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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Red Dead Redemption''}}
{{/infobox}}
 
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{{For|the mission in [[Red Dead Redemption 2]]|Red Dead Redemption (mission)}}
'''''Red Dead Redemption''''' is a western, action-adventure game developed and presented by [[Rockstar San Diego]] as the spiritual successor to ''[[Red Dead Revolver]].'' It was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on May 18, 2010 in North America, and May 21, 2010 in Europe.
 
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{{Infobox game
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|image =Rdr cover.jpg
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|developer =* [[Rockstar San Diego]]
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* [[wikipedia:Rockstar North|Rockstar North]]
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* [[wikipedia:Double Eleven (company)|Double Eleven Studios]]
 
|publisher =[[Rockstar Games]]
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|release date ='''North America''': May 18, 2010<br />'''Europe''': May 21, 2010<br />'''Nintendo Switch, PS4''': August 17, 2023
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|genre =Third-person shooter, action-adventure, western
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|modes =Singleplayer, [[Multiplayer]]
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|rating ='''ACB''': MA15+<br />'''BBFC''': 18<br />'''ESRB''': Mature (17+)<br />'''PEGI''': 18+<br />'''OFLC''': MA15+<br />'''USK''': 18
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|platforms ='''Native'''<br>[[File:Icon PlayStation.png|18px]] PlayStation 3<br />{{icon|xbox360}} Xbox 360<br />{{icon|ps4}} PlayStation 4<br />[[File:Icon Nintendo Switch.png|18px]] Nintendo Switch
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'''Backward Compatible'''<br/>{{icon|ps4}} {{tooltip|PlayStation 4|PlayStation Now membership; removed in 2022}}<br />{{icon|xboxone}} {{tooltip|Xbox One|With Xbox 360 version}}<br />{{icon|xboxonex}} {{tooltip|Xbox One X|With Xbox 360 version, includes native 4K support}}<br />[[File:Icon Xbox Series X.png|20px]] {{tooltip|Xbox Series X/S|With Xbox 360 version, includes native 4K support}} <br /> [[File:Icon ps5.png|55px]] {{tooltip|PlayStation 5|With PS4 version, includes native 4K support and 60 FPS option}}
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|media =DVD<br />Blu-ray disc<br />ROM cartridge<br />Digital download
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|metacritic =95
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|gamerankings =94.49
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|xbox =[https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/red-dead-redemption/BWKLFHWT7DHC Xbox Live]
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|playstation =[https://store.playstation.com/en-us/concept/10006164 PSN]
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}}
   
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{{Quote|America, early 1900's. The era of the cowboy is coming to an end. When federal agents threaten his family, former outlaw John Marston is sent across the American frontier to help bring the rule of law. Experience intense gun battles, dramatic train robberies, bounty hunting and duels during a time of violent change. Red Dead Redemption is an epic battle for survival in a beautiful open world as John Marston struggles to bury his blood-stained past, one man at a time.|Game description}}
==Synopsis==
 
[[John Marston]] is a former outlaw looking for an all new life in America in 1911. When government agents threaten his and his family's well being, Marston is sent across the American West to help uphold the law and to find self peace and redemption. His job is to kill or capture his former gang members, including his old friends and gang partners [[Bill Williamson]] and [[Dutch van der Linde]], or his family will pay the ultimate price.
 
   
 
'''''Red Dead Redemption''''' is a 2010 western-themed, action-adventure video game developed by [[Rockstar San Diego]] and [[Rockstar Games|Rockstar North]] and published by [[Rockstar Games]]. It is the second game of the ''[[Red Dead]]'' series and was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on May 18, 2010, in North America, three days later on May 21, 2010, in Europe, and for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 on August 17, 2023.
Along the way through [[Settlement|frontier towns]], deserts, prairies, and mountain passes, and territories, Marston is given work as he freely explores the free-roaming [[sandbox]] environments. The game features thirty-six species of [[Animals|animals]] that can be hunted, and traded for supplies. Marston can also participate in jobs and activities, and games such as [[Poker]], [[Horse Taming]], and [[Nightwatch]].
 
   
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Taking place in a wide open-ended environment featuring western parts of the American countryside and northern areas of Mexico, ''Redemption'' is presented through a third-person perspective. The majority of the game's story takes place in 1911 and follows protagonist [[John Marston]], a former outlaw, as he is forced to hunt down his former associates by [[Bureau of Investigation|corrupted government agents]].
==Background Detail==
 
The game takes place in 1911, which is during the 30-year end of the Western American Frontier (also known as the ''Wild West''). As players see in the opening of the game, many new and "unfamiliar" people are moving into the West on the train. The town of Blackwater has noticeable modernized differences in architecture and technology compared to other gritty towns like [[Armadillo]] and [[Thieves' Landing]]. Electric line poles are also noticeable along roads. Even [[Marshal]] [[Leigh Johnson]] is seen fussing with a telephone in one of his mission cut scenes, showing the unfamiliarity with such technology people of his generation and likeness have.
 
   
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Upon release, ''Red Dead Redemption'' was highly acclaimed by critics, scoring 95/100 on Metacritic for both consoles, and receiving perfect scores from over 20 reviewers including GameSpy, 1Up.com, GamePro, Game Revolution, and VideoGamer. It was praised for its story, thematic depth, presentation, visuals, open world setting, and gameplay mechanics and, as of September 2021, has shipped over 23 million units, making it one of the best-selling video games of all time.
Some people have a hard time accepting this new lifestyle, and many are willing to fight to preserve their way of life. Players can see the frustration many characters have with the Federal Government and eastern folk. Being so far away from the modern America gave the West a sense of self reliance, independence ,and order which would be difficulty to comply with the Federal Government. It was inevitable, as more and more people poured in from the east, that every part of the American West would be populated. It wasn't until the 1920s that the Wild West would forever become a famous and popular icon in American history.
 
   
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Following its release, ''Redemption'' received multiple end-year accolades and was considered one of the best games of 2010. Its success led to the development of several DLC´s, including a new single-player campaign in ''[[Undead Nightmare]]''. A successor game and a prequel, ''[[Red Dead Redemption 2]]'', was released on October 26, 2018.
==Information==
 
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== Background Detail ==
 
The game takes place in 1911, which is near the end of the seventy-year span of the Western American Frontier (also known as the ''Wild West''). As players see in the opening of the game, many new and "unfamiliar" people are moving into the West on the train. The town of Blackwater has noticeable modernized differences in architecture and technology compared to other gritty towns like [[Armadillo]] and [[Thieves' Landing]]. Electric line poles are also noticeable along roads. Even [[Marshal]] [[Leigh Johnson]] is seen fussing with a telephone in one of his mission cutscenes, showing the unfamiliarity with such technology people of his generation and likeness have.
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Some people have a hard time accepting this new lifestyle, and many are willing to fight to preserve their way of life. Players can see the frustration many characters have with the Federal Government and eastern folk. Being so far away from modern America gave the West a sense of self-reliance, independence and order which would have difficulty complying with the Federal Government. It was inevitable, as more and more people poured in from the east, that every part of the American West would be populated. It wasn't until the 1920s that the Wild West would become a famous and popular icon in American history and culture.
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== Information ==
 
* [[Characters in Redemption|Characters]]
 
* [[Characters in Redemption|Characters]]
 
** [[John Marston]]
 
** [[John Marston]]
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* [[Cheats]]
 
* [[Cheats]]
   
