Red Dead Redemption

I never was a Rockstar fan, despite having barrels of fun blowing things up in GTA 4 with my friends (and even more so, my crazy @$$ brother. He blows EVERYTHING up!)

Red Dead Redemption might just do it for me.

This, among the many games of the year (2010) swept awards in multiple categories spanning across best soundtrack, best story and of course, the lovable John Marston.

Long story short, Red Dead redemption has done well across award events like the Youtube gaming news show of high reknown, Inside Gaming along with Electronic Game Monthly (EGM) and the Video Game Awards (VGA)

But how did it do it? Well, thats why I'm writing this. =)

For starters, Red Dead Redemption is set towards near the end of the Spaghetti West era with Industrialisation muscling its way in. We assume the role of John Marston, an outlaw trying to rebuild his life with his family and escape the past they lived. Apparently, the government somehow coerced John into hunting down his old gang and with his family at risk, John is forced to comply.

This sets the stage for a series of events that take us through a journey of redemption that unfortunately ends tragically. This started an outcry for an alternate ending to the game. How did Rockstar pull it off?

[SPOILER ALERT]

John Marston starts out as a typical outlaw but throughout the game as his character develops, we begin to feel for him as he betrays all that he once was and turns on who he used to call his mates in a bid to free his family and to start again, free from the past. WE end up feeling a true sense of achievement when Marston reunites with his family and the days that follow. The storyline is one of the aspects that make this a gem on my Xbox 360.

Combat in this game is a very integral part of the package and at first glance, everything feels right in place, from the animations displaying the right amount of weight per gesture and movement, right down to the authentic feel of the guns.

Combat on foot is coverbased and those who play third person shooters will feel right at home. Those who want to rush through can pick the easy way out with the auto-target assist. Even with that, some areas can be tough. Those who want a slightly more realistic feel can turn it off and manually aim. One thing weird is that Marston takes 4 or 5 hits to die while everyone else dies in one hit. Then again, Rockstar did it with L.A Noire and GTA 4 so I guess it’s their way of making the player feel near “God like” so to speak. Another issue is that all guns share the same reticule. Weird as it is, these small idiosyncrasies are gladly overlooked.

Combat on Horseback is a simple (or not so simple) point and shoot. Accuracy is a must over here.

Behind cover

Riding into the sunset

Mini games are present, from gambling  and five finger skillet to horse races, There’s always something to do when you’re bored mowing down bandits.

However, it is the towns that make this game feel truly alive. Random events are always happening where the player can pitch in to help (or not). That, along with how the npcs react around you puts the icing on the cake. This is one open world one will definitely be sucked in by the amount of depth put to it.

The soundtrack for the game is nothing short of amazing. You hear one piece from anywhere and you will probably know it’s from Red Dead Redemption. The sounds change according to the in game day/night cycle where you can even hear the crickets. Wow.

Even so, it doesn’t stop there. Reasons to keep on playing are present as well. Fashionistas will be happy to know that Marston can potentially gain multiple outfits through the game, earning of which are so by certain conditions. Fulfilling of which will unlock a new outfit, each with its own in game bonuses and effects, similar to the capes of Assassin’s Creed 2.

Graphics will get a small mention because the quality is there. Nothing needs to be said.

All in all,

Graphics: 9

Gameplay: 8.5

Storyline:  9

Soundtrack: 9.5

Overall, a solid 9/10 for me.

This is what I have to say about yet another masterpiece.

God bless you guys and see ya next time.

Stryke