Review: Red Dead Redemption II

Review:  Red Dead Redemption II

By Will Salzarulo

Red Dead Redemption II is the follow up to Game of The Year nominee Red Dead Redemption. Red Dead Redemption II was released to absolute praise from critics and fans alike. Being the runner up for the 2018 Game of The Year. Somehow, in 2020 Red Dead Redemption II won The Steam Awards pick for Game of The Year even 2 years after its initial release. In addition, it is my favorite video game of all time.

The game is broken up into 6 chapters, plus an epilogue. The year is 1899 the Wild West is finally being tamed. The era of gunslingers and outlaws is at an end. You play as Arthur Morgan, an outlaw in the notorious Vanderlinde gang, who are trying to deny that their time in the limelight is over. After a robbery gone wrong, the entire gang is on the run from the law. You get to decide what type of man you want to be. There is a system in the game known as The Honor System. Depending on your choices in the game, you can lose or gain honor. The initial game has 4 endings, 2 high honor and 2 low honor. It’s your choice on how kind or dangerous you want Arthur to be. 

The game was produced by Rockstar Games. The same company that created the Grand Theft Auto franchise. The game started development in 2010 after the release of Red Dead Redemption. A sequel to Red Dead Redemption II will probably not happen, as players believe that the story of the Vanderlinde Gang has been finished. Gamers are debating what would be next for the franchise. Right now, all we have to do is wait for the next Red Dead game to release. 

If you are looking for a game with a gut wrenching story, exciting gameplay, and a truly lived in world, then Red Dead Redemption II is for you. The soundtrack has musical talents like D’angelo and Willie Nelson to play during the darkest times in the game. The bond between the characters is something on par with a long running tv show. The writing is on level with any blockbuster film I’ve ever seen. If this sounds appealing to you, download Red Dead Redemption II. 

I give Red Dead Redemption II a 10/10. It is truly a masterpiece. 

Photo Credit: Rockstar Games