==Story==
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== Synopsis ==
 
[[John Marston]] is a former outlaw looking for an all new life in 1911 America. When government agents from the newly-established Federal Bureau threaten his and his family's freedom, Marston is sent across the American West to help uphold the law and to achieve redemption. His job is to kill or capture his former gang members, including his old friends and gang partners such as [[Bill Williamson]] and [[Dutch van der Linde|Dutch Van Der Linde]]. He must do this or his family will pay the ultimate price.
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Along the way through [[Settlement|frontier towns]], deserts, prairies, mountain passes, and territories, Marston is given work as he freely explores the free-roaming [[sandbox]] environments. The game features thirty-six species of [[animals]] that can be hunted and traded for supplies and cash. Marston also participates in jobs, activities, and games such as [[Poker]], [[Horse Taming]], and [[Nightwatch]].
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=== Plot ===
 
{{Hidespoil
 
{{Hidespoil
|Content =The story opens with [[John Marston]], a former outlaw of the [[Dutch Van Der Linde]] gang, arriving in [[Blackwater]] alongside government agents [[Edgar Ross]] and [[Archer Fordham]]. The agents escort John to a train which is destined for [[Armadillo]], a town located in the territory of [[New Austin]]. His goal is to capture or kill his former gang partner [[Bill Williamson]]. John's wife and son have been kidnapped by the federal agents and threatened with their lives if he does not comply. He heads out and meets Williamson at [[Fort Mercer]]; but after some conversation with him, John is shot by Williamson's men and is left wounded. [[Bonnie MacFarlane]] and her father, [[Drew MacFarlane]] find him, treat his wounds, and provide him lodging in exchange for his help on [[MacFarlane's Ranch|their ranch]].
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|Content =The story opens with [[John Marston]], a former outlaw of the [[Dutch Van Der Linde]] gang, arriving in [[Blackwater]] alongside government agents [[Edgar Ross]] and [[Archer Fordham]]. The agents escort John to a train which is destined for [[Armadillo]], a town located in the territory of [[New Austin]]. His goal is to capture or kill his former gang partner [[Bill Williamson]]. John's wife and son have been kidnapped by the federal agents and threatened with their freedom if he does not comply. He heads out and meets Williamson at [[Fort Mercer]]; but after some conversation with him, John is shot by Williamson's men and is left wounded. [[Bonnie MacFarlane]] and her ranch hand, [[Amos]] find him the next morning, treat his wounds, and provide him lodging in exchange for his help on [[MacFarlane's Ranch|their ranch]].
   
While Marston works at the ranch, he also spends some time helping the people of [[Armadillo]], including [[Marshal|US Marshal]] [[Leigh Johnson]], merchant [[Nigel West Dickens]], alcoholic [[Irish]] and prospector [[Seth Briars]]. When Williamson finds out that Marston is living at the MacFarlane's ranch, his gang burns the barn. After the burning, John recruits Marshal Johnson, Nigel West, Irish and Seth Briars to breach [[Fort Mercer]], Williamson's main base of operations. The "Trojan Horse" strategy works well, but he finds Williamson gone, as he and [[Javier Escuella]], another outlaw in Van Der Linde's gang with Marston, have already fled to [[Nuevo Paraiso]] a few days before.
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While Marston works at the ranch, he also spends some time helping the people of [[Armadillo]] and the surrounding area, including [[Marshal|US Marshal]] [[Leigh Johnson]], merchant [[Nigel West Dickens]], alcoholic [[Irish]] and crazed prospector [[Seth Briars]]. When Williamson finds out that Marston is living at the MacFarlane's ranch, his gang burns the barn. After the burning, John recruits Marshal Johnson, Dickens, Irish and Seth to breach [[Fort Mercer]], Williamson's main base of operations. The "Trojan Horse" strategy works well, but he finds Williamson gone, as he and [[Javier Escuella]], another outlaw in Van Der Linde's gang with Marston, have already fled to [[Nuevo Paraiso]] the previous day.
   
Irish takes Marston to Mexico, where they are ambushed on the way in. Marston is forced to work with [[Agustin Allende|Colonel Allende]], a dictator, and his captain [[Vincente de Santa]]. Marston also works with vigilante gunslinger, [[Landon Ricketts]], as well as with the revolution army, led by [[Abraham Reyes]]. Allende promises Marston that he will assist in capturing Williamson and Escuella but betrays Marston and tries to kill him. After the attempted murder, Marston joins Reyes and his rebel army. They manage to find Escuella, leaving Marston to capture or kill him and then proceed to attack the villa.
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Irish takes Marston to Mexico, where they are ambushed on the way in. Marston decides to work with [[Agustin Allende|Colonel Allende]], a dictator, in several battles, and his captain [[Vincente de Santa]]. Marston also works with vigilante aging gunslinger, [[Landon Ricketts]], as well as with the revolutionary army, led by [[Abraham Reyes]]. Allende promises Marston that he will assist in capturing Williamson and Escuella but instead betrays Marston and tries to kill him indirectly in [[Chuparosa]]. After the attempted murder, Marston joins Reyes and his rebel army. They manage to find Escuella in [[El Presidio]], leaving John to either kill or spare his life before handing him over to Ross. Reyes eventually leads an assault on the villa in [[Escalera]]. Allende and Williamson attempt to flee, but are ultimately chased down and executed.
   
Though Marston manages to kill Allende and Williamson, [[Luisa Fortuna]], Marston's rebel friend, is killed by the [[Federales]] in an attempt to save Reyes from execution. Reyes then takes over Allende's villa.
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Though Marston manages to kill Allende and Williamson, [[Luisa Fortuna]], Marston's rebel friend, is killed by the [[Federales]] in an attempt to save Reyes from execution. After a long and bloody battle, Reyes then takes over Allende's villa and moves on the Mexico City.
   
Marston returns to Blackwater. He informs Agent Ross that Williamson is dead and demands to be reunited with his family. Ross tells him that he needs to kill [[Dutch Van Der Linde]], the leader of Marston's former gang. Dutch had joined with the local American Indian population to fight against the [[U.S. Military|U.S. Army]]. Marston fights against Dutch's gang in the hunt for Van Der Linde. Although the army mistakes Marston for one of the gang, Marston eludes capture.
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With Escuella dealt with and Williamson dead, Marston returns to Blackwater and demands his family's release. Ross instead extends their agreement, and will only allow John to free if they can find and kill [[Dutch Van Der Linde]], the leader of Marston's former gang. Dutch had joined with the local American Indian population to fight against the [[U.S. Military|US army]] and other Lawmen. Marston fights against Dutch's gang in the hunt for Van Der Linde. However, Dutch always was able to avoid capture by the government.
   
 
Marston works with [[Professor Harold MacDougal]], an extremely bigoted former Yale professor. Along with the Native American [[Nastas]], they are able to find and evaluate Dutch's gang hideout. However, MacDougal [[The Prodigal Son Returns (To Yale)|flees]] for the east after his Native American guide, [[Nastas]], was [[For Purely Scientific Purposes|shot]] in the head by an outlaw of Van Der Linde's gang; [[Enepay]].
Eventually, Marston joins with the army in attacking Van Der Linde's hideout. After a long chase, Marston confronts Dutch on a cliff. Dutch explains that both he and Marston have outlived their usefulness in a rapidly progressing world. Faced with the choice of cooperating or being shot by Marston, Dutch commits suicide by falling backwards off the cliff.
 
   
 
Eventually, Marston joins with the army in attacking Van Der Linde's hideout. After a long battle and chase, Marston confronts Dutch on a cliff. Dutch concedes defeat and explains that both he and Marston have outlived their usefulness in a rapidly progressing world. Dutch also warns John that the bureau will never let him have peace, before committing suicide by falling backwards off the cliff.
Marston also had helped [[Professor Harold MacDougal]], an extremely bigoted former Yale professor, but MacDougal flees for the east after his Native American guide, [[Nastas]], was shot by Van Der Linde's gang.
 
