With the release date for Rockstar‘s huge upcoming title, Red Dead Redemption 2, quickly approaching, details are beginning to emerge either from various outlets recounting their own playthroughs, or content dropped by the company itself. Today, I got to jump into the enormous world for myself.
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Jumping straight in, I was introduced to a few characters via a cutscene including gang leader, Dutch, Red Dead Redemption‘s central character, John Marston, the bloke you get to play this time around, Arthur Morgan, and a few more. We were to rob train owned by an extremely rich man named Leviticus Cornwall.
The crew set off on horseback to where we’d ambush the train, leaving impressive prints in the thick snow as we rode. It was clear even from this point that Rockstar has spared no expense when it comes to detail, whether it’s simply aesthetic or as important as how you interact with the world around you.
As the gang road on, I was introduced to the cinematic camera, which sets you to a loose kind of autopilot as the camera angles change and pan around you. It’s not much, but it adds an entertaining and different way to experience long rides, rather than simply following on behind.
Arriving at the train tracks, we were tasked with checking on the bloke setting up explosives for the heist. I wasn’t playing at this point, but one thing that really stuck out to me was how natural the game and its world feels and how that ease influences gameplay. We walked rather than ran to the objective because that’s probably what Arthur would do in real life. It didn’t feel annoying or like a chore, but like living in the shoes of the character. I mean, you can bolt everywhere if you want, sure, but RDR2 just feels better when you immerse yourself.
After a somewhat botched train robbery, I was handed the controller to play for myself. The first thing I did was head over to my trusty horse to mount him, only I ended up pressing the wrong button and punched him square in the ass instead. I’ve never felt so damn bad in my life. As you probably would after being punched, my four-legged pal ran off into the scrub, but after a few whistles, I was able to coax him back to me where I showered him with pats and a nice brush. I don’t know if he’ll ever forgive me, but I think we’re cool now.
I took off through an open field to where I was told is a great place to hunt. I equipped my bow and walked towards a couple of deer grazing ahead, but managed to spook them into running away from me. Luckily, I was able to use the tracking function to lock onto their path, but they were long gone. They probably saw me beat the shit out of my own horse.
I ended up tracking a rabbit and straight-up nailed it with an arrow, allowing me to either skin it then and there or carrying it as it was. I chose to skin it, which initiated a graphic, but realistic animation of the act, which I certainly wasn’t prepared for, but I admired the detail. I had trecked pretty far from my horse, so whistling wasn’t gonna help me, I had to run back until I was in range. When I was able to summon my ride, I also had to wait for him to run over to me, which I found surprisingly refreshing compared the standard turn-around-and-there-they-are approach similar titles take.
I tied the dead rabbit to my horse and rode on towards a nearby town, passing a group of deer on the way I decided to pursue. This time, I pulled out my bow on horseback and took a couple of shots at the closest deer, but missed both. The third shot was a direct hit, but before I could jump off to collect the carcass, it got up and started bloody running. Turns out I only managed to wound it. Acting quickly, I pulled up my bow again and landed the killing blow as it ran. Hunting in RDR2 makes for a heart-pumping sequence of events and is extremely satisfying when successfully pulled off. With over 200 species of animals getting around the world, you could honestly just play it as a hunting simulator if you really wanted to.
I collected the deer and continued into town to sell the meat to the local butcher. Because I am one clumsy motherfucker who can’t seem to work a controller properly (PC gamer represent), I shot my pistol at the man’s wares instead of bringing up the interaction options. He didn’t like that at all and as such, refused to serve me. Can’t say I blame the bloke, I just put a bullet into his fine meats. The sheriff even came over to check out what all the fuss was about but left after he saw the situation had calmed.
I gave the butcher some space and sussed out the general store to kill time. You can either browse items as they sit on the shelves or simply flick through the store’s catalogue. I bought some pomade because I’m all about that slick life. I looked around a little further and pet a couple of awesome dogs running around before successfully selling my meat, which decreased in value a little because it had been sitting out a bit too long. I probably deserved it.
I rode on to my camp and was shown the customisation options for Arthur, including grooming, changing clothes, and so on. The vibe of the camp also depends on how well stocked they are. If things are looking a little grim, the vibe will be a bit of a bummer, but if you’ve just come off the back of a big score and folks are thriving, the place will be pretty upbeat.
I finished up with a mission to take out a rival gang encampment and jack their shit. Upon reaching the outskirts, I was given options for how I wanted it to play out, starting with the first few blokes standing guard. I sent in John to take out the first guy and set up a synchronised attack for the next two, doing my best to keep quiet the whole time. I decided to try and take out the next closest chap on my own but ballsed it up when my throwing knife hit the tree instead of his head. That was it, I had been seen and a firefight broke out. After taking out the rest of their crew, the mission wrapped up and the demo ended.
So far, RDR2 truly feels like a step up in gaming. Simply existing inside its rich, deep, and vivid world is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. The breadth of options available in almost every single situation makes your decisions incredibly powerful, with the weight of your actions felt at all times, even if it just accidentally intimidating the local butcher.
RDR2’s release date is October 26 for both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
