The Brave News

by Kyle Moats

Red Dead Redemption 2 was released this past Friday to the masses as one of the most highly-anticipated games of the past year. I had the pleasure to sit down and really dive deep into this massive game this weekend.

Throughout my play-through, I was taken aback by how much this game had to offer and how many activities there are to explore. I could not take my eyes away from the screen, as every little detail kept adding another dimension to an already expansive game.

As you enter into the game, on of the first things you notice is how beautiful and eye-appealing this game is. Whether it’s the vast desert plains of New Hanover, the swampy marsh lands of Saint Denis, or even the snow filled mountains of the Grizzlies, the attention to detail is stunning.

Another selling point for me was how historically accurate the protagonists fill out their roles as gang members in a dying business. Whether it’s having to change into different styles of clothes depending on what the weather will be or just the trees blowing in the rough wind, Rockstar Games wanted to not just make you feel as you were just playing the game, but were in the game.

Another amazing thing about this game is the customization features. You can customize everything from your hats, shoes, shirts, pants, jackets, facial hair, hair, and even your holsters. The combinations are endless, and you keep unlocking more as you progress through the game. I found myself toying with this mechanic for hours, just seeing what my character looks like in different outfits.

In addition to all this, eating, bathing, and self-grooming comes into play. If you do not eat enough, you will become underweight, which negatively affects your health. If you eat too much you, will become fat and overweight, which greatly affects your stamina.

Horse grooming is also a huge deal. If you do not regularly brush and feed your horse, it’s health will slowly decline and your bond and relationship with the animal will greatly decrease.

Moving on from these features, the plot is utterly fantastic. The characters are portrayed beautifully, and all have very unique attitudes and characteristics that set them apart from anyone else in the game. Even characters with little roles still impact what goes on throughout the story and in side missions. They also look world-weary, as they are fully accustomed to life in the 1890s.

Their grammar and slang is spot on with the time, as well as their problems. Many of the problems in the game can be directly correlated to what it is like to live a life of crime at this time and the pitfalls and benefits of it.  

So far, I have had no concerns or issues with this game. Every time I sit down and play I know I am going to be in for a good time. For those of you who are still on the fence about buying this game, I would say it is completely worth it and definitely a brand new experience even to the most veteran of gamers.