Red Dead Redemption 2 - REVIEW & discussion based on 60+ hours with the game
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Date: 2023-12-10
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Comments and reviews: 30
polygon
I enjoyed the discussion but we don-t have to view EVERYTHING purely and firstly through the lens of social commentary and social justice. This game does social justice really well but just because it doesn-t go as far as you like it-s a problem? Sure, if this game told a story more focused on prejudice and the south that would be amazing, but I think Rockstar knew they couldn-t give it the attention it deserved in the midst of this story about the gang. I really appreciate what they did do though. I love what the -people of color- have to say in this game about the changing world and overcoming the oppression they face.
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I enjoyed the discussion but we don-t have to view EVERYTHING purely and firstly through the lens of social commentary and social justice. This game does social justice really well but just because it doesn-t go as far as you like it-s a problem? Sure, if this game told a story more focused on prejudice and the south that would be amazing, but I think Rockstar knew they couldn-t give it the attention it deserved in the midst of this story about the gang. I really appreciate what they did do though. I love what the -people of color- have to say in this game about the changing world and overcoming the oppression they face.
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-samuelshafik2778
I'm not one to fall into the Hype Machine. Red Dead Redemption II, so far feels like GTA V with a skin (controls, buttons, shooting, map, etc) it doesn't improve on anything really (yes it has nice graphics, but they still have the flaw of ranking missions from bronze to gold without telling you in advanced what you need to do, forcing you to play each mission twice like GTA V. I haven't seen anything yet in my gamplay that had a WOW factor or even an improvement over Red Dead I. A rather average game (good but not spectacular) which I feel I've played multiple times before.
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I'm not one to fall into the Hype Machine. Red Dead Redemption II, so far feels like GTA V with a skin (controls, buttons, shooting, map, etc) it doesn't improve on anything really (yes it has nice graphics, but they still have the flaw of ranking missions from bronze to gold without telling you in advanced what you need to do, forcing you to play each mission twice like GTA V. I haven't seen anything yet in my gamplay that had a WOW factor or even an improvement over Red Dead I. A rather average game (good but not spectacular) which I feel I've played multiple times before.
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polygon
I feel like this should have been a more focused or edited video. There's a lot of rambling about interesting aspects of the game's design, but some structure would have been nice.
Also, the idea of Rockstar handling racism and the injustice of America is kinda cringey to me, they're not subtle writers and they've never really risen too much above the level of South Park as far as discourse goes. The idea that they could handle the failure of Reconstruction with any kind of justice is a tough pill to swallow.
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I feel like this should have been a more focused or edited video. There's a lot of rambling about interesting aspects of the game's design, but some structure would have been nice.
Also, the idea of Rockstar handling racism and the injustice of America is kinda cringey to me, they're not subtle writers and they've never really risen too much above the level of South Park as far as discourse goes. The idea that they could handle the failure of Reconstruction with any kind of justice is a tough pill to swallow.
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-qwertzztrewq9056
You dont even need to hold down A for the cinematic-mode fast travel. Just have to pick speed and the game holds it + switches routes towards your red/yellow map marker.
(Only in most Follow-missions you still have to hold A in cinematic-mode. In some its automatic, too) Finished the game in three days and skipped most of the horse-riding after about 10 hours. still looked at the screen most times eating/drinking/smoking. Atleast a couple of hours riding in this game; ) Enjoy
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You dont even need to hold down A for the cinematic-mode fast travel. Just have to pick speed and the game holds it + switches routes towards your red/yellow map marker.
(Only in most Follow-missions you still have to hold A in cinematic-mode. In some its automatic, too) Finished the game in three days and skipped most of the horse-riding after about 10 hours. still looked at the screen most times eating/drinking/smoking. Atleast a couple of hours riding in this game; ) Enjoy
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-WildSkyMtn
Nice to hear some interesting thoughts. Honestly, I-ve never liked rockstar games. I can-t tell you why I never found running from
The Police very fun. I just didn-t. I loved Witcher 3. I loved mad max. I-m not sure I-m going to ever sit down and play rdr2. I just hate the whole run from the cops thing. I don-t find that fun. And in order to have fun in these rockstar games you really have to do things that make the cops mad. So it-s like a catch 22 for me.
