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As everybody knows, the beginning of 2010 should bring just as many big titles as the end of this year. Among them is definitely Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar's new highly anticipated game. Last week, Gamersyde was invited to a presentation of a recent build of the game, a good opportunity to find out if the hopes for this one are high for a good reason.
Update 2: Added an image gallery.

Back to the Future

May 2002. Capcom announces the development of a whole new franchise whose main particularity is to choose the Far West as historical background. Despite an outburst of enthusiasm on the part of both the press and the players, the project is unfortunately canceled about a year later. Hopefully, against all odds, Red Dead Revolver rises from its ashes in July 2003 thanks to Rockstar who decides to take over the development of the game. It is eventually released in June 2004 on Xbox and Playstation 2 and, in spite of its flaws, it turns out to be a rather fun game in the end.

February 2009. Rockstar officially announces that Red Dead Redemption is in the making. The sequel should have very little to do with the first episode as the story is set 30 years later and the main character is absolutely not related to Red, hero of the first game. Contrary to Red Dead Revolver which was not an original IP by Rockstar, this time they really could work at making the game they had in mind right from the start: a good mix between action, exploration and character development. So, is Red Dead Redemption a sort of GTA in the old West? Partly yes, but there is a lot more to it.

Once upon a time in the West

USA, dawn of the 20th century. The Wild West is living its last hours, caught up as it is by modern life, growing industrialization and civilization per se. A whole page of American history is about to turn. Again, quite an original background for a video game and, given the emphasis that Rockstar has always put on storyline, it's safe to say it should be one of the game's strengths. You play the role of John Marston, a former outlaw who will be forced to go after his old partners for the sake of his family, the classic quest for salvation and redemption you'd expect in the genre.

The presentation started with a freeride sequence in the middle of a beautiful desert area. John Marston rides his horse under the scorching heat of the Southern States of the US, heading towards the closest town. The structure of the game is very different from the likes of GTA : as the main character crosses the path of many different people, it will trigger off random secondary missions. The main difference here is that, no matter what you decide to do (intervene or not) the event in progress will happen anyway. Should you choose to do something, your reputation meter as well as your honor meter will be affected and these two elements are among the new important features of the game. “What's in it for me other than keeping myself busy?” you might wonder. Well, by improving your reputation (or honor) level, it will affect how the population will treat you. You will for example be given more missions, you will be able to buy items at cheaper prices in the cities and the more famous you get, the more chances you have to be challenged to duels by loose canons. To give you examples of possible encounters in the wilderness, you may be asked to give a soldier a hand to capture the prisoners who escaped his convoy, you may decide to go to a farmer's rescue as he gets mugged by bandits, or help the passengers of a train that is under attack. Be careful though, you might also run into a horse thief who can lure you into thinking he is in danger so you get closer and he can steal it from you.

Lonesome gun: Il mio nome è Nessuno

Because it's a Rockstar game, you will obviously be able to break the law should you decide to. When it happens, be aware of the consequences as they are certainly heavier than in the GTA series. Indeed, whenever you decide to kill someone you shouldn't, a WANTED sign appears on the top right corner of the screen. The colored letters indicate the alert level and, like some kind of meter, they empty with time if you are good enough to outrun your enemies. It is important to point out that, even if you manage to get to a safe spot, the WANTED sign will never completely disappear and it is then theoretically possible to play the whole game that way. As a result, all through the story, the city where you have committed a felony will send men looking for you, which will have you stay on your toes all the time. Depending on the number of people you killed, the bounty on your head will be more or less high, as will the number of people chasing you. During the presentation, we were shown a sequence during which Marston can decide to shoot down a patrol of Mexican soldiers to avoid a few rebels from being captured. After putting on a mask (a good way to make it more difficult to track you down), Marston killed them and galloped away in the desert.

Hopefully, being wanted by the law does not mean there is no way to make things right. To get a pardon letter, you can try to make up for your actions by helping, say, a Mexican commanding officer who wants to rescue one of his men who is held prisoner in a nearby outpost. Once you get the letter though, you are not free to run around everywhere just yet. It is necessary to go find the nearest sheriff to give him the letter so he can officially clear your slate.

