This review reflects my personal feelings as a player who hasn’t played the first Red Dead Redemption game and didn’t have any expectations going in. The game is quite long in terms of story, taking me around 75 hours to complete, but I don’t regret a single hour spent. This game is absolutely worth it. Here are my thoughts on the main aspects of the game:

1. STORY
The story in Red Dead Redemption 2 is long, gripping, and full of twists, taking me about 75 hours to complete. Each chapter brings something new, keeping the experience fresh and engaging. The plot introduces us to a wide range of characters, each with their own personalities and backgrounds, which gives the story depth but also requires careful attention. There are so many characters to keep track of that it’s essential to pay attention to their roles, as some names can easily start to blend together. Watching Arthur Morgan, the main protagonist, navigate complex relationships and situations was one of the best parts of the story. This journey is full of emotional moments, unexpected turns, and intense scenes that kept me hooked from beginning to end.

2. GAMEPLAY
The gameplay is incredibly smooth, with a wide selection of weapons to choose from, ranging from revolvers and rifles to bows. The controls feel responsive, and exploring the vast open world is satisfying and immersive. There’s a realistic sense of variety in what you can do—from hunting animals to discovering random camps and visiting bustling towns. The world feels alive with details, like diverse animals to hunt, items to sell, and dynamic weather and landscapes.
One good feature is the crafting system, where you can create your own specialized ammunition, like fire arrows and explosive bullets, as well as health items to aid you in survival. This adds another layer of customization to how you approach different situations and fights. One small downside, however, is the horseback riding, which can be a bit clunky. Sometimes the horse changes direction unexpectedly or trips over small objects instead of leaping over them. Despite this, the gameplay is highly enjoyable and full of options that make every hour in the game worthwhile.

3. GRAPHICS
I have never played a game that is so graphically and visually detailed. Even though the game has been out for a few years, it still looks better than many newer games. I often spent hours just walking through forests, watching or hunting animals, and admiring the beautiful scenery. The environments, weather effects, and character animations are breathtakingly realistic, making the game feel immersive.

4. ACHIEVEMENTS
I love collecting achievements in games, and because Red Dead Redemption 2 is such an excellent game, I aimed to get as many achievements as possible. With so many types of animals, it took me dozens of hours to track, study, and skin them all to earn certain achievements. Even though these achievements took a long time to complete, I enjoyed every moment. However, there are a few achievements that are simply grindy rather than challenging or fun. For example, the story mode has an achievement that requires you to kill and skin 16 bears, which becomes more of a tedious task. The online achievements have similar issues, like needing to own five horses, which costs around $2,500 in-game currency. Given that missions only reward around $20 each, this achievement can be frustratingly grindy.

5. ONLINE MODE
The online mode is disappointing, which isn’t surprising considering Rockstar’s history with online games. Missions are repetitive, and high-level players often target new, low-level players, making the experience frustrating. Additionally, the servers are unstable, and the game crashes frequently. In my opinion, Red Dead Redemption 2 Online is a failed addition to an otherwise amazing game.

FINAL THOUGHTS
In conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed playing Red Dead Redemption 2. The story, gameplay, graphics, and achievements (despite a few frustrations) make it an outstanding game. Though the online mode was disappointing, the single-player experience alone is well worth it.

10/10