It took me a while to get a hold of this game because the Xbox 360 version of it was always out of stock. I finally got it this weekend though, after making sure to ask the shop to reserve one for me once the new stock got in.

Red Dead Redemption, produced by Rockstar Games, is an action-adventure game set in the Wild West. Like other Rockstar games such as the Grand Theft Auto series, Red Dead Redemption features an open-world setting where you can travel to various places to do quests and play mini-games.

I have to say that I haven’t enjoyed a Rockstar game like this since Bully. While the GTA series is popular, I didn’t enjoy GTA San Andreas… which was enough to put me off the entire series.

One of the main reasons why I hated San Andreas was because I felt no sympathy for the main character at all. Maybe it was the entire setting, CJ’s background and attitude, or maybe it was the way he talked… I don’t know. Something just didn’t click.

With Red Dead Redemption, though, I became fond of the main character almost instantly. Not in a fawny, giggly, fangirl sort of way, mind you – I genuinely have respect for Marston as though he were a beloved uncle (I’d say “dad”, but he’s too young to be my father, lol). The man has character, a sense of honor, a genuine love for his family, and is one hell of a badass to boot. I like him.

This game’s graphics are mind-blowing. My TV isn’t even one of those huge HD types, but the raphics still look freaking awesome. Everything from the worn-down buildings down to the strands of the horses’ manes were polished, and the landscapes are absolutely gorgeous. I often find myself making Marston ride clear across the map just to explore and take in the sights.

The gameplay wasn’t as annoying and clunky as I expected it to be. Sure, the horseback riding bits were kind of hard to get used to at first, but it’s pretty simple once you get the hang of it. The combat mode is plain and simple, though sometimes I do wish that the target-assist function was a bit better. Dead Eye mode is the definitely the best part of the combat system – it slows everything down, which comes in pretty handy when being chased by a whole bunch of outlaws.

While fighting with guns is fun, sometimes it’s even more fun when you whip out your lasso to hogtie the varmints and drag them to the middle of town for public execution. Evil, I know, but sometimes they just deserve it… like those bastards who assault the defenseless prostitutes at saloons. That ain’t very nice, partner.

I’m only about 15% into the game, so that’s about all I have to say about it for now. So far, Red Dead Redemption has certainly lived up to my expectations – the gameplay is fun, the graphics are wicked, and the script/story is well-written. I’m definitely looking forward to playing more of it.

El

El Santos is a marketing & advertising professional by day and gamer/bookworm/tarot reader by night. She’s prone to sudden fits of fangirling over her varied interests: video games, fiction, art, folkore, anime, and tarot. She currently lives with her husband and 2 rescue cats.