Red Dead Redemption

[Smoove_B]

I've put another few hours in and have the same feeling. I accidentally hit the "draw" button and pulled my pistol on someone in town. He was not amused. Apparently the law doesn't care who shot first, only who is left standing because they came gunning for me.

I too found the challenges to be very similar in spirit to MMOs or Call of Duty where you simply complete a series of tasks to gain fame. I had my first street duel which I can only assume was tied to my increased fame.

Best moment so far was helping a local sheriff run down a gang of cattle thieves. It was three of us versus 10 or so of them. Combat took place through a box canyon and had us moving between cover and taking shots as we worked our way deeper into the mission. It ended with us cornering them in a hollow as they desperately tried to take cover in a camp among crates and tents. It had a very Unforgiven feel to it as I was able to wing guys on their legs, forcing them to crawl to cover. Ultimately they'd break and try to crawl to safety, but they were all put down like dogs.

I've had a few random encounters in the wilderness; only one ended in the death of a would-be thief.

I feel sufficiently motivated to find things and move through both the story and random exploring, something I've always had problems with in the GTA games.

Without question this isn't a game to miss - and what a perfect time of year to release it. I having a hard time understanding what was being said last year that this game was a mess, but my impressions so far don't feel that way. Maybe the wheels (horseshoes?) will fall after after hour 5+, but right now this game feels *tight*.

[Smoove_B]

Then, I went over to where the guy had been, whistled for my horse, saw the rattlesnake, aimed at it and fired just as my horse's head got in the way. Awesome. Dead horse. Dead friendly, dead lawmen.

I was picking wild flowers (go ahead, I dare you) and my horse decided it would be fantastic to park on the rail road tracks. I saw the train too late; I let out a whistle and the horse started to move, but the train was faster. Gibbs everywhere.

I hear far too many random gunshots while wandering around the wilds - makes me very jumpy. It also has a Fallout feel to it in that you can come upon various animals and people interacting.

[Doomboy]

Yeah, I kinda wish they had gone lighter on the hunters. It can be very disconcerting to see three other guys wandering around shooting into the bushes, and hearing bullets whiz by and sprang off of nearby rocks.

[rrmorton]

This game sounds goooood. I think I'll go peel off the shrinkwrap and give it a try!

[Captain Caveman]

Save some of that posse for me. I'm heading out of town tomorrow, so I probably won't get the game until next week.

[rrmorton]

Randy Montana and Harry Bravado will ride again!

[Grifman]

May 18, 2010 12:30:00 PM Wilmington NC US Delivered

Hah, I'll be in Wilmington this weekend, can I come over and play?

[hentzau]

Damn. That was a lot of fun.

Recovered my first treasure, now have no idea where the second one is.

I got into an amazing gunfight right at hanging rock. Waves and waves of bad guys just kept coming, and I kept mowing them down. It was awesome.

And I just now figured out how to use the DeadEye function. I just have been killing everyone right and left...

[triggercut]

trying to collect some gamertags for my friends list from this thread so we can get together for some MP. I'm around all day tomorrow (Weds) and then Thursday evening after 10 or so. Love to throw together a posse.

Smoov, has your tag changed from what's in the gamertag thread? Sent out friend invites to Hentzau, I think I have a lot of the rest of you, but maybe not.

My tag is "Triggercut", anyone wanting to try some mp with a terrible mp player should add me!

[Daehawk]

Damn. That was a lot of fun.

Recovered my first treasure, now have no idea where the second one is.

I got into an amazing gunfight right at hanging rock. Waves and waves of bad guys just kept coming, and I kept mowing them down. It was awesome.

And I just now figured out how to use the DeadEye function. I just have been killing everyone right and left...

I still don't know how to use Deadeye.

I also found the first treasure and have no idea about that second one yet.

During a GT posse run we hit up town and went in the saloon. One thing led to another and we started a town sized fist fight. The whole town was in on it. Went well until someone thought that if they pulled a gun then all the towns folk would run away. In fact he died about 2 seconds later because they all drawed down on us We got our baunties up to around $1000 with lawmen coming in in hordes.

[YellowKing]

Just click down on the right-analog stick to use Dead Eye. It turns everything into Max Payne bullet time and lets you basically "pre-shoot" people (i.e. when you come out of Dead Eye, the bullets will hit the marks you painted).

[Octavious]

trying to collect some gamertags for my friends list from this thread so we can get together for some MP. I'm around all day tomorrow (Weds) and then Thursday evening after 10 or so. Love to throw together a posse.

Smoov, has your tag changed from what's in the gamertag thread? Sent out friend invites to Hentzau, I think I have a lot of the rest of you, but maybe not.

