Daimon's Lair

Okay, Mr. Marston, I know it's a little late in the game to really call these my 'first' impressions. Granted, it's the first time I've written about the game here, I've already sunk 10+ hours over the past week into the game. But here goes.

I was somewhat skeptical about the game given my (still) mixed feelings about Grand Theft Auto IV. As a pure game, sure, GTA IV is well done to the point I've played (about 10 hours as well) but it also failed as an open world game. The NPCs didn't allow you to be your own character. Content was NOT at your own pace--at least without them grumbling about you 'ignoring' them, failing to help against gangster attacks and whatnot.


Red Dead Redemption fixes that glaring design problem. Missions are strictly at your own pace. Heck, if you wanted to explore "Oblivion" style for twenty hours, you could. I'd get a little bored just doing that, because the NPCs outside of the storyline (main and side quests) are really just scenery--albeit scenery you can shoot. Similar to GTA IV, missions are themed around certain main characters and are triggered by coming to designated locations. But, unless you specifically trigger a mission, the plot will not advance. Period.

After all, what's the point of having an open world game without giving the player the freedom to explore and consume content at their own pace? I've really enjoyed having that freedom, especially since the game allows you to be distracted by just about anything unless a mission is in progress or you've taken on a bounty. Shoot animals, ride all over the wilderness, trigger 'mysterious stranger' side quests, etc. Defend yourself against seeming endless supplies of bandits every time you take down a bounty target.

There are a lot of things I could write about, but mission control was my number one concern going into the game--and Rockstar has finally restored the 'open' to their brand of open-world gaming.