Challenge

Red Dead Redemption offers a unique challenge to the player in that there are so many ways to approach the game. There are numerous missions and side quests the player can pick from, all the while completing the main story. The main missions are not very tough but still interesting, and there are so many it keeps you occupied for a long time.

Graphics

Considering the size of the game and how many areas there are that the player can go to the graphics are very impressive. However the game still has a lot of glitches surrounding the player. They are numerous and noticeable, but with such a large game it is almost expected (especially from a game by Rockstar).

Replay Value

Considering how long the game is, it is almost not even necessary to consider replay value. However, the guys at Rockstar didn’t stop with a great campaign that seems endless. They added numerous multiplayer game types that are even MORE fun than the story line, including leveling up to get better gun and forming posses. The online game play is every kid who ever wanted to be an outlaw/cowboy’s dream.

Narrative

Endlessly creative and engaging, the narrative does not let down the player. Jumping into the game you just assume it will be a cliché “outlaw turned hardass with a heart of gold” wild west story, but be ready for so much more than you even need in this story. It can easily be seen how much the developers at Rockstar value the story in a video game, we can only hope it will get picked up by a movie production company.

Ease of use

The only problems stemming from the ease of use in this game is that during the beginning you sort of have to learn as you do things. It doesn’t give much help in the book in the game case. The game teaches you things as you do them which can be overwhelming at times, but don’t fear because everything is pretty simple once you try it once.

Social Playability

Endless fun is to be had online running around with posses and getting a higher level for better weapons. Red Dead Redemption has created an entire new generation of online games to come with the free roam aspect of its online play. It can easily be a game by itself, it can be hard to choose between online and single player modes.

Overall Grade: A

Red Dead Redemption is an amazingly good game and I wanted to give it an A+, but my one problem with the game is how glitch it is right now. This can be annoying during parts of the game and it is the ONLY thing I was bothered by. Even with this minor issue, I can’t put this game down. It has spoiled video games for me from now on, it’s that good.

Replay Value

The question here isn’t whether your child will make this game worth your money, but whether you feel they put too much replay value into this game. Will this be the last game your kid ever plays? Probably not but replay value with this game is off the charts.

Objectionable Content

• Violence- there is a good amount of violence since it is an outlaw centered game in the west where the main character is hunting down specific people. There is animal skinning and other violent acts portrayed including cannibalism. Red Dead Redemption is meant for an adult audience.
• Sexually Suggestive- There is a mild amount of sexually suggestive content with prostitutes and few dialogue exchanges. This is absolutely not the worst game if you are worried about suggestive content, but it is there.
• Gender Stereotyping- Not a lot of stereotyping here, most female characters are not fighting but there are some, as well as female criminals. The stereotyping is pretty fair here, so it shouldn’t be offensive to anyone.
• Language- there are definitely cuss words thrown around here, like I said it is a game meant for mature audiences. So be warned before buying your preteen a game such as Red Dead Redemption.

Addictiveness- this is one addictive game, I still have trouble putting the controller down. Between online and single player the game seems endless and for most kids it can easily take a large amount of their time every day. Be warned, good games are addictive, and this is a GREAT game.

Academic Perspective

The most unique part of Red Dead Redemption would likely be the best place to start a study, the online multiplayer free roam. When watching players who are sharing a world and running around in a gang or posse, studying the interactions between players who want to complete challenges vs. those who are hunting other players would be an interesting area to observe motivation between types of gamers.