From the visuals and score that feel drawn straight from the past several decades of Western cinema classics, to a world that is full of secrets to discover, to a story that continually pulls you in over the course of its many twists and turns, Red Dead Redemption 2 truly comes as close to the sense of a "living, breathing world" that I think we have ever seen from a game before, and it's truly invigorating to play and experience every inch of this world and see what it has to offer.

Don’t be deceived by the number at the end of the title, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a direct prequel to its predecessor. The story takes place years before our last adventure as we follow Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang. If you recognize the latter name, it was the group of outlaws that John Marston rode with back in the day. As you can expect, you’ll see our loveable Marston often, who is perfectly implemented into the story. It’s not too much fan service or focus, but just enough so he’s a solid supporting role, especially in the later half of the campaign. He has his own arc, but it’s all about Arthur and his issues. The first couple of chapters in the story, Arthur is an unlikable individual. It takes him a little while to find his footing as he’s an overly serious character who never breaks a smile and plays the rough cowboy to a T. His relationship with the group, including the gang’s leader, Dutch van der Linde, is what stands out among everything else. It’s the little things around the camp; the songs, the gestures and the interactions that expand our protagonist’s likability, and you begin to better understand him. Even the most insignificant faces seem to bring out the more positive aspects out of Arthur more than the main story ever does, and it’s sad that it’s something players can completely overlook, especially considering entering the camp setting forces the player to move at a snail’s pace.

Red Dead Redemption 2 's scope when it comes to depth and detail aren't just apparent in its world and storytelling but also in its gameplay, as the game delivers just as much in action and combat as it does in bringing players a sense of place and immersion. Expanding on many of the systems that we saw from Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto V , Red Dead Redemption 2 's combat expertly delivers the kind of spectacle that its Western setting provides. Throughout the game, players will engage in a variety of missions alongside the rest of the Van der Linde gang ranging from bank heists to train robberies and more, and while I don't want to spoil any of the surprises in store at all, it's easy to say that Red Dead Redemption 2 features some of the most thrilling action sequences and set-pieces that I've ever experienced in a game; they're moments that truly make the game feel like a classic Western come to life.

The stables available in-game can allow you to have up to three other horses in addition to your "main horse" that you have with you out in your travels, so don't forget the important of strengthening your bond with your horse to maximize its potential.

One of the best examples of this deep sense of interaction with other characters and the environments comes from the Van der Linde gang's camp, which shifts locations at various points in the story and provides players with a place to call home while out completing missions and exploring the world. Aside from giving the player a place to eat, sleep, and renew Arthur's energy while out on his journey, the camp also provides ample opportunities to interact with the rest of the gang's familiar faces -- many of whom you'll be going out on missions with -- making it key to visit the camp every so often to see what sort of surprises may be in store there.

Though the story of Red Dead Redemption 2 is thrilling and action-packed in its own right, it's all enveloped in a world that is rich in depth and detail, and not taking a chance to step back and appreciate the sheer skill that went into crafting the impeccably-made world of Red Dead Redemption 2 would be missing out on one of the game's best qualities.

Sweeping vistas, flowing rivers, and stunning mountainsides are all just a few of the spectacular sights and locations that you'll find in Red Dead Redemption 2 , and seamlessly going between such varying locations and environments is astounding, other than the occasional (and small) frame rate drops I would get here and there. As the game takes the Van der Linde gang through snowy mountains, treacherous swamplands, and (eventually) deep into the heart of the big city, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a visual marvel on both a technical and artistic level, accompanied by a soundtrack that truly entrenches it in the atmosphere of the best Spaghetti Western films out there.

Red Dead Redemption was a blast, WWW.Openworldpilot.Com with numerous side quests, activities and just a big open sandbox world to play in. Great game mechanics and design made it fun, a great story is what made it memorable. The pacing of the story doesn't ever hit any major lulls and the character of Marshton is sympathetic enough you end up rooting for him, since after all he's a good guy who just wants to be back with his family. And in trying to get back with his family he ends up being jerked around by the government. After jumping through endless hoops from the government they betray him. The ending of Red Dead Redemption is one of the sadder endings in a video game. The true ending occurs in 1914, and while there is a shot at setting things right, it ultimately feels hollow and unsatisfying. This sounds like a knock against the game, but in reality it is a testament to how powerful the narrative of Red Dead Redemption actually was.