THE WILD WEST IS REINVENTED PERFECTLY IN THIS EPIC GAME OF THE YEAR!
Red Dead Redemption is an open world experience set in the wild west in the year 1911. The wild west is dying and criminal expanses are becoming threatened to be extinct as marshal laws come into place and a system of justice is spreading throughout their world. However that all breaks lose and unwinds as the games protagonist John Marston is forced on a brutal path of Redemption and sacrifice, as he must encounter memories of his past as well as trying to escape for a better future.
Red Dead Redemption simply is a really amazing game defining the open world and wild west genre's. There are many contributing factors to its accomplished masterpiece. The open world design for Red Dead Redemption is an absolute gem to explore with its world hugely expansive and having three areas to explore, each complete with their varied locations and brilliant landscapes. These area's are New Austin, Mexico and West Elizabeth. The visual presentation and design of these area's is jaw-dropping, and from the many sights and locations to explore you really get the feeling that the gaming world your in is truly alive. It is not just the incredibly stunning sights and the visually stunning scenery which make the areas at their best, but it's the level and amount of detail which has gone into these areas which really lays capture to the eye. Rockstar clearly wanted to capture the wild west at it's best. These don't just range from the big differences such as the incredible sense of freedom and will to do whatever you want or wish, but it's the small details added to each and every area you explore to enhance the game's truly gripping nature. The vibrant and exotic npc's (non playable characters) are a small but perfectly refined aspect of Red Dead Redemption's world and not just to see around but also in what they do; hunting wildlife, searching for lost treasure, escaping the law, having a drink or dance in the local saloon, playing poker or just on a casual stroll on horseback. You name it and Red Dead Redemption has it. But what really brings the world to life is the atmosphere represented in the many towns or villages spread across the map. E.g. In saloons people will be drinking, playing the piano, dancing emphatically to the evenings tunes, or can be just commonly sitting around enjoying a pint. These small but intricately refined details are what really stand out within the open world design.
The gameplay in Red Dead Redemption is one of the games core aspects and Rockstar perfected this beautifully. There are many weapons to wield in Red Dead Redemption, these can range from revolvers to repeaters and many different types of each, however they each have their own unique abilities such as better accuracy or more powerful against foes. For example take a revolver shot to the leg and your enemy will be scrawling about on the floor in pain and despair, however having a shotgun is a completely different situation in which it should be realistically. The sounds of the guns firing throughout gunfights and the sounds of reloading and explosions are all captured perfectly in the world of Red Dead and sound design is uniquely detailed not just the sounds of bullets being fired and innocent pedestrians screaming and running in fear and loss, but the vibrant sound of iconic wildlife and wind across the desert offer a perfect sound effect throughout the game. The physics are nailed perfectly, with every shot fired against an enemy always effecting differently every time, thanks to the euphoria engine included in the game. A new cover mechanic has been introduced into Red Dead Redemption one that is well needed throughout the many gunfights you will encounter throughout the game. Being in a good cover position is always a tactical advantage against your enemies, whether its unloading continuous shots forcing your enemy to stay hidden, or ducking out to pull off a quick and deadly headshot, they are all different possibilities with realistic and bloody outcomes. Enemies are clever and respond to your actions, they will take cover effectively and carefully try to flank you to work themselves into a better position and to have the advantage during a gunfight. Another wonderful reinvention in the game is the old Mexican stand-off. A duel between the player and an enemy, these can be in the form of story based missions or just random encounters throughout the world. Have to be timed well and effective in accordance to get the first shot away, but these can offer tense moments and are really well added in to the game. A really brilliant, exciting and truly remarkable element has been placed into Red Dead Redemption in the form of hunting. There are many selective animals and rare wildlife throughout the game, all can be hunted down to be sold for money and stores. It's not just the excitement of hunting down these rare wildlife, but the blood curdling sound as John Marston skins them a perfect resemblance and beautifully mastered sound effect.
John Marston is a new protagonist, one with a shaded and intriguing past which will soon come into play as the story progresses. John Marston is a family man, former gunslinger with his own prestigious gang, he hung up his guns for a new life. However when his family are kidnapped by the government who request he seeks out his former gang to take them down, he must grab his guns again, saddle up and ride out to capture the bad guys and save his family. The story in Red Dead Redemption is brilliantly scripted, detailed and certainly another one of the game's many highlights. There are a huge amount of characters to encounter throughout the game, each with their own unique blend of personality and wit and all the characters are exquisitely detailed and perfect for the games story and progression and are a joy to encounter. The story never lacks emphasis or detail, every mission is new and interesting and it's clearly not just to progress the story, but outlines the plot as a clear emphasis and hugely enjoyable. Aside from the story and many missions throughout the game, there are also side missions and many other exciting additions to Red Dead Redemption to keep you exploring and playing for hours. These range from random encounters throughout the world which are not scripted; e.g. saving an innocent civilian from enemies, or being challenged by a bystander to see who can shoot the most birds in a set time. These are all really fun and crafted well into the games design and offer plenty of opportunity. There are many fun games to play in Red Dead Redemption all with enjoyment and unique playing styles; Poker, Liar's Dice, Black Jack, Horseshoe's, Five Finger Fillet and Arm Wrestling. Each have their own gameplay blend, but all are really enjoying and excellent ways to win money and profit.
Multiplayer in Red Dead Redemption is a really fun experience to play in and get involved with. There are the standard modes such as deathmatch, team deathmatch, capture the treasure modes etc. These are all fun to earn experience points and money but also to enjoy the many locations multiplayer offers. However there is one mode in Red Dead's Multiplayer that outstands the rest. This is called Free Roam. Free Roam is a mode in which the whole of Red Dead's map is accessible to enjoy and experience with friends, whether its enjoying a casual ride or completing and clearing out the many gang hideouts, these all have their benefits and progression for experience points and satisfaction. Experience points are put to effect of unlocking new characters skins and new horses to purchase with the money you earn during matches, and the amount of different variety you can choose is a really good amount and variation to suit your own play style.
Red Dead Redemption doesn't have its many flaws and when they do come they are not a big impact on the game and are not much of a disappoint. There are the occasional odd visual glitch in the environments, however these are few and far between and are no real impact on the gaming experience. Horse physics are perfectly designed and intricately adapted however at times the controls can feel slightly awkward of you are galloping up a short and narrow path or on a cliff edge. The story can be considered good or bad for different people and having experienced it, it has it's positives and its negatives.
Overall Red Dead redemption fully deserved it's game of the year reward with perfect open world design, beautifully stunning graphics and an incredibly detailed story with brilliant characters, Red Dead Redemption has proved the Wild West may not be completely dead after all.
Good Points:
-- Beautiful visual design
-- Satisfyingly bloody and awesome gunplay
-- Enticing and engrossing story
-- A lot of memorable and delightful characters
-- Open World Design is perfectly re-imagined
-- Atmosphere is incredible and very realistic
-- Multiplayer is fun and enjoyable to play and experience with friends
Bad Points:
-- Slight visual glitches
-- Ending can have its positive and negative aspects
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Gameplay: 10/10
Presentation: 10/10
Graphics: 10/10
Story: 9.5/10
Characters: 9.5/10
Enemy AI: 9/10
Sound: 10/10
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Overall Rating: 10