I am reviewing the Xbox 360 version... just so y'all know.
Overview
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Red Dead Redemption is a game that takes you over the late Wild West, before it is taken over from sea to shining sea. Taking place in Texas and Mexico, the land is referred to as "New Austin" and "Mexico" (except insert a Mexican Accent for Mexico). The back story is that you (John Marston) are a former outlaw, and the American Government has taken your wife and kid from you. The only way to get them back is to kill a friend that was family that you rode with in the gang. The story is conveyed through a go here, start mission, travel, kill, maim and destroy, then rinse, wash, and repeat type system. Though it is a lack luster way to pull the story, it does have a great story. The place the game really shines is the open world, and what you do can increase your honor or destroy it (bad or good), and both sides have their perks. there are quite a few weapons that help you cut you enemies down. My personal favorite is the bolt action rifle. Each weapon has their specific combat usages. Rifles for mid to long range moving or not. Repeaters for mid to long range, or mid range moving with large ammo capacity. Shotguns for close up. Sniper rifles for long range. Revolvers/Pistols for mid to close range, and quite a few have good amounts of ammo capacity and fire rate.
Honestly there is so much you can do in this game!
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Graphics
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This game is in my opinion visually stunning. It's definitely on par with Borderlands. The only glitch I have found, is if you run quickly to a bed to save, you may walk into the middle of the bed and sit.
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10/10
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Gameplay
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This is where the game shines. It's open world for one thing, and has a shit load of random events and quests when just travelling around by horse. There are a lot of mini games to distract you, such as poker, or horseshoes. When you aim, there is a sort of targeting system, that auto aims for your enemy's chest. is you just bump it up a little, you can get a head shot. There are three aim modes: Casual, Normal, Expert. Casual is the easiest to target, normal is less easy, and expert there is just free aim (no auto target). Then there is a little function called Dead Eye, and if you have even watched "Wanted!", you will see that Dead Eye is a similar version of the slow down thing in "Wanted!". This function is extremely useful, allowing for better accuracy, and multiple enemy targeting. There is so much in this game, and there is a stat board there for you statophiles.
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9/10
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Story
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You play as former outlaw John Marston. His family has been kidnapped, and the only way to get them back unharmed is to kill Bill Williamson, a former friend, and family [gang] member. The game plays it out as: go here, travel there, kill, maim, and destroy anything that moves (and sometime stationary objects). Sometimes dull, but the full game play elements keep you interested.
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7/10
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Replay Value
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There is online multi player, and I have checked it out. It is also open world, and there is matches played in a closed map with team mates. Free For All Death Match always starts with a circle shoot out. If by chance you are the last one standing... well, lets just say that's a kick ass feeling. Rockstar did release a Co-Op DLC, but I have not played it yet. I have it on my hard drive, but haven't had friends to play with. Single player has a lot of replay value as well. You can repeat any missions for different medals, and you can continue to roam even after you beat the game.
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9/10
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Final Score: 8.75
Reviewer's Score: 10/10
Honestly I have had so much fun playing this game, so I have even more reason to go back when more DLC comes out.
