5/5 ★ – wesleytypes's review of Red Dead Redemption II.

An intensely human story and one of the most immersive gaming experiences I've ever had. The words that describe Red Dead Redemption 2 are depth and detail. It's not so much about cowboys, it's not even really about the wild west, the tragedy of the Van Der Linde gang is so much more than that. This game manages to capture the inherent beauty of the natural world and the complexity of human emotions and desires, all while framing these experiences within the struggle of a spiraling band of outlaws who are failing to adjust to civilization at the turn of the 20th century. They watch as the free untamedness of life is replaced by a much safer existence, albeit one less alive and yet no less selfish than their own. It's a story with great nuance, and the gameplay follows suit. My first impression of Rockstar games was set with the first Red Dead Redemption, so my biggest hesitation heading into the sequel (actually a prequel) was all of the new survival and immersion mechanics. I was worried having to eat, sleep, take care of my horse, and manage my weapons would make it feel less like a game to me. Thankfully, the "cores" system was never a hassle more than an enhancement. I enjoyed popping the occasional pack of smokes, regularly downing tonics and bourbons, and resting at campfires to cook food for Arthur (the outlaw you play as) to replenish himself with. As for the gameplay itself, I've heard many complaints about Rockstar's games being slow and unresponsive, but I found that it made my inputs and the effect they have on the game world feel very deliberate. When I move and command Arthur I really feel like he's an active force on the events and happenings in the game, not just my avatar. The more I had to interact with my controller, the more connected I felt. Much of the game's immersion also comes from the vast amount of things you're able to see and engage with. It has that "just one more" aspect where I constantly had a list of things I wanted to do before I advanced the story. You can play card and dice games at saloons, hunt wild animals (which you actually have to track), turn in bounties, shop for outfits, grow your hair out and cut it again, study birds, pick flowers, make coffee over a campfire, and even take a bath. This is all without even mentioning the actual side quests, called "Stranger missions", which are great and really help to shape Arthur as a character. Each one has an interesting hook and intertwines, at least thematically and emotionally, with the larger narrative. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a depressing tale of codependency, misplaced loyalty, criminality, cyclical violence, the exchange of human agency for industrial progress, and far flung hope. I would go fishing or play a game of blackjack knowing that I would eventually have to go back to camp and face these realities. There is definitely a meta aspect to this, as I began to feel a longing for the good old days and earlier moments of the game just as the characters did. This is reinforced by how real each member of the gang feels. Their personalities are so varied, and each one has a life outside of your interactions with them via the many ambient camp conversations and their roles within the gang. It stands as a testament not just to the well-crafted world, but also to the incredible performances and writing. There's no such thing as a perfect game, but I cannot find a truly meaningful flaw in this one. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a bona fide masterpiece. It boasts a stunningly beautiful and life-like world, immersive gameplay, wonderful characters, and one of the greatest stories ever told. In my mind, it stands unshaken amid all of its peers not only as the best open world game ever made, but one of the most obvious contenders for best game ever made period, and that's the way it is.