I'm surprised nobody has made a thread about this game yet, especially because it is pretty fucking epic. I don't normally buy games right when they are released, but I just got my New Jersey tax return and decided to spend the money on something our fat fuck of a governor wouldn't enjoy, so I bought Red Dead Redemption.
Possibly the best $60 I ever spent that didn't result in me getting laid.
Overview:
You play as John Marsden, a reformed outlaw living in the Old West around 1910. Prior to the start of the game, your family is kidnapped by corrupt government officials who demand you help them hunt down the former members of your gang. After an misbegotten attempt at assaulting one of your former friend's hideout, you are rescued by Bonnie MacFarland, who basically shows you the ropes of how to play the game (how to ranch, break in horses, shoot, etc.)
Gameplay- 10/10
I have spent a good portion of the past 5 days playing this game. I haven't been this obsessed with a game since I was in 7th grade and I got GTA Vice City. There is almost an unlimited amount of things to do. Aside from the storyline missions there are missions you receive from strangers, random acts of kindness (which could be anything from giving a stranded settler a ride into town to killing a group of bandits that are raiding a town), hunting, gathering plants, treasure hunting, bounty hunting, exploring, and so much more.
The controls are easy to master, think Grand Theft Auto for the Old West. The only changes to the controls are a MUCH needed reload button, only one button for slowing down, and more challenging aiming system, though when you draw your weapon it will automatically aim it at a target for you.
While there are some rudimentary automobiles in this game, as far as I can tell you cannot drive one. It's all for the better though, as the cars in the game are painfully slow, and riding a horse is much more interesting, not to mention faster.
The gun selection is surprisingly good for a cowboy game. I believe there are more guns in Red Dead Redemption than there are in GTA4. There is a hefty section of revolvers and pistols (including one semi-automatic one), three or four sniper rifles, three shotguns, and then about five rifles that are better for medium range combat. With a few exceptions, most of the guns are pretty balanced within their genre with pluses and minuses to each (ex. one gun packs more of a punch but only holds 4 bullets, while the other isn't quite as powerful but holds 12 shots).
The mini-games in Red Dead Redemption blow every other game's mini-games out of the water. You can play Texas Hold-Em, Black Jack, Liars Dice, Horseshoes, Arm Wrestle, and more. You basically have a mini-casino-simulator game within a game.
Landscape- 9/10
If I had to equate this game to a Grand Theft Auto, I'd go with San Andreas, but even that would be doing Red Dead Redemption an injustice. Unlike the GTA's where they pack something into every square inch of map, most of RDR is just empty plains. I shouldn't say they are totally empty, as they are a mixture of trails and off road, full of other travelers, wild animals, bandits, damsels in distress, abandoned houses, and places for you to explore.
Rockstar totally nailed the towns. Every town as a different feel, from the Wild Wild West Armadillo, to the civilized Blackwater, to the drunk and corrupt Thief's Landing, and many more. Some towns have things other don't, like certain minigames and stores, but all have a fair share of mischief going on. Seems like no matter where you go in RDR, someone is always trying to break the law.
Modes of Transport- 6/10
This is the only real weak spot in the game. GTA puts a lot of stock in their huge selection of cars, trucks, boats, helicopters, planes, etc., where it looks like Rockstar was just kind of content to put in horses, a train or two, and stage coaches, and of course the good old fashion way of getting around... walking, and calling it a day.
A true fan of equestrian activities may be able to pick out a bunch of different breeds or horses, but I certainly can't. As far as I can tell there are three types of horses, 1 star horses, 2 star horses, and 3 star horses. 1 star horses are slow, low stamina, and thin. 2 star horses have medium speed, medium stamina, and aren't thin, but aren't very big. 3 star horses are fast, have great stamina, and are much larger than the other two horses.
You can also travel by train, free of charge, but it's kind of boring as you can't skip between stops, and only hits a few select towns. Stage coach is the alternative to the train, as it will go anywhere you want (even Mexico) and you can skip the trip, but it'll cost you.
Travel between Mexico and US isn't overwhelmingly important in this game, but it would be nice if it were easier than walking halfway across the map to find a bridge. Your character can't swim, and there are no boat of any sort to ferry him across the river that separates the two countries.
Story (Spoilers in hidden part) 8/10
The storyline was great until the end. This is strictly my opinion, but I think they botched the ending. Other than that though, the story was great. You hunt fugitives, help ranches, make friends with some less than reputable characters, clean out gangs, take part in the Mexican Civil War (some of the best missions in the game) and as usual, so so so much more.
So what did you think of the game? What would you have done to improve it? And do you agree with me about the ending?
Possibly the best $60 I ever spent that didn't result in me getting laid.
