Red Dead Redemption

Let me just start by saying game is better than I first expected, simply because open world free-roam games are nothing new anymore, particularly from rockstar and personally I feel that the GTA series has really reached the end because there isn't really much scope left for another game. Rockstar possibly feel the same way, so they have been putting all their heart into their latest game - Red Dead Redemption.

We get to follow the life of John Marston, an ex-member of Bill Williamson's gang of outlaws. John is out to settle his differences with his ex partner in crime, Bill, to prevent bad things happening to his family. John discovers that Bill Williams has traveled to Mexican territory which is being fought over by the Mexicn army and insurgent rebels. John has many choices in this game, whether he sides with the outlaws, lawmen, rebels, or innocents is entirely up to you. The game has different paths for you to take so it isn't entirely a one direction storyline.

It is the same platform and layout that were used to all the way back from GTAIII only everything has changed for the better. We now have an epic open world western/horse riding/gun slinging game, which is such a refreshing change. If you are a fan of rockstar's previous games then you should really enjoy this even if you (like myself) aren't a big fan of westerns.

The controls are very similar to GTA and so is the camera so i needn't discuss them too deeply as you're already more than likely familiar with them. But they're the typical aim and shoot, tap x to sprint and hold x to accelerate your horse, the usual really.

The graphics are beautiful, rockstar have really hit the nail on the head with this game. The characters, clothing, environments, animals, buildings etc are all top notch, and some of the views in the game are simply stunning. When standing on a cliff edge looking into the sea whilst the sun sets is very picturesque. There are many nice little features like skinning animals, searching areas and completing small tasks to acquire scraps of clothing for new outfits. You can even herd and capture wild horses then break them in to become your own.

The online side is quite a nice touch, I haven't ventured too far into it but you have plenty of characters to choose from and basically there are loads of other players free roaming in the same area as you. Whether you choose to side together or blow each others heads off is entirely up to you, i felt that everybody was trying to kill me on sight though which was a little off putting. The single player is the main highlight of this game but when that is complete the online will be the next challenge for you no doubt.

Overall this game is so well thought out and it's nice to say it hasn't been over hyped. I think most players of this game will enjoy it thoroughly and really get into the whole storyline and characters, who, by the way have excellent voice talent capturing their personalities perfectly. There is SO much to do that it will keep you entertained for months, and it is a title that you will want to keep in your collection for as long as possible.

Graphics 9/10 - not many games look better than this
Sound 10/10 - perfect atmosphere, gun fire effects and voice talent.
Controls 9/10 - almost spot on, though i would have changed just a couple of things.
Game play 10/10 - as good as it's gonna get when it comes to free roam games.
Life span 10/10 0 tonnes and tonnes to do, with the added online. Endless hours of entertainment.

Thanks for reading.

His family held captive till he captures or kills the members of a posse of outlaws he used to ride with - one thing's for sure John Marsten ain't exactly having a good time. Let's hope you can don his dusty boots and help him out...one way or another.
So begins the long - very, very long - road through what has to be one of the most awe inspiring open world adventures I have ever had the honour to be a part of. Now, fair enough, I've broken the cardinal rule of reviewing by blowing my beans too soon as far as my opinion of the game goes, but I'm sure after a few hours playing this you too will be entranced - also many, many, reviews have already waxed on over the merits of the game so I am merely here to back up these claims of grandeur, and hopefully push a few more people one step closer to this stunning recreation of the wild old west.

