In Play

Red Dead Redemption

Rockstar Games
Xbox 360, PS3, $60

Freedom and violence on a grand scale are what Rockstar Games and its signature Grand Theft Auto series have always done better than anyone else. Strange then that it took them so long to find the Old West as a locale for its most ambitious and polished title to date.

Red Dead Redemption's creators excel not only at dropping the player into an expansive and seamless environment but at instilling a sense of place with meticulous attention to the tiniest of details. Riding a trail through the moonlit night accompanied by a plaintive song from José González made me slow my horse and enjoy the moment – a rare occurrence in the gaming world and a fitting reward for an outlaw just trying to do the right thing to save his family. Yet despite this urgent call to action, anti-hero John Marston (aka you) often rides around aimlessly with foul-mouthed bandits looking to loot the lifeless bodies and citizens in need of assistance littering the trails. The plot (should you choose to follow it), script, and voice acting are superlative by video-game standards but still sub-par compared to even mediocre, filmed Westerns. Thankfully, there are a myriad of ways to while away your time in New Austin (their name, not mine). Take a job breaking horses to earn money, or take the riskier paths of gambling and bounty hunting. What's considered a waste of time is entirely up to you.

Strangely, the bloody action sequences don't live up to the promise of the endlessly intricate and engrossing environment. The sometimes glitchy gunfights often play like simple target practice even though the controls are clunky. Improvements from the GTA series are steps in the right direction, but a Western deserves a more fluid and lifelike shooting mechanism.

The "free roam" option of online multiplayer is RDR's stroke of genius. Go hunting in the mountains or explore the plains with friends or strangers, and see what kind of trouble you can get into. Posse-up, take down gang strongholds for fame and fortune, or start killing prostitutes, and see if the law can catch you. A reputation is yours to be made, but with a recognizable name comes a growing target on your back, so don't get distracted by the exhaustively rendered and roiling storm clouds in the distance.