It's a rare thing for me to look forward to a game so much but the imminent release of Rockstar's western, Red Dead Redemption, is the exception to the rule.
Clearly, it has a strong pedigree as it's from the stable of Grand Theft Auto but this open world sandbox game takes the action to the sparse world of the American frontier. Rather than GTA's Eastern European immigrant Nico Bellic, this time you take the reigns of cowboy and former badboy/outlaw John Marston.
This is a game that certainly wants to stand out from the crowd. Unlike those classic movies we're all so used to, the twist in this tale is that it's set in the early part of the 20th century - giving Rockstar the ability to shed some of the old cliches associated with the Wild West. Saying that though, there are still plenty of opportunities to partake in bounty hunting, bank robberies, gunfights and all manner of other cowboy hijinks.
Rockstar has already announced some FREE downloadable content that will be available soon after launch.
According to the official website, the Outlaws to the End co-op pack offers six multiplayer missions for 2-4 players, including:
- Walton’s Gold - Walton’s Gang have taken control of a mining camp rich with gold. Fight through the camp and load your mine cart with as much gold as you can carry and get out as fast as you can – Walton’s boys have rigged the place to blow!
- The River - Ride a raft down river, taking out rebel encampments along the way until you reach the rebel stronghold of Nosalida and a final epic battle for the town’s massive weapons caches. Watch out for Gatling gun-equipped enemy rafts.
- Ammunition - The Mexican Army has the town of Tesoro Azul under siege. Storm the gates under heavy cannon, Gatling gun and sniper fire to destroy the Mexican artillery placements.
(Photo credit: Rockstar Games)