For some reason deserts have pretty much one use in games, to serve as the setting for a post-apocalyptic world. It’s a strange difference from films, where they seem to be used largely for the more traditional Western setting. Fortunately we do have a few Western games to break things up, and king amongst them is probably Red Dead Redemption from Rockstar. I mean of course it’s by Rockstar, it’s an open world game. Sure, there are some developers that aren’t Rockstar who can build an open world game but every time I hear someone’s working on an open world game my mind still jumps to the Houser brothers.
Anyway, on to the adventures of John Marston in the American West. Sadly I missed the game, but it’s one that I certainly want to go back and have a look at when I’m not swamped trying to get through this year’s backlog. It looks like giving it a chance is probably a good idea, with the game scoring 10/10 back when we reviewed it. Beyond the raw numbers we had this to say about it:
Rockstar San Diego’s latest title is an unmissable game for any fan of the genre or great action adventures in general. We don’t often get masterpieces around here, but this is certainly one of those moments in time when gamers will look back more fondly on a dusty old six shooter than anything that involves jacking cars. The Wild West, then, is the new New York, and Rockstar have got their work cut out for them if they want Grand Theft Auto V to come anywhere near close to the majesty of Red Dead Redemption. A job we don’t envy.
So our view is pretty positive, but what about yours? Did you enjoy fighting your way through the Old West, or could you not stand skinning animals? If you feel like taking part in this week’s WeView just drop your thoughts on Mr. Marston’s tale into the comments below.
Once you’ve given us your opinion on the game make sure you remember to rate it on the Buy It, Bargain Bin It, Rent It, Avoid It scale. In Monday’s verdict we’ll count up all of your votes and work out the community’s verdict on the game. If you want your verdict to count make sure you have it in by Sunday afternoon, otherwise the post will have been written.
bacon_nuts
You get a trophy for tying a woman up, then laying her across a train track and watching a train run her over. AND you can make the buffalo (actually bison) extinct. AND if you use the dynamite in dead eye, it works like a homing missile. HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THIS!?!?!? BUY IT.
R4U Eldave0
Decent open-world game. Easily the best thing to come out of Rockstar imo.
myps3broke
I loved Read Dead Revolver but was disappointed with this. The world felt too samey and vacant in places, plus the only characters I found remotely interesting were the main ones, games like GTA offer far more in terms of character depth in my opinion. Finally, although I have no solid justification for this, I just found the game incredibly tedious in most places, perhaps due to the fact it didn’t come across to me as very engaging.
Still, I’d suggest picking it up in a bargain bin if it’s dirt-cheap.
MICKY17
RDR is a must buy for anyone. Probably one of the top games of this generation. Admittedly though I couldn’t get on with multiplayer but the SP is awesome with a great twist at the end.
Rocket_345
BUY IT NOW! Everything about this game is awesome. From the western setting, to the gripping story, great characters to the awesome multiplayer. There is also loads to do outside the main missions like poker, blackjack, side missions, capturing bounties to plain naff all. One of the best games if not the best game of 2010 and deserves to be in your collection.
tactical20
Brilliant. And so was the Undead Nightmare DLC. Buy eeeeeeeet!
Spotter5
Buy it. RDR is the only game that I’ve completed start to finish twice.
Narayan11
BUY IT! The best game i have ever played. Everything is so well thought out. The main character you simpatize to start with but then by the middle and towards the end of the game, you become him. Then you have the setting which is as all RockStar games, beautifully accomplished, the open world is a joy to ride across, with multitude of locations and characters you like and hate, and the quests are all very achievable. Most of all i was surprised how simple the shooting system was, and how easy it was to use it.
But above all, the story line is one of the best ones ive played. Whenever someone ask what is the best game I’ve ever played? I say Red Dead Redemption. Simple.
tonycawley
Wow, this is a popular choice for weview!
I can honestly see what a great achievement this game is for Rockstar, they’ve created an outstandingly atmospheric world, and it’s truly massive. Just one huge playground to run around in. I love the wild west, there’s some terrible western movies but I still love them because of the setting. I can’t quite place what my issue was with RDR, it really should’ve been totally my cup of tea but I just found it pretty damn boring. I think that’s mainly because it really is just GTA in the desert, and I’ve played so much GTA before I’m just a little bored of it. The story was good, the storytelling was good, the graphics were nice, the sounds was nice, the atmosphere was lovely, completely encapsulated the whole wild west feel, but the gameplay was unfortunately totally “meh”! Shame, because I really can see how special this could’ve been if I wasn’t already bored to tears with the sandbox genre.
My vote is probably rent it. How contradictory was my weview?
Pritchie101
Is this a joke? RDR is clearly Rockstar’s best game. If, the best game ever! I’ll make this short, but there is not a single negative about this game. Even Undead Nightmare was good! BUY IT BUY IT BUY IT! This game made me feel like a cowboy for the weeks of gameplay you get!