My tag is "Triggercut", anyone wanting to try some mp with a terrible mp player should add me!

Pretty sure you're already on my list. I'll be on tonight after the kiddo goes to sleep around 8ish. I feel like giving the MP a shot after get a good feel for the single player. I've very impressed with the way they pulled off the time period. At one point I just stood on the balcony of the bar and watched what was going on in the town because it was so interesting.

Only minor grip I have so far is that I think the random encounters might be overdone. I haven't ventured very far from the town so maybe they lessen a bit once you get farther from town. It's hardly a big deal but it kind of reminded me of Oblivion where there was something around every corner which can take the excitement out of it.

The animations are f'n amazing btw. Before I went to sleep I went on a killing spree at one point I gutted some guy at the top of a staircase and he rolled down the steps. It looked so f'n real that I wish I had a instant replay to watch it again.

[Peacedog]

trying to collect some gamertags for my friends list from this thread so we can get together for some MP. I'm around all day tomorrow (Weds) and then Thursday evening after 10 or so. Love to throw together a posse.

Smoov, has your tag changed from what's in the gamertag thread? Sent out friend invites to Hentzau, I think I have a lot of the rest of you, but maybe not.

My tag is "Triggercut", anyone wanting to try some mp with a terrible mp player should add me!

I'm up for it. I'm hearing not great things about the coop Multiplayer, though. There are coop multiplayer things in development right now. But it sounds like the world loses alot of it's character (the random events and such) in coop.

[tru1cy]

I was exploring around Hangman's Rock and some women is screaming that her husband is about to be lynched. So I ride over and pull out my trusty rifle and start dropping bodies..including the guy about to be lynched. His wife takes off screaming bloody murder, so I have to ride her down... Ooops


Loving this game so far.

[hepcat]

There must be multiple "my hubby/friend/pet cockatoo is about to be lynched, please help!" quests as I got one from a guy while riding to Armadillo last night.

When the guy confronted me and begged for my help, I immediately dashed to his rescue. I flew off my horse as we approached the dastardly brigands, activating dead eye while doing so in a display of heroic badass-edness. I lined up my shot with the rope hurriedly (I was low on dead eye juice) and pulled the trigger...

...shooting the victim square in the face.

I could swear that the road bandits actually stopped firing at me for a second in order to laugh...


p.s. i'll be playing mp throughout the day on saturday and sunday, most likely. i'll try join up with some folks. i believe most of you are on my friend's list already. one question though: should i leave the setting for mp to private only at all times? if so, do we just look for folks on our friend's list and then select "join game"? or do we have to wait for invites?

[Terrified]

I was exploring around Hangman's Rock and some women is screaming that her husband is about to be lynched. So I ride over and pull out my trusty rifle and start dropping bodies..including the guy about to be lynched.

...shooting the (lynching )victim square in the face.

I could swear that the road bandits actually stopped firing at me for a second in order to laugh...

Wow, you guys make being lynched dangerous! Remind me never to get lynched with you guys around.


Got in an hour with the game last night. (Sadly, I was already committed to a Borderlands multi-player last night) Got off the train, went up to the train ticket-taker to ask how much a train ride was, and when I went to hit the 'Talk' button, I accidentally hit the "Shoot in the face" button. Whooops! (I now equip my 'fists' as my default weapon when I go to town, as accidentally punching someone is much less lethal) But I got into the story far enough to get shot, meet the rancher, do some coyote/rabbit/rustler patrols and figure out how to save the game. So I barely scratched the surface, but I really can't wait to play tonight. This really is feeding all my western cravings. It doesn't hurt that one of the freebies Future Shop was giving away with a purchase of the game was a dvd copy of "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly". If there's ever a movie to get you into the mood...

[Brian]

When the guy confronted me and begged for my help, I immediately dashed to his rescue. I flew off my horse as we approached the dastardly brigands, activating dead eye while doing so in a display of heroic badass-edness. I lined up my shot with the rope hurriedly (I was low on dead eye juice) and pulled the trigger...

...shooting the victim square in the face.

I could swear that the road bandits actually stopped firing at me for a second in order to laugh...

I too am just a terrible good samaritan. I was riding back into town when I heard a cry for help. I saw a man being chased by two wolves (coyotes?). So I grabbed my trusty rifle and rode to the aid of this beleaguered soul. I drew aim on the first wolf and shot it dead. I next drew a bead on the second wolf and fired. I missed the wolf and blew the man's head clean off. Whoops.

