The story of Red Dead Redemption is not your traditional quest for revenge. You fill the spurred boots of John Marston a man who is hunting down his old friends and comrades who, years previous, left him for dead. While initially this all sounds straight forward the game quickly reveals that he only does so due to his orders from the corrupt government who are currently holding his family members as prisoners. From the opening few cutscenes and the first few missions it is clear that Red Dead Redemption is going to keep you hooked in and it’s a trail well worth following. No story mission in Red Dead feels out of place, there’s the right amount of action missions, the right amount of escort missions, and the right amount of cattle ranching, to keep you playing on and on. While the story missions progress the main narrative you will run into 18 Stranger missions which present other stories within the world. These stories are much shorter but break up the game nicely, with the only criticism being they sometimes end a little unsatisfactorily.
The characters in Red Dead are befitting of the time and the story and they are all welcome guests in your tale. John Marston is one of the best new characters to grace our screens. He is the archetypal outlaw cowboy, morally ambiguous and mysterious, but above all else, he feels real. This is something shared with all the characters throughout the game. While still keeping with Rockstars usual style, of being slightly over the top and characterized, all the characters you meet feel like real people, they act and talk how you would expect and never break character. Red Dead Redemption deserves top marks for its story and characters alone before even beginning to mention the gameplay.
Keeping in sync with the story and its motley posse the sound and the graphics also befit the time and place of Red Dead. The characters are all voiced superbly and believably and each weapon sounds exactly as it should. Each explosion and each animal call also blend in seamlessly. The graphics of Red Dead are not the most attractive up close, but when surveying the land from the back of your horse you are still sure to be amazed. Where Red Dead really shines is, again, with its characters. Their interesting scripts and superb voice acting would be hampered if it wasn’t their superb graphical design. Each character you meet looks unique and distinguishable but they all fit nicely into the western scenario. No characters you meet through a sandbox game really stick out in memory as much as the gang from Red Dead Redemption. Along with the characters all the animals, from the horses to the birds, look and act just as you would expect.
The gameplay in Red Dead is as you would expect from a Rockstar game. There’s an assortment of action, freeroaming and mini games to entertain yourself with. There is plenty going on to keep you busy. You can progress with the story at your own pace, either quickly trekking through the narrative or meandering through stranger missions or jobs. Among the jobs are bounty hunter missions and horsebreaking tasks, to earn extra income.
Red Dead handles superbly. The gunplay provides the right amount of difficulty, making it occasionally too easy but always enjoyable. There is also the ‘Dead Eye’ mode, allowing you to slow down time and select your targets, adding to your cool gunslinger look. Controlling the horses is well designed and for the first time you will actually feel an emotional bond to your mode of transport.
Red Dead also houses a multiplayer mode, similar to that of Grand Theft Auto previous, however this time it’s a little different and a lot improved. You now have the option to free-roam, forming a posse with your friends and doing different side quests. If this wasn’t enough you’re also able to enter different death match and team based games, which separate a part of the map for you to shoot your way through. The multiplayer also has some challenges for you to meet to increase your level which in turn allow you to change your character and your mode of transport. Whether you’re into roaming around with friends, or slaughtering strangers online, the multiplayer will have you hooked.
Red Dead Redemption does have a few nameable flaws, an obvious one being its hefty supply of glitches. Though Rockstar are said to be releasing a patch in the coming weeks at the time of writing Red Dead Redemption has almost as many glitches as it does people. None of these glitches are truly game altering though. On a few rare occasions missions may be failed because of them but overall they serve to be humorous rather than annoying.
There’s also an issue with the money. As with many freeroaming games the use of money in Red Dead can feel slightly redundant. If you balance your jobs, your missions, and your looting you are rarely out of cash. You can hunt and skin animals, providing additional income, and there are hidden chests across the world. At times it would be nice to have something extra to buy besides stock up on ammo you don’t often need or buying a new horse simply for a change.
There’s also a problem when it comes to Jobs you’ll do for the mission. While at first they seem unique and open a lot of tasks begin to repeat themselves. After about the third guy in an hour asks for a lift back to town, you begin to know that these guys are just going to take your horse. It would be better, and not too unrealistic, for Rockstar have made a few different interactions whilst you’re out and about, and a maybe a few extra jobs to while away your free time.
With all this being said, however, Red Dead Redemption really is an incredible game experience. Whether its the near perfect story and characters, the multiplayer and free roam, or just its sheer epicness that draws you in. Quite often it will be too easy to a seasoned gamer, and if you plow through the story it will be gone all too soon. However if you treat it right, and juggle the sidequests, the free roam, and the missions you’re bound to have an unforgettable experience.
Authors Comment:
At the time of writing this Red Dead Redemption has been my most played 360 game. I have racked up over 50 hours worth of gameplay time and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I can’t sell this game enough. While I don’t think its flawless, and there’s some bits I really think Rockstar missed out on, it is still my favourite game of 2010.
