badboy1927
05-29-2010, 08:00 PM
Developer: Rockstar
Genre: Action/adventure
Platform: Xbox 360
Released: 21 May 2010
Red Dead Redemption is just as violent, chaotic and unpredictably dynamic as the developer's headlining franchise, Grand Theft Auto. But despite fiery horseback gunfights, Gatling gun assaults on forts and an injection of explosive panache, Rockstar's latest sprawling epic comes into its own when the mood is a little more subdued.
Related
Research suggests gamers can control their dreamsFinal Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light coming in the AutumnSplit Second: Velocity reviewWhen it's just ex-outlaw John Marston and his trusty steed, a setting sun and the ghostly whistling of the game's ambient soundtrack, that's when Redemption truly feels like the Hollywood westerns it so expertly apes.
In fact, Red Dead captures just about every western cliché, from rattlesnakes to smoky saloons and from steam trains to duals at dawn. But instead of the developer's usual scathing satire and parody, it comes from a place of deep adoration. This wealth of allusions, and thick layer of detail, could only be achieved from tireless Clint Eastwood marathons, after all.
Outside of Sergio Leone's entire back catalogue, the game borrows the rest of its foundations from Grand Theft Auto IV. In fact the very opening -- a ship pulls into port, a car is loaded onto the dock and an scarred, stubbly man steps into a new world -- bears more than a passing resemblance to GTA's intro.
And from that point on, everything has a mirror -- just with 100 years of progression sharply reversed. Ferraris become stallions, cops become sheriffs and subway trains become steam engines.
But for every similarity, there are massive differences. The sun drenched, arid wastelands of progressing America are a little more sparse than Times Square. And while you'd never avoid a wanted-level in the bustling metropolis of Liberty City, you can easily get away with murder in Armadillo if no one's around to see it. Any witnesses? Kill them, or bribe them not to blab.
In fact, huge parts of the criminality system have been rewritten with the Wild West's bounty-culture in mind. No longer is there a binary state between being wanted and being free; even if you escape the law they'll always be a prize on your head until you pay up or do the time. That goes for the rest of the game's bandits, meaning you can always rip down a wanted poster, and pop off to grab a quick reward.
The game involves the usual mix of violent firefights and relaxing, pacifistic missions. Redemption's more traditional run and gun affair can grate at times, especially as it's still lumbered with GTA's ageing combat controls; aiming is still a little stodgy and cover can still prove to be aggravating. If you have the patience, the more subdued jobs hit without fault. Herding cattle, searching for gold bars, hunting for wild boar or merely collecting flowers are surprisingly enjoyable tasks.
Especially as you can take in the West's breathtaking vistas at the same time, like panoramic views of the prairie as the sun sinks on the horizon, or a darkening sky as a thunderstorm approaches. Although, without doubt, the small details are no less impressive; a digital newspaper broadcasting your exploits, a dog nipping at your heels as you arrive in town or a pack of wolves chasing a hapless bounty hunter.
Not particularly interested in being contained to the chaotic badlands of Cowboys vs Indians, Redemption paints a country wrapped in the midst of the Industrial Revolution, and a population already cynical about changes to their way of life. The writing is, as to be expected from Rockstar, already in the highest pantheon of game dialogue and the characters are perhaps even more fleshed out and interesting than GTA's band of hoodlums and drug lords.
Red Dead Redemption is certainly the finest western game to date, but leaving a bunch of half-realised adventures such as Call of Jaurez and GUN in the dust isn't the game's highest acclaim.
Red Dead Redemption is also perhaps Rockstar's best game to date, expertly squeezing in a fully realised world, a cast of unique characters and tonnes of unique gameplay situations, which might just be enough to tackle the developer's juggernaut, Grand Theft Auto. Hey, you never got emotionally attached to your hatchback, did you?