[hepcat]

I'm having trouble telling bandits from lawmen, by the way. On more than one occasion last night, I tried to do the right thing and take out a group of highwaymen attacking a lawman...only to discover I'd shot the deputy or whatever during the fracas. Do they have some tell tale sign? coloration, outfit, etc.?

[Darth Homer]

Got to pick up my copy last night, but I have not had a chance to dive in and start playing (had a date with the wife last night). Hopefully I'll get to play some tonight and get used to the controls. I've never really played online, but I would like to join up for some OO fun.

Gamertag: SATX Brian (formerly Dirhael)

Keep the impressions coming. they are helping me through this training class I am in today.

Brian

[Terrified]

Interestingly enough, I didn't pre-order, so I ran right to my nearest store when I got off work. As I walk in, I see a huge empty shelf with exactly two copies of RDR for the Xbox left. I picked up one, and while I was reading the back, someone picked up the other. As I was buying it, I heard someone asking about RDR and being told they were sold out.

However, there were two shelves full of RDR for PS3. Five deep, at least 5 wide, so I guess 50 copies left at least. Maybe the store had more copies for the PS3 than the Xbox, maybe there was some other factor, but if I was a retailer, that's gotta be a pretty clear indication of where your demand is...

[Peacedog]

I'm having trouble telling bandits from lawmen, by the way. On more than one occasion last night, I tried to do the right thing and take out a group of highwaymen attacking a lawman...only to discover I'd shot the deputy or whatever during the fracas. Do they have some tell tale sign? coloration, outfit, etc.?

Allegedly the dot turns blue or green (can't recall which I read) when you target a lawperson.

[Smoove_B]

Smoov, has your tag changed from what's in the gamertag thread?

It has indeed. I am now Phantom Load.

I might be around at some point today. Waiting on a plumber.

[LawBeefaroni]

Delivered today.


It better be really really good, for Rockstar/Taketwo's sake:

Rockstar San Diego's lengthy and troubled development of hit game Red Dead Redemption has been rumoured to have cost the studio in the region of $100 million (£70 million).

Rockstar has previously claimed Red Dead Redemption to be its most ambitious game. This has led Rockstar to spend more money on advertising than ever before, with cinema ads being a company first.

This certainly points to an inflated budget, with accusations of poor working conditions at the San Diego studio reportedly having a negative affect on the game's lengthy development. It's no wonder that the Daily Mail has reported such an inflated budget:


"Makers Rockstar Games are thought to have spent up to $100million on the long-awaited project."

Then again, the Daily Mail's comments certainly aren't concrete, with a certain amount of speculation giving the impression that they might have found the number on an obscure video game forum.

[Octavious]

I'm having trouble telling bandits from lawmen, by the way. On more than one occasion last night, I tried to do the right thing and take out a group of highwaymen attacking a lawman...only to discover I'd shot the deputy or whatever during the fracas. Do they have some tell tale sign? coloration, outfit, etc.?

I did that as well. I accidentally capped two lawmen chasing a bandit. On the radar map I think they show as badges but that might just be when they are chasing you.

[Octavious]

Dumb question... Is there any way to tell what kind of horse you are currently riding? I was thinking of taking a wild horse but I have no clue how to tell how one is better then the other...

[hepcat]

Another issue I'm having is with the lack of paint shops in the game. I sometimes get a ton of lawmen chasing me due to some misunderstanding and I really need to change my horse's color so i can drop my wanted level...but for the life of me, I can't find any shops for that purpose.

[Smoove_B]

You might need to take your console and game to Best Buy and have them install it.

[hepcat]

Thanks! Do I just take the drive out of my 360? Or do they need the whole console?

[YellowKing]

Do you find yourself quoting Tombstone incessantly while playing?

"Law don't go 'round heah!"

"You tell 'em the law's comin'. You tell 'em I'M comin'. And hell's comin with me, d'ya hear that? HELL'S COMIN' WITH ME!"

[Octavious]

Do you find yourself quoting Tombstone incessantly while playing?

"Law don't go 'round heah!"

"You tell 'em the law's comin'. You tell 'em I'M comin'. And hell's comin with me, d'ya hear that? HELL'S COMIN' WITH ME!"

I've been pretending I'm Timothy Olyphant in Justified.

[Terrified]

Do you find yourself quoting Tombstone incessantly while playing?
"Law don't go 'round heah!"
"You tell 'em the law's comin'. You tell 'em I'M comin'. And hell's comin with me, d'ya hear that? HELL'S COMIN' WITH ME!"

I've been pretending I'm Timothy Olyphant in Justified.

(Britt has just shot a fleeing bandit off his horse)
Chico: Ah, that was the greatest shot I've ever seen.
Britt: The worst! I was aiming at the horse.

