Red Dead Redemption II: Worth the Hype?

After an 8 year wait, expectations for Red Dead Redemption II were high. I’m here to tell you that the beautiful open world and ultra-realism make this game well worth the wait.

Open World

The game’s much-hyped open world is even more impressive than in the original game and you can clearly see the developers’ dedication. The disc version of the game also comes with a beautiful double-sided map of the areas which are unlocked as you progress through the game. The full-size map suggests that the open world will be even bigger than in Red Dead Redemption (2010) with more environments and locations to explore.

The Beginning

It took me well over an hour to get the game up and running and then you’re introduced to several of the main characters including some familiar faces from the previous game as they try to find shelter from a snowstorm. Several tutorials start things off in the snow, parts of which are incorporated into the main story line, so you feel like you’re jumping straight into the game.

Cinematic View

This  feature is absolutely stunning – it really highlights the detail and beauty of the open world, making some of the long journeys more interesting. While you use it, your character automatically follows all paths, helping you to enjoy the surroundings stress-free.

Realism

Rockstar have built on the foundation of the original Red Dead by creating a semi-realism within the game. Another semi-realistic aspect of the game is the survival element; to stay alive, Arthur (protagonist) has to eat correctly, bathe often and sleep, otherwise stats can be harmed, making it harder to play. The same survival mechanics apply to horses too, and although this is an interesting concept, the novelty soon wears off, making the survival system annoying.

Morality

Morality is another aspect brought over from the previous game, but this time, there’s more choice. There are many options for affecting the world around you, and in missions you often get to decide whether you take the lead or let one of your companions take over. The option of choosing is another feature which pulls you into the game, because every outcome holds the player responsible. Choices also increase or decrease your honour, which makes the game more immersive and individual compared to how it worked in previous games.

Any Downsides?

A lot of the original features from Red Dead Redemption appear in this game, such as the beautiful open world, the honour function and even hunting, but Rockstar have taken these aspects and greatly improved them. One of the few disappointments of the game so far is that I’ve found I haven’t felt as attached to Arthur and the storyline in comparison to John Marston in the original Red Dead Redemption, which detracts from the game a little.

Overall Impressions

I found that the excellent mechanics, interactions, beauty and sheer scale of the open world more than compensate for some of the minor issues, so I would most definitely recommend Red Dead Redemption II for both casual and serious gamers. It has certainly lived up to the hype, looking even better than the previous game, since Rockstar have built on and improved on everything that made the first game so great.