Red Dead Redemption

I have loved Red Dead Redemption ever since I bought the game. First it was about the visual aspect of it; the graphics are in my opinion nothing less than stunning. The map is huge and the different territories are quite different. For example, "Mexico" is dry, mostly desert with tall cliffs where as the region called Tall Trees have well, tall trees, and a rich wild life. Encountering a grizzly is quite common. The weather effects add a new dimension to the game as well. Even if you are done with the story it is satisfying to just ride on your horse or walk while looking around, feeling the wind or rain around you. Nights are usually quiet, which is a bit scary when you are used to background music that fits the surroundings. But no sound other than maybe an owl is usually a reason for concern. If it is possible to see the stars (I guess the weather is random) at night, I like to get up to a high point, maybe a cliff in Mexico and just view the scenery.

My life as a gamer is almost as long as my life in general. Starting with the Mario games on NES it has progressed as the years have gone by. And come to think of it, a really well done game based on the old west has been missing even though I have not noticed it myself. The story is as near as perfect as it can be. It did not end the way I wanted, without spoiling too much of it. On the other hand, if it ended the way I wanted maybe the game would not have made such an impact on me. RDR's story is, shortly said, about John Marston who is forced by the government to hunt down three persons he rode in a gang with. Marston just wants to live quietly on his farm, but no.

Although he has to hunt them down as he fits, it is impossible to not sympathize with the man. Marston clearly regrets his former life as an outlaw and now he lives an honest life. The government takes all the credit for capturing the men Marston is set to capture, so he is almost as a pawn in a game to them. This brings me to the song at the top. Not only is it my favourite song at the moment since I bought the soundtrack to the game online, but it has given the entire game a new dimention. The song essentially is the soundtrack to Marston's life; I can see in my mind his struggle and journey in general.