There has never really been a Wild West game made before for Xbox 360 or PS3, which is one reason gamers and critics alike looked forward to the release of Red Dead Redemption. There was a lot of media buzz and talk amongst gamers about the game. Many thought it would be great, many others thought it could not possibly live up to the hype. Suffice it to say, Red Dead Redemption more than satisfied the gaming community.

Red Dead Redemption

Rockstar Games, producers of the legendary GTA series, also made Red Dead Redemption. The engine is basically the same, with the same sort of gun controls, and a similar cover system. The games are also similar in the freedom presented to the player. In Red Dead Redemption, you can literally do whatever you want. You can follow the main storyline, or you can just mess around until you get bored – which won’t be for quite a while, considering all this game has to offer. For instance, if you don’t feel like doing a storyline mission, you can simply wander the massive map, looking for things to do. You can hunt, participate in contests, collect herbs, rescue (or kill) damsels in distress, and much, much more.

The Red Dead Redemption graphics are absolutely phenomenal. You can be entertained just by riding around the map, looking at the surroundings. You will notice as you continue in the game that as time moves on, so do your surroundings. If you are wandering around at night, you will notice the light from the moon lighting your way through the shadows. When dawn approaches, you will notice a glow coming from the east, and you can even watch the sunrise if you want. The horse graphics are very good, despite the fact that that part of the engine had to be completely re-done, as GTA’s vehicle engine simply could not adapt to the western setting.

Red Dead Redemption is rated M, and for good reason. This is not a game you want your young kids to be playing. Between the massive bloodbath battles and the hogtying of innocent civilians, this is not really a “family appropriate” game. Just like GTA, getting drunk in this game is not only possible, but also very fun. But be careful – drink too much and you may pass out! Or, maybe you’ll just get into a fistfight with the entire bar.

One of my favorite parts of this game is that you can choose your path. With Red Dead Redemption’s Honor system, every choice you make affects the future of your game. If you save civilians and do the main missions, your honor will be high, and you will receive benefits such as discounts at stores. If you kill innocents and break the law with people watching, you will loose honor, essentially starting the path to evil.

The Good:
-Amazing graphics
-Hours and hours of gameplay (20+ hrs JUST for the main storyline)
-Detailed and fun storyline
-Sandbox gameplay
-Ability to choose your destiny
-Good selection of weapons, outfits, horses, etc.
-Great replay value
-Huge map, lots to explore

The Bad
-Hunting/gathering gets boring quick
-Auto-aim makes gameplay too easy

The Ugly
-A few minor glitches

OVERALL: 9.5/10

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