Review: Red Dead Redemption

[RoBi3.0]

I lol'd at the GTAIV joke at the end of the video.


I personally have never liked GTA games (not a huge organized crime genera fan), I am however a hug western fan and when I heard Rockstar was doing a western "GTA" I had a feeling it was going to be awesome. I have had my copy for 4 days and have not been disappointed.

I played multiplayer mode for the first two days and honestly if that was all there was to the game it would have been enough for me, it is more like an MMO then a console game and that really tickles my fancy. My only complaint with the online mode is the d-bags that think it is wild wild west killzone. Spawn camping my avatar so I can't get away to clear out the gang hideout I was working on doesn't make you cool. *note to all you get more XP by doing missions then you do running around randomly killing NPCs and players.

Single player is quite excellent as well. In fact it is so well done that I (a gamer with a short attention span) may even play the game all the way through. The rancher missions are kind of annoying but that is a personal taste thing, I guess.

 

[AMMO Kid]

ALMOST head on review - you missed the "snow-tree" environment. You know - where all the grizzly bears are...

 

[Gigano]

Though Rockstar can usually be trusted to deliever something playable, I'm surprised just how excellent this game is. They seem to have pretty much nailed gameplay mechanics I for one would've thought difficult to incorporate, like duels and the lasso (which is why I didn't preorder it and was on the fence with it even as the glorious reviews started coming out), and there's really no better setting for an open-world game than the endless prarie.

It's like the best parts of GTA4 (many aspects of the gameplay, quality story, engaging and diverse characters) and Oblivion (the incredible sense of freedom and adventure, the beautiful and varied environments) came together in an entirely different (and less commonly seen) setting, and I for one am pretty impressed. For a game that wasn't on my radar at all until a few days before it came out, it sure has proven a very nice surprise. GOTY material for sure.

 

[BlueInkAlchemist]

I'll admit, I'm a fan of westerns, thoroughly enjoyed Gun and this seems like the same sort of game only it's a truly open world instead of a linear affair.

I just might have to check this one out.

 

[addeB]

Finnaly the escapist reviews red dead!
I got my copy the last friday and I love it, but why didn't you mention multiplayer?

 

[Metallgoth]

I agree with statements about the opening. I really wanted to be able to stand up and shoot that old lady and the priest. The review is spot on. I've been wandering around completing challenges and random encounters, with only having done a handful of story missions. Anyone who hasn't played yet, I do recommend playing through the story until the "Wild Horses, Tamed Passion" mission, as that's when you get the lasso. And, no there is no other way to get it. Looking beyond it being a great Western game, I feel it's one of the best sandbox games. While Just Cause 2 is a ton of fun, there's so much more to do in Redemption. I feel that this is one sandbox I'll continue to play in even after I've accomplished everything.

 

[Cousin_IT]

bah will be at least two weeks before get chance to rent this. Been trying to get back in to Red Dead Revolver while waiting, but that game has not aged well.

 

[Dr Bob]

It's a shame that when you point your gun at the back of someone's head, they will always notice you.

Also, the lawmen are just as psychic as they were in GTA IV - they will always find your hiding spot and will always zone in on your position.

The cover system has improved a little but there are still some areas of cover where part of your head remains exposed, which was a major issue in GTA IV.

 

[Casual Shinji]

To be honest, I'm a little underwhelmed with this game. I've been playing it for a few days now and the only real fun I've had with it was in Free Roam, shooting up gang hide-outs and what not
The single-player starts off promising enough, but it never seems to develop beyond the initial introduction. John Marsden never seems to change as a character, he's constantly going on about "finding and killing a guy in order to return to his family" like he's a broken record. And none of the other characters are any interesting either except for the McFarlane's and the Marshall and they don't seem to stick with you throughout the later part of the game.

 

[Seatownstriker]

Totally agree with your review. This game is top notch. I find myself playin poker and blackjack for at least an hour at a time. Then I remember theres still more game to play. Multiplayer is pretty fun too. Mostly stick organized matches instead of the free roam.

 

[Raithnor]

The "previous century" line in the article threw me off. I tend to think of the "Old West" more as 1870-1899.

I can see why they went with 1911 though, it's the first year of the .45 semi-automatic pistol. This is more of a "End of the west era" if you want to get technical.

I liked GTA: San Andreas so I might pick this up.

 

[duchaked]

okay yeah I'm definitely wanting to try this game out

 

[Marowit]

I bought this game on launch-day and am very happy I did. It was worth every penny.

I haven't had any problems with ganking yet in MP (for the most part people just clear out bandit hideouts), and have actually had several people - strangers - just come help out. I am on the PS3 though. So, I'm not sure if there is a demographic difference between Xbox and PS3.

Anyway, I've spent most of my time in single player so far and love it. I think one of the most fun times I had was killing a gang that tried to use a woman to ambush me. Then hog-tying the woman, and laying her on the train tracks and waiting for the train...

 

[syndicated44]

I picked this puppy up about a few days after it came out. My girlfriend is currently very pissed at me for spending more time in front of the t.v. then with her and I have had a bad habit of going to bed at sunrise. If that isn't a recommendation I don't know what is.

 

[Podunk]

I've been watching my roommate play this since it came out, and it really does look great. Can't wait to get my hands on it and give it a try myself. I'm surprised to see such praise for the writing, however, as the cutscenes always felt like long drawn-out affairs with too much exposition by annoyingly-voiced characters; maybe it gets better later. It plays the 'Western' trope quite straight-on and maybe that avenue of story just isn't to my taste- I mean, I really loved the writing and voice acting of The Ballad of Gay Tony, backstory seemed to be managed better in that game and the characters were lively and interesting. I think John Marston is a pretty interesting character(and is voice acted well) but as of yet his supporting cast has failed to impress.

But like I said, I still can't wait to play this game myself! The gameplay really looks great.

 

[UtopiaV1]

Good review, not quite as in-depth as i usually like, but then again i'm just an annoying nickpicking bastard.

Anyway, enjoyed your review immensity and look forward to buying the game. Does it use the same graphics engine as GTA IV, and if so, does it have the same issues on the PC? (bad framerates, bloody Rockstar Social Club takin up valuable CPU time, etc)

 

[Tharwen]

It sounds like a cross between GTA and Assassin's Creed 2, with a little Fallout added. I just hope there aren't too many overhyped clones.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

Hey this looks like fun. Too bad I don't have the funds to buy too many games right now. Damn it, I need a job!

 

[lukeator]

This game looks soooo good!

 

[GonzoGamer]

To be honest, I'm a little underwhelmed with this game. I've been playing it for a few days now and the only real fun I've had with it was in Free Roam, shooting up gang hide-outs and what not
The single-player starts off promising enough, but it never seems to develop beyond the initial introduction. John Marsden never seems to change as a character, he's constantly going on about "finding and killing a guy in order to return to his family" like he's a broken record. And none of the other characters are any interesting either except for the McFarlane's and the Marshall and they don't seem to stick with you throughout the later part of the game.

Glad I'm not the only one.
Don't get me wrong the game is fun and it's a really nice looking open world but it aint no San Andreas. It just seems like there's more they could've done to make you feel like You won the west; like at the end of Vice City when you feel like you own the place.
Good game but not a perfect 10. I'm just saying I'm glad I only spent $35 on it.