Red Dead Redemption 2 is an action-adventure game set in an open-world setting in the Old West. Developed by Rockstar Games, the same developer as GTA, it was released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. And as the son always has the father's characteristics, Red Dead Redemption 2 arrived worthy of a wonderful western movie and reminded me of a lot of movies like Seven Men and a Destiny and The Unforgivable.

The entire architecture of the game was meticulously crafted to give us the real immersion of being in those locations and we are presented with a story unlike any other.



People don't forget. Nothing is forgiven.

The events of Red Dead Redemption 2 take place at the end of the 19th century, specifically in 1899, a few years before the events of the original Red Dead Redemption game, which is set in 1911.

The game's story takes place during the last days of the era of the Old American West, when the frontier began to close in and industrialization and modernization were starting to take hold of the country and the demand for outlaws was increasingly fierce.

The game follows the story of the Van der Linde gang, led by Dutch Van der Linde and our protagonist Arthur Morgan, as they try to survive in a world that is rapidly changing around them with hot pursuit by members of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, who receive rewards for outlaw search contracts.



This is America! Where weeping, treachery and depravity thrive

One of the first things you notice when playing Red Dead Redemption 2 is the level of detail present in the game world. Every location, character, and object is meticulously designed to create an immersive and authentic Old West experience. The game also features a full cycle of day and night and dynamic weather conditions, adding even more depth to the world.

The gameplay of Red Dead Redemption 2 is the developer's personality in delivering a mix of action-adventure elements, third-person shooter, and role-playing game elements, all in a vast and detailed open world.

The player can freely explore the game world as long as it is outside of the wanted areas of jurisdiction, the areas in red, but following the story missions the map will open up revealing a realistic open environment of the Old West where there are numerous activities available to engage in, in addition to the story mode and side missions.

Each with its own story and objectives, the side missions take us to other realities and to meet other characters. The player can accept missions from non-playable characters (NPCs) that are found in the world, as well as missions that are part of the main story.

The missions range from collecting taxes, protecting property, hunting animals, and collecting resources, as well as 6 other secret missions around the world such as seeing the Ghost Train, unraveling the murders of a mysterious serial killer, or deciphering the mystery of the Vampire of Sant Denis. And look, these side quests are pretty heavy, just like the secret ones, they leave nothing to be desired with the main story, besides adding an intriguing and many times intense content in these stories.



In addition, there is a wide variety of optional activities such as fishing, hunting, card games, dominoes, and many other activities that can be performed without affecting the main story of the game.

In addition, you can find mysterious NPCs such as a man I met several times looking for a certain Gavin, but who gave me no clues or opened a mission to look for him, and an enigmatic beggar who always asks me for coins and tells me something that at first I did not pay much attention, but that led me to another mission hidden on the map.

The shooting mechanics in Red Dead Redemption 2 are quite satisfying. The player can choose from a wide variety of weapons, including pistols, rifles, and shotguns, and can use an automatic or manual aiming system to hit their targets.

The weapons you can buy or steal from dead enemies along the way. The combat in Red Dead Redemption 2 is realistic and requires strategy and skill to defeat your enemies.



Another element of gameplay is the honorability system, which determines how other characters react to the player. Doing good things, such as helping those in need, increases the player's honor, while doing bad things, such as stealing or killing innocent people, decreases honor. Honor also affects the ending of the game.

Red Dead Redemption 2 also features a camp system, where the Van der Linde gang is established for most of the game. The camp serves as a hub for the player, where they can rest, recover health, buy supplies and upgrade weapons, and chat with the other gang members, who have their own unique stories and personalities.



Horseback riding is an important part of the gameplay in Red Dead Redemption 2, as the player spends a lot of time on horseback during the game. The game features a horse control system that can take some getting used to, but it is very well-detailed and realistic.

The gameplay may be slow in certain areas of the game, and the horse may sometimes not obey commands well, but this is a matter of training the animal, as well as a good brushing and feeding of the beast that needs some attention.

For example, in hilly terrain or with a lot of snow, the horse may be difficult to control, and the player may have difficulty maintaining total control over the animal. Also, in combat situations, the horse may become frightened and run away and even give you a tumble, making it difficult for the player to control it.



The player can control the speed of the horse by using the accelerate button to increase the speed and the brake button to decrease the speed.

In addition, there is a steering system that allows the player to move the horse to the left or right, and a cinematic mode where you mark where you want to go on the map, place the horse on the path, and enter the cinematic mode it will ride all the way to the destination unless there are obstacles ahead.

Thieves, Indians, animals like bears, wolves, crocodiles, or pumas, and members of the O'Driscoll's on the road, other than that, the trip is generally uneventful.