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Nice to hear some interesting thoughts. Honestly, I-ve never liked rockstar games. I can-t tell you why I never found running from
The Police very fun. I just didn-t. I loved Witcher 3. I loved mad max. I-m not sure I-m going to ever sit down and play rdr2. I just hate the whole run from the cops thing. I don-t find that fun. And in order to have fun in these rockstar games you really have to do things that make the cops mad. So it-s like a catch 22 for me.
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-SticktheFigure
Only 13 minutes in, but really gotta hand it to Plante for everything he's said so far. This is the kind of thing I really care about in a game review, especially when that game is a product of R-, who I do not trust to handle things like story, history, and cultural commentary in a good manner. Hoping to finish the video later, but for now I just wanted to thank you for what you brought to the discussion.
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Only 13 minutes in, but really gotta hand it to Plante for everything he's said so far. This is the kind of thing I really care about in a game review, especially when that game is a product of R-, who I do not trust to handle things like story, history, and cultural commentary in a good manner. Hoping to finish the video later, but for now I just wanted to thank you for what you brought to the discussion.
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-shawnstjohn3831
I'm not impressed with this game. To RPG and it totally lost all the nuance that made the first one fun. Only able to carry one rifle and one pistol. Stamina and core takes little to no activity to depleat it. Horses are slow and sluggish. Mapping way points are shaky at best. Rock- had a good original model and they went off the rails. I can only imagine how bad the multi will be trashed.
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I'm not impressed with this game. To RPG and it totally lost all the nuance that made the first one fun. Only able to carry one rifle and one pistol. Stamina and core takes little to no activity to depleat it. Horses are slow and sluggish. Mapping way points are shaky at best. Rock- had a good original model and they went off the rails. I can only imagine how bad the multi will be trashed.
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-OKaysional
I dont get why so many ppl (even just in this comment section) are so opposed to people hating the kkk. Like. U mention how u dont like how the kkk are portrayed and u wish u had the chance to murder them and ppl just go wild? Whats ur issue? Kinda odd how ur like -damn sure wish u wouldnt mention hating the kkk so much- kinda makes it look like. Ur also a racist. Huh weird
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I dont get why so many ppl (even just in this comment section) are so opposed to people hating the kkk. Like. U mention how u dont like how the kkk are portrayed and u wish u had the chance to murder them and ppl just go wild? Whats ur issue? Kinda odd how ur like -damn sure wish u wouldnt mention hating the kkk so much- kinda makes it look like. Ur also a racist. Huh weird
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-prototype8137
Arthur is meant to be simple in regards to worldly knowledge. Remember guys there was no internet in the 1800's so if someone lived in their own little area they would have no clue whats happening in other states or parts of the world. Most People in that day in age took care of themselves and family and didnt concern themselves with whats happening elsewhere.
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Arthur is meant to be simple in regards to worldly knowledge. Remember guys there was no internet in the 1800's so if someone lived in their own little area they would have no clue whats happening in other states or parts of the world. Most People in that day in age took care of themselves and family and didnt concern themselves with whats happening elsewhere.
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-DNL-gr3kc
The only thing I hate from rdr2 is the travelling because first its beautiful interesting and full of nature and animals to see but later it becomes boring excesive long and it requires something to travell faster but not the teleport travel instead a flying movement thing or a fast land movement such us a very old car that eorks with steam
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The only thing I hate from rdr2 is the travelling because first its beautiful interesting and full of nature and animals to see but later it becomes boring excesive long and it requires something to travell faster but not the teleport travel instead a flying movement thing or a fast land movement such us a very old car that eorks with steam
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-mayaan773
the speed matching was in the first red dead it's like one of the first things they reach you in the tutorial. Also a lot of the time the map says the train station and stagecoach are locked/unavailable when in reality they actually are. Finally you probably know this by now but in cinematic mode you don't have to hold down X/A
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the speed matching was in the first red dead it's like one of the first things they reach you in the tutorial. Also a lot of the time the map says the train station and stagecoach are locked/unavailable when in reality they actually are. Finally you probably know this by now but in cinematic mode you don't have to hold down X/A
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-kuribojim3916
I can understand people not wanting to play because of how it was made. But I-m still not sure why its depiction of America would stop someone playing - RDR2 doesn-t seem to be playing up Americana for gags in the same way that GTA does. It-s not only fairly serious, but the characters are remarkably nuanced.
