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Blog entry by Tory Arredondo

Red Dead Redemption 2 Review -- Once Upon a Time in the West

Red Dead Redemption 2 Review -- Once Upon a Time in the West

asiatische-frau-entspannt-sich-und-reist-auf-dem-thail%C3%A4ndischen-longtail-boot-im-ratchaprapha.jpg?b=1&s=170x170&k=20&c=pEJ4PjSNMd2Dg2mS3fSAevJMXzv4Y6rES4XYpzLXVxM=Unsurprisingly, _ Red Dead Redemption 2 _ will feature an online multiplayer component. Not much is known about the online mode, other than a few leaked modes potentially at play, including Battle Royale, Revive and Survive, and Money Grabs. Online retail product descriptions for the game indicate that "the game's vast and atmospheric world will also provide the foundation for a brand new online multiplayer experience." But let’s be honest. Just because a game has an online multiplayer experience, it doesn’t mean it is good. For instance, fan-favorite, iconic franchise _ Metal Gear Solid _ has dabbled in the realm of online multiplayer, but to no avail. An oversaturated market also makes it difficult for great single-player games to stand out as decent online multiplayer games. Obviously, Rockstar found the golden ticket with _ GTA Online _ , but can that success realistically be repeated with a 1900s-era western g

Red Dead Redemption was a blast, with numerous side quests, activities and just a big open sandbox world to play in. Great game mechanics and design made it fun, a great story is what made it memorable. The pacing of the story doesn't ever hit any major lulls and the character of Marshton is sympathetic enough you end up rooting for him, since after all he's a good guy who just wants to be back with his family. And in trying to get back with his family he ends up being jerked around by the government. After jumping through endless hoops from the government they betray him. The ending of Red Dead Redemption is one of the sadder endings in a video game. The true ending occurs in 1914, and while there is a shot at setting things right, it ultimately feels hollow and unsatisfying. This sounds like a knock against the game, but in reality it is a testament to how powerful the narrative of Red Dead Redemption actually was.

Calling Red Dead Redemption Grand Theft Equine is a dumb joke, even by my standards, but the GTA influence is as visible as the scars on John's face. The game is played in a large open world map that spans part of Mexico and part of the western American frontier, divided into three regions that are unlocked as the story progresses. John's actions can influence his fame and honor which have an impact on how townspeople react to him. Helping innocent people fight off bandits may improve his reputation but gunning down those same innocent townsfolk will have the opposite effect. Like GTA titles there is a wanted system, where if John decides to commit crimes he can attract the attention of the law and depending on how far he wants to take it this may escalate into military involvement. John can surrender to the law men, kill them all or simply high tail it out of there until the heat dies down. The problem with the last two options is the law might give up on John but that just means they've decided to send a bounty hunter after him so they don't have to deal with him themselves.

The same can be said for Arthur Morgan. Are there moments of intense excitement in his life such as when he's robbing a train or watching the sunset over the plains? Absolutely. But even in the life of an outlaw on the run, you still have to make small decisions about whether or not you should take a bath or shave your face.

As for the main story, it’s entertaining but far from revolutionary. It has its highs and lows, the lows being the lack of development outside anyone who’s within the Van der Linde gang. You get to meet a plethora of characters through Arthur’s journey and yet most of them only appear in one or two missions, outside of a couple of exceptions. Red Dead Redemptions 2 moves at an incredible pace to the point that most people in the world are disposable and sometimes unnecessary, making me wish there was more of a focus on specific story beats as it’s spread too thin in spots. With that said, outside of the phenomenal core cast, what Rockstar does right is create exciting scenarios. This is something the company is known for, crafting well-designed and often comical heists that are sure to go awry. Whether it’s robbing a train or a stagecoach, or simply walking through town, each chapter has a handful of standout missions that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Granted, the other missions are mostly broken up into your standard affairs, but at least they’re kept lively thanks to Arthur generally being assisted by another member of the gang.

Sweeping vistas, flowing rivers, and stunning mountainsides are all just a few of the spectacular sights and locations that you'll find in Red Dead Redemption 2 , and seamlessly going between such varying locations and www.Openworldpilot.comenvironments is astounding, other than the occasional (and small) frame rate drops I would get here and there. As the game takes the Van der Linde gang through snowy mountains, treacherous swamplands, and (eventually) deep into the heart of the big city, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a visual marvel on both a technical and artistic level, accompanied by a soundtrack that truly entrenches it in the atmosphere of the best Spaghetti Western films out there.

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