The Pinnacle of Rockstar's Creation so far?
Let's start with the story (no spoilers are included). You play as John Marston, a haunted yet determined former Gang Member, who has been forced to track down his former Gang Mates. He meets many interesting and varied characters along the way. Rockstar San Diego have cleverly angled the story onto the subject of Religion, mainly God, and this creates a whole new dimension for a game such as this. The characters are wonderfully developed, and the story in general is well fleshed out.
This is supported with strong gameplay. For example there are many varied missions - which could easily be juxtaposed with the Grand Theft Auto series, notorious for its repetitive missions (drive there, kill so-and-so, come back, losing the fifty cops on your tail in the meantime) - and many side missions which provide backstory and interesting things-to-do. There are mini-games - e.g. horseshoes, poker - and just random people who appear as blue dots on your map. For example I was riding out of Ridgewood Farm, and a man ran up behind me, asking to 'hitch a ride'. I was feeling generous, as usual, so I cantered up beside him. Suddenly he pulled me from my horse, and rode off; but I was up again in a flash. I whipped out my Schofield, and plugged him in the head. The bright sparks at Rockstar who cracked the horse animation problem deserves many, many pats on the back. It is amazingly well done, and as smooth as possible at this stage. The dead-eye mode, where the game-world is slowed down, is a brilliant idea, and makes all gunfights fresh. Likewise, the aiming and cover systems are revamped, as is the Euphoria physics and intelligence system. This has completely energised the game, making it a truly innovative experience. In addition to this lasooing is possible - as is hogtieing. One can now stand on trains - but no longer can one swim. As soon as the water comes above waist height, it's pearly gates for Mr Marston.
One of my favourite things in Red Dead is the stunning and beautifully integrated multiplayer. There are over ten different game modes, and the community is relatively 'good-mannered'. You can form posses, and ride around starting posse wars. In the free roam 'worlds', you can set up banners for new games, where anyone else in the lobby can join. You can hunt in both Singleplayer and Multiplayer - just search on the internet for bear hunting, which is a great experience. The DLCs have greatly benefited multiplayer I believe, and although I do not own them, I have been informed that they are perfect additions to an already brilliant game.
The graphics in Red Dead Redemption are undeniably remarkable. Sweeping valleys, marvelous sunsets, sparkling rivers - all astonishing in achievement. This is coupled with startlingly good audio and soundtrack, composed by Bill Elm and Woody Jackson. Gunshots sound real - I'm sure this makes many gamers a lot happier, as it is one of the biggest complaints - for example The Grand Theft Auto III & IV Eras.
All in all, it's a real experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the game, but then again, I'm sure many did not. It is not my job to speak for everyone, but for me, I believe it was, once again, a true success for Rockstar - perhaps the pinnacle of its creation so far (N.B. L.A. Noire is coming...).
SCORES:
STORY: 10
SINGPLAYER GAMEPLAY: 10
MULTIPLAYER GAMEPLAY: 10
AUDIO: 10
VISUALS: 10
FINAL SCORE: 10