I have to say, Rockstar never ceases to amaze, especially when it comes to their sandbox styled game presentations. Their latest venture, Red Dead Redemption, takes a step backwards in time by setting the free roaming adventure in the Old West (well, specifically 1911, where automobiles are up and coming replacements for the horses). It's a spritual successor to 2004's Rockstar game called "Red Dead Revolver", also set in the cowboy shootin' era. At first glance, the cowboy setting looks peaceful compared to any of the crime drama plots and escapades the Grand Theft Auto series offered, but appearances can be deceiving, especially in the days where the law was judged by a gun in hand and a showdown at high noon.
At first, I went into this game thinking nothing special of it. I never saw any of the trailers, and I wasn't warming myself to the idea of actually grabbing the game until I stared down at one copy in my hands and the news that the game was selling fast. Reviews from other video game resources gave it the kind of praise that I haven't heard from a game of this type in a long while, so I took a risk and picked it up, playing the optimistic fool and gamer I've always been.
Tarnation! Once I finally sat down over the weekend and played through the game, I can see why people are so hot about it! Yes, it's basically a "Grand Theft Auto" adventure in the West, but there's so much more to it that makes it substantially different from that series. You're a Bounty Hunter - a man of the frontier, choosing how to live by saddling up and riding off into the sunset with a horse in tow. It's a big open world to explore with lots of scum and vermin to fight, but there's also the side where you can play the bad guy, riding off with loot and making a killing spree that'll get you wanted in all states, having the law chase you to wit's end. That's the 'Honor System' right there for you, and how you decide to act plays a big part on how the world treats you for the duration of the game. Check out this launch trailer for some insight.
Yes, there's an open world to explore and let's you do whatever you wish, but there's also a story to be told that's key in progressing and unlocking more paths and items on your road to redemption. Your character also has a name, James Marston, and he's a former outlaw who's looking to save his family from the government by hunting, against his will, members of the gang he used to run with. Along the way, Marston meets his gang and gets shot, only to be saved and treated by a couple of strangers he soon gets along with. Soon, Marston's on the move and ready to complete his mission in order to save his family and redeem himself of his rotten past once and for all. How that will be decided, however, is completely up to you.
Riding and fighting on the new frontier is what makes Red Dead Redemption so appealing. I'd like to think of the fighting and shooting as a perfect combination of gameplay mechanics taken from several action games I've had the privilage of experiencing in the past. This is Rockstar's baby, so the controls are similar to that of GTA. However, shooting, ducking for cover, and looting feel a whole lot like Uncharted, so it's a keep on your toes pacing that I wholly appreciate. Fighting with bare hands or using weapons can get tricky, but it's adjustable once you get the hang of things. If things get too fast and you need a "slow approach", Mr. Marston has access to "Dead Eye" mode, where everything slows down in bullet time for a few seconds ala Max Payne (Rockstar's other action game baby). As for traveling around the old west, you can run around on foot, or rely on the resources around you by riding a horse, a coach, and several other vehicles you'll get access to later, like a train.
Funny, for someone like me who wasn't expecting much, Red Dead Redemption sure took me back in time and blew me away with its awesome gameplay. There's lots to do in this game, and all it will take is a little patience and exploration to see the surprises in store. Anybody who had dreams of becoming a cowboy/ bounty hunter can finally live out their fantasies by playing Rockstar's offering right here. You can choose to be the hero of the west, or the bane of existence that the law will hunt down and feed to the vultures when they get the chance. Since it's a multi-platform title, it's available for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 users. Fans of next generation gaming and GTA shouldn't pass this up.
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