Rockstar Games
Red Dead Redemption: a remaster that keeps the Old West alive
Rockstar’s remaster proves that John Marston’s story remains one of the strongest in the medium.
It’s been 15 years since Red Dead Redemption was released as a showcase of everything Rockstar was capable of. While the studio had always been known for its dense, populated open worlds, the Wild West represented something different: swapping swift cars for horses, leaving big cities for small towns or settlements, and paying more attention to wildlife than to other humans. And yet, the essence of Rockstar Games remained intact, with a story, gameplay mechanics, and a world that amazed at the time. Despite the passing of the years, and while we continue to wait for Grand Theft Auto VI, Rockstar presents us with this story again in a version that, so far, feels like the definitive one. After a few weeks of playing the latest remaster, this is what it means to return to Red Dead Redemption.
An old cowboy tale
For those who haven’t had the chance to play this title in the last 15 years, it’s worth remembering that Red Dead Redemption is an open-world game that takes us to the twilight of the cowboy era in the United States. The story follows John Marston, a former outlaw who is forced by the government to track down the surviving members of his old gang and bring them to justice or, in the context of the Old West, to their deaths. Marston is an excellent gunslinger, resourceful and determined, who wants to get out of this mess as soon as possible so he can see his family again.
It’s been quite some time since I last played Red Dead Redemption, back in the now distant era of the Xbox 360. And although it’s a title I remember fondly, I was surprised that this remaster showed how well it has aged, both in terms of its narrative and its gameplay mechanics, many of which eventually made their way into its sequel.
Updating a classic
So, what does this remastered version include? To begin with, this version of Red Dead Redemption, as has been the case for several years now, includes its most complete edition with all its extras, including Undead Nightmare mode, which offers a unique zombie story and is especially recommended after completing the main campaign.
In addition to this, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S players have the opportunity to experience the title with more up-to-date features. The game runs at 60 fps, has improved image quality, HDR support, and a resolution of up to 4K. In this regard, the performance is quite solid, and, beyond the inevitable filter of nostalgia, it’s surprising how nice it still looks.
Of course, since this game is a remaster, we won’t find completely revamped textures, and some scenarios may feel “empty” compared to modern releases that are much more loaded with elements. However, at the same time, the experience remains intact, just as it was when it was first played.
It is worth mentioning that I did encounter some technical issues during my gaming sessions. On one occasion, the game crashed completely after a loud explosion in the game, and on other occasions, some old bugs reappeared. Even so, apart from these specific issues, it is a remaster that has been carefully crafted.
Red Dead Redemption proves that, even 15 years later, it remains one of Rockstar’s most solid works. This remaster seeks to preserve and present in the best possible way an experience that has aged with dignity, reinforced by technical improvements such as 60 fps, HDR, and 4K resolution. Although it retains some limitations typical of its era and has minor technical details, the heart of its story, its world, and its mechanics remain the true driving force behind the experience. For new players, it’s the best gateway, and for those who have already experienced it, it’s an ideal opportunity to put on your hat and ride once again through the Old West.
Follow MeriStation USA on X (formerly known as Twitter). Your video game and entertainment website for all the news, updates, and breaking news from the world of video games, movies, series, manga, and anime. Previews, reviews, interviews, trailers, gameplay, podcasts and more! Follow us now!