   
Fulfilling his duty, Agent Ross releases Marston's family and they are reunited. The family spends time together at their ranch ([[Marston Ranch]]). Starting the ranch again, they acquire cattle from the MacFarlane's and break wild horses for use. John also takes his son, Jack, out on several hunting trips. The family's happiness is interrupted when Agent Ross leads a surprise attack of the ranch, killing [[Uncle]] in the process. John defends the ranch and kills many men. Outnumbered, he tells [[Jack Marston|Jack]] and [[Abigail Marston|Abigail]] to run while he fends off Ross and the army.
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Ross honors his agreement and releases Marston's [[Marston family|family]]. Reuniting at their [[Beecher's Hope|ranch]], John resumes an honest life with his family. Starting their ranch again, they acquire cattle from MacFarlane Ranch and break wild horses for use. John also takes his son, Jack, out on several hunting trips.
   
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However, Jack secretly [[Spare The Love, Spoil The Child|goes out]] one morning and tries to hunt a grizzly bear, despite his lack of supplies and experience. Uncle spots Jack in the valley and reports the news to John. After berating Uncle, John and his dog [[Rufus]] go into the Forest and up the mountains to find Jack. At the top of [[Nekoti Rock]], John finds Jack hurt but alive. However, the grizzly bear charges at the two, but John is able to slay the bear and return Jack to safety.
Surrounded by the army, John emerges from his hiding place in the barn and attempts to kill as many of the men as he can. He hits a good number of them before they open fire on him. John is hit multiple times in the chest, legs, and arms by the bullets. John gasps for breath and mutters his last words silently, "I love you." John then falls backwards dead. In the crowd of agents, Edgar Ross is seen. Ross lights a cigarette and then leaves the barn.
 
   
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The family's peace is shattered, when, true to Dutch's warning, Ross double-crosses John and leads a small army in an attack on his ranch. John tries to fight them off, but the attacking force is too large and [[Uncle]] is killed. Realizing that he can never escape his past, he tells [[Jack Marston|Jack]] and [[Abigail Marston|Abigail]] to run while he fends off Ross and the army.
Jack and Abigail hear the gunfire and then return to the barn, where they find out John was killed.They recover the body and bury it along with Uncle. In 1914, after three years, Abigail dies of unknown causes. A grown Jack Marston returns and buries his mother beside his father. Jack sets out on a quest of revenge against Ross.
 
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Surrounded by the army, John emerges from his hiding place in the barn and attempts to kill as many of the men as he can. He hits only several of them before they open fire. John is hit multiple times in the chest, legs, and arms by the bullets. John gasps for breath as Ross watches, lighting a cigar. John then falls backwards, dead. A satisfied Ross then departs with the remaining soldiers and agents.
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Jack and Abigail hear the gunfire and then return to the barn, where they find out John was killed. They recover the body and bury it along with Uncle. In 1914, after three years, Abigail dies of unknown causes. A grown Jack Marston returns and buries his mother beside his father. Jack sets out on a quest for revenge against Ross.
   
 
Jack hears of Edgar Ross's retirement from the Agency of Blackwater and a newspaper article about Ross's retirement confirms so. Jack finds Edgar Ross's wife, Emily Ross, who tells Jack that Edgar has gone on a hunting trip on the San Luis River with his brother. Jack travels to the river where he finds Ross hunting [[ducks]]. The two exchange heated words with Jack accusing Ross of murdering his father. Ross tells Jack that his father killed himself with the life he led, and he'll kill Jack if he doesn't run off. Jack tells him that he isn't going anywhere, and the two have a duel.
 
Jack hears of Edgar Ross's retirement from the Agency of Blackwater and a newspaper article about Ross's retirement confirms so. Jack finds Edgar Ross's wife, Emily Ross, who tells Jack that Edgar has gone on a hunting trip on the San Luis River with his brother. Jack travels to the river where he finds Ross hunting [[ducks]]. The two exchange heated words with Jack accusing Ross of murdering his father. Ross tells Jack that his father killed himself with the life he led, and he'll kill Jack if he doesn't run off. Jack tells him that he isn't going anywhere, and the two have a duel.
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Jack wins the duel, killing Ross. Jack Marston looks down at the gun that killed his father then walks away slowly to his horse, unwittingly knowing that by killing Ross he is going down the path of an outlaw, the life that his father tried to save him from. From there on, Jack becomes the protagonist of the game in 1914, the first year of World War One.
 
Jack wins the duel, killing Ross. Jack Marston looks down at the gun that killed his father then walks away slowly to his horse, unwittingly knowing that by killing Ross he is going down the path of an outlaw, the life that his father tried to save him from. From there on, Jack becomes the protagonist of the game in 1914, the first year of World War One.
   
A newspaper wraps up the rest of the game. Marshal Leigh Johnson retired from being Sheriff of Armadillo, and then moved as far away as possible from the town. Abraham Reyes, even though he promised to lead Mexico into an age of freedom, was consumed by power and went on to become a tyrant. Bonnie MacFarlane eventually was married, but it is not said to whom. Irish shot himself dead in an outhouse in Thieves Landing when his gun discharged. Seth Briars eventually found the treasure he was looking for and became rich and Landon Rickets passed away quietly in his sleep, another part of the Old West falling away.}}
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A newspaper wraps up the rest of the game. Marshal Leigh Johnson retired from being Sheriff of Armadillo and moved as far away as possible from the town. Abraham Reyes, even though he promised to lead Mexico into an age of freedom, was consumed by power and went on to become a tyrant. Bonnie MacFarlane eventually married, but it is not said to whom. Irish shot himself dead in an outhouse in Thieves Landing when his gun discharged. Seth Briars eventually found the treasure he was looking for and became rich and Landon Rickets passed away quietly in his sleep, another part of the Old West falling away.
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}}
   
 
==Themes==
 
==Themes==
 
[[File:Red Dead.jpg|right|250px]]
 
[[File:Red Dead.jpg|right|250px]]
   
Like Rockstar's crime epic Grand Theft Auto IV, Red Dead Redemption has many deep themes. These are the four main themes:
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Like Rockstar's crime epic [https://gta.fandom.com/wiki/Grand_Theft_Auto_IV ''Grand Theft Auto IV''], ''Red Dead Redemption'' has many deep themes. The four main themes are:
   
The first is the battle between an old world facing change from a new world. The Old West in the game is being introduced to technology, gaudy clothing, airplanes, and ultimately civilization. While some, like the folk in Blackwater, accept that change some characters in the game such as Dutch van der Linde, Bill Williamson, Javier Escuela, and ultimately John Marston do not accept it. The main two factions in the game appear to be outlaws and the government. Both sides are equally bad, seeing how even though the outlaws kill and steal to live their lives, the government takes money and fills the Old West's heads with empty promises. At the ending of the game, John Marston faces his last target Dutch van der Linde on the edge of a cliff and points a gun at him. Dutch tells John that you can't fight change, and even if the Old West is over, another monster will just be found.
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The battle between an old world facing change from a new world. The Old West in the game is being exposed to industrialization and new technologies such as automobiles, aircraft, Gatling guns, water-cooled machine-guns, and armored warfare. Ultimately, the Old West must contend with the taming of its lands and the coming of "civilization." While some folk like those in Blackwater accept that change, other characters such as Dutch Van Der Linde, Bill Williamson, Javier Escuela, and John Marston do not. The main two factions in the game appear to be outlaws and lawmen. Both sides are equally bad, although in different ways. The outlaws steal and kill to live their lives with sheer brutality. The government does the same, albeit in a different manner. Near the end of the game, John Marston holds his old friend Dutch van der Linde at gunpoint by the edge of a cliff. Dutch tells John that he can't fight change, and even if times change, the Government will just find another enemy to contend with.
   
