'Red Dead Redemption' reinvents sandbox games
I finally bought “Red Dead Redemption” (four months after its release), and I believe this is one of the best purchases I have ever made. Rockstar San Diego and Rockstar North have really raised the bar with this game, and even though I might be close to finishing the main story of the game, I feel like there will be more things for me to do in this area of the Wild West.
When it first came out, people kept describing “Red Dead Redemption” as “Grand Theft Auto IV” except that it’s in the West. After playing it, I can honestly say that it is nothing like “Grand Theft Auto IV.” Sure, the process of obtaining missions is the same way as “Grand Theft Auto” and the concept of police and wanted levels are the same, but for the most part, this game stands on its own. The size of Liberty City is nothing compared to this large area full of plains, deserts, mountains and forests. Each settlement or town is different in its own way. You might think it’s boring to travel between places, think again. Strangers might cry for help or wolves could attack as you traverse through the unknown wasteland.
In a recent post, I wrote that developers could only create so much content for a game and, after a while, it could get boring. But after seeing the potential of “Red Dead Redemption,” I feel like I need to take back a few comments that I made. It seems as if my wishes were granted and Rockstar made, what seems to be, an endless supply of mini-games and events that are scattered throughout the game. Most towns in the game provide poker and blackjack as a mini-game with the chance to earn more money if you’re a really good card player.
Despite all of these features, “Red Dead Redemption” is not complete without the best part of the game – duels. That’s right. For those of you who always wanted to be in a Western showdown, this is as close as it gets. Every now and then, some guy will want to challenge your honor and you have to defend it. Using the Dead Eye ability, players can slow down time and aim at different parts of the body in order to kill your opponent.
“Red Dead Redemption” has raised the bar in sandbox games. I never thought it would be possible that a game could be based in the West because it was barren and empty, but Rockstar has turned me into a believer. Not only did it make a game based in the West, but it made it enjoyable and full of content that will keep players happy for a long time. Rockstar already has millions of fans because of its “Grand Theft Auto” series and “Red Dead Redemption” is sure to raise their fan-base to new heights.