What a wonderful world

Red Dead Redemption will feature Rockstar's biggest open environment to date, no less. Three territories will be available and no loading screens will ever break the immersion. West Elisabeth and New Austin will be situated in the US while Nuevo Paraiso will obviously be on Mexican grounds (the story takes place along the Mexican border). With such a vast playground, it is easy to figure out that a lot of traveling around will be involved in the game. If we were told that quick travel will be possible (expect different means of transportation), you will spend most of your time riding a horse in the big open spaces. Much like in Colorado (an Atari ST game by Silmarils), saving your progress will only be possible if you set up camp. Provided you have bought a special kit in the city before, you can camp just about anywhere you wish in the wild. There are of course several types of kit levels that you can acquire and the more expensive they are, the more food or ammunition you can get when using them. Once you have established camp somewhere, it will stay there for the rest of the game, which will allow you to use the spot as many times as you want. It could bring a little big of strategy in that choosing a good spot might permit you to avoid any future problems should you need a quick save later on.

As it always is the case with Rockstar, a big open environment never goes without a whole bunch of varied activities on the side. Even though we were not told much about it, we learned that the world will be full of wild animals that you can interact with. Will hunting be among the possibilities? I don't know but it would definitely make sense after all. What we know for sure is that there will be wild horses that you can capture, break and then sell at a good price. Considering that each horse has its own characteristics (speed, power, stamina etc), there should be much variety. Talking about horses, you should know that, as the saying goes, slow and steady wins the race. Indeed, horses are living beings and, as such, they can't be pushed beyond their limits for too long. Therefore, you can't expect to go at full speed at all times since your horse will not be happy about it. If that happens, it will first warn you by shaking its head but if you don't listen to it, don't come crying when you end up face down in the ground.

Wild Wild West

The wildlife isn't the only representation of the Wild West since you will also cross the paths of wanted Bandits. During your stays in towns you may find a sheriff hanging a wanted sign on a wall. You are free to get that sign and go look for the outlaw immediately. As expected you can accomplish this by either coming back with your target dead or alive, provided you get a proof when you have no choice but to kill. If you choose to come back with the target alive, you will have to drag him around all tied up with your lasso, not too fast though, unless you want to get in town with a corpse.

Treasure hunting is another activity that will be available. After having found (or bought) a treasure map, the player will have to use these scarce indications to find the place where it's buried. No radar indications to help you in your quest, so an akin sense of observation will be mandatory there. Money, weapons, munitions or even more treasure maps will be good enough motivations for the player as rewards. The cities will also offer as many activities as possible with for examples the ones to be found in saloons: Poker, Black Jack, strong-arm, having a drink and even some relaxations with the local prostitutes will be some of the pleasures of the night.

Viva la Revolución

But as said before , Red Dead Redemption's main ambition is to tell a story, and as usual with more advanced storytelling the main missions are more scripted. But in comparison with GTA these missions in their structure are less straight forward and more open. It's always possible to just go and do something else and ignore the current mission for a while.

We got to see an example for a mission with the classical introduction sequence, in the pure Rockstar spirit. As Marston enters a house, Reyes (A not too modest Mexican friend) does the same with a young woman. And on the kitchen table! The fairly raw representation of the scene will certainly not please the most puritan people out there, but the least we can say is that we almost have never seen such a realistic portrayal of the act in a video-game.

The mission is cut in 4 distinct parts. In the first one you have to drive a cart full of dynamite to a certain point, while speaking with Reyes. A phase that's certainly very reminiscent to GTA, but that you will be able to cut short if you are in a hurry. Then Reyes will ask you to place the cart near the door of a fort that him and his friends want to invade in order to rise up against the current Mexican government. And since your Mexican Stallion friend is a such a joker he will ignite the fuse on the cart, leaving you with a quite limited time to drive it to its future location. Afterward comes a more usual shooting phase where you will have to invade the fort and ultimately kill the Captain. And finally you will have to defend the fort from outside invaders using an army canon, a nice and explosive way to finish this Tex-Mex piece of violence.

