Read Dead Redemption 2 should be the game to revolutionise the industry in the modern era.
Claims by developers that single-player campaigns are dying and online multiplayer is king are wrong, blinded by the easy money of having an MMO.
Most reviews start off praising the immense graphics of the game, which indeed are amazing, but the story and in built sense of realism is what truly makes the game. Never before has a video game contained such a developed, emotive rollarcoaster of a story that blows the player's mind, from a game play but fundamentally a cinematic point of view.
The flow of Arthur's character and the fluctuations in circumstances dictates how you play; you naturally feel yourself shift inline with the nature of the character in that point in the game, whether it be good or bad. The player may feel more inclined to play as an outlaw earlier in the game and kill anyone who dare disrespect you, letting your honour level slip. By the end however, as Arthur wastes away in front of you, you can't help feel the free reign over free will be pushed towards becoming a better person in the game as Arthur truly seeks his redemption.
The small details that link the story together blow your mind; the carefree attitude of Arthur towards the debt collecting initially shown by his dealing with the Downes family and attitude towards the son comes full circle; Downes (a possible slight allegory to Jesus perhaps due to his earlier appearances in Valentine?) giving Arthur the tuberculosis which killed him, being one of the main drivers in prompting Arthur's redemption as his time runs out, noticably in missions with Mrs Downes and dealing with Strauss.
The character development of the supporting characters also is phenomenal and more deeply layered than most novels or films; Dutch becoming more fanciful and delusional, starting with the predicament of the gang over time, accelerated by the failure of the Saint-Denis bank job and death of Hosea is incredible to watch. This level of reaslism in capturing human nature is extraordinary, and embraced everywhere in the game world. NPCs feel alive, you care about your horse, and the demands of maintaining your cores just add to the realism but doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the game one iota.
The depth and meaning that Rockstar gave to RDR 2's story is astounding and won't be bettered for years, likely by the next triple-A Rockstar title. They have set a bar in gaming for a story that could easily function as a six season Netflix show, whilst making the player still feel in control and rooted in the environment of the game.
The game does everything right. Story, graphics, atmosphere, characters, tone, realism, you name it. Time will tell if Rockstar turns the game into a cash cow, like GTA V but surely one must hope anyone who cares to pay attention to the story and at least attempt to get into will realise single player is not dead; in fact it has the potential to become so much more than it is.
Simply put, the game ensures the video game industry is deserving of the title 'art' in reference to its production of entertainment, but RDR 2 is the current masterpiece. It is truly the first game that can develop a story better than film and can offer the mind escapism better than a book. It is streets aheads of anything else and has a set a new bar.
The question is now, who wants to aim for this new bar and go further, and who wants to slip into cash grabbing mediocracy.
Claims by developers that single-player campaigns are dying and online multiplayer is king are wrong, blinded by the easy money of having an MMO.
Most reviews start off praising the immense graphics of the game, which indeed are amazing, but the story and in built sense of realism is what truly makes the game. Never before has a video game contained such a developed, emotive rollarcoaster of a story that blows the player's mind, from a game play but fundamentally a cinematic point of view.
The flow of Arthur's character and the fluctuations in circumstances dictates how you play; you naturally feel yourself shift inline with the nature of the character in that point in the game, whether it be good or bad. The player may feel more inclined to play as an outlaw earlier in the game and kill anyone who dare disrespect you, letting your honour level slip. By the end however, as Arthur wastes away in front of you, you can't help feel the free reign over free will be pushed towards becoming a better person in the game as Arthur truly seeks his redemption.
The small details that link the story together blow your mind; the carefree attitude of Arthur towards the debt collecting initially shown by his dealing with the Downes family and attitude towards the son comes full circle; Downes (a possible slight allegory to Jesus perhaps due to his earlier appearances in Valentine?) giving Arthur the tuberculosis which killed him, being one of the main drivers in prompting Arthur's redemption as his time runs out, noticably in missions with Mrs Downes and dealing with Strauss.
The character development of the supporting characters also is phenomenal and more deeply layered than most novels or films; Dutch becoming more fanciful and delusional, starting with the predicament of the gang over time, accelerated by the failure of the Saint-Denis bank job and death of Hosea is incredible to watch. This level of reaslism in capturing human nature is extraordinary, and embraced everywhere in the game world. NPCs feel alive, you care about your horse, and the demands of maintaining your cores just add to the realism but doesn't detract from the enjoyment of the game one iota.
The depth and meaning that Rockstar gave to RDR 2's story is astounding and won't be bettered for years, likely by the next triple-A Rockstar title. They have set a bar in gaming for a story that could easily function as a six season Netflix show, whilst making the player still feel in control and rooted in the environment of the game.
The game does everything right. Story, graphics, atmosphere, characters, tone, realism, you name it. Time will tell if Rockstar turns the game into a cash cow, like GTA V but surely one must hope anyone who cares to pay attention to the story and at least attempt to get into will realise single player is not dead; in fact it has the potential to become so much more than it is.
Simply put, the game ensures the video game industry is deserving of the title 'art' in reference to its production of entertainment, but RDR 2 is the current masterpiece. It is truly the first game that can develop a story better than film and can offer the mind escapism better than a book. It is streets aheads of anything else and has a set a new bar.
The question is now, who wants to aim for this new bar and go further, and who wants to slip into cash grabbing mediocracy.