The second theme appears to be a question that falls under the moral choice of good, neutral, and evil. The government agents in Blackwater (minus Edgar Ross and Archer Fordham) believe they are good even though they usually ruin and interfere with the Wild West more than they help it. The outlaws in Dutch's Gang killed and stole from the rich, but then gave to the poor. This raises the question: Is it acceptable to be evil and brutal in the present in order to achieve a better future? And if both sides ''are ''evil, then that makes John Marston neutral to good and evil. John has killed hundreds of people, abducted people, and stolen from the government his whole life. But yet, he tries restarting his life with his family and forgetting about the past. He no longer cares which side is right, and that makes him neutral. Of course, the game does not answer this question and it is up to the player to decide if the question is right or wrong.
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The second theme appears to be a question that falls under the moral choice of good, neutral, and evil. The government agents in Blackwater (excluding Edgar Ross and Archer Fordham) believe they are good even though they usually interfere with the people of the West more than they help them. The outlaws in Dutch's Gang killed and stole from the rich but then gave to the poor. This raises the question: Is it acceptable to be evil and brutal in the present in order to achieve a better future? If both sides ''are'' indeed evil, then that makes John Marston neutral to good or evil. John has killed hundreds of people, abducted people, and stolen from the government his whole life. But yet, he realizes the mistake in his ways and to tries to restart his life with his family. He no longer cares which side is right, and that makes him neutral. Of course, it is up to the player to dictate how John Marston behaves during the course of the game.
   
The third theme of Red Dead Redemption appears to be that there are no clean getaways. John Marston, as said above, lived a life of crime in his younger years, and now tries to put all of it behind him and start a ranch. But there are no clean getaways from your past when you live the life of an outlaw, and the past always catches up with you. To get rid of his past, John must achieve ''Redemption. ''Justify his sins. And he achieves this in the ending when he sacrifices himself to let his wife Abigail and son Jack escape from government agents who have come to assassinate him.
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The third theme of Red Dead Redemption is that one's path will always catch up with the player. As stated above, John Marston lived a life of crime in his younger years, and now tries to put all of it behind him to start a ranch and to live a calmer life. However, there are no clean getaways from one's past when one lives the life of an outlaw, and the past always comes back to haunt them. To repair his past, John must achieve Redemption and justify his sins. He achieves this in the climax when he sacrifices himself to let his wife and son escape from government agents who have come to assassinate him.
   
And the fourth and final theme of the game is shown through the character of Dutch van der Linde, self-destruction. The people from the New West are brightly dressed, own motorvehicles, and are bringing in new technology. While most accept this, Dutch van der Linde seems to want to destroy the new society. In Dutch's eyes, the world is meant to be brutal and a true fight for survival like it was in the Old West. This is also shown through Dutch's followers, savages who come from a bloody and brutal background. Dutch thinks that technology, social order, and government brings nothing but corruption, and this is why he sets out to destroy the town of Blackwater.
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The fourth and final theme of the game is shown through the character of Dutch Van der Linde: self-destruction. The people from the New West are brightly dressed, own motor vehicles, and are bringing in new technology. While most accept this, [[Dutch van der Linde]] sees it as evil and wants to destroy the new society. In Dutch's eyes, the world is meant to be brutal and a true fight for survival like it was in the Old West. This is also shown through Dutch's followers, angry Native Americans who come from a bloody and brutal background. Dutch thinks that technology, social order, and the government bring nothing but corruption, and this is why he sets out to destroy the town of Blackwater.
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A subtext which runs throughout the game, including many [[Strangers|Stranger missions]] as well as the main plot, is that of obsession, self-deception, and madness. This is most directly apparent in the insane grave robber [[Seth Briars]] and his quest for his "treasure". It affects other people as well. In [[Let No Man Put Asunder]], an elderly woman waits at an abandoned church, in her wedding dress, for her fiancé who had died years before. In [[Flowers for a Lady]], a man treats his wife's cadaver as if she were still alive. In [[Jenny's Faith]], a girl dying in the wilderness refuses rescue because she believes her faith in God would save her. [[Deadalus and Son|Daedalus and Son]], [[Lights, Camera, Action]], [[Aztec Gold]], and [[California]], all deal with obsessive and delusional quests for treasure that lead only to nothing or tragedy. The theme is used as a major plot device in the story of [[Luisa Fortuna|Luisa Fortuna's]] fatal fantasy in which she sees the self-serving revolutionary [[Abraham Reyes]] as her betrothed and a champion of the people. [[Harold MacDougal]] and his Quixotic attempt to "understand" the Indians but only in accordance with his misconceived notions. All of this unsettling background is there to reflect upon the main story and to John Marston himself: not only his obsession with recovering his wife and son, but the self-deception under which Marston convinces himself that through the way of the gun he could ever 'earn' a normal, peaceful family life, or a son who wouldn't follow the same violent path.
   
 
==Gameplay==
 
==Gameplay==
The gameplay of Red Dead Redemption is vast. The use of guns in the game is very similar to that of ''Grand Theft Auto IV'', another game developed by [[Rockstar|Rockstar Studios]]. There are a variety of [[pistols]], [[revolvers]], [[Shotgun|shotguns]] and [[rifles]] available to the player as the game progresses. Ammo can be purchased in stores across the landscape, as can other useful items. Prices for various items vary from settlement to settlement.
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The gameplay of Red Dead Redemption is vast. The use of guns in the game is very similar to that of ''Grand Theft Auto IV'', another game developed by [[Rockstar|Rockstar Studios]]. There are a variety of [[pistols]], [[revolvers]], [[shotgun]]s, and [[rifles]] available to the player as the game progresses. Ammo can be purchased in stores across the landscape, as can other useful items. Prices for various items vary from settlement to settlement.
   
There are numerous ways to make [[Money|money]] in the game. One way is through [[Random Encounters|random encounter missions]] which present themselves as the player travels. Players can also accept [[Bounty Hunter|bounty hunter missions,]] to capture or kill escaped criminals; play games of chance such as [[poker]] or [[blackjack]], search for [[treasure]] or [[Hunting|hunt wild animals]] ([[Provisions|skins, meat etc.]] can be sold at stores). There are many [[animals]] available to hunt ranging from dangerous animals such as [[boar]], [[bears]], [[cougars]], [[wolves]], [[Coyotes|coyotes]], and even [[Legendary Animals|legendary animals]] such as [[Lobo the Wolf]] or [[Gordo the Boar]], to harmless animals such as [[rabbits]], [[Birds in Redemption|birds]], [[raccoon]]s and even [[Beaver|beavers]].[[File:Wantedlevel.png|thumb|300px]]
+
There are numerous ways to make [[money]] in the game. One way is through [[Random Encounters|random encounter missions]] which present themselves as the player travels. Players can also accept [[Bounty Hunter|bounty hunter missions,]] to capture or kill escaped criminals; play games of chance such as [[poker]] or [[blackjack]], search for [[treasure]] or [[Hunting|hunt wild animals]] ([[Provisions|skins, meat etc.]] can be sold at stores). There are many [[animals]] available to hunt ranging from dangerous animals such as [[boar]], [[bears]], [[cougars]], [[wolves]], [[coyotes]], and even [[Legendary Animals|legendary animals]] such as [[Lobo the Wolf]] or [[Gordo the Boar]], to harmless animals such as [[rabbits]], [[Birds in Redemption|birds]], [[raccoon]]s, and even [[beaver]]s.[[File:Wantedlevel.png|thumb|300px]]
   
