If you've ever enjoyed a Spaghetti Western in your life; this is the game for you.
Even the title is so bad-ass. How can you resist? Red Dead Redemption, also referred to as RDR is a sequel to Red Dead Revolver. (Incidentally, also known as RDR) A western themed sandbox game developed by the genius' over at Rockstar. A developer that has brought us other games like Grand Theft Auto and Bully. This game certainly has quiet a reputation to hold on its shoulders.
Thrusting you back almost a hundred years into the final years of the old west. Back when outlaws were abundant, and the land was lawless. When tumbleweed used to roll in the wind, and every single person had a revolver on them while some unseen person would constantly be playing the harmonica. Yup, the good old west.
In this sandbox style free-roam game, you play as ex-outlaw John Marston, trying to escape a shady past (which shall be later revealed through the game) by helping the FBI tie up some loose ends. His story takes him across a good portion of the old west, and a good chunk of Mexico. Bringing us to our first point; the map is huge. It sprawls for miles, which seem even more than usual despite being roughly the same size as Liberty City. The reason for this feeling is simply because of how sparsely located each settlement is, and by the fact that you only ever travel using a horse, barring one certain mission. You could also use a train, which functions much like trains did in GTA, or later in the game you can buy a campsite, with which comes a "Fast Travel" feature, much like taxis.
This makes for an immersive environment, and you truly feel the desolation of being in the middle of nowhere at certain points, and appreciate seeing a small town in the distance. Now, the towns may be small in the game, but that doesn't mean they are boring or empty by any stretch. When you're not out shooting up bandits, or skinning deer, you'll be in town drinking at a local saloon, enjoying the piano music, or sitting at a table gambling away in a variety of card games, or you would be out patrolling the streets for a little extra cash.
That's the second point we'll cover; the money. You'll have money to earn, and money to spend in this game. You can rake this cash in by either simply performing tasks, like horse rearing, or strapping on a bandana and looting a train full of hostages, or simply through betting on certain mini-games. You can then spend this money on guns, weapon upgrades, clothes, ammo, health, and Dead-Eye refills.
But what is this "Dead-Eye" you speak of? Ah, this may very well be the single most fun feature in this game. Dead Eye is a special ability that slows down time, giving the whole world a reddish hue, and allowing you to mark multiple targets efficiently and accurately. If you want to pull off the real fancy moves, like true old western gunslinger, this is your best friend.
But speaking of old western gunslingers, this game is packed, absolutely brimming with old western cliches, some of which will truly get you orgasmic when you see them. The old "damsel in distress" the "shoot the rope off the noose" the "gun duel at high noon" everything. This feels like a potpourri of all Clint Eastwood films ever made, which is absolutely brilliant. Along with this, the game boasts an excellent and memorable story, one of the best ending in gaming history, superb soundtrack, and an abundance of side quests, and extras. Truly a classic in all forms. Controls are as good as GTA, and so are the graphics.
Now we go to the more weak side of the game. Replay value. This game has little to none. After completing the main story line, you will be touched, and brimming with tears for days, but after it wears off, nothing. Besides perhaps, achievements, there's really no reason to play the story again. One playthrough shall suffice in this game. But that one playthrough can last you up to 25 hours. Not as big as GTA, but still a good contender. Atleast its longer than the campaign of CoD games, and things of the like. The game will last you a while, as if you enjoy exploring, side missions, and generally just messing around, this is the prime game for you. It's like GTA in the wild west. Another addition to the game is a Fame and Honor meter, which traces how famous and honorable you are. You get famous by well, doing things that would get you noticed, and you become honorable by doing good deeds. You can't lose fame, but you can lose honor by doing bad things, like stealing, murdering, etc.
This feature, in retrospect is arguably a bad thing. It encourages the player to be inherently a good guy. While this was there in GTA as well, it wasn't as in-your-face as this. You feel obliged to do right. Which potentially could take away from the game, considering the vast array of illegal actions the player could take. Also, the "police" now are of different factions, which is a good thing. You won't find the sheriff of an American town tracking you down for a murder you did in Mexico, but you now get a bounty on your head. A bounty which won't be cleared until you either pay up, give a pardon letter, or get caught. While this certainly is realistic, its not all that fun. Imagine if in GTA, after you outrun the cops in a car chase, you have to then turn around, go to the police station, and pay some money rather than continue the mission, or else you'll be chased forever. It takes away from the game.
The multiplayer is also great, although like other aspects of the game, it can be compared to GTA. The lobbies and gameplay of them are changed enough to enjoy however. This will also keep you enthralled for a while, given you like the atmosphere. The DLCs add volumes to the game, and the multiplayer, such as map packs, new match styles, new characters, new features, and the Undead Nightmares pack adds a zombie killing match type and alters the main quest slightly, although marring the beauty of the initial story is also fun to play.
All in all, an excellent game, which is great in all aspects, except longevity which suffers slightly, but not enough to put the game off. Must buy if you're into westerns, must buy if you like the work of Rockstar.
Gameplay: Fun and open ended. Much like GTA.
Graphics: Not the best of all time, but pretty good.
Playability: A couple of awkward glitches, but they can be expected of a game this big. Loading times aren't a pain.
Originality: Gameplay wise, not original at all. But the story, setting, atmosphere, etc, are all incredibly original and well done.
Sound: Solid voice acting, and beautiful soundtrack, fitting in very well with atmosphere.
Longevity: Not so good, but good enough. Better than most, and quality of game makes it worth it.
Top Three Medals:
Endless Possibilities - How many other games let you lasso an old nun which just handed you a crucifix and leave their tied up body on a train track to get run over?
Memorable - One of the most memorable stories of all time.
Old Item, New Look - A lot of times, the game simply seems like a re-skinned GTA IV.