Red Dead Redemption is Rockstar Games answer to the critically acclaimed game Red Dead Revolver, Having been six years in the making (Hence the Achievement/Trophy Called "Six Years In The Making"), Red Dead Redemption had a score to settle in the gaming world.
The Game focuses around a farmer called John Marston, who in a former time ran alongside other bandits as part of a gang. Red Dead shares a likeness to the Grand Theft Auto IV game in which the main protagonist has traveled far to hunt down a man. The difference being that Red Dead has the character under forced work from the federal government.
Rockstar made a effective impact with Red Dead as the game opens with John listening into conversations on the train as he rides into Blackwater town, once you taste that small snippet of a story a world of freedom is thrust into John's arms. Rockstar expertly recreate the barren wastelands with tumbleweed and wildlife that are either docile or chase you.
The gameplay is very well laid out since the player is constantly kept entertained with the main story missions and then they are hogtied into a secondary mission.
Rockstar keep the player guessing all through the game since they use a series of procedural or random events, unfortunately noticed by players such as myself, one particular event occurs way too often for anyone to like.
This particular event involves a poor woman, a stagecoach and the ever cliche ambush, however Rockstar catered for the players that feel annoyed with this repetitive action, you gain the option to hogtie a woman and place her on the train tracks, you can then stand watch and see a train come roaring past, once done a Achievement/Trophy is unlocked and the player is once again happy.
Rockstar have also unleashed a new concept to the game, an Honor and Fame system, should an action the player performs be deemed good then John receives a proportionate value of Honor points and Fame points. On the opposite hand if the player makes a move that is deemed bad then the Honor and Fame values decrease.
The game also employs a wanted system similar to GTA, in Red Dead this is reflected as a Bounty system, with One Star gaining you the local sheriffs and deputies, all the way up to 6 stars which pulls in all the previous lower ranks of law enforcement and puts you firmly in the presence of the US Army Marshals which in the game are a significant threat to the player.
In the multiplayer aspect of game has much accreditation to it, since the player can enjoy a delightful group of games from 5-a-side duels or shootouts to Capture the flag, all the way to free for all deathmatch. For those players that want to enjoy the vast expanse of land without fear of being attacked can join a free roam session in which you can enjoy yourself to your hearts content.
Through the game there have been many glitches which were lovingly taken care of in the final release of the game, however the one issue that would need to be addressed is the Save feature which is removed when a player uses a cheat such as Infinite Ammo.
Overall the game is a very delightful main course from Rockstar Games, a few small adjustments could be done to the game to make it more enjoyable for those with a detailed view of how it could be done, The game is also a high recommendation to those that haven't touched a Rockstar game before.
Well, I'm afraid that's all for now.
Please check back soon for the Undead Nightmare Expansion review.
All the best,
Dan