El Dorado?

Purely technically speaking the game uses of the course the in-house Rockstar engine, and quite nicely at that. The draw distance is truly impressive, and the rather aggressive pop-ins of GTA seemed already much more discreet. Even the rather annoying blurring is only a bad memory now thanks a much more harmonious usage. The game of course features a day/night cycle and I have to say the work on the rendering of the light at the various hours of the day has not only gained in realism, but also in warmth thanks to less dull colors. As a whole this all gets much more cohesive and natural. Add to this some very acceptable texture for a game this size, and an already quite solid framerate (smoother in the wilderness than in cities though). The first visible contact is really striking and really puts us directly in the dusty atmosphere of the hostile grounds of the Far West.

In terms of animations the Euphoria engine is at work and it's visible instantly. Be it the horse (you HAVE to see it use it's fore-legs to slow down when it's going down a steep path!) or Marston and his enemies, the end result is impressively realistic. Also impressive, the way the bodies of the enemies react when touched by bullets. Depending on the impacted area they won't react in the same way and if a bullet in the torso will for example have to enemy back down, it won't prevent him to counter-attack if it's not a fatal injury. All this adds even more credibility to the various situations and from the little we saw the progress since GTA IV is very real.

In terms of gameplay we can't really say much since we were not allowed to touch a gamepad during the presentation. I'm still talking about since it seems to be the area where the most work will be needed until April's release. It's difficult to say for sure since it could have been the demonstrator's fault, but it seemed like the gunfights were still FIXME like in GTA IV. Even though the hero is less clumsy than Niko while in motion, the manual targeting still seems to be lacking in precision. From what we saw we are still far from the speed and finesse of Uncharted 2 or Gears of War 2. The automatic lock-on and the Dead Eye mode (slow down effect allowing to shoot in bursts) will of course be a nice alternative the less agile, but let's hope the targeting will be mademore dynamic by release. But we'll have to wait and try by ourselves to be sure.

GENERAL IMPRESSIONS


A tad more than 30 minutes, that's what we got to see of a recent build of Read Dead Redemption. Half an hour and already so many things to write. And we are far from having a reply to all our questions! It's hard to imagine how full the disc will be if Rockstar manages to integrate all the great ideas they seem to have for this game. Stunning? Certainly. Promising? Absolutely. With varied environments, a different architecture for the various cities (depending on their geographical location), huge spaces to cross on your horse (and more), a character that we will be able to shape according to our choices, an incredibly well rendered atmosphere, thanks to the jazzy and westernish music (not yet final though), to say that I was impressed by this game would be quite an understatement. If you have always dreamed of hearing the sound of your spurs on the filthy floor of a saloon or of whistling your horse before going full gallop into the sunset like a poor lonesome cowboy far away from home, then I can only tell you to keep an eye or two on Rockstar's new baby. We hope to get our hands on this one as soon as possible, and confirm (or not) all these positive impressions.

Images

  • Red Dead Redemption:<br> Private Presentation - Images
  • Red Dead Redemption:<br> Private Presentation - Images
  • Red Dead Redemption:<br> Private Presentation - Images
  • Red Dead Redemption:<br> Private Presentation - Images
  • Red Dead Redemption:<br> Private Presentation - Images
  • Red Dead Redemption:<br> Private Presentation - Images
  • Red Dead Redemption:<br> Private Presentation - Images
  • Red Dead Redemption:<br> Private Presentation - Images
  • Red Dead Redemption:<br> Private Presentation - Images
  • Red Dead Redemption:<br> Private Presentation - Images
  • Red Dead Redemption:<br> Private Presentation - Images
  • Red Dead Redemption:<br> Private Presentation - Images
  • Red Dead Redemption:<br> Private Presentation - Images
  • Red Dead Redemption:<br> Private Presentation - Images
  • Red Dead Redemption:<br> Private Presentation - Images
  • Red Dead Redemption:<br> Private Presentation - Images
  • Red Dead Redemption:<br> Private Presentation - Images
  • Red Dead Redemption:<br> Private Presentation - Images
Driftwood - Dictateur en chef
Driftwood
Commented on 2009-12-15 19:07:02
Please be comprehensive, we have been on a tight schedule here to be able to deliver the article on time so we haven't been able to give it as much time as we would have liked. I'd like to thank Blim for giving me a hand on the wirting of the second half, it would never have been possible if it weren't for him. :)