A change from ''Grand Theft Auto's'' system of a wanted level is the [[bounty]] system. As players commit [[crimes]], their bounty increases. Certain crimes raise the bounty more than others: murdering a sheriff, for instance, will raise the player's bounty more than committing arson. Players with high bounties will be tracked down by either the [[Mexican Army]] or the[[ US Marshals]] depending on whether the player is in the US or [[Nuevo Paraiso|Mexico]]. Players can surrender themselves to [[Law Enforcement|law officers]] at which point they will have to spend time in jail. If players cannot pay the bounty, they will be sent on a bounty hunter mission (it is best to capture the bounty alive so the player can get more money to pay off their own bounty). If a player can get close enough to a law officer who is currently in pursuit of Marston, they can bribe the officer (for a much larger fee than that required to pay off a civilian). This will stop all officers from chasing you but your bounty remains.
+
A change from ''Grand Theft Auto's'' system of a wanted level is the [[bounty]] system. As players commit [[crimes]], their bounty increases. Certain crimes raise the bounty more than others: murdering a sheriff, for instance, will raise the player's bounty more than committing arson. Players with high bounties will be tracked down by either the [[Mexican Army]] or the [[US Marshals]] depending on whether the player is in the US or [[Nuevo Paraiso|Mexico]]. Players can surrender themselves to [[Law Enforcement|law officers]] at which point they will have to spend time in jail. If players cannot pay the bounty, they will be sent on a bounty hunter mission (it is best to capture the bounty alive so the player can get more money to pay off their own bounty). If a player can get close enough to a law officer who is currently in pursuit of Marston, they can bribe the officer (for a much larger fee than that required to pay off a civilian). This will stop all officers from chasing the player but one's bounty remains.
   
 
Players can get rid of their bounty by going to [[Telegraph Office|telegraph offices]] and paying off their bounty piece by piece. Another option that can be used is to hand over a [[Pardon Letter|pardon letter]], which eliminates all of a player’s bounty.
 
Players can get rid of their bounty by going to [[Telegraph Office|telegraph offices]] and paying off their bounty piece by piece. Another option that can be used is to hand over a [[Pardon Letter|pardon letter]], which eliminates all of a player’s bounty.
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On February 3, 2009, Rockstar Games announced the first official trailer. Resulting trailers showcased numerous characters, gameplay features, and multiplayer modes that were to be featured in the final release. Previews and [[Beta Releases|beta releases]] included some features that were absent or changed in the final release.
 
On February 3, 2009, Rockstar Games announced the first official trailer. Resulting trailers showcased numerous characters, gameplay features, and multiplayer modes that were to be featured in the final release. Previews and [[Beta Releases|beta releases]] included some features that were absent or changed in the final release.
   
== Contents ==
+
== Additional Media ==
 
===Film===
 
===Film===
 
{{main|Red Dead Redemption: The Man from Blackwater}}
 
{{main|Red Dead Redemption: The Man from Blackwater}}
 
 
A half-hour feature film was released on FOX TV on May 29, 2010. It is directed by John Hillcoat. The story takes place on the alternate take in the storyline's first act. Shortly after release, the whole film became downloadable officially through Rockstar's official website.
 
A half-hour feature film was released on FOX TV on May 29, 2010. It is directed by John Hillcoat. The story takes place on the alternate take in the storyline's first act. Shortly after release, the whole film became downloadable officially through Rockstar's official website.
   
 
=== Downloadable Content ===
 
=== Downloadable Content ===
Shortly after the release of Redemption, on June 22, 2010, Rockstar released the first DLC, ''[[Outlaws To The End]]''. The content included six new cooperative side missions ranging from raiding a mine and stealing the gold to riding down a river to secure a town's weapon cache. New multiplayer challenges as well as new trophies/achievements were also included. The downloadable content is free for all users on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live.
+
Shortly after the release of Redemption, on June 22, 2010, Rockstar released the first DLC, ''[[Outlaws To The End]]''. The content included six new cooperative side missions ranging from raiding a mine and stealing the gold to riding down a river to secure a town's weapon cache. New multiplayer challenges, as well as new trophies/achievements, were also included. The downloadable content is free for all users on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live.
   
Rockstar subsequently announced several more major DLC; in chronological order, ''[[Legends and Killers]]'', ''[[Liars and Cheats]],'' ''[[Undead Nightmare]], and [[Myths and Mavericks]]''. Several other minor DLC were released as well. A full list can be found on the [[:Category:Redemption DLC|Redemption DLC category page]]. In September 2011, a Game of the Year edition was announced that includes all previously released DLC (details below).
+
Rockstar subsequently announced several more major DLC; in chronological order, ''[[Legends and Killers]]'', ''[[Liars and Cheats]],'' ''[[Undead Nightmare]], and [[Myths and Mavericks]]''. Several other minor DLC was released as well. A full list can be found on the [[:Category:Redemption DLC|Redemption DLC category page]]. In September 2011, a Game of the Year edition was announced that includes all previously released DLC (details below).
   
 
A Free-Roam pack had been announced earlier. It was initially going to be released for free, but Microsoft's and Sony's rules regarding the quantity of free DLC that a game can have resulted in the contents being incorporated into the ''Liars and Cheats'' pack instead.
 
A Free-Roam pack had been announced earlier. It was initially going to be released for free, but Microsoft's and Sony's rules regarding the quantity of free DLC that a game can have resulted in the contents being incorporated into the ''Liars and Cheats'' pack instead.
 
=== Soundtrack ===
 
{{main|Red Dead Redemption Soundtrack}}
 
   
 
=== Pre-Order Contents ===
 
=== Pre-Order Contents ===
 
{{main|Pre-order Bonuses|''Red Dead Redemption'' Pre-Order Bonuses}}
 
{{main|Pre-order Bonuses|''Red Dead Redemption'' Pre-Order Bonuses}}
   
[[File:RDR_GoldenGuns_Screenshot-450x253.jpg|border|right|300px]]There were three bonuses for those who to pre-ordered the game. The content itself was dependant on where the game was pre-ordered, as different shops provided different bonus content, with some even providing all three.
+
[[File:RDR GoldenGuns Screenshot-450x253.jpg|border|right|300px]]There were three bonuses for those who pre-ordered the game. The content itself was dependent on the vendor, as different shops provided different bonus content, with some even providing all three.
  +
  +
===Box Contents===
  +
The original boxed version of the game includes the following materials:
  +
  +
*Game disc on Blu-ray (PS3) or DVD (Xbox 360)
  +
*Game manual
  +
*Game map (approximately 29" x 18" or 72&nbsp;cm x 46&nbsp;cm) with a poster featuring [[Bonnie MacFarlane]] on the reverse side
   
 
===Game of the Year Edition===
 
===Game of the Year Edition===
On September 13, 2011, Rockstar announced that a Game of the Year Edition of ''Red Dead Redemption'' would be released on October 11, 2011<ref name="goty-announcement">[http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/18831/red-dead-redemption-game-of-the-year-edition-coming-this-october.html Red Dead Redemption: Game of the Year Edition Coming this October for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3]</ref>. This edition bundles the game with all downloadable content released to date. This edition also brings the [[Solomon's Folly]] gang hideout and the [[Walton's Gang Outfit]] to the Xbox 360.
+
On September 13, 2011, Rockstar announced that a Game of the Year Edition of ''Red Dead Redemption'' would be released on October 11, 2011.<ref name="goty-announcement">[http://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/18831/red-dead-redemption-game-of-the-year-edition-coming-this-october.html Red Dead Redemption: Game of the Year Edition Coming this October for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3]</ref> This edition bundles the game with all downloadable content released to date. This edition also brings the [[Solomon's Folly]] gang hideout and the [[Walton's Gang Outfit]] to the Xbox 360.
   
