Red Dead Redemption

Date Acquired: 5.17.2010

Date Completed: 12.16.2010

Thoughts: I was looking forward to this game with great anticipation well over a year before it finally released. I loved the concept of a game set in the old west, along with the Rock Star Studios pedigree, I just couldn't wait. Then, early this year, word came of bad work conditions and poor morale from the San Diego studios while they were finishing up on this game. It was the kind of stuff thate could lead one to believe that the game wasn't going to get the polish it deserves and needs. Thankfully, those concerns proved unfounded and Red Dead Redemption is a certified hit.

I spent a long portion of the game trying to work out my feelings for it. It's VERY similar to the GTA games, similar to a fault, according to its critics. It's an open world sandbox where you accept missions to advance the plot. And just like GTA there'sa ton of side missions and optional activities you can spend hours doing that don't advance the plot at all. There's not a ton of variety to the missions. Mainly go here, go there, shoot till they're dead. But there are other types completely alien to GTA such as cattle rustling missions, duels, and lasoing and then breaking wild horses. I adored GTA4 and early on, I didn't feel like Red Dead measured up favorably. Riding horses might be an interesting novelty, but it doesn't compare to jacking a lamborghini and driving it off a building.

The game evolves though, and does a good job seperating itself from GTA. I liked the story a lot more than I have the GTA stories. There are a lot of nice touches. Hunting is great in the begining, and a welcome concept. Thanks to auto-targeting, it's not the most difficult activity, but it's nice riding along gorgeous outdoor environments and seeing the animals living there, and having the option to hunt or lasso them.

The Western element is captured very well in this game, and it probably helps to have seen a lot of old Western movies. Hell, I saw Tru Gritt yesterday, and there were several scenes that reminded me of RDR. I watched a couple of the Clint Eastwood Dollar movies while playing this and could see a direct influence.

Pros: John Marston himself comes immediately to mind. By far the most likeable of Rockstar's protagonists. I thought GTA4's Niko was a douchebag, but I like Marston. He does have a dark past, but he's beyond that now. He fights only to save his family. He has a wife whom he loves, which means no laying with prostitues for him.

The ending was a huge plus for me as well. The last 10 or so missions, the game ramps up to a whole new level, and I loved it. A very original direction and it worked well. Though I will admit to having to check Gamefaqs to be sure I did everything correctly.

This game has maybe the best acheivement I've ever seen, it's called 'Dastardly'. To get it, you have to lasso a girl and then hogtie her, carry her over to the railroad tracks and wait for a train to run her over. Genius.

Really a lot went right here. The graphics were gorgeous, the charactorizations of all the characters, main and supporting were great. The mood of the game, the pace and story and uniqueness. It all added up to make a fantastic game.

Cons: For some reason, there's only 3 save slots. I like to use a ton of these, and there's one very specific point in the game I want to keep a before and after save, which limits me to only one other save option. This isn't normal GTA procedure, not sure why Rockstar limited me like this.

I was also a little dissapointed in the time period the game is set in. It's set in the early 1900's. There are movie theaters for god's sakes. I would have preferred the game to be set during the California gold Rush period. It seems like a lot could have been done with this, including Indian wars and interactions.

To Do: There is some DLC I have to get back to, specifically the Undead pack, which looks to be a lot of fun, and there may be a few acheivements I have to make a run at before I'm done for good.

Conclusion: If you're someone who doesn't like the GTA games, I'd think long and hard before getting this game, depending on what your reason for not liking it is. If you're burnt out on those games, maybe wait a bit before picking it up, but definately pick it up.