Red Dead Redemption Review: A Combination of Grand Theft Auto and Back to the Future 3

Rockstar Games has long been associated closely with controversy and innovation. Now, they have shown that the long all but ignored Western genre can be done right in this video game generation. With horse riding controls that are better than any controls of the same type in any game, ever, Red Dead Redemption has made its mark. However, the controls are not the only thing to love about this game. Even if you’re not a fan of the Grand Theft Auto series, you will likely find something fun to do in this expansive and innovative sand boxer.

Platform: Xbox 360, PS3
Publisher: Rockstar Games
Genre: Action
ESRB Rating: Mature
Release Date: 05/18/2010

Graphics: 10.0 / 10.0

Red Dead Redemption can receive nothing but a perfect score in this category because of their fine attention to detail. When you interact in this environment, everything seems natural. For instance, the residents of the town move about like they have something to do. There is always something going on in the background to make the environment realistic. When you don’t feel like every action in the game is dependent on you, you have a truly fantastic graphical environment. Red Dead Redemption really accomplishes this.

Game Play: 10.0 / 10.0

Everything about the game play in Red Dead Redemption is simply outstanding. There are no shortages of tasks that you can perform. Simply exploring the landscape at your own pace is fun due to the fine attention to detail that Rockstar Games put into this game. You can wrangle horses, herd cattle, take down forts, find treasure, play poker and do almost anything else that you can imagine. The controls are fluid and nothing seems forced or difficult.

Story: 9.0 / 10.0

Of course, the set up for the game is a little cliché. You are an outlaw trying to clear your name but the past just won’t stay there. However, following this set up, you are in charge of the story. This game will let you become who you choose and the small story elements advance the story without getting in the way of your objectives. You can do anything that you would expect to be able to do in the 19th century West with few restrictions or boundaries.

View article images here

Music: 10.0 / 10.0

You get exactly what you would expect out of the soundtrack accompanying a Western – and much more. The music is well written and the overall sounds design, including voice acting, will raise the bar for the industry. Everything makes sense and contributes to the game. Realistic reaction sounds are top notch and the music will immerse you into an already very impressive atmosphere. Really couldn’t have been better for this game.

Replay Value: 10.0 / 10.0

If you enjoy sand box games, you will love Red Dead Redemption . The main story takes around 20 hours if you just sail through. However, you will find that this is almost impossible. You may be tired of playing after doing everything there is to do in the game. However, this will take hundreds of hours. By the time you finish this game in its entirety, you will have gotten plenty of bang for your buck. If you’re worried that you want more than a single player experience, don’t worry. You can play against opponents online for another hundred hours or so of entertainment. Rockstar really gave gamers more than enough to justify the price tag.

Overall Rating: 10.0 / 10.0

This is another absolutely fantastic multi-platform game that has kept Rockstar Games alive. Not only is it being hailed as one of the best Western games of this generation, but the best of all time. There is so much to do in this game that it can hardly be summed up in a short review. If you had any interest in Grand Theft Auto and enjoy Western culture, you really have to pick up this game before you try any other. You will almost certainly become engrossed from the moment the environment. Our only caution is to make sure you have those vacation days saved up before you buy it. You will most likely need them.