The Game of the Year edition adds a Hardcore single-player [[Difficulty|difficulty]] option that was not previously available for the game.
+
The Game of the Year edition adds a Hardcore single-player [[difficulty]] option that was not previously available for the game.
  +
  +
=== Soundtrack ===
 
{{main|Red Dead Redemption Soundtrack}}
   
 
===Game Guide===
 
===Game Guide===
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== Reception ==
 
== Reception ==
Upon release, the game received extremely positive reviews from all over the gaming industry. Aside from a few graphical glitches (noted by ''[http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/109/1090125p2.html IGN]'' and other gaming sites), its presentation, sound, and multiplayer were universally praised. While others such as ''[http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/215190/red-dead-redemption/ GamePro]'' have criticized the "occasional pop-in and repetitive missions", they also said it "expertly captures the Wild West", with ''[http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?pager.offset=0&cId=3179335&p=4 1UP]'' giving similar praise and complaints.
+
Upon release, the game received widespread critical acclaim from all over the gaming industry. Aside from a few graphical glitches (noted by ''[http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/109/1090125p2.html IGN]'' and other gaming sites), its presentation, sound, and multiplayer were universally praised. While others such as ''[http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/215190/red-dead-redemption/ GamePro]'' have criticized the "occasional pop-in and repetitive missions", they also said it "expertly captures the Wild West", with ''[http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?pager.offset=0&cId=3179335&p=4 1UP]'' giving similar praise and complaints. IGN gave the game 9.7/10' GamePro gave it 5/5 stars, and 1UP gave it an A.
   
 
The average score, according to [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/reddeadredemption Metacritic], is 95 out of 100 for both PS3 and Xbox 360 versions with 100% of critic reviews rated as "positive." The game won the title of "Game of the Year" from multiple publications as well as awards based on user and developer voting. Among these are the Spike VGAs 2010, ''Game Informer'', Game Developers Choice Awards, GameSpy, and GameSpot. The [[Red Dead Redemption Soundtrack|soundtrack]] also received many awards.
 
The average score, according to [http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/reddeadredemption Metacritic], is 95 out of 100 for both PS3 and Xbox 360 versions with 100% of critic reviews rated as "positive." The game won the title of "Game of the Year" from multiple publications as well as awards based on user and developer voting. Among these are the Spike VGAs 2010, ''Game Informer'', Game Developers Choice Awards, GameSpy, and GameSpot. The [[Red Dead Redemption Soundtrack|soundtrack]] also received many awards.
  +
  +
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GameSpy GameSpy] gave it 5/5 stars saying that Rockstar managed to create one of "the most impressive open worlds I've ever seen in a game, and it's telling that — even after playing for over 30 hours — all I want to do is get back on my horse and gallop back into the wilderness." [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VideoGamer VideoGamer] gave it a 10/10 exclaiming "The game itself is absolutely spectacular... The sheer quality of ''Red Dead Redemption'' is evident right from the word go." They also said, "it's a magnificent piece of work that everybody should play."
  +
  +
The game's most "negative" review was made by [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurogamer Eurogamer], who gave it 8/10, stating that it "re-clothes" the ''Grand Theft Auto'' series with its "distinct and expertly realized scenario".
  +
  +
Other reviewers such as Edge, GameSpot, GameTrailers, PALGN and Game Informer, gave the game scores ranged between 9/10 to 10/10.
  +
  +
==Eighth generation re-releases==
  +
The Xbox 360 version was made playable to Xbox One owners via backward compatibility on July 8, 2016. The PlayStation 3 version was made playable to PlayStation 4 owners via PlayStation Now on December 6, 2016. On April 10, 2018, the Xbox One backward compatibility version received a patch that enables Xbox One X owners to play the game in native 4K resolution.
  +
  +
On August 7, 2023, Rockstar Games announced versions of the single-player modes of the game and [[Undead Nightmare]] for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, which were released on August 17, 2023 digitally, and October 13, 2023 physically. The PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions were developed by Double Eleven Studios. Reactions to the announcement were mixed, with the trailer receiving mostly dislikes on YouTube; some journalists and players appreciated the game becoming available on modern consoles, but lamented the lack of visual and frame rate upgrades (at launch for the PlayStation 4 version), absence of a Windows release, omission of multiplayer, and US$49.99 price point. However, an update on October 4, 2023 for the PlayStation 4 version added an option to increase the frame rate from 30 to 60 frames-per-second when played on PlayStation 5 via backward compatibility.
   
 
==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
 
*''Red Dead Redemption'' is the first sandbox game from Rockstar that allows the player to enter an entirely different country ([[Mexico]]) as they progress through the campaign. 
*After they've been killed, some enemies will let out a distinctive scream that's been heard in action films for decades, in films such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones. This scream is called the "Wilhelm Scream". It originally came from the 1951 film [[Wikipedia:Distant Drums|"Distant Drums"]].
 
 
*The ending to ''Redemption'' bears a striking similarity to its spiritual predecessor, ''[[Red Dead Revolver]]'', in which the protagonist comes home, believing things to finally be good in life, [[Bull's Eye|only to be killed in a sudden]] [[The Last Enemy That Shall Be Destroyed|government attack]], resulting in their wife's death as well, leaving the sole survivor of their family, their son, to [[Fort Diego|achieve]] [[Remember My Family|retribution]] on a [[Daren|government]] [[Edgar Ross|official]].
*''Red Dead Redemption'' is the first sandbox game from Rockstar that allows the player to enter an entirely different country (Mexico) later on in the game.
 
 
*Red Dead Redemption was very different during initial development; this can be seen [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLE1oRjxyJA here.]
*The ending to ''Redemption'' bears a striking similarity to its spiritual predecessor, ''[[Red Dead Revolver]]'', in which a rancher comes home believing things to finally be good in life only to be slaughtered with the rest of his family by a sudden government attack, leaving the only remaining son to achieve retribution.
 
 
*The ending is also similar to Rockstar's ''[[w:c:gta:Grand_Theft_Auto_IV|Grand Theft Auto IV]],'' in which Niko Bellic carries out his final deal and attempts to leave his criminal life behind, only to have it taken from him with the death of either Roman or Kate at Roman's wedding. The final mission, "[[Remember My Family]]", also bears resemblance to Niko's revenge mission that he carries out after the wedding with Little Jacob to avenge a lost loved one.
*Red Dead Redemption was very different during initial development, this can be seen [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLE1oRjxyJA here.]
 
  +
*The main plot of ''Red Dead Redemption'' itself draws from the 1969 western ''The Wild Bunch'', in which a former outlaw is coerced into hunting down his former gang members during the closing days of frontier banditry. Indeed, the game itself has several references and plot beats that appear to be heavily inspired by the movie, including: the former outlaw pursuing the gang into Mexico after they flee there, a struggle during the Mexican Revolution between the military and rebels in which the gang becomes involved, and both the former gang leader in ''Red Dead Redemption'' and the second-in-command of the gang in ''The Wild Bunch'' sharing the name "Dutch."
*The font used for the Red Dead Redemption logo is called "Chinese Rocks". You can download the font [http://www.dafont.com/chinese-rocks.font here].
 