Overview:
You play as John Marsden, a reformed outlaw living in the Old West around 1910. Prior to the start of the game, your family is kidnapped by corrupt government officials who demand you help them hunt down the former members of your gang. After an misbegotten attempt at assaulting one of your former friend's hideout, you are rescued by Bonnie MacFarland, who basically shows you the ropes of how to play the game (how to ranch, break in horses, shoot, etc.)
Gameplay- 10/10
I have spent a good portion of the past 5 days playing this game. I haven't been this obsessed with a game since I was in 7th grade and I got GTA Vice City. There is almost an unlimited amount of things to do. Aside from the storyline missions there are missions you receive from strangers, random acts of kindness (which could be anything from giving a stranded settler a ride into town to killing a group of bandits that are raiding a town), hunting, gathering plants, treasure hunting, bounty hunting, exploring, and so much more.
The controls are easy to master, think Grand Theft Auto for the Old West. The only changes to the controls are a MUCH needed reload button, only one button for slowing down, and more challenging aiming system, though when you draw your weapon it will automatically aim it at a target for you.
While there are some rudimentary automobiles in this game, as far as I can tell you cannot drive one. It's all for the better though, as the cars in the game are painfully slow, and riding a horse is much more interesting, not to mention faster.
The gun selection is surprisingly good for a cowboy game. I believe there are more guns in Red Dead Redemption than there are in GTA4. There is a hefty section of revolvers and pistols (including one semi-automatic one), three or four sniper rifles, three shotguns, and then about five rifles that are better for medium range combat. With a few exceptions, most of the guns are pretty balanced within their genre with pluses and minuses to each (ex. one gun packs more of a punch but only holds 4 bullets, while the other isn't quite as powerful but holds 12 shots).
The mini-games in Red Dead Redemption blow every other game's mini-games out of the water. You can play Texas Hold-Em, Black Jack, Liars Dice, Horseshoes, Arm Wrestle, and more. You basically have a mini-casino-simulator game within a game.
Landscape- 9/10
If I had to equate this game to a Grand Theft Auto, I'd go with San Andreas, but even that would be doing Red Dead Redemption an injustice. Unlike the GTA's where they pack something into every square inch of map, most of RDR is just empty plains. I shouldn't say they are totally empty, as they are a mixture of trails and off road, full of other travelers, wild animals, bandits, damsels in distress, abandoned houses, and places for you to explore.
Rockstar totally nailed the towns. Every town as a different feel, from the Wild Wild West Armadillo, to the civilized Blackwater, to the drunk and corrupt Thief's Landing, and many more. Some towns have things other don't, like certain minigames and stores, but all have a fair share of mischief going on. Seems like no matter where you go in RDR, someone is always trying to break the law.
Modes of Transport- 6/10
This is the only real weak spot in the game. GTA puts a lot of stock in their huge selection of cars, trucks, boats, helicopters, planes, etc., where it looks like Rockstar was just kind of content to put in horses, a train or two, and stage coaches, and of course the good old fashion way of getting around... walking, and calling it a day.
A true fan of equestrian activities may be able to pick out a bunch of different breeds or horses, but I certainly can't. As far as I can tell there are three types of horses, 1 star horses, 2 star horses, and 3 star horses. 1 star horses are slow, low stamina, and thin. 2 star horses have medium speed, medium stamina, and aren't thin, but aren't very big. 3 star horses are fast, have great stamina, and are much larger than the other two horses.
You can also travel by train, free of charge, but it's kind of boring as you can't skip between stops, and only hits a few select towns. Stage coach is the alternative to the train, as it will go anywhere you want (even Mexico) and you can skip the trip, but it'll cost you.
Travel between Mexico and US isn't overwhelmingly important in this game, but it would be nice if it were easier than walking halfway across the map to find a bridge. Your character can't swim, and there are no boat of any sort to ferry him across the river that separates the two countries.
Story (Spoilers in hidden part) 8/10
The storyline was great until the end. This is strictly my opinion, but I think they botched the ending. Other than that though, the story was great. You hunt fugitives, help ranches, make friends with some less than reputable characters, clean out gangs, take part in the Mexican Civil War (some of the best missions in the game) and as usual, so so so much more.
As I said earlier, though, they totally botched the ending. After you scare Dutch, your former gang leader, into the caves and chase after him, you finally catch up to him as he stands on a ledge over a huge drop.
That brings us to problem one... why would his escape route lead to a place that he can't escape from?
After confronting Dutch, he decides to die dignified, and he falls backwards off the cliff. You eventually meet up with the government officials that have been annoying you, and they shoot him anyway.
Dutch's fall from the cliff symbolizes how the game goes from here.
The government official tells you your family is back at your ranch, and you ride off there with some romantic cowboy song playing the background. You get home and your wife does the whole sobbing while punching you but then kissing you cliche, and your son sees you and is really happy to be back. Your "Uncle" let the farm get into shit shape while you were gone, but you're back now, and ready to start over.
This would be a great time to end it and role the credits, right?
