Xbox 360 Review: "Red Dead Redemption"

Publisher: Rockstar Games/Take-Two Interactive

Developer: Various Rockstar Games Studios

Release Date: May 18, 2010 (USA)

Premise:

Red Dead Redemption follows the story of John Marston, an Outlaw Renegade who has escaped his violent Gangland past to start a fresh new life with his Wife and Son. Unfortunately for John, the Federal Government is not too happy with his life choices, and they have kidnapped his family and are holding them hostage until John hunts down all of the members of his former gang and brings them to justice, alive or dead.

Gameplay: 

Red Dead Redemption uses the same engine as Grand Theft Auto 4, with only a few alterations to make it fit better into the world of the Wild West. You take control of John Marston in this Third-Person Action-Adventure across a vast Open World of the West Coast, encompassing many different lands. Much of the game revolves around the exploits of John as he interacts with the world around him, going from town to town trying to find information that might lead him to the locations of his ex-gang members.

There are many Side Quests/Missions to do in the game, in addition to the main goals, that will help further along the story and develop characters more thoroughly. You can be a Bounty Hunter, help Herd Cows, Stop Robberies, play mini-games such as Horseshoes and much more. There are dozens of challenges to complete as well throughout the game, such as honing your skills with weapons and hunting animals. You can collect skins and meats from animals to use or sell, collect plants and other items to use later in the game as well.

You can run across Random Encounters with people who you can choose to help, such as deciding how to help a man obtain and that he wants by either using force or persuasion. There are many outfits you can find and collect pieces for that you can later change into to alter your appearance, as well as stronger and faster horses to obtain.

Graphics:

The world-space in Red Dead Redemption is a breath-taking one to say the least. There are so many things going on that truly make the game have a living, breathing believable world to explore. The character models are very nicely done and detailed with high polygon counts for every character. The weapons look amazing and the textures on the buildings and the land truly feel as if you are living in the 18-1900's (The game takes place in 1911). The environment and the foliage do wonders for the atmosphere and the bullet effects are quite stellar.

Sound:

There Score for Red Dead Redemption is one for the ages. The music seems to be always well-placed and timed perfectly to the current situation. When you're riding at full-speed on a horse chasing down a train you feel exhilarated at the prospect of what's happening. When emotional scenes begin you get perfect reminiscent music playing while you're trotting along on your horse awaiting an emotional reunion with friends or loved ones. The battle scenes are scored very nicely as they keep you jacked up while in the moment that gives you the motivation to keep on going.

Length:

While there are a lot of tasks and things to do in Red Dead Redemption, all good things must eventually end. An average playthrough will take roughly 15-18 hours to complete if you focus on mostly the main story and some additional side quests. If you spend the time to collect all of the loot, complete all of the challenges and tasks as well as the side missions, you can easily push well over 20-25+ hours out of the game.

Value:

Red Dead Redemption is another stellar release by Rockstar Games. If you've played any of their previous games (and of course you have) than you will know exactly what to expect from this game, and it doesn't ever fail to deliver on that notion. The game has an amazing story filled with intrigue, love, sorrow, sadness and happiness that is sure to tug on those tear strings from time to time. I would highly recommend picking this title up even for full retail price.