  +
*The title is shown twice in the story - at the beginning during the first mission "[[Exodus in America]]", and the epilogue, "[[Remember My Family]]".
*The ending is also similar to Rockstar's ''[http://gta.wikia.com/Grand_Theft_Auto_IV Grand Theft Auto IV],'' in which Niko Bellic carries out his final deal and attempts to leave his criminal life behind, only to have it taken from him with the death of either Roman or Kate at Roman's wedding. The final Mission, [[Remember My Family]], also bears resemblance to Niko's revenge mission that he carries out after the wedding with Little Jacob to avenge a lost loved one.
 
*The title is actually shown twice in the singleplayer story, at the beginning during the first mission [[Exodus in America]], and the last mission [[Remember My Family]], after Jack takes revenge on [[Edgar Ross|Ross]].
+
*Unusually for a video game, especially one by Rockstar, the credits do not roll at the end of the last story mission, but rather after a "side" mission which constitutes the real ending.
  +
*In an [[w:c:bigbangtheory:The Shiny Trinket Maneuver|episode]] of the American sitcom ''[[w:c:bigbangtheory:The Big Bang Theory|The Big Bang Theory]]'', [[w:c:bigbangtheory:Sheldon Cooper|Sheldon]] can be seen playing ''Red Dead Redemption'' to "clear his head" when in a bad mood. He has John walk around [[Armadillo]] and then enter the [[Armadillo Saloon|saloon]] to drink whiskey.
  +
**Likewise, Sheldon plays ''[[Red Dead Redemption 2]]'' in a [[w:c:bigbangtheory:The D & D Vortex|later episode]].
   
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
 
<gallery widths="200" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
 
<gallery widths="200" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
Cart race.jpg|River and Cart Racing
+
Cart race.jpg|Cart racing in Red Dead Redemption.
reddeadredemption_012.jpg|Barren Mexican Desert
+
reddeadredemption_012.jpg|The barren Mexican wilderness.
RedDeadRedemptionScreenShot-04.png|Outskirts of Escalera
+
RedDeadRedemptionScreenShot-04.png|The outskirts of Escalera.
01234.jpg|Marston heroically dodges bullet in Tumbleweed
+
01234.jpg|Marston heroically dodges bullets in Tumbleweed.
Red Dead Redemption_Pic.jpg|The Mexican Army rides through the desert
+
Red Dead Redemption_Pic.jpg|The Mexican Army rides through the desert.
Serendipity.jpg|Swamp styled areas
+
Serendipity.jpg|Swamp styled areas.
Sheriff.jpg|Armadillo Sheriff's Office
+
Sheriff.jpg|Armadillo's Sheriff's office in very early development.
Red-Dead-Redemption-Detailed-Game-Map.jpg|The Large Map
+
Red-Dead-Redemption-Detailed-Game-Map.jpg|The full in-game map in which Red Dead Redemption takes place.
Rdr stage ambush.jpg|Bandits prepare to surprise and ambush John Marston
+
Rdr stage ambush.jpg|Bandits prepare to surprise and ambush John Marston.
Rdr redemption mountains02.jpg|The green, cold, snowy forest area with mountains
+
Rdr redemption mountains02.jpg|Tall Trees.
red_dead_redemption_cover.jpg|Red Dead Redemption PS3 Cover
+
red_dead_redemption_cover.jpg|Red Dead Redemption PS3 cover.
RDRalt Cover.jpg|Red Dead Redemption Alternate Cover
+
RDRalt Cover.jpg|Red Dead Redemption's alternate cover for the PS3.
RDRedemp portal logo.png|Logo
+
RDRedemp portal logo.png|The Red Dead Redemption's logo.
Rdr u.s. military00.jpg|The American Army rides through the woods
+
Rdr u.s. military00.jpg|The American Army rides through the woods with John Marston.
Rdr hendidura grande00.jpg|Mexican plateus and cliffs
+
Rdr hendidura grande00.jpg|Canyons in Mexico.
File:Rdr_beecher's_hope00.jpg|The Marston family's homestead
+
File:Rdr_beecher's_hope00.jpg|The Marston family's homestead.
File:Rdr_kidnapped_girl_07.jpg|Escaping bandits under a bridge
+
File:Rdr_kidnapped_girl_07.jpg|Bandits in Mexico.
File:Rdr_manzanita_post00.jpg|Manzanita Post, the last stop before heading out into the redwoods
+
File:Rdr_manzanita_post00.jpg|Manzanita Post, the last stop before heading out into the redwoods.
File:Rdr_walton's_gold03.jpg|A gunfight at a mine
+
File:Rdr_walton's_gold03.jpg|A gunfight taking place at Gaptooth Breach.
reddeadgoty_packshot.jpg|Game Of The Year Edition
+
reddeadgoty_packshot.jpg|The cover of the game of the year edition of Red Dead Redemption.
ImagesCA6ZK1VG.jpg|Off into the classic sunset
+
ImagesCA6ZK1VG.jpg|Off into the classic sunset.
  +
File:Red Dead Redemption PS4.png|Red Dead Redemption PS4 cover.
  +
File:Red Dead Redemption Switch.png|Red Dead Redemption PS4 Nintendo Switch cover.
  +
</gallery>
  +
  +
==Videos==
  +
<gallery widths="200" captionalign="center" spacing="small">
  +
Red Dead Redemption E3 2005 Tech Demo Trailer|E3 2005 Demo
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
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==References==
 
==References==
 
{{Reflist}}
 
{{Reflist}}
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Latest revision as of 21:50, 21 October 2023

For the mission in Red Dead Redemption 2, see Red Dead Redemption (mission).


America, early 1900's. The era of the cowboy is coming to an end. When federal agents threaten his family, former outlaw John Marston is sent across the American frontier to help bring the rule of law. Experience intense gun battles, dramatic train robberies, bounty hunting and duels during a time of violent change. Red Dead Redemption is an epic battle for survival in a beautiful open world as John Marston struggles to bury his blood-stained past, one man at a time.
Game description

Red Dead Redemption is a 2010 western-themed, action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar San Diego and Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the second game of the Red Dead series and was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on May 18, 2010, in North America, three days later on May 21, 2010, in Europe, and for the Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4 on August 17, 2023.

Taking place in a wide open-ended environment featuring western parts of the American countryside and northern areas of Mexico, Redemption is presented through a third-person perspective. The majority of the game's story takes place in 1911 and follows protagonist John Marston, a former outlaw, as he is forced to hunt down his former associates by corrupted government agents.

Upon release, Red Dead Redemption was highly acclaimed by critics, scoring 95/100 on Metacritic for both consoles, and receiving perfect scores from over 20 reviewers including GameSpy, 1Up.com, GamePro, Game Revolution, and VideoGamer. It was praised for its story, thematic depth, presentation, visuals, open world setting, and gameplay mechanics and, as of September 2021, has shipped over 23 million units, making it one of the best-selling video games of all time.

Following its release, Redemption received multiple end-year accolades and was considered one of the best games of 2010. Its success led to the development of several DLC´s, including a new single-player campaign in Undead Nightmare. A successor game and a prequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, was released on October 26, 2018.

Background Detail

The game takes place in 1911, which is near the end of the seventy-year span of the Western American Frontier (also known as the Wild West). As players see in the opening of the game, many new and "unfamiliar" people are moving into the West on the train. The town of Blackwater has noticeable modernized differences in architecture and technology compared to other gritty towns like Armadillo and Thieves' Landing. Electric line poles are also noticeable along roads. Even Marshal Leigh Johnson is seen fussing with a telephone in one of his mission cutscenes, showing the unfamiliarity with such technology people of his generation and likeness have.

