'Red Dead Redemption (2010)' is still a great game. It's a sweeping odyssey, an open-world ode to the old west, that's impressive in its scale and scope to this day. It looks fantastic, clearly one of the stand-out games of its generation. There's a huge variety of locations, from dusty planes to dingy saloons, and the map spans from the US to Mexico. The world is on the cusp of modernity, something the very fibre of the land seems to be fighting against. Its touches of technology emphasise this integral narrative theme, with the town of Blackwater being the shining example of a truly 20th century city. The narrative tells the tale of an ex-outlaw forced to find and kill his old companions by the government. It's told with a mixture of satire and sincerity that allows it both to be genuinely funny - and, in plenty of cases, strange - but also genuinely affecting. The game starts out slow, with your activities limited to helping out around a ranch, but it soon picks up the pace and sets you on a real adventure filled with interesting characters, stand-out set-pieces and thematic resonance. The piece is fun to play, too. Riding around its sandbox on your horse is highly enjoyable, as is taking on bounties, clearing out gang hideouts and, if you're so inclined, clashing with the law. Its highlight feature is its 'dead eye' mechanic, which slows time to a crawl so you can take out multiple foes in the blink of an eye. This prevents the thing from playing out entirely as a cover shooter, breaking up the flow of gunfights in a satisfying way. Alongside the main game loop of exploration and combat, there are a handful of entertaining mini-games that could potentially keep you engaged for hours. The piece is still one of the best poker games I've come across. It also has a fully fledged hunting system, with animals that behave in realistic ways. There are plenty of things to do aside from the main missions, which can sometimes be slightly restrictive in that typical 'Rockstar' way. The so-called 'stranger' missions are often downright bizarre, cementing the game's tightrope-walking tone and allowing for some more straightforwardly fun moments. Even during the most comedic of moments, the near nihilism of the thing still finds a way to bitterly cut through. The game essentially portrays a world in which everyone is out for themselves. Ultimately, it does have some hope at its heart, though. The narrative really is fantastic, as thematically rich as it is straight-up entertaining. It doesn't just want to make you laugh, it wants to make you feel. It's probably the most important part of the experience, which is somewhat rare among open-world titles. Overall, this game is easily one of the best I've played. It's a masterpiece. 10/10
