faithful, polite and generally very dutiful person but also a stubborn, violent, and internally dark. This exploitation of both dichotomies is what makes Marston's character so likable, and in a sense more human. I found that by the end of the game, most people have become so attached to John Marston that they are sad when the game is over. The story is something of merit when you find yourself emotionally invested in the decisions and outcome of a game and due to Red Dead's remarkable storytelling, players can justly enjoy that benefit.
Red Dead Redemption was an overall enjoyable game and will spoil you for hours. The graphics were spectacular, the game play was enjoyable besides some sluggish attributes, and the story was amazing. This game gets a 9.6 out of 10 and I would recommend this game to anyone who doesn't have any scholastic or relationship responsibilities! Enjoy
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