Rockstar Games’ 2018 titleRed Dead Redemption 2was their latest, and perhaps greatest release since the commercially and critically acclaimedGrand Theft Auto 5. SinceRed Dead Redemption 2is a prequel to the 2010Red Dead Redemption, there are many things that the game succeeds in accomplishing.
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There’s a lot of competition betweenRockstars Games, as with each title they put in great efforts tooutdo themselves each time. It shows just how brilliant they are at creating immersive open-world titles, that many enjoy.Red Dead Redemption 2is the latest to try and take the crown as the best Rockstar game.
9Abundance Of Activities
With most Rockstar titles, the open world can feel perhaps too open. There isn’t a lot to do inGrand Theft Autowhen riding around in superfast cars, and not a lot of eye-catching moments that happen outside of story missions.Red Dead Redemption 2changes that.
InRed Dead Redemption 2, players can’t exactly roll the windows up on their car. They are constantly on the trodden path on their horse’s saddle. Playerscan be approached by strangerswho wish to race, need medical attention, or simply want to rob them. It brings life into the world, having these random activities.
8Personal Story
WhenGrand Theft Auto 5came out, players experienced a story that entwined multiple protagonists. The lives of Franklin, Michael, and Trevor were entwined in crime and broken bonds. This was executed greatly by Rockstar, but it wasn’t as intimate as a story would be with a singular protagonist.
Red Dead Redemption 2features Arthur Morgan as the singular protagonist. Sinceplayers only have to focus on Arthur, they become far more invested in his story and health in the age of the dying Old West. Arthur Morgan has soon become an iconic character, all in part due to his performance by Roger Clarke.
7Immersive World
Whether players are drudging through the snowy mountain tops or frolicking in the colorful flower fields,Red Dead Redemption 2offers a great variety of immersion in its world. From the detail of the buildings, characters, and environments, to the lived-in feel.
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The sound design of birds chirping in trees, and horse hooves trodding along mud tracks, all help to make the world seem so real. Players can spend hours just exploring this world, and enjoying it for its uniqueness compared to the world that we inhabit now.
6Original Soundtrack
An important aspect of all visual mediums is that of original soundtracks.Red Dead Redemption 2has no way to feature licensed music on a radio, simply because that would not make sense for the period. What the game does well, is feature great original music from composer Woody Jackson.
From the opening titles ofRed Dead Redemption 2, the music grips the player and bolsters the great visuals. Whether that’s in the burning of Adler’s ranch, the scornful revenge of American Venom, or just riding along the open trail. Who doesn’t love an original track from Willie Nelson, with the beautiful “Cruel World”.
5Sense Of Family
Another great aspect of this open-world western game is the gang that the player lives with. Much of the story involves Dutch Van Der Linde andthe Van Der Linde Gang. As the group camps out in different locations, to evade the authorities in an ever-changing America, they further develop their bonds.
Players can play games, talk, dance, and sing with their gangmates. It makes the playerdevelop a deeper emotional connection with the characters, as if Arthur strays from camp for far too long, a member will ride out to find Arthur and ensure he is okay. It all makes the tragedy of the Van Der Linde Gang even more heart-breaking.
4Hunting Grounds
Grand Theft Auto 5dabbled in hunting, as some missions have Trevor using a deer call to hunt and shoot the animals in the forest areas. This wasn’t something that was expanded on sinceGTA 5was mainly about the heists and fast cars. WithRDR 2, players are still inhabiting a world that is shared by nature, and not overly invaded by cityscapes.
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Players can venture out to hunt legendary animals and even fish. They can track animals, and hunt themwith the correct equipmentto ensure the best materials are harvested from the animal killed. It’s a great activity inRDR 2, and one that bristles with detail.
3Diverse Map
Red Dead Redemption 2is the first Rockstar Game to feature more than one state in the map size. The gigantic map ofRDR 2features 5 major states: Ambarino, Lemoyne, New Austin, New Hanover, and West Elizabeth. What’s great about these locations, is that they all feel unique and warranted for their namesake.
Some areas are dry, and hot, which forces the player to wear summer clothing. Other areas can include freezing mountain tops and snowy hells that require the player to wear coats and gloves so that they do not freeze. The diversity inRDR 2’s map is an amazing feature.
2Western Setting
Westerns have been an icon of Hollywood since the early years of the 20th Century. Hollywood helped to romanticize the Western era into this epic American adventure, filled with gunslinging, cattle rustling, and horse riding. Legends emerged from Hollywood like John Wayne and Clint Eastwood, all thanks to the success of Westerns.
Red Dead Redemption 2perfectly encapsulates that western feel, bringing players into the Old West with a controller in hand. There’s a great amount of love for the genre that clearly shows in the game. From dialogue to costumes to the action set pieces involved in the story.
1John Marston
All Rockstar games have their iconic protagonist. Whether that’s the great Tommy Vercetti fromGTA: Vice City, orGTA: San Andreas’ CJ. None have quite captured the attention and love of audiences than 2010’sRed Dead Redemptionprotagonist: John Marston.
Rob Wiethoff returns to the iconic cowboy, John Marston inRed Dead Redemption 2. He is a character of great acclaim and tragedy, andRDR 2seeks to expand his relationship with the Van Der Linde gang, and more importantly, his mentor figure Arthur Morgan.Seeing John Marston again, even if it was a prequel, was a great joy for many fans of theRed Deadfranchise.
Red Dead Redemption 2is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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