These situations are part of the gameplay, as they add an element of challenge and surprise to the control of the horse and require the player to be skilled at riding. Overall, the horse control system is very good and offers a realistic and immersive experience of riding in the American Old West.



Some trees flourish, and others die.

The story of Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the game's highlights. The plot is well-written and engaging, with well-developed characters and realistic dialogues. Arthur Morgan, the protagonist, is a complex and interesting character, capable of making you love and hate him in a fraction of a second. His rough and rugged manner gradually reveals the personality of a man with a history marked
of a man with a story marked by the past and an exciting journey that is effectively told throughout the game.

The gang is on the run after a robbery gone wrong in Blackwater where they are hunted Dead or Alive and must find ways to survive as the hunt for them intensifies. The game follows the adventures of the gang as they engage in various missions and activities in the game's open world.

As the story progresses, the gang members begin to question Dutch's actions and his real intentions. Arthur Morgan, in particular, begins to question whether the things they are doing are really justifiable and begins to wonder about his place in the gang and his true mission in life.

A lot of intrigue and trouble happens at this point, mistrust among the gang members themselves makes the whole game more challenging and even analytical if you pay attention to these nuances of questioning that the game gives you.

And I'll tell you one thing, Red Dead Redemption has some of the best storytelling in gaming I've ever witnessed. Distressing in some parts, joyful in others, and so complete and rich in detail that I often found myself laughing or crying through the chapters.



The plot deals with themes of friendship, loyalty, betrayal, and redemption. In addition, the game has two endings according to your choices during the game, as I said before, demonstrating the choice between good and evil, influencing Arthur's conduct in the face of problems and how this will influence the outcome of the story.

Besides the central story, numerous other stories are told in the background, such as side quests or even secret ones; it is up to you whether to want to discover them or not. You can focus on the main story or mix it with the side stories without problems, what will interfere is the time you have available to play them.

The open world and breathtaking scenery are a counterpart to losing focus on the objective and without a doubt, Red Dead Redemption 2 is not a game to be rushed. Even using fast travel, in cities that are gradually shown on the map, there were 57 hours of gameplay.

The game's collectibles are also a big white elephant in Red Dead Redemption 2. Cigarette pack cards, legendary animals and fish, cave paintings, dinosaur bones, dream catchers, carved rocks, and tombs.

Each is linked to a character in a secondary mission and requires the Death's Eye ability, which is sort of like a slow motion that in addition to helping defeat enemies, aids in finding these objects and tracking animals.



The Old West through the eyes of the Cowboy

The graphics in the games, ah the graphics, sensational is an understatement, every little corner seems to be meticulously designed and hand-painted. Everything is highly detailed and realistic, offering an impressive visual representation of the American Old West. The stunning landscapes include mountains, forests, rivers, lakes, and plains.

Each of these areas is carefully designed to look authentic and reflect the geography and wildlife of the era. The mechanics of snow riding are extremely realistic and beautiful to behold.

The game also offers a variety of wild animals, from deer and bears to wolves and coyotes. These animals are presented with an incredible level of detail, including behaviors and animations that make them look natural.

In addition, Red Dead Redemption 2 features characters with very realistic facial expressions and smooth, natural body animations.

Lighting and shadow are used to create an immersive and realistic environment, with changes in lighting that reflect the weather conditions of the game world. In addition, the game has a photo mode that features various camera movement functions and filters to make the capture even more different.



A soulful soundtrack for a lawless land

The soundtrack of Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the highlights of the game. It was composed by Woody Jackson, who also composed the soundtrack for the first game, and features a mix of original and licensed music.

The game's music is designed to fit the mood and atmosphere of the game and most of the songs are instrumental with a strong presence of guitar, violin, and piano. The soundtrack is generally calm and serene but can become intense during moments of action and tension.

In addition, the game features a variety of licensed songs from the Old West era, including folk, country, and western songs. These songs help immerse the player in the game world and create an authentic feel of the Old West.

Some of the highlights of the soundtrack include the game's main track, "Unshaken," which is an emotional and moving song that plays during important moments in the game's story. Other notable tracks include "That's the Way It Is," "May I Stand Unshaken," and "American Venom."

Overall, the Red Dead Redemption 2 soundtrack is an excellent addition to the atmosphere of the game and helps create an immersive and exciting experience.

The game has original English audio and subtitles for 13 languages.



However, even though Red Dead Redemption 2 is sensational it has its minor flaws. The learning curve can be steep, especially for those who are not used to open-world games. The numerous ways to control the weapons menu, on horseback or in the trunk, and the commands for running are also quite different from the usual.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is an excellent open-world game, exceeding all my expectations and offering a unique and authentic experience in the Old West. With a gripping and exciting story, amazing and detailed imagery and photography in the game world, satisfying gameplay, and an excellent soundtrack.

This review was based on my experience being played on Xbox One.