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I can understand people not wanting to play because of how it was made. But I-m still not sure why its depiction of America would stop someone playing - RDR2 doesn-t seem to be playing up Americana for gags in the same way that GTA does. It-s not only fairly serious, but the characters are remarkably nuanced.
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-onionheadguy7094
One of the things I loved about Arthur is that he never claimed to intelligent and even thought of himself as not a smart man, when in reality, he's the only one that sees that the gang is doomed and it is his wisdom that helps many of the other characters carry on.
Also this is totally a western.
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One of the things I loved about Arthur is that he never claimed to intelligent and even thought of himself as not a smart man, when in reality, he's the only one that sees that the gang is doomed and it is his wisdom that helps many of the other characters carry on.
Also this is totally a western.
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-paulgauguin7730
There is nothing wrong with noticing political allusions in video game reviews. I am a supporter of informative and intellectual reviews. But the problem is that this is not the case of Polygon, because they are talking about politics in games from the point of view of dirty left-liberal plebs.
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There is nothing wrong with noticing political allusions in video game reviews. I am a supporter of informative and intellectual reviews. But the problem is that this is not the case of Polygon, because they are talking about politics in games from the point of view of dirty left-liberal plebs.
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-timk6181
Dear Rockstar, good foreshadowing is not having a key character just state 'one day I think you'll OBVIOUS SPOILER', because now I know how the main story will end even though I'm only on chapter two. Although I never got the opportunity to play the first game, maybe we are supposed to know already?
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Dear Rockstar, good foreshadowing is not having a key character just state 'one day I think you'll OBVIOUS SPOILER', because now I know how the main story will end even though I'm only on chapter two. Although I never got the opportunity to play the first game, maybe we are supposed to know already?
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-EARNERM
I played the mission when Arthur had to catch some Bison with Charles and it took my breathe away literally. The way the moon hit us in the night, the music, the graphics. I was in awe then and it-s an image I haven-t forgotten. It was so beautiful. This game is a true work of art.
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I played the mission when Arthur had to catch some Bison with Charles and it took my breathe away literally. The way the moon hit us in the night, the music, the graphics. I was in awe then and it-s an image I haven-t forgotten. It was so beautiful. This game is a true work of art.
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-LucGendrot
Uh, what are they talking about at around 33: 00? The Witcher 3 had the -keeping pace with NPCs- and the -Follow paths by holding a button- solutions 3 years ago. It's not -an innovation- and it's certainly not something RDR2 -solved-. These are games journalists?
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Uh, what are they talking about at around 33: 00? The Witcher 3 had the -keeping pace with NPCs- and the -Follow paths by holding a button- solutions 3 years ago. It's not -an innovation- and it's certainly not something RDR2 -solved-. These are games journalists?
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-breadddie
Well the stagecoaches often look locked from the map but if you just go there and then get off of your horse it will usually let you, just ignore if it-s lock. Also you don-t have to hold down A if you are still on the path while you-re starting cinematic camera.
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Well the stagecoaches often look locked from the map but if you just go there and then get off of your horse it will usually let you, just ignore if it-s lock. Also you don-t have to hold down A if you are still on the path while you-re starting cinematic camera.
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-MirandaAndUh
It's not that the Dutch Van der Linde gang is terrible at what they do, it's that they're utterly unprepared for a world that's now prepared for them. It's all about the old way not working anymore; they've obviously come from major previous successes.
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It's not that the Dutch Van der Linde gang is terrible at what they do, it's that they're utterly unprepared for a world that's now prepared for them. It's all about the old way not working anymore; they've obviously come from major previous successes.
