Too easy in places

Ride around until the cows come home

Some jobs, such as breaking horses, are also too easy, quickly becoming tedious. An abundance of cash negates the otherwise enjoyable collectathon of skinning animals and picking wild flowers. And, although every bit Clint Eastwood when walking, the animation of John Marston when running is every bit Kenneth Williams.

There are also occasional glitches in gameplay, and artefacts have a habit of disappearing, most notably your horse, although Rockstar has already acknowledged these and is fast at work on a patch.

The sun sets in the west

Verdict

Red Dead’s achievements far outweigh any minor issues. The vast breadth of sandbox gameplay is unrivalled, and almost every element excels. Graphics, sound, narrative and dialogue form a rich tapestry, creating an authentic world that is both beautiful and beguiling.

Like the Spaghetti Westerns and the historical characters and events upon which they were based, long after we’ve ridden off into the sunset, long after we’ve taken off our Stetsons and hung up our bandoliers, we’ll be talking about the legend that is Red Dead Redemption.

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