Review: Red Dead Redemption 2

<br>Member the games you used to play? We member. The basement at the Hardcore Gamer office has a section known as the Crust Room, with an old grey couch and a big old CRT TV. All the classic systems are down there collecting dust, so in an effort to improve the cleanliness of our work space, we dust off these old consoles every so often and put an old game through its paces, just to make sure everything stays in working order. We even have a beige computer with a floppy disk drive.<br><br>The name of the film alone should instantly bring to your mind the iconic score from Ennio Morricone, but The Good, the Bad, and The Ugly rightfully deserves its place among the best of the Western genre, and the defining example of the "Spaghetti Westerns" that Red Dead Redemption holds so many visuals and thematic influences from.<br> <br>Unsurprisingly, _ Red Dead Redemption 2 _ will feature an online multiplayer component. Not much is known about the online mode, other than a few leaked modes potentially at play, including Battle Royale, Revive and Survive, and Money Grabs. Online retail product descriptions for the game indicate that "the game's vast and atmospheric world will also provide the foundation for a brand new online multiplayer experience." But let’s be honest. Just because a game has an online multiplayer experience, it doesn’t mean it is good. For instance, fan-favorite, iconic franchise _ Metal Gear Solid _ has dabbled in the realm of online multiplayer, but to no avail. An oversaturated market also makes it difficult for great single-player games to stand out as decent online multiplayer games. Obviously, Rockstar found the golden ticket with _ GTA Online _ , but can that success realistically be repeated with a 1900s-era western g<br><br>Set in the midst of the Texas-Indian Wars, The Searchers follows the venture of Ethan Edwards, as he returns to his Texas homestead after fighting for the Confederacy in the Civil War. Returning to his home after almost a decade away, several members of his family have been killed or kidnapped by the Comanches residing in the area. After these tragic circumstances, Edwards ends up on the path to vengeance after discovering that his niece is still alive, and heads into the heart of the Comanche territory to bring her back home.<br><br>With Red Dead Redemption having had several clear references to the John Ford classic, there's no denying that The Searchers ' influences on the Western film genre have worked their way into Rockstar's work, and it will be interesting to see if Red Dead Redemption 2 continues on what Ford and John Wayne delivered with their seminal 1956 film.<br><br>There is a linear story path to follow, but there are plenty of side opportunities to engage in. Each region has a few forts that need to be taken over, much like the same style as the battle at Fort Mercer. There are many characters that require assistance from John and these quests are usually entertaining. One quest involves a man with an undying love for his woman and another series of events from a quest giver involves a man who really gets under John's skin in the last quest he gives. Random events happen throughout the world such as highway robberies, hangings and other random encounters with strangers, making the game world feel alive. Rockstar games are known for their sense of humor and some of their dark humor naturally crept into Red Dead Redemption. One of my favorite achievements I ever unlocked happened in <a href="https://www.openworldpilot.com/articles/the-unexpected-journey-when-side-quests-become-epic-tales.html">click this</a> game. A few years ago my girlfriend was hanging out at my apartment and I decided to show her this game (she may have bought it for me for a birthday present but I can't remember). I thought it would be funny to lasso a girl and leave her on the train tracks, like a mustache twirling silent film villain. As the locomotive turned the damsel in distress into a much gooier state of existence, an achievement popped up on screen. It's good to know that my sociopathic tendencies aren't so unusual that the developers weren't able to anticipate my behavior.<br><br> <br>That said, League of Legend s isn't a game without its drawbacks. The game contains Champions that can easily get on player's nerves. What can be more annoying or troublesome can be the items these Champions use. Now, some of these items have obviously been cast off by Riot for a multitude of reasons. However, that doesn't set them off the hook for being useless weapons to begin with. While some players do know to avoid these kinds of weapons, it's not immediately evident to all players. And truthfully, these bad weapons shouldn't be in the game, to begin w<br><br>Don’t be deceived by the number at the end of the title, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a direct prequel to its predecessor. The story takes place years before our last adventure as we follow Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang. If you recognize the latter name, it was the group of outlaws that John Marston rode with back in the day. As you can expect, you’ll see our loveable Marston often, who is perfectly implemented into the story. It’s not too much fan service or focus, but just enough so he’s a solid supporting role, especially in the later half of the campaign. He has his own arc, but it’s all about Arthur and his issues. The first couple of chapters in the story, Arthur is an unlikable individual. It takes him a little while to find his footing as he’s an overly serious character who never breaks a smile and plays the rough cowboy to a T. His relationship with the group, including the gang’s leader, Dutch van der Linde, is what stands out among everything else. It’s the little things around the camp; the songs, the gestures and the interactions that expand our protagonist’s likability, and you begin to better understand him. Even the most insignificant faces seem to bring out the more positive aspects out of Arthur more than the main story ever does, and it’s sad that it’s something players can completely overlook, especially considering entering the camp setting forces the player to move at a snail’s pace.<br>