Do you have what it takes to get a review published right here on Kotaku? Jenn does, as she skins every rabbit in New Austin.
Yes, that’s right, we’re now publishing reader reviews here on Kotaku. This is your chance to deliver sensible game purchasing advice to the rest of the Kotaku community.
And thanks to the very kind chaps at Madman Entertainment, purveyor of all kinds of cool, indie and esoteric film, the best reader review we publish each month will win a prize pack containing ten of the latest Madman DVD releases.
This review was submitted by Jenn Christodoulou. If you’ve played Red Dead Redemption, or just want to ask Jenn more about it, leave your thoughts in the comments below.
Red Dead Redemption (PS3)
Described to me as ‘Grand Theft Auto but in the Wild West’ I went into Red Dead Redemption expecting what we all do from a Rockstar game: obscene language, obscure humour and loads of sex, gambling and violence. And this game has delivered all of those things, with an awesome Western twist.
It follows the story of John Marston, a once criminal turned good guy who wants to make up for his bloody past to ensure a happy and safe life for his family. Of course, Rockstar games are never as simple as they seem.
Loved
Atmosphere: Every aspect of the game has been tailored to fit right into society in 1911. People’s accents have that well known western twang, the gambling is popular, crime is rife and even the tumbleweeds meander along like they haven’t a care in the world. 1911 was a simpler time, and it doesn’t take long before you feel like you’re right in the heart of it.
Play Style: The choices you make in the world of New Austin decide whether you’re seen as an honourable fellow or a dastardly outlaw. The more honourable you are the more likely people will overlook the occasional robbery or murder, but being dishonourable gets you the awesome title of ‘Desperado’. Tough choice, isn’t it? Whichever you choose though, it’s almost guaranteed that you’ll have different stories to everyone else you know who’s playing it.
Humour: Rockstar has always been known for their quirky, obscure form of humour, and the way it’s presented in RDR is no exception. Advertising breast enhancers to please ‘both men and women around the world’ and announcing the marriage of a brother and sister in the paper, Rockstar has injected their latest game with just as many hilarious tidbits as their other titles.
Hated
Glitches: This game glitched on me a lot, usually in missions. For example, in Bonnie’s mission where you save her herd from a storm, one of my cattle became invisible. This glitch didn’t go away until I threw myself off the cliff and started over. All the errors I encountered fixed themselves once I reloaded the area, or restarted the mission, but that didn’t make them any less annoying.
Animal Violence: I understand full well that in 1911 people killed animals not just for food, but for their skins, organs, claws and anything else they could barter. But there’s just something unsettling about the pleasure John takes when he skins them. It makes him seem more like a serial killer than a man trying to do things right.
Red Dead Redemption is unlike anything else on the market at the moment. It offers gamers a beautiful true-to-life Western landscape filled with loveable characters you can actually give a damn about, and activities to keep you entertained for hours. If you’re thinking RDR isn’t for you, think again; this game is for everybody. So what are you still sitting here for? Giddy up!
Reviewed by: Jenn Christodoulou
You can have your Reader Review published on Kotaku. Send your review to us at the usual address. Make sure it’s written in the same format as above and in under 500 words – yes, we’ve upped the word limit. We’ll publish the best ones we get and the best of the month will win a Madman DVD prize pack.
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