Introduction
I completed Red Dead Redemption 2 after 8 years of its release. I knew it was a good game with a sad ending. But I never expected it to be a masterpiece, which it is when we talk about single-player games. After completing this game, my interest in the franchise grew, and I went through the story of the first game.
In this way, I realised how simplistic and moving the single-player games can be with a proper story. So, let’s talk more about the RDR franchise and how it filled the eyes of millions of gamers with tears worldwide.
World and Setting of RDR
The game is set in the old times of America. The nation is expanding, and the law of the land is getting redefined by the people in power. Our protagonist is an outlaw struggling to adjust to this new way of life along with his gang.
“People Don’t Forget, Nothing Gets Forgiven.”
His codes and everything that he believed in were getting tested with the onset of American government, intelligence, police, and banking. His only way out is to buy a ticket out of this mess. However, to get this ticket, he has to do bad things, things that will change the future and might lead to a disastrous end.
“I Ain’t Got Too Much To Say No More.”
They are led by Dutch, a leader with charisma and the ability to make decisions. However, with time and unfortunate events, he became a ghost of his distant past. The loss of his loved ones made him cruel and unforgiving as he strove to fight the new ways. He never wanted change, only survival, but one is not possible without the other.
“Our Time Has Passed, John.”
The map of RDR 2 is gorgeous. It is probably the best-looking game of all time. Each frame could be a wallpaper, and you could see the art on full display. This is something missing from the new games because of heavy use of AI. The developers really put their heart and soul into this project. They really deserve credit and appreciation for giving us this gem of a game.
Story and its Simplicity
Red Dead Redemption is one of the simplest yet most beautiful stories in video games. You know what is happening and how the story will progress or end. Still, you are hopeful that something might change, and you want to feel it. However, just like real life, there are no miracles in the RDR franchise.
“You Pick Your Side Now Because This Is Over.”
Every action has a consequence, and even protagonists are not free from it. This adds realism to the whole game and makes it similar to life. We see ourselves in these characters and empathize with the misery and suffering. And after all those struggles, we hope to find a happy ending. But that’s the thing about RDR: happy endings can be tragic.
Characters and Their Relatability
There are tons of different characters in the RDR franchise. Everything is related to the main story. The minor characters are usually available for side quests. However, the main and secondary characters are relatable, witty, evil, good, and complicated, just like real life.
“Ain’t Nothing Fair.”
You won’t find heroes in RDR but rather a mixture of the entire human experience. Pair these characters with dialogue, and you have one of the best-written games of the modern generation. Moreover, as a player, you not only feel for the characters from a third-person perspective. It’s like living a virtual life through them. Not many games are capable of delivering such fine attention to detail.
A Perfect Ending
The endings of both games are tragic but, in some way, satisfying. It was the best possible outcome for the different characters. Many important antagonists and protagonists meet their eventual fate in death, but that is life. Sooner or later, everyone who ever walked this earth or will walk this earth dies. It’s the in-between that matters. That’s where the redemption part comes in.
“I See Clearly That Your World Is Not A World From Which One Can Escape.”
Each character has a redeeming quality, but some don’t realise it, and it’s too late for them. Fortunately, some realised their shortcomings but still did the right thing and ultimately had a death worthwhile!
Problems with Red Dead Redemption 2
Problems and RDR in the same sentence seem odd. But these issues are not about the story or the open world. These are some issues that I faced when I played the game. Rockstar is a wonderful studio, but their games are not optimized for different platforms.
“Why, You’re A Good Man.”
I played on PS, and not only did I get low frame rates, but the movement of characters was also unnatural. Everything seemed so stuck in the mud. It was infuriating to see such an amazing game held back by some fixable console issues.
“Revenge Is A Fool’s Game.”
Now, before anyone makes assumptions, I also tried this game on a new-gen console, and it was the same story. The game sometimes is just not smooth. It is annoying considering you are playing it on low FPS. So, that was the only issue which I faced during the gameplay.
Final Thoughts on RDR
Red Dead Redemption is not a mere game but a world upon itself. It explores and sheds some light on the saddening lives of thieves who struggled to find identity in the new world. Little did they know that times were changing and acts of their past would never leave them. The best choice for such people is to surrender to fate—running only gives the thrill to the attackers. Those people never stop, and it was something that every character realised very late.
“I Gave You All I Had.”
The world of RDR is full of different quests, stories, missions, and exploration. You will never get bored of finding stuff to do in the game. For me, I was not able to continue after the death of Arthur. It was too much for me, considering it was his story. So, I felt that spending one instance in the game without its hero is an injustice. But that’s my take on this wonderful thing. It took me some time to get used to the mechanics and low FPS of my console, but once you immerse yourself in this game, you can’t stop playing.
FAQs
How long is RDR 2?
The game takes around 80-100 hours to complete. This only goes for the story. However, to fully complete the game, you need around 400-500 hours.
Where to play RDR?
You can play the game on any platform, whether it’s PS, Xbox, or PC. However, to get the best framerate, next-gen consoles and high-end PCs are needed.
When will the third RDR release?
There is no official announcement about the third installment. Rockstar is currently more invested and focused on Grand Theft Auto 6.