We'll make the necessary corrections as soon as we get a chance. A video should also be added very soon. Enjoy!
In reply to
bleachedsmiles
bleachedsmiles
Commented on 2009-12-15 19:14:24
it's fine.. plenty informative.

I'm still not sold on this game, the latest trailer looked great.. character's look set to be fleshed out to typical Rockstar A class standard. But how many here remember the first Red dead? How many "wild west" game's have fullfilled anything other than adverage expectations?

The whole setting just seems rather limiting.. though i have heard that this is set towards the end of the cowboys era..moving quickly into an industrial one.
In reply to
IRAIPT0IR
IRAIPT0IR
Commented on 2009-12-15 19:27:02
A pretty nice preview,it informs the things I want it to see.

Thanks
In reply to
blmbox
blmbox
Commented on 2009-12-15 19:35:18 In reply to bleachedsmiles
Thanks for this Gamersyde; great write-up.

I think this is going to be one of the best games of 2010, for sure. It just oozes atmosphere and general quality.
In reply to
This message and account have been deleted at the user's request
KORNdog
KORNdog
Commented on 2009-12-15 19:56:25
i pray to god that animation for the main character is a placeholder, he walks like a complete 'tard.
In reply to
bleachedsmiles
bleachedsmiles
Commented on 2009-12-15 19:59:29
That new video looks very good.

I wonder how deep the honour system will be though.. alot of games are adding this these days..and they amount to nothing more than being evil "part time"..yet still following a set path.
Be a shame to be a total outlaw yet still get praise from the sherrif as you accept missions to progress the story ect
In reply to
IRAIPT0IR
IRAIPT0IR
Commented on 2009-12-15 20:07:18 In reply to KORNdog
Posted by KORNdog
i pray to god that animation for the main character is a placeholder, he walks like a complete 'tard.
I saw nothing wrong in the way he walks.

This would be my first game I would buy in 2010 after my game of the year Bayonetta and Darksiders.
In reply to
bleachedsmiles
bleachedsmiles
Commented on 2009-12-15 20:08:51 In reply to KORNdog
Posted by KORNdog
i pray to god that animation for the main character is a placeholder, he walks like a complete 'tard.
you'd walk like that too after years on the back of a horse....did you never watch any john wayne films?
In reply to
Jato
Jato
Commented on 2009-12-15 20:12:55
Leave it to Rockstar to make a stunning believable gameworld. Animations are top notch, best I've seen so far. Especially the walking animations.

Too bad I despise anything related to cowboys/wild west etc. After 5 minutes you've probably seen the whole game in terms of environments.
In reply to
KORNdog
KORNdog
Commented on 2009-12-15 20:16:44 In reply to Jato
Posted by Jato
Leave it to Rockstar to make a stunning believable gameworld. Animations are top notch, best I've seen so far. Especially the walking animations.

