Many factors come into play when considering whether a game is good or not. Players may find a game that has stellar graphics but its gameplay is lackluster, or a title that has the most immersive story but awful graphics. Of course, there are rare times when a video game developer can combine all the elements that make up a video game resulting in a balanced and well-harmonized masterpiece. While many games could be considered as such, it is without a doubt that 2018’sRed Dead Redemption 2is one of them.
AlthoughRed Dead Redemption 2has been out for almost two years now on consoles andseveral months for the PC, the game remains popular amongRed Deadfans given its large open-world environment that offers a ton of replayability value. Of course, Rockstar is known as one of the leading video game developers that are masters in the realm of open-world games. But what is inRed Dead Redemption 2that made it one of the most popular games in recent years, and why is the game still relevant despite it releasing almost two years ago?
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To the uninitiated,Red Dead Redemption 2is the follow-up age to 2010’sRed Dead Redemption, but its story serves as a prequel to its predecessor. The game is set twelve years before the events of the firstRed Dead Redemption,putting it in the year 1899 when the famous “wild west” lifestyle begins fading away. Of course, apart from the open-world environment and immersive story, one of the most significant factors that attracted so many players toRed Dead Redemption 2is its perfect recreation of the Wild West and how it remained faithful to the era that it is set in. It is worth noting thatRed Dead Redemption 2took some liberty in its recreation of the Wild West with somesupernatural and made up elementsin place; however, what made the game’s depiction of that era in history so appealing is its ability to introduce fictional aspects while retaining the true essence of the Wild West.
Throughout the game, players will spend most of their time completing story missions and exploring thevast open-world environmentthat the game is set in. Players will find various settlements that are staples in Western films or TV shows such as saloons, general stores, and other buildings that existed during that era. The townsfolk in the game are also faithful depictions of people during that time from the phrases they use to the way they react to every decision made by the player. Given this,Red Dead Redemption 2became the fantasy game of old-time western fans and even attracted people who may not be familiar with the Wild West but are curious to know about this former way of life.
Another important aspect that madeRed Dead Redemption 2an instant classic is its long story campaign. On average, players can finish themain campaign ofRed Dead Redemption 2in 50 hours or more, giving players plenty of time to take in and absorb whatRed Dead Redemption 2has to offer. Apart from its length, Rockstar Games was also able to implement an immersive story that enriched the Wild West setting of the game. Each mission and submission provides players a glimpse of the culture and way of life of that era. However, althoughRed Dead Redemption 2’sstory plays an important role in the overall game, it still provides players a great level of freedom, allowing them to embark on a quest and finish it at their own pace.
In true open-world fashion, it also provides players with tons ofactivities to do outside the mainRDR2campaign. Traveling either by foot or via a horse is also a huge part of the game and allows players to explore the vast open-world environment. Apart from completing the main quest, players can and explore and experience the game whichever way they want to. Players can travel the world and appreciate the sights, or they could go fishing or hunting legendary animals that are scattered all throughout the game.
Lastly, one of the most critically acclaimed features inRed Dead Redemption 2is the way it puts great importance on the decisions made by players. InRed Dead Redemption 2, the player’s choicesreally matter, and it affects the way the people and environments would react to the player later on. The game also allows players to choose their own path, whether they want to play as a law-abiding citizen or an outlaw that lives by their own rules. What’s fascinating aboutRed Dead Redemption 2is that choices are not black and white, and there is always a vague question of morality in every decision the player makes. This mechanic ramps up the game’s replayability value, given that players can always take a different path from the one they initially chose.
In the end,Red Dead Redemption 2is a near-perfect game that is able to faithfully depict the time period it is set in. Apart fromthe intuitive gameplayand stellar graphics, the game also provides an immersive story that will keep players hooked till the end. Given all these features that are perfectly woven into one cohesive game, it is unsurprising that despite releasing eighteen months ago,Red Dead Redemption 2is still fun to play and even rival some of the biggest games released today.
Red Dead Redemption 2is available now for the PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.
