Red Dead Redemption 2 Review (Xenoriku_Wolf)
>Be me & get a free key to this game for the Rockstar version when I bought my gaming laptop circa 2020
>Redeem it in early 2023 and finally start playing the game’s story mode
> Soon after, became obsessed with W/the game and started to delve deeper into it, becoming pretty much the only game I play if I have time
> Ended up getting the ultimate edition on Steam on sale and continued to play
> Got spoiled about certain events in the game, but am happy enough that I did so I can plan my gameplay around it
> Catch wild horses
> Get lots of different guns and deck them out with W/Customizations
> Get lost in the vast world
> Enjoy a plethora of stranger missions
> Hunt & Collect perfect pelts
> Find a multitude of collectibles, animals, and points of interest for the journal
> Complete challenges
> Mod the game to enhance the experience
> Have 50% Completion, but only in Chapter 2
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I have extra hours than what is listed on Steam, as I started the game just through Rockstar and then got it on Steam later, My time is probably closer to 450~ hours or so. This game is so, so good. The world feels so alive and robust & it’s from 2018! There are moments where there isn’t much happening but that’s a welcome change from the dopamine-addicted climate we are in now. The story linearity is a bit restricting, but it isn’t suffocating, as you can do a ton of stuff in the open world and stay away from the story quests until you are ready for something different or some change! The random encounters add depth to the world and make it more alive & well rounded & feel natural within the game’s setting. There are also rewards for exploration and there are plenty of things to find.
This game is worth the experience and is worth a buy and a play! Although, people say Chapter 1 is a drag. I thought Chapter 1 was a good way to get my bearings on the controls of the game & was a phenomenal way to get me invested in the story of the characters! As someone who enjoys Westerns, it felt like a movie that I could control elements of. I would recommend on subsequent playthroughs to have a save made on your initial playthrough right after Chapter 1.
The gameplay is solid & the controls are great, albeit with weight. It feels like you are maneuvering a real person, so, when you run, your character has a “delay” where you are coming into a run, you don’t just start running at the moment of the button press, you maneuver into the run like you would if you were to try running. I also like using free-aim and recommend changing to that setting if you don’t want auto-lock on. The horses are amazing; I love horses and I love riding them! They’re the most realistic representation of horses in a video game ever, and the controls feel so good to use once you get used to them! Your horse is your friend and companion, so definitely take good care of them!
All in all, if you like Western-themed games, love horses, and want an amazing entry, this is the game for you. It might be an instant hook for you or a slow burn, nevertheless, it is 100% Worth it at full price, but 1000% more when on sale! I love discounts, lol! Thank you and have a great day!