THE GOOD:
- Quality, people, quality: this game reeks of it from the second you step into your first dust bowl town to your 30th gun fight with some grizzly looking miscreant.
- Graphically this is where it's at. The draw distance and vistas that accompany it are worth the asking price alone. Every effect you could hope for is flying around in some form or another and the texture work is fantastic. All in all it goes to create one of the moST solid and cohesive feeling game worlds ever made.
- The music is minimalist and haunting. Whistles and other spaghetti western accompaniments are thrown around with style but are never overbearing.
- The other audio work is equally stunning. Townsfolk greet you in their old west drawl, animals call in the distance and your guns hammer the speakers as they hammer another head clean off its shoulders. Very nice stuff.
- Controls are tight and innovative. Holding down the run button when on horseback to keep a steady pace with your companions is a stroke of genius that should have been implemented in games long ago. The cover system is tight and aiming is niether too loose nor too stiff meaning you'll be spraying brains all over the dessert in no time at all.
- Missions are varied and interesting, plus there are tons of them, this is one immense game. Hunt bounties, follow the story, help townsfolk, hunt wild animals and find outfits by collecting their various parts all over the west - I could go on but I don't want to ruin any suprises. Plus if all that isn't already enough the Rockstar Social Club features new missions with the promise of more to come, now I wouldn't expect this stuff to stay free forever but right now this is the game that keeps on giving, and giving and giving!
- Characters are interesting and fill out what so far seems to be a great yarn (12 hours in - I got it early, don't judge me!)
- All the little extras really add atmosphere to the proceedings - stuff like being able to buy a newspaper and read stories with your antics in it (amongst the humorous adverts and clues to interesting places and quests), the little movies in the movie theatre, being able to camp in the wilds and being able to prop up the bar at your local saloon all go hand in hand in adding authenticity to an already great experience.
- I spent around 3 hours getting from one town to another - not because it's a pain to get thier because you can fast travel, but then you would miss my point and some of the finest things RDR has to offer. I met tons of strangers with requests, went hunting, partook in a hostage situation (that went badly for me) and even bought up some property. This is not a big old map of nothing but rock and cactus, there is tons to do and exploration is just plain fun.
- I am officially hooked on the horseshoes mini game and that is just one of many - i'm positive you'll find one (if not more) to whittle away the hours on!

THE BAD:
- It's massive, if you're looking for a quick blast this isn't it - this is a life drainer - prepare to draw the blinds and abandon those you love. I personally see this as a very good point, bang for your buck an all that, but this review is for everyone and if you where expecting a 10 hour jaunt through americas harsh lands like in the first Red Dead then think again.
- People with an extreme aversion to the wild west or cowboys best steer clear.

THE UGLY TRUTH:
This is the good stuff, boys and girls, I loved the original Red Dead but this kicks its mangy hide outta town, and then some. Fantastic on so many levels it just has to be experienced. I truly can't recommend this enough so saddle on up and nip out to your local games store right now (or buy it right here - - - oops!).

I wanted to write an honest review and this will be exactly what you get.

Ordered Friday and arrived on the Saturday next day as promised.

Weekend then gone. I have no idea what I did from about 11.30am...the wife went somewhere and returned and I can honestly say I can't remember eating. By the end of the Saturday ...(no idea what time this was, but I remember having familiar, but forgotten feelings of aching hands...) I checked the progress meter and saw I had completed 1% of the game, probably because I had become distracted by riding around the enormous visually beautiful landscape shooting things and gathering herbs which whilst important in some respects of the game, actually count very little towards the great scheme (the overall percentage of completeness.......)

There is sooo much to do in this game, its huge. I played single player as I knew I needed to give 100% attention to the control system whilst there was still a computer up against me, that I could be sure I could beat, before briefly attempting multi-player, which looks great but immediately intimidated me as I kept getting snipered by a 5 year old in Japan before I could get of my donkey (where the hell did all my ammo and horse go???)

Back to single player and whilst not playing every night ( i have a job and a wife and 2 very demanding children), almost 4 weeks later I am now killing bears and wiping out species of buffalo, that roamed majestically across the plains of the new world before I and other psychotic cowboys decimated the herds, just to skin them where they lay after shooting them 34 times (just to make sure as when you play and see the bloody mountain lions or cougars which pop from nowhere and kill you before you can PRESS DEAD EYE!!!!!!!!!!!

I now have to come up with excuses why I have moved the PS3 from the small 50" TV to the bigger 60" - this proved hard but I managed to blag it by telling the wife that we could watch "dvd's" on the PS3...

Luckily she bought it and I was able to become a Cowboy (a dream since very early on in life) and its great...I am now thinking of ways to build a life on the homestead minus distractions of woman and kids and mortgages...

Bottom line?

Escape to your fantasy...its fun, its a great story and it will make you come back. I promise.

Bargain.