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-Kintaku
So I get where the guy is coming from with -I don't think it's a Western. - But I think he is misunderstanding what a Western is.
The story is about cowboys in an age where they are collectively -washed up. - That theme is what makes it a Western
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So I get where the guy is coming from with -I don't think it's a Western. - But I think he is misunderstanding what a Western is.
The story is about cowboys in an age where they are collectively -washed up. - That theme is what makes it a Western
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polygon
I wish the wanted system was a little more nuanced and NPC-s were more dynamic. Both of these systems are GREAT but it-s obvious to see where they could take it further so that makes it easy to criticize. But still, it does more than most games do.
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I wish the wanted system was a little more nuanced and NPC-s were more dynamic. Both of these systems are GREAT but it-s obvious to see where they could take it further so that makes it easy to criticize. But still, it does more than most games do.
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-Subcomandante73
You are watching the games while it play you. If forces you down a set path, with few option, punishes fun and just enforces chores. The 60 hours is a lie when most of the time you are riding a horse, hunting pelts, and just spectating.
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You are watching the games while it play you. If forces you down a set path, with few option, punishes fun and just enforces chores. The 60 hours is a lie when most of the time you are riding a horse, hunting pelts, and just spectating.
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-casparharte
I always want to be the -good guy-, can't stand killing or hurting inocent people, same reason I don't play GTA. Would have loved this game if you could be a good, can't justify murder at my own or my characters hands.
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I always want to be the -good guy-, can't stand killing or hurting inocent people, same reason I don't play GTA. Would have loved this game if you could be a good, can't justify murder at my own or my characters hands.
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-seto3153
Only watched the first 10 minutes and then left an angry comment, but I guess the reviewer and I are on the same page with that rush to be overly negative. I guess I-ll have to have my wife-s son to play this one for me.
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Only watched the first 10 minutes and then left an angry comment, but I guess the reviewer and I are on the same page with that rush to be overly negative. I guess I-ll have to have my wife-s son to play this one for me.
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-jord. an6123
Yesssssss I'm so happy you guys are back to doing some longer form discussion videos. Really interesting discussion, It's such an interesting game to discuss and critique with all its intense socio-political themes.
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Yesssssss I'm so happy you guys are back to doing some longer form discussion videos. Really interesting discussion, It's such an interesting game to discuss and critique with all its intense socio-political themes.
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polygon
I think the fast travel is great. There-s always a fast travel method fairly nearby, and it gives you a chance to come across encounters and take in the world. In other games I might-ve hated it, but I loved it here.
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I think the fast travel is great. There-s always a fast travel method fairly nearby, and it gives you a chance to come across encounters and take in the world. In other games I might-ve hated it, but I loved it here.
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-Tom-vz4tq
The thing about race issues is that some people complain when games are historically accurate and include horrific things but others complain when they aren-t historically accurate. Devs can-t win in this scenario
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The thing about race issues is that some people complain when games are historically accurate and include horrific things but others complain when they aren-t historically accurate. Devs can-t win in this scenario
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-tyrevell3583
I thought this was a really insightful bit of commentary! It's refreshing to know that there are still video game journalists who care about digging into the heart of a game, rather than just mechanics.
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I thought this was a really insightful bit of commentary! It's refreshing to know that there are still video game journalists who care about digging into the heart of a game, rather than just mechanics.
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-onedeadpixel10
Welp, leave it to the internet to attack people having an actual discussion exploring the themes and ideas of the game with a critical eye, instead of just mechanics, visuals and -attention to detail-
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Welp, leave it to the internet to attack people having an actual discussion exploring the themes and ideas of the game with a critical eye, instead of just mechanics, visuals and -attention to detail-
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-horkborkm5818
I predict that this game is going to have a fanbase that's as obnoxious as the Witcher 3's. At least, until Red Dead Online comes around and people start complaining about microtransactions lmao.
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I predict that this game is going to have a fanbase that's as obnoxious as the Witcher 3's. At least, until Red Dead Online comes around and people start complaining about microtransactions lmao.
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