Wired
The best execution of the wild west in gaming to date, incredibly well realised world, meticulous attention to detail
Tired
Saddled with GTA's poorly-aged combat mechanics, rough around the edges with a few bugs
9 out of 10
Genre: Action/adventure
Platform: Xbox 360
Released: 21 May 2010
Red Dead Redemption is just as violent, chaotic and unpredictably dynamic as the developer's headlining franchise, Grand Theft Auto. But despite fiery horseback gunfights, Gatling gun assaults on forts and an injection of explosive panache, Rockstar's latest sprawling epic comes into its own when the mood is a little more subdued.
Related
Research suggests gamers can control their dreamsFinal Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light coming in the AutumnSplit Second: Velocity reviewWhen it's just ex-outlaw John Marston and his trusty steed, a setting sun and the ghostly whistling of the game's ambient soundtrack, that's when Redemption truly feels like the Hollywood westerns it so expertly apes.
In fact, Red Dead captures just about every western cliché, from rattlesnakes to smoky saloons and from steam trains to duals at dawn. But instead of the developer's usual scathing satire and parody, it comes from a place of deep adoration. This wealth of allusions, and thick layer of detail, could only be achieved from tireless Clint Eastwood marathons, after all.
Outside of Sergio Leone's entire back catalogue, the game borrows the rest of its foundations from Grand Theft Auto IV. In fact the very opening -- a ship pulls into port, a car is loaded onto the dock and an scarred, stubbly man steps into a new world -- bears more than a passing resemblance to GTA's intro.
And from that point on, everything has a mirror -- just with 100 years of progression sharply reversed. Ferraris become stallions, cops become sheriffs and subway trains become steam engines.
But for every similarity, there are massive differences. The sun drenched, arid wastelands of progressing America are a little more sparse than Times Square. And while you'd never avoid a wanted-level in the bustling metropolis of Liberty City, you can easily get away with murder in Armadillo if no one's around to see it. Any witnesses? Kill them, or bribe them not to blab.
In fact, huge parts of the criminality system have been rewritten with the Wild West's bounty-culture in mind. No longer is there a binary state between being wanted and being free; even if you escape the law they'll always be a prize on your head until you pay up or do the time. That goes for the rest of the game's bandits, meaning you can always rip down a wanted poster, and pop off to grab a quick reward.
The game involves the usual mix of violent firefights and relaxing, pacifistic missions. Redemption's more traditional run and gun affair can grate at times, especially as it's still lumbered with GTA's ageing combat controls; aiming is still a little stodgy and cover can still prove to be aggravating. If you have the patience, the more subdued jobs hit without fault. Herding cattle, searching for gold bars, hunting for wild boar or merely collecting flowers are surprisingly enjoyable tasks.
Especially as you can take in the West's breathtaking vistas at the same time, like panoramic views of the prairie as the sun sinks on the horizon, or a darkening sky as a thunderstorm approaches. Although, without doubt, the small details are no less impressive; a digital newspaper broadcasting your exploits, a dog nipping at your heels as you arrive in town or a pack of wolves chasing a hapless bounty hunter.
Not particularly interested in being contained to the chaotic badlands of Cowboys vs Indians, Redemption paints a country wrapped in the midst of the Industrial Revolution, and a population already cynical about changes to their way of life. The writing is, as to be expected from Rockstar, already in the highest pantheon of game dialogue and the characters are perhaps even more fleshed out and interesting than GTA's band of hoodlums and drug lords.
Red Dead Redemption is certainly the finest western game to date, but leaving a bunch of half-realised adventures such as Call of Jaurez and GUN in the dust isn't the game's highest acclaim.
Red Dead Redemption is also perhaps Rockstar's best game to date, expertly squeezing in a fully realised world, a cast of unique characters and tonnes of unique gameplay situations, which might just be enough to tackle the developer's juggernaut, Grand Theft Auto. Hey, you never got emotionally attached to your hatchback, did you?
Wired
The best execution of the wild west in gaming to date, incredibly well realised world, meticulous attention to detail
Tired
Saddled with GTA's poorly-aged combat mechanics, rough around the edges with a few bugs
9 out of 10