Rockstar games has taken one of their lesser known franchises and elevated it to elite status in their latest effort with Red Dead Redemption. The result is a game that in many ways surpasses all of their previous efforts to date. But it is not enough that Rockstar simply apply their tried and true formula of open world gameplay to a western themed game. True, the mission structure and story progression elements of RDR mimic that of GTA4 at their core. But it is the refinement of these elements, and the addition of new and even more addictive ways to present them that sets this game apart from it's predecessors.
In RDR you play as John Marston a man out for revenge with a shady past and initially unknown motives. Anyone who has played a previous Rockstar game knows the script. Marston is a strong lead character who is willing and perfectly able to do whatever it takes to achieve his goals. Although his past is unclear, it would seem that his actions are justified even if it involves brutally murdering anyone who gets in his way. Marston has that certain quailty to him that will allow you to accept any of the actions he performs. Helping his cause, is the fact that you will meet some very unsavory characters in RDR. New Austin is not the type of place to go soft; around every corner is someone out for blood, money or both. In these ways, Marston seems to be a product of his environment, much in the same way that Niko Bellic was. This allows the player, as always, to approach every situation as they please, whether it be guns blazing or with a discriminating eye for justice.
Playing into this theme is an honor system which tracks all of your activities throughout the game and will award you points for doing an honorable/dishonorable deed. Along with the main story missions, tasks are typically presented to you via people you meet throughout New Austin, such as strangers on the side of the road or in town. They are what you might call "quick missions" and usually take no longer than 30 to 40 seconds to complete. While walking in the world, a shop keeper may approach you and tell you that he has just been robbed, in this instant you are presented with an instruction at the bottom of the screen to apprehend the suspect and a map marker showing the suspect's location. There are no cut-scenes or further exposition on these missions, this allows you to get directly to the task at hand and is a nice diversion in game-play. The way it is presented makes the game feel more organic than in previous efforts. The ability to seamlessly travel the world and accept a quick task for a stranger is an addictive game-play element, and I found myself sidetracked multiple times simply completing tasks while traveling the landscape from one town to the next.
The landscape of New Austin is breathtaking and is the centerpiece of RDR. You have never seen a Rockstar game world with this much to explore. Much of the map consists of deserts, forests, mountains, caverns and canyons; with towns placed sparsely throughout the world. Stand on top of a mountain and gaze out at a desert plain or mountain range. The distant landscape casts a blueish hue that adds real depth and breadth to the visuals. Every plant and animal in this world looks meticulously detailed and adds to the realism of the environment. Animals in particular offer another addictive game-play element in the form of hunting. Shot a deer, skin it and sell it to the general store for cash or simply hunt for fun to increase your fame and prowess. It is a vast departure from Liberty City and feels liberating to the player. So much so, that it makes you wonder if this game was just as liberating to the developers. So many of the elements that may have bogged down the game play experience of GTA, such as the number of people in the environment, cars, large buildings and complex architecture are gone. Leaving you with an environment that allows much more innovation in exploration and game-play. The cliche' "less is more" comes to mind here.
Combat in RDR is varied, you are given your standard fare of firearms which have an auto targeting lock on mechanic once you bring up your sights. The action is snappy, and many of your foes perish with one or two shots from the pistol or rifle. This result are firefights that are fast paced and fluid, not drawn out and cheap. Firing a sidearm from your horse is just as intuitive as on foot. Eventually you are afforded a lasso which can be used to subdue foes or wrangle horses and other animals. The lasso also feeds into the honor system, there may be times when you are tasked with killing someone or subduing them with the lasso. The latter will usually afford you more honor and money.
There are many other aspects of RDR that are impressive such as the side challenges, outfits, gambling mini games etc. But it is Rockstars ability to take their open world formula, improve it ,and vary the game play in ways that keep the player coming back that shine in this title. New Austin is a world that you may not want to leave once you have stepped in John Marston's boots.
