Red Dead Redemption, the viral Action video game with a Western theme from Rockstar Games, continues to be one of the most well-received, talked-about games of the year. Highly anticipated, Red Dead Redemption (RDR) created a buzz long before its May 18th, 2010, release date.
As a long-time fan of Rockstar’s “Grand Theft Auto” series, the announcement of a western-themed GTA-like video game was too enticing to ignore. Having played Gun, the video game title released by Activision in 2005 featuring a Wild West setting, beautifully animated horses and riding and a delicious main character, my anticipation for Red Dead Redemption was pretty high. Having finally played RDR, I can adamantly say the wait was worth it. However, I insist that RDR could have been titled “Gun 2” for all the obvious similarities.
During the opening sequence, I couldn’t help but feel ambushed by the blatantly religious conversations. Native Americans lost their land but “gained access to heaven,” explained one elderly woman. Really?–I thought I loaded up a game full of gunfire, scoundrels and illegal behavior – not a sermon.
Fortunately, the gameplay picked up after the visually impressive opening number, leading into a well-composed tutorial. I was amazed at how much more advanced the character models are than I expected, including the authentic and believable models for the horses. Unlike in Gun, RDR requires players to stick to one horse at a time, “saving” the mount at a hitch. Eventually, players can lasso wild horses to upgrade their current mount. Implementing “rare breeds” is an ingenious way to keep players searching for alternative horses, which I am prone to. However, the more loyal you are to your mount, the better the horse’s stats become, including an increase in its energy bar.
John Marston is a likeable character, and the cast of characters he encounters is equally vivid and enjoyable. Though he is deeply flawed, I believe him as a protagonist and enjoy watching the storyline unfold around him. Again, his “Dead Eye” ability seems right out of the Gun game, making him a formidable foe, and there are plenty of enemies in RDR. The presence of side missions, whether gambling at card games and dice tables or helping a stranger with a stolen wagon, adds an extra element of storyline to this video game and a larger amount of content, things I am always pleased to see. You can pass on any of these “mini games,” but each offers a small reward or fame.
Another GTA-worthy feature implemented in Red Dead Redemption is alternative outfits. My guide to RDR outfits has information about the different options and how to obtain them; almost every bonus outfit in Red Dead Redemption gives some in-game bonus instead of just a little extra swagger in Marston’s step. Like the rare breeds of horses, the bonus outfits provide another aspect of the game that hardcore players will see as a challenge. Much like Pokémon, you’ve got to get ’em all.
Ultimately, Red Dead Redemption offers considerable value for your buck, and it’s no wonder that Gamespot gives this western video game a 9.5/10 score. Considering the similarities with other Western titles, the infrequent but hilarious bugs and the lack of non-XBox Live multiplayer options, I have to give Red Dead Redemption an 8/10. It is still a worthwhile game and a sure bet to buy over rent if you enjoy GTA-style games, western themes or the relaxation of wandering around on a virtual horse for hours on end.
