A Timeless Western Epic Rides Again
Let’s be clear from the start: if I were reviewing the original Red Dead Redemption back when it was first released in 2010, it would have been an undisputed 5-star game.
It was an amazing achievement back then, defining a generation of open-world storytelling, and it remains an amazing journey to be had now.
Over the years, there have been slight improvements and backwards compatibility releases, but now we finally have a new, dedicated version for this current generation of consoles (and, surprisingly, mobile phones). This updated release offers HDR support, a buttery smooth 60 frames per second, and a crisp resolution up to 4K. It also throws in the excellent Undead Nightmare DLC as part of the package.
But the real question is, what is it actually like going back to this first story in the Wild West after all these years? Let’s find out.
Narrative And A Declining Frontier
For many, including myself, Red Dead Redemption 2 was one of the best games I have ever played, so it was a genuinely interesting experiment to come back to a game that is technically set after that experience.
At the emotional conclusion of Red Dead Redemption 2, you end up playing as John Marston, and this game is exactly where that narrative carries on. The year is 1911, and the American West and its lawless frontier are in steep decline. The modern, connected world of government bureaucracy and industrialisation is encroaching on the cowboy way of life, piece by piece. John Marston, has been employed – or rather, forced – to hunt down three members of his old gang to secure his family’s freedom.
Rockstar’s Artistry
The narrative kicks off with John arriving in New Austin, and after a slightly wrong-footed beginning where he is left for dead, he is rescued, and his adventure begins in earnest. It is a stark reminder that Rockstar are simply the best in the business at crafting these open-world games, balancing gripping main narratives with eccentric side stories.
Red Dead Redemption is no different, and playing it again reminded me how brilliantly written and realised this world is to explore one more time. There is a wealth of things to discover narratively and a cast of amazing, often bizarre, characters to meet along the way. There are many, many hours of story to find here. Crucially, there are a few specific moments of visual and audio storytelling that made this game famous. The first one occurs halfway through the game; just as a whole new area is opened up to you, an amazing piece of music kicks in. It is breathtaking.
The second, of course, is the ending and just how powerful, brave, and resonant that conclusion still is.
Added to that massive main campaign is the amazing DLC pack, Undead Nightmare. This expansion offers a completely different tack to the sombre, serious narrative of the main story. Here, a zombie plague hits the West, and it’s up to John and his family to survive. This mode is very campy, and is a whole lot of fun to play.
Dead Eye And Distractions
Now, there are some of you out there (and you know who you are) who absolutely hate the specific “Rockstar style” of shooting gameplay. Well, if you do fall into that camp, I am afraid that nothing has fundamentally changed in this version of Red Dead Redemption. The core loop remains: you pull out your gun, you hide behind cover, and then you pop up to shoot your enemies. Personally, I have never had a problem with this system, and after the first half an hour of reacclimating, it becomes second nature.
Then, of course, there is the slow-motion effect that comes into play every now and again; the world slows down to a crawl, and you can leisurely place your cursor exactly where you want the blows to land, painting your targets before unleashing a barrage in normal time, you will feel exactly like Billy the Kid. There are also the standard gunfights, which remain tense and brilliantly addictive affairs. These skirmishes happen throughout your journey, getting progressively more difficult and demanding the further you progress into the story.
Exploration is amazing in this wilderness. The game features distinct environments, from scrubland to red rocks to snowy mountains. It hasn’t got the density of random encounters that Red Dead Redemption 2 had, and for some modern players, it can feel a bit empty by comparison. However, I would argue there is something deeply meditative about just travelling across the vast, open countryside with only you and your horse by your side.
Despite the quiet, there is always something to distract you if you look for it, whether it’s hunting wild animals, confronting bandits, or just getting involved in the many side quests and stories that populate the map.
Undead Mayhem
Visually, this new version of Red Dead Redemption really shines. Now, those expecting a huge, ground-up Resident Evil-style remake should beware; it is not that. What you do have, though, is rock-solid 60 frames per second gameplay, which instantly makes it feel like a modern game in terms of responsiveness. The improvements will be seen clearly in how the world looks in terms of upscaled textures and improved lighting, which you can see from the moment the game begins. It feels clean, sharp, and far less muddy than the previous versions I have played on older hardware.
The only element that betrays the game’s age is the pre-rendered cutscenes; these are the only things that still look like they are from 2010 at times, jarring slightly with the crispness of the actual gameplay. The audio has had no major improvements that I know of, but frankly, it didn’t need them – it is still as excellent and atmospheric as ever.
A Foundation Still Strong Enough To Endure
It’s been an absolute blast going back to Red Dead Redemption. It might not be the all-encompassing big remake from the ground up that some wanted. But why do you really need to do that when the foundation is this strong? It is still a brilliant place to explore, and the story remains amazing, anchored by standout set pieces that will stick with you forever. I was surprised at how much I had forgotten over the last decade, so at times it genuinely felt like playing a new game all over again.
There isn’t any multiplayer included, which is a shame, but I can see why they haven’t included it, instead deciding to focus on the preservation of the single-player experience.
Overall, what an amazing game Red Dead Redemption is, and what an incredible place it has been to visit again.
Important Links
Your Favourite Outlaw is Back – Red Dead Redemption is on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, Mobile & More! – https://www.thexboxhub.com/your-favourite-outlaw-is-back-red-dead-redemption-is-on-xbox-series-xs-ps5-mobile-more/
Buy Red Dead Redemption from the Xbox Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/red-dead-redemption/9P5B3ZVDK19D/0010