Too bad I despise anything related to cowboys/wild west etc. After 5 minutes you've probably seen the whole game in terms of environments.
weirldy i'd say this is by far the worst animations i've seen rockstar produce, hell, even last gen's GTA games has more natural looking walking animations. and they didnt even have euphoria to back it up. he walks like i've never seen any human walk in my life. western or not.
In reply to
IRAIPT0IR
IRAIPT0IR
Commented on 2009-12-15 20:25:23
Dude please come on,I know people who work with horses and ride them and stuff like that,they are modern cowboys if we can call them that and they walk like that I mean I dont know how you want him to walk,like an alien maybe.
In reply to
b0vril
b0vril
Commented on 2009-12-15 20:27:28 In reply to Jato
Posted by Jato
Too bad I despise anything related to cowboys/wild west etc. After 5 minutes you've probably seen the whole game in terms of environments.
Fair enough if you don't like the western theme, but the environments look incredible. And appear pretty varied for a western themed game. I'll certainly spend time simply admiring them.
In reply to
KORNdog
KORNdog
Commented on 2009-12-15 20:30:10 In reply to IRAIPT0IR
Posted by IRAIPT0IR
Dude please come on,I know people who work with horses and ride them and stuff like that,they are modern cowboys if we can call them that and they walk like that I mean I dont know how you want him to walk,like an alien maybe.
i want him to walk one of 2 ways

like a bad ass

like a normal human


currently he walks like a 'tard, it would'nt bother me if it was some NPC you see a few times through the game (all games have one of those retard characters who completely spazes out during a mission), but it's the main character, you see the back of him 100% of the time.
In reply to
Doom_Bringer - I have terrible taste
Doom_Bringer
Commented on 2009-12-15 20:34:27
looks amazing! Wonderful atmosphere! I WANT PC VERSION
In reply to
IRAIPT0IR
IRAIPT0IR
Commented on 2009-12-15 20:38:27 In reply to KORNdog
Posted by KORNdog
i want him to walk one of 2 ways

like a bad ass

like a normal human


currently he walks like a 'tard, it would'nt bother me if it was some NPC you see a few times through the game (all games have one of those retard characters who completely spazes out during a mission), but it's the main character, you see the back of him 100% of the time.
Then every man who has ride a horse in a few years walks like a retard?

Dont say that south Texas!!!!

:P
In reply to
blmbox
blmbox
Commented on 2009-12-15 20:57:49
KORNdog can keep saying "he walks liked a 'tard" for as long as he likes; it doesn't mean he's right. Although, I guess the same can be said for the rest of us who disagree with him.
In reply to
IRAIPT0IR
IRAIPT0IR
Commented on 2009-12-15 21:03:34
No,Im 100% sure cowboys who ride horses for a long periods of time walks like that,I have seen them in person,a few of them are my friends so in that I say he is wrong and Im right that that its the way they walk if he finds it retard well thats another matter completly.
In reply to
Trebby
Trebby
Commented on 2009-12-15 21:06:34
I'm almost sold. Just 2 minor things which I'm confident will be resolved by the release. First of all, the frame rate looks to go down from time to times. Secondly, if the thunder if hearable when you see lightning, then you are dead as the thunder comes from lightning and, if both come at the same time, then the lightning has hit you or a nearby tree/object.

Besides these obvious small problems, I'm really looking forward to this title!
In reply to
callmekymbo
callmekymbo
Commented on 2009-12-15 22:39:46
great writeup, thanks guys...this is right at the top of my list for 2010, it looks amazing, hunting the buffalo looked sweet!
In reply to
Sath - Missed the<br>hay
Sath
Commented on 2009-12-15 22:41:24
The gameplay is up on Gametrailers.com, looks very cool.
In reply to
dystopian
dystopian
Commented on 2009-12-15 22:45:58
This game looks sick!
In reply to
KiNiK
KiNiK
Commented on 2009-12-15 22:50:57
i hope there will be ferrari horses.
kidding. Looks really promising, definitly gonna buy this game.
In reply to
Ronsauce
Ronsauce
Commented on 2009-12-15 22:51:55
Man, I dig the guy's walk. Looks like a combination of "normal" and "badass muthafucka!"

I pretty much despise Wild West settings...as I'm not a fan of deserts and sand, but this defnitely looks like I'll have to put that distaste aside. Also, Euphoria goddamnit!
In reply to
IRAIPT0IR
IRAIPT0IR
Commented on 2009-12-15 23:00:56
LOL he walks like if only you look him bad he put a hole in you head!!!

:O
In reply to
About the game
Platform
X360 PS3
Published by
Rockstar Games
Developed by
Rockstar San Diego
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