This isn't just a game, it's the best thing ever to come out of Rockstar.
The sheer amount of content here is enough to satisfy every gamer, whether hardcore or casual. The horseback riding, covering mechanic, shooting in general, all perfect. Personally, this is the best game I've played on a next gen console. But first, a confession: I almost made a pledge that I would never buy a cowboy game. The repetitive gameplay and audio blasts from Gun and Red Dead Revolver turned me off of cowboy games for awhile. Good thing Rockstar made this game, because otherwise I would never have played another western shooter again.
SINGLE-PLAYER:
The story is reason enough to buy the game. Full of twists and funny moments; it will make you laugh, cry, but ultimately, wish that every cowboy game was like this. You start out entering a small town named Armadillo searching for a man named Bill Williamson. When you step out of the train and into Armadillo, you see how detailed they made the game. From beautiful landscapes to a bullet travelling through someone's face, your jaw will be floored. When you go to Fort Mercer (Where Bill Williamson is), one of his men shoots you in the stomach. Now the real story begins. You are picked up by a nearby pedestrian, healed, and given a home. Why this happens is explained when you play further in the story.
There are plenty places to unlock later in the story, such as Mexico and Blackwater. The story has many twists as well, and when you finish the single-player campaign, you will be surprised as you watch one of the biggest twists in history. Also, the game has many diverse characters. Seth and Irish are probably the most unique people in video game history, being both funny and just plain odd. All in all, the single-player is stunning. The only problem I had with it is that the Strangers you come by make you do somewhat tedious tasks. This is fine, but the fact that John Marston will drop whatever he is doing just to do mundane tasks to strangers.
9.5 out of 10
GRAPHICS:
For the most part, excellent. The sun rising and setting over the horizon, puddles in the road, and blood from your enemies all look realistic and amazing. The character models are great, too. John is very detailed and all of his suits have been given extreme care and detail. Guns and firepower all look very detailed as well. The "Dead Eye" feature filters in red, and marks red x's on your enemies. Blood splashing out of bandits has never looked so good.
There are some minor issues, however. Sometimes when you play on "Dead Eye", the gun can go straight through your head or your body. Also some framerate dips, but otherwise it's a graphical masterpiece.
9.8 out of 10
SOUND:
It certainly sounds like a western game. Great sound track, good effects used for dead eye and other gun related features, and the animals sound real too. The music is what really stands out in this category, however. The song “Far Away” is possibly the best song ever to be put in a western game.
The voice acting is very well done also, John Marston sounds like a new standard for all cowboys, and you’ll hear the funniest lines from him as well. There are a variety of characters with funny lines, such as Irish and Shaky.
9.3 out of 10
MULTI-PLAYER:
Addicting, to say the least. Very engaging and it never makes you feel outnumbered. What I liked mainly about the multiplayer mode was the Free Roam mode. Here, you can form posses, start skirmishes, and do gang hideouts or just explore. No lag here either, to be honest I’m stunned. When I entered my first match I suspected it to be a lagfest, but no lag whatsoever.
There might be a bit of a ghost server issue, though. Many times I joined a free roam it was just me or maybe some other guy that doesn’t move. This all changes when you invite people or go to a different match, however. It’s still a great multiplayer mode filled with fun little quirks when you level up to keep you playing.
9.8 out of 10
OVERALL:
This game is amazing. Besides a few bugs, there’s nothing I can talk down about. From stepping off the train in Armadillo, to the shattering conclusion, my jaw was floored. Everything here was given extreme detail and shouldn’t be overlooked. I highly suggest you buy this game. Now.
9.9 out of 10
10 out of 10: Flawless in every way. A true classic.
9 to 9.9 out of 10: Nearly perfect. A few bugs, but nothing separating you from a fun experience.
8 to 8.9 out of 10: Great, for the most part. Some issues, may frustrate the gamer, but overall fun.
7 to 7.9 out of 10: Pretty good. There might be some storytelling flaws, maybe some bugs, but you will enjoy most of this title.
6 to 6.9 out of 10: Borderline OK. Has a lot of bugs and/or gameplay issues, but some can find enjoyment in this title.
5 to 5.9 out of 10: Eh. Not good, but not bad. Rent.
4 to 4.9 out of 10: Piss poor. You might find enjoyment, but it’s riddled with issues and un-fun gameplay.
3 to 3.9 out of 10: Avoid. Only diehard fans can find enjoyment in this, even if there is any.
2 to 2.9 out of 10: Shit.
1 to 1.9 out of 10: You might want to buy this game one day, to look back and laugh at how much it sucks.
0.1 to 0.9: It’s just bad. Indescribable.
0 out of 10: This one will be pretty rare to come by. I only award this to a game that either doesn’t work or does nothing when you put it in the system. In other words, disc frisbee.
