Red Dead Redemption 2 has just gone past its four-year anniversary and continues to be just as popular as ever. While other open-world titles have attempted to steal the crown for one of the best genre entries of all time, for many, Red Dead Redemption 2 is still unrivaled for its scope, narrative, and sheer detail.
However, for those replaying the game after a long absence, a few forgotten elements begin to rise to the surface. They might not all be negative, but these harsh realities are very evident and can sometimes even be distracting. Sometimes that's the way of the video game industry though, with the perspective of audiences changing their perception of a title.
The Intro Is Long
Video game intros are so important for setting up the narrative they are about to experience. They are also vital for arming newcomers with the skills needed to complete the title. The intro for Red Dead Redemption 2 acts as a major tutorial while introducing this band of characters.
However, those who remember playing Red Dead Redemption 2 will surely be thinking about later aspects of the game, as they roam freely in the Wild West. In fact, it will take quite a while to even get there, with the tutorial continuing to run much longer than expected.
The World Is So Big
The open world in Red Dead Redemption 2 is so big that there are plenty of things that players never even discover, that they could investigate as activities. The world is gorgeously detailed and there are many paths that the audience could take in exploring it.
But sometimes that sheer size can be overwhelming, and searching for narrative progression can be a bit like looking for a needle in a haystack. Open worlds bring a lot of potential when it comes to the kinds of stories that can be told, but it's a daunting landscape to travel through upon a replay.
Overwhelming Options
The nature of an open world and how significant the one in Red Dead Redemption 2 also leads to another harsh reality; the options for gameplay are just so overwhelming. Simply following the main story-driven campaign itself is a major task that will take some time to complete.
But the options to then complete other side missions and quests, alongside mini-games, general exploration, and NPC interaction, demonstrates just how much there really is to do in Red Dead Redemption 2. That can be overwhelming, especially if it had been completed once before; players know the effort it took to do so. It's far from easy to gain 100% completion.
Violent Deeds
Red Dead Redemption 2 sets up a pretty harsh landscape for the player to navigate. In fact, the narrative itself requires a lot of violent deeds from the player, as they take part in various criminal affairs, alongside their band of misfits and bandits.
But even when the opportunity presents itself for slightly freer play, the harsh reality kicks in that many of the side quests or bounty missions players come across might end up seeing them commit some dastardly acts. There's very little heroism here in truth.
Players Will Want To Play The First Installment
A player will make plenty of mistakes when picking up Red Dead Redemption 2 for the first time, but the debate is still out as to whether the first is crucial for enjoying the second. Many will realize that they have the bug to revisit the initial outing and thus need to start far further back.
That's quite the harsh reality. The titles can of course be played independently of one another, and there are many people who began with the newer release, rather than tracing back its roots. But for hardcore fans the harsh reality will set in that one just isn't enough because of its sheer quality.
Mechanical Learning Curve
The tutorial is very handy for setting out the basics, but no matter how long that intro is, there is no getting away from the fact that there will be a steep learning curve when it comes to getting to grips with the mechanics of the game. The very basic controls are quite straightforward.
But once the player dives into weapon selection, upgrading, and crafting components, alongside plenty of other aspects of this title, it quickly becomes apparent that there are a lot of skills that the player will have to get to grips with if they are to reach their full potential in the game.
Some Older Generation Graphics
Red Dead Redemption 2 was a previous-gen title, that at the time boasted some pretty spectacular graphics. Players are perhaps used to gaining an increase in quality once they play the game on newer consoles through backward compatibility, or are so used to the modern visuals in the gaming industry.
If a player was to return back to this franchise, on its original platforms, a harsh reality will likely kick in. Some of the game looks spectacular, but there are moments that take the audience out of the experience, because they don't look quite right, boasting dated designs.
A Little Too Real
Red Dead Redemption 2 appealed to some players because of its attention to detail and dedication to ensuring that a sense of reality consistently anchored the game. The Westworld-esque experience quickly takes a turn though when gamers realize just how detailed it is.
Its commitment to mirroring the real world perhaps goes beyond what it should. It's inconvenient to have to keep sleeping and making sure that the lead character is well-fed, but when it gets to the point that the player has to take a bath to improve their hygiene, perhaps it's too much.
Nothing Can Compare
Regardless of some small-scale criticisms, what players will really be struck with when leaping into Red Dead Redemption 2 once again is that no other games can quite compare. There are no other experiences that become quite as enthralling and all-encompassing as this award-winning entry into the franchise.
That's a matter of opinion of course, with some players perhaps preferring the Samurai lifestyle of Ghost of Tsushima, or the brutal landscape of Midgard in God of War. But for those looking for a western title, that surpassed expectations, nothing can beat the buzz of playing Red Dead.
No Signs Of A Remake
Despite consistent rumors that remakes are in store for both the original Red Dead Redemption and its sequel, no plans have been made concrete just yet. There are plenty of fans out there who want to play both installments of the franchise on current-gen consoles, taking full advantage of modern technology.
It doesn't look like it's going to happen for quite some time though, which is a really harsh reality when accessing this experience again. That thought process extends to a sequel, with no proper announcement, confirmation, or preview of a third entry into the franchise having been released.
Source:gamerant.com