Rockstar didn't think so. Instead, you do a bunch of boring rancher missions, including teaching your son to hunt, ranching cattle (possibly the most boring activity in the game), and taking your wife to meet Bonnie.
So now the question is, how can Rockstar end the game on an exciting and climactic note.
Answer? Kill of the main character!
Your ranch is raided by the government, and they want to kill you because of your past, which brings us to problem three...
Why the hell do they care so much about what you did in the past? You were just a common Outlaw, no better or worse, and you have clearly reformed as you killed off all your old contacts and have been working on your farm ever since.
Anyway, after killing 2/3 of the US Army with just yourself, your old ass "Uncle", and your 16 year old son, your "Uncle" gets shot dead, and you make your wife and son ride to safety.
In one last cut scene, you take a peak out of the barn you're hiding in to see about 20 men with rifles aimed at the barn doors. Instead of moving into a strategic position or sneaking out the back, you go out the front door where you are met by the entire military. You get the opportunity to shoot about 5-8 of them, but ultimately, the character you spent the whole game getting to know and love, is brutally murdered.
There's a sad scene with a sad cowboy song playing as your wife and son look onto your grave, and then it cuts and your son, who looks like you now, is looking upon both you and your wife's grave.
You know play as your son.
Problem 4. Who the fuck is this guy? 5 minutes ago he was your pain in the ass kid who tried to hunt a bear all by himself, and now you are him all grown up? Not only that, but he has all of his father's fame and honor, which makes no sense. Also, I was in the middle of a stranger mission when this transition happened, and I was still able to complete it as if it had been Jack doing it the whole time. Bullshit. Furthermore, the character still sounds like he's 16, nothing like the gruff cowboy voice of his father.
The only good part about becoming Jack is now you get to avenge your father, and you get to kill the asshole who put him up to all of this in a duel.
NOW the credits role.
After the credits (which you can skip) I suggest walking over to the guy you just killed (he's lying in the shallows of the river) and shooting him some more to take out your anger on how the story went from amazing to mediocre. I did.
There are some more new stranger missions available, as well as everything else, but to be honest, I miss playing as John.
That brings us to problem one... why would his escape route lead to a place that he can't escape from?
After confronting Dutch, he decides to die dignified, and he falls backwards off the cliff. You eventually meet up with the government officials that have been annoying you, and they shoot him anyway.
Dutch's fall from the cliff symbolizes how the game goes from here.
The government official tells you your family is back at your ranch, and you ride off there with some romantic cowboy song playing the background. You get home and your wife does the whole sobbing while punching you but then kissing you cliche, and your son sees you and is really happy to be back. Your "Uncle" let the farm get into shit shape while you were gone, but you're back now, and ready to start over.
This would be a great time to end it and role the credits, right?
Rockstar didn't think so. Instead, you do a bunch of boring rancher missions, including teaching your son to hunt, ranching cattle (possibly the most boring activity in the game), and taking your wife to meet Bonnie.
So now the question is, how can Rockstar end the game on an exciting and climactic note.
Answer? Kill of the main character!
Your ranch is raided by the government, and they want to kill you because of your past, which brings us to problem three...
Why the hell do they care so much about what you did in the past? You were just a common Outlaw, no better or worse, and you have clearly reformed as you killed off all your old contacts and have been working on your farm ever since.
Anyway, after killing 2/3 of the US Army with just yourself, your old ass "Uncle", and your 16 year old son, your "Uncle" gets shot dead, and you make your wife and son ride to safety.
In one last cut scene, you take a peak out of the barn you're hiding in to see about 20 men with rifles aimed at the barn doors. Instead of moving into a strategic position or sneaking out the back, you go out the front door where you are met by the entire military. You get the opportunity to shoot about 5-8 of them, but ultimately, the character you spent the whole game getting to know and love, is brutally murdered.
There's a sad scene with a sad cowboy song playing as your wife and son look onto your grave, and then it cuts and your son, who looks like you now, is looking upon both you and your wife's grave.
You know play as your son.
Problem 4. Who the fuck is this guy? 5 minutes ago he was your pain in the ass kid who tried to hunt a bear all by himself, and now you are him all grown up? Not only that, but he has all of his father's fame and honor, which makes no sense. Also, I was in the middle of a stranger mission when this transition happened, and I was still able to complete it as if it had been Jack doing it the whole time. Bullshit. Furthermore, the character still sounds like he's 16, nothing like the gruff cowboy voice of his father.
The only good part about becoming Jack is now you get to avenge your father, and you get to kill the asshole who put him up to all of this in a duel.
NOW the credits role.
After the credits (which you can skip) I suggest walking over to the guy you just killed (he's lying in the shallows of the river) and shooting him some more to take out your anger on how the story went from amazing to mediocre. I did.
There are some more new stranger missions available, as well as everything else, but to be honest, I miss playing as John.
So what did you think of the game? What would you have done to improve it? And do you agree with me about the ending?
