Vaasa Pages proudly presents the long-awaited, Red Dead Redemption, released in 2010, subsequently landed there a few weeks on Xbox One and thunderous way PS4. In the meantime no less than the new game from Rockstar Games including the GTA V continue effectively a road begun in 2013 on the previous generation of consoles.

Red Dead Redemption 2, this is the story of the clan of Dutch Van Der Linde, a bunch of thugs from the West who feel its inevitable decline coming after a smoky blow that put the band on the run. The history of plays through the eyes of Arthur Morgan, the right arm of Dutch, which is growing in him the conflict between his loyalty to the man who raised him as a son, and his own ideals, which are perhaps those of the band… of course as the clan has also within a certain John Marston, protagonist of the first Red Dead Redemption (which chronologically takes place after this second part), who played the first part already know a little history. But for those who will start with this second opus, is absolutely not a problem, on the contrary: the surprise isn’t that big.

West

After a few missions ultra-guided, which serve as introduction to the huge game (the average life expectancy is estimated at 65 h), here we are powered through a huge map, where many activities are proposed. Quickly, we are left with a constant selection of quests that appear here and there on the map, but you may also choose to opt for less activities, like mini-games (dominoes, poker, game of the knife, etc.), hunting animals for feed or retrieve skins to make new clothes, hunting for the premium, the collection of debts… short, a multitude of activities bloom as well as the gigantic map of the game, giving the impression that there is always something to do in the world of Red Dead Redemption 2. And that’s the reality!

However, to access it, you must progress through the story, as some activities are related to the different characters that may be encountered. Although it is possible to hunt in infinite ways, other activities tend to dry up up to be ‘restocked’ in history. This is particularly the case of debt collection, burglaries and other premium hunts, which count among the most entertaining activities, but not are not always available.

Despite his immense map RDR2 tends to cultivate a freedom relative to certain times. And that’s without counting on completely empty areas, that we just go through to get from one point to another, without really stopping. If the backgrounds are absolutely gorgeous, they are often empty. Certainly, we can imagine that the Wild West of 1899 was not populated on all sides, but still, one sometimes has the impression of galloping in the wind.

Frustrating game mechanics

Frustrating, RDR2 is not only in its only as green wilderness. It is also, in many aspects, through a complex gameplay and, let’s face it, a little rusty. Menus are scattered in all directions, between the different inventories (that of Arthur, the horse, the bag of Arthur, etc.), not at all intuitive manipulation for back up (never trust the automatic backup (, at the risk of losing valuable progress), purchases in store that are made by catalog or directly on the shelves of stores… certainly, Red Dead 2 cultivates a sense of realism to promote immersion. But it comes to question the need for a game to be realistic to a degree where it becomes more disturbing than anything else for the player. Have to pick up objects one by one in each camp, looter duty manually each corpse after a gunfight (when the game leaves us time, which is among the most frustrating confrontations points), necessarily having to move forward with a ball prudence in the cities, because NPCs are likely to hit our horse and train a hunting man, this is sometimes a bit tiring.

But these are only a few points which you eventually settle over the game, willingly or force, if you want to hang on. Other points are a little more annoying, as fast, absolutely archaic travel system and so little practice that we often prefer to opt for a long ride on horseback rather than use it. Speaking of journeys on horseback, you can also highlight the “autopilot” who, happy to be completely counterintuitive (it must guess to use theater mode to use), poorly manages the trajectories of the horse, which may at any time is emplafonner hit on an obstacle present on his way. Die in this way, it is possible, and it is horribly annoying.

Essential anyway?

The list of defects of Red Dead Redemption 2 is great. The main criticism that can be made to Rockstar, is to have camped on the positions taken there is not close to 10 years with the first part, remains a reference today, but who has still aged on some essential mechanics. It is surprising to find them in RDR2 nearly a decade later. In addition, we find these mechanics in GTA V, but difficult to adapt to an environment as complex as that of RDR2.

 

However, when you’re in the mood, in history and in the activities of Red Dead Redemption 2, it remains difficult to win. The characters are well written, missions are varied, scenario gives desire to discover more and some ancillary activities are not only fun, but in addition to surprises in store. The random encounters and a realistic ecosystem give also a little salt to the many trips on horseback needed to complete the game.

Demanding, Red Dead Redemption 2 knows how to reward players who cling to his not always easy accessible universe, and especially to a gameplay of another age, that it takes if have time to tame to deal more than for really appreciate it. Players who are looking for immediate action and are not sensitive to the contemplative dimension of a video game may never recover from the frustration of the first hours of play. In sum, RDR2 is certainly not a game for everyone, but those who will hang to his particular universe could well spend critical hours in their experience of gaming on this new game Rockstar. Better be warned!

You learn more about Red Dead Redemption 2. It’s available on Xbox One and PS4 since 26 October.

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