For me, the ultimate western was The Magnificent Seven.

[Octavious]

Never saw it. Try shooting a horse and screaming JUSTIFIED!! It's really fun..

[YellowKing]

LOL. I was just thinking last night how bad I wished Timothy Olyphant had voiced the main character. JUSTIFIED!

I can't wait for my first duel so I can say, "Go on skin it. Skin that smokewagon and see what happens. I said throw down, boy!"

[Doomboy]

I do wonder what is wrong with John Marsten. He keeps yatting at every damn thing he skins.

Anybody know a good spot to snipe some wascally wabbits? I need to get on with the sharpshooter thingie, and I can't seem to see any, except occasionally while I am riding full bore and then they are gone before I can tag them.

[MythicalMino]

Got the game...for the PS3. Enjoying it so far (although, our tv really sucks). Haven't made it too far, though.

Chris

[Smoove_B]

Anybody know a good spot to snipe some wascally wabbits? I need to get on with the sharpshooter thingie, and I can't seem to see any, except occasionally while I am riding full bore and then they are gone before I can tag them.

They're never around when you need them, though I do think a lot of the animal encounters are tied to the time of day. Try looking for rabbits at dusk and dawn, just outside of Armadillo. If you're feeling brave, stay out all night at the Hanging Rock. It's like a zoo up there. Shot me a skunk. Delicious.

I'm actually enjoying the hunting aspect - it's a great way to make some money. There are some quality upgrades available at the general store as well as the ability to purchase maps.

I've killed just about everything that walks or crawled at one time or another

Favorite moment today:

"Damn boy, you're green!" the woman yells to me after pulling me down off my horse.

<activates Dead Eye>

Blam. Blam.

[YellowKing]

I'll have to say I'm getting a little annoyed with the glitches in the game.

Tonight I was one man away from completing a quest to clear out a bandit hideout and the last bandit spawned inside the canyon wall and was invincible. I managed to somehow lasso him but when I dragged him he disappeared underground. When I let go the result was an underground invisible bandit who killed me since I couldn't figure out where he was shooting from.

Still, quiet moments like strolling into a saloon, winning a few hands of poker, then heading up to my room for a nap make the game world feel so real I'm willing to forgive a few bugs.

[Octavious]

I've seen my fair share of bugs as well but I'm still loving the game. I saw a guy on his horse stuck neck deep in the terrain. One lady I was talking to for a mission was transparent like a ghost and a few other odds and ends.

The setting is so perfect and the missions so much fun that I can forgive the little bugs. I'm sure they will issue some kind of patch at some point but I don't care it's too damn fun to wait for that.

Bad parenting moment of the day which I shouldn't even mention. I purposely was waiting for my daughter to go to bed before I started playing as I don't think it's something she should be watching. I started up the game a couple of minutes before she went to bed and for whatever reason I can't even fathom I shot a dog while she was watching. The wife wasn't amused and I had to explain why shooting dogs wasn't a nice thing to do. What the hell was I thinking? Oh I know.. JUSTIFIED!!!!!

[LawBeefaroni]

I'll have to say I'm getting a little annoyed with the glitches in the game.

Right after I got the lasso, I was in Armadillo. Some guy was slapping a woman around so I drew...my lasso, as it was the last weapon equipped and I forgot to switch. Oh well, I figured I'd try it. I took aim and threw it at him. He died on contact instantly, as did the woman. No one seemed to care though, and kept walking on by. Now that I've learned how to hogtie, I'm even more confused at what happened there.


Mostly fun, but it still has some of the annoyances that put me off GTAIV. I see myself sticking with this one for a while though.

[Doomboy]

Argh. Here's a hint: If you have accomplished some difficult task, such as killing 5 rabbits and collecting a bunch of flowers and skins from all sorts of animals, set up your campfire and save your game. Do not try to ride back to town to save, unless you are very good at avoiding trouble. I did all those things I mentioned, except saving the game, and on the way back to town encountered a bunch of outlaws robbing a guy.

Before I could figure out which gun to shoot them with, the five of them had killed me. I thought the game was saving after accomplishments (it said it had), but after I died and it reloaded my last save, I now have to find five more rabbits.

It is a good game, but I wish it had some basic tools to help me survive. Like marking bad guys in some way so I don't shoot good guys during a shootout. And maybe auto equipping the pistol if I push in the right stick to activate dead eye mode would be helpful. As well as not losing all my progress if I get killed. GTA did this much better. Sure, take away a big chunk of cash and fame or something, but don't make me start from an old save if I get killed. That was very frustrating.