Who’s bright idea was it to release Red Dead Redemption 2 and have PAX Australia start on the same day? I would be lying if I said I wasn’t walking around at PAX longing to be in front of my console exploring the wild west, particularly after the plethora of 10/10 reviews were flying in thick and fast. So as I booted up the PS4 at midnight the same day I was going to be slogging it out at PAX, I had no idea what I was in for. The game starts with snowy mountains and rough terrain and conditions that climatise the player into the slower pace of this title. It’s the constant struggle after fast paced games like Assassins Creed : Odyssey and Spiderman, instead of web slinging our way through the world, RDR2 invites us to slow down, you don’t have to run everywhere and having to shift your mindset is actually really calming.
The graphics have been a mixed bag for me, the backgrounds and scenery is jaw dropping. Its sheer scale and beauty is second to none. The character animations however are something that have been a mixed bag. There are times when they look spectacular, particularly in cut scenes, however in gameplay they pale in comparison to games like Assassins Creed : Odyssey and Spiderman. Now before you jump on me in the comments, yes I am playing on a 4K TV with a PS4 Pro. This is however my only complaint about the game.
The main story feels very organic, I would even go so far to argue that is probably the most fluid and natural experience I have had with a first player game on any console…ever. There is one mission in particular which solidified it for me, you take Micah to the saloon in Valentine with the purpose of getting him blind drunk to forget about an incident that happened earlier that day. The purpose of the mission is to get drunk, talk to Micah and as the montage plays out as the night progresses, you get drunker and have to find Micah in the saloon and the completion of the mission is reminscent of many a night out I have had (minus the ye olde saloon and walking in on prostitues part…well maybe…)
These kinds of missions which may not be all action packed, do offer up a rounded experience that make this game stand out from the current crowd. The main character Arthur feels lived in and as the decisions you make in the game shape your character and what happens in the macro world. Buying and customising your horses trying to make an array of different breeds which have different strengths will definitely come in useful down the track (more on that in my full review!)
So I am about 35 hours in which is the halfway point for the main story, fortunately I am able to take my time to finish the game and craft my review, so please stick with us. You can still catch our updates and meme’s a plenty across GOA socials. Check back this time next week for my full review of Red Dead Redemption 2. If you have any comments or questions please leave them in the box below.
Article by Alaisdair “Leithal” Leith
