a90skid.com
  • Shop
  • Reviews
  • Shop
  • Reviews
0
A 90s Kid
  • Shop
  • Reviews

One of the most fascinating games to ever be released will spark conversations for years to come. A stunning production that breaks many rules of traditional fun. Will we look back on it like L.A. Noire – another stunner more obsessed with its tremendous production and tricks, or will RDR2 rise even higher as a transcendent piece of art, pushing the medium forward?

RDR2 snow scene horseback

An ambitious open

The opening hours were equal parts dazzling and dull. Perhaps this serves to set the meditative tone Rockstar Games was after, but an already humongous game could have easily edited out several chunks of redundant/needless pieces to strengthen the momentum built by the more impressive moments. Forcing the player to go through so many tutorials (especially the hand-holding hunting) is overwhelming and boring at the same time. To contrast, the fishing tutorial that shows up later was handled brilliantly as a multi-layered story weaving a character building sidequest with main story progression.

RDR2 gun scene

Red Dead is Alive

So much has already been said of the painstaking effort Rockstar put into a world of detail (and the painstaking hours employees were made to work). The open world of RDR2 is obviously a monumental achievement that only becomes more impressive with more time spent living in it. Every nook and cranny across the miles of an explorable landscape has something to offer. A scary bar has been set.

RdR2 horseback woods scene

Map and auto-aim

My first few hours I was often disappointed with the incessant hand-holding that destroyed the superb tension being built. Turning off the map and auto-aim fixed almost all of my issues. Using the simple compass encouraged me to scan the beautifully rendered environment for my destination, discovering beautiful distractions along the way and helping appreciate the gorgeous vistas. The auto-aim turned braindead gunfights into tough encounters, where I was forced to seek out more cover and use my wits to survive. The combat is still Rockstar clunky and Dead Eye can get you out of a jam, but I’d had more fun this way.

There are still missed opportunities however, where Red Dead Redemption 2’s obsession with cinematic presentation too often relegated my input mostly meaningless. Every so often I feel like I’m playing the greatest David Cage game (Heavy Rain, Detroit: Become Human) ever made. The disappointment stings since RDR2 consistently sets up fabulously tense moments that I’d love to have more autonomy over.

Overall

Although I find plenty to nitpick, Red Dead Redemption 2 is still one of the most impressive and fascinating games I’ve ever played. I think about it when not playing and am always excited to see the next plot development with Arthur and his gang. Alongside every nitpick are three times as many extraordinary moments I haven’t seen in games before. The next great fascination will be where Rockstar Games goes from here?

Total
1
Shares
Share 1
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Related Topics
  • RDR2
  • Rockstar Games
Mathew Falvai

Mathew is a huge fan of Space, Strategy, and Shadowrun (Genesis version is #1). When it comes to games and films, he’d much rather experience a 10/10 classic from yesteryear than a 6/10 modern blandfest. He does feel we’re living in a gaming golden age with the power of indie developers at an all-time high, but wishes AAA publishers would take more risks. Mat believes it’s only a matter of time before the pendulum swings the other way and new ideas take their rightful place above reboots.

You May Also Like
Redfall Popcorn Machine
View Post
  • 3 min
  • Opinion
  • PC
  • Xbox
  • Xbox Series X

Redfall is Mid but the Popcorn is Delicious

  • Matthew Owen
  • May 17, 2023
Pulp Fiction Pinball Flippers
View Post
  • 3 min
  • Film
  • Opinion
  • Pinball

Upcoming Pulp Fiction Pinball is Totally Tarantino

  • Matthew Owen
  • April 27, 2023
EA Sports FC 24
View Post
  • 4 min
  • Industry
  • Opinion
  • Sport

Who Will Be the Cover Star of EA Sports FC 24? 

  • A9K Staff
  • April 21, 2023
Mario arrives in the Mushroom Kingdom in The Super Mario Bros Movie
View Post
  • 3 min
  • Film
  • Opinion

Are Video Game Movies Finally Good?

  • Matthew Owen
  • April 9, 2023
View Post
  • 5 min
  • Opinion
  • PlayStation
  • PlayStation 5
  • Review
  • Xbox Series X

Hogwarts Legacy Review – Wizard’s Creed

  • Matthew Owen
  • March 3, 2023
Scooby Doo Pinball machine flippers
View Post
  • 2 min
  • Industry
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Pinball

First Look at the New Spooky Scooby Doo Pinball Machine

  • Matthew Owen
  • February 10, 2023
SpongeBob Riding a Seahorse
View Post
  • 3 min
  • Opinion
  • PC
  • PlayStation
  • PlayStation 4
  • Review
  • Xbox
  • Xbox One

SpongeBob Squarepants: The Cosmic Shake Review – Back to Bikini Bottom

  • Matthew Owen
  • January 31, 2023
gaming esports
View Post
  • 3 min
  • Industry
  • Opinion

How competitiveness drives gamers to be better

  • A9K Staff
  • January 27, 2023

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe

Subscribe now to our newsletter

A90KID.COM

VIDEO GAMES COMMUNITY & ENTERTAINMENT

A 90s Kid is an active website and media channel, dedicated to providing you information and entertainment related to the video games industry

Navigation
  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Refund and Returns Policy
Recent Articles
  • SGDQ 2023 Schedule: Where and What to Watch May 25, 2023
  • How to Choose the Right Editing Program for Your Needs May 22, 2023
  • Redfall is Mid but the Popcorn is Delicious May 17, 2023
  • Alienware and Team Liquid Unveil Massive Esports Training Facility in Sao Paulo May 10, 2023
  • How to Create Your Own Epic Video Game Poster May 4, 2023
A 90s Kid
© 2023

Input your search keywords and press Enter.