Some people have a hard time accepting this new lifestyle, and many are willing to fight to preserve their way of life. Players can see the frustration many characters have with the Federal Government and eastern folk. Being so far away from modern America gave the West a sense of self-reliance, independence and order which would have difficulty complying with the Federal Government. It was inevitable, as more and more people poured in from the east, that every part of the American West would be populated. It wasn't until the 1920s that the Wild West would become a famous and popular icon in American history and culture.

Information

Synopsis

John Marston is a former outlaw looking for an all new life in 1911 America. When government agents from the newly-established Federal Bureau threaten his and his family's freedom, Marston is sent across the American West to help uphold the law and to achieve redemption. His job is to kill or capture his former gang members, including his old friends and gang partners such as Bill Williamson and Dutch Van Der Linde. He must do this or his family will pay the ultimate price.

Along the way through frontier towns, deserts, prairies, mountain passes, and territories, Marston is given work as he freely explores the free-roaming sandbox environments. The game features thirty-six species of animals that can be hunted and traded for supplies and cash. Marston also participates in jobs, activities, and games such as Poker, Horse Taming, and Nightwatch.

Plot


Themes

Red Dead

Like Rockstar's crime epic Grand Theft Auto IV, Red Dead Redemption has many deep themes. The four main themes are:

The battle between an old world facing change from a new world. The Old West in the game is being exposed to industrialization and new technologies such as automobiles, aircraft, Gatling guns, water-cooled machine-guns, and armored warfare. Ultimately, the Old West must contend with the taming of its lands and the coming of "civilization." While some folk like those in Blackwater accept that change, other characters such as Dutch Van Der Linde, Bill Williamson, Javier Escuela, and John Marston do not. The main two factions in the game appear to be outlaws and lawmen. Both sides are equally bad, although in different ways. The outlaws steal and kill to live their lives with sheer brutality. The government does the same, albeit in a different manner. Near the end of the game, John Marston holds his old friend Dutch van der Linde at gunpoint by the edge of a cliff. Dutch tells John that he can't fight change, and even if times change, the Government will just find another enemy to contend with.

The second theme appears to be a question that falls under the moral choice of good, neutral, and evil. The government agents in Blackwater (excluding Edgar Ross and Archer Fordham) believe they are good even though they usually interfere with the people of the West more than they help them. The outlaws in Dutch's Gang killed and stole from the rich but then gave to the poor. This raises the question: Is it acceptable to be evil and brutal in the present in order to achieve a better future? If both sides are indeed evil, then that makes John Marston neutral to good or evil. John has killed hundreds of people, abducted people, and stolen from the government his whole life. But yet, he realizes the mistake in his ways and to tries to restart his life with his family. He no longer cares which side is right, and that makes him neutral. Of course, it is up to the player to dictate how John Marston behaves during the course of the game.

The third theme of Red Dead Redemption is that one's path will always catch up with the player. As stated above, John Marston lived a life of crime in his younger years, and now tries to put all of it behind him to start a ranch and to live a calmer life. However, there are no clean getaways from one's past when one lives the life of an outlaw, and the past always comes back to haunt them. To repair his past, John must achieve Redemption and justify his sins. He achieves this in the climax when he sacrifices himself to let his wife and son escape from government agents who have come to assassinate him.

The fourth and final theme of the game is shown through the character of Dutch Van der Linde: self-destruction. The people from the New West are brightly dressed, own motor vehicles, and are bringing in new technology. While most accept this, Dutch van der Linde sees it as evil and wants to destroy the new society. In Dutch's eyes, the world is meant to be brutal and a true fight for survival like it was in the Old West. This is also shown through Dutch's followers, angry Native Americans who come from a bloody and brutal background. Dutch thinks that technology, social order, and the government bring nothing but corruption, and this is why he sets out to destroy the town of Blackwater.

A subtext which runs throughout the game, including many Stranger missions as well as the main plot, is that of obsession, self-deception, and madness. This is most directly apparent in the insane grave robber Seth Briars and his quest for his "treasure". It affects other people as well. In Let No Man Put Asunder, an elderly woman waits at an abandoned church, in her wedding dress, for her fiancé who had died years before. In Flowers for a Lady, a man treats his wife's cadaver as if she were still alive. In Jenny's Faith, a girl dying in the wilderness refuses rescue because she believes her faith in God would save her. Daedalus and Son, Lights, Camera, Action, Aztec Gold, and California, all deal with obsessive and delusional quests for treasure that lead only to nothing or tragedy. The theme is used as a major plot device in the story of Luisa Fortuna's fatal fantasy in which she sees the self-serving revolutionary Abraham Reyes as her betrothed and a champion of the people. Harold MacDougal and his Quixotic attempt to "understand" the Indians but only in accordance with his misconceived notions. All of this unsettling background is there to reflect upon the main story and to John Marston himself: not only his obsession with recovering his wife and son, but the self-deception under which Marston convinces himself that through the way of the gun he could ever 'earn' a normal, peaceful family life, or a son who wouldn't follow the same violent path.

Gameplay

The gameplay of Red Dead Redemption is vast. The use of guns in the game is very similar to that of Grand Theft Auto IV, another game developed by Rockstar Studios. There are a variety of pistols, revolvers, shotguns, and rifles available to the player as the game progresses. Ammo can be purchased in stores across the landscape, as can other useful items. Prices for various items vary from settlement to settlement.

There are numerous ways to make money in the game. One way is through random encounter missions which present themselves as the player travels. Players can also accept bounty hunter missions, to capture or kill escaped criminals; play games of chance such as poker or blackjack, search for treasure or hunt wild animals (skins, meat etc. can be sold at stores). There are many animals available to hunt ranging from dangerous animals such as boar, bears, cougars, wolves, coyotes, and even legendary animals such as Lobo the Wolf or Gordo the Boar, to harmless animals such as rabbits, birds, raccoons, and even beavers.

Wantedlevel

A change from Grand Theft Auto's system of a wanted level is the bounty system. As players commit crimes, their bounty increases. Certain crimes raise the bounty more than others: murdering a sheriff, for instance, will raise the player's bounty more than committing arson. Players with high bounties will be tracked down by either the Mexican Army or the US Marshals depending on whether the player is in the US or Mexico. Players can surrender themselves to law officers at which point they will have to spend time in jail. If players cannot pay the bounty, they will be sent on a bounty hunter mission (it is best to capture the bounty alive so the player can get more money to pay off their own bounty). If a player can get close enough to a law officer who is currently in pursuit of Marston, they can bribe the officer (for a much larger fee than that required to pay off a civilian). This will stop all officers from chasing the player but one's bounty remains.

Players can get rid of their bounty by going to telegraph offices and paying off their bounty piece by piece. Another option that can be used is to hand over a pardon letter, which eliminates all of a player’s bounty.

Development

A trailer of the project was sent to a select number of people at a Sony conference in 2005, promoting the release of the PlayStation 3 system. The trailer was a tech demo of RAGE set in a western setting referred to as Old West Project and a direct sequel to Red Dead Revolver. The trailer circulated throughout the internet. In the April 2005 edition of Game Informer, Red Dead Redemption was listed as being available for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

On February 3, 2009, Rockstar Games announced the first official trailer. Resulting trailers showcased numerous characters, gameplay features, and multiplayer modes that were to be featured in the final release. Previews and beta releases included some features that were absent or changed in the final release.

Additional Media

Film

Main article: Red Dead Redemption: The Man from Blackwater

A half-hour feature film was released on FOX TV on May 29, 2010. It is directed by John Hillcoat. The story takes place on the alternate take in the storyline's first act. Shortly after release, the whole film became downloadable officially through Rockstar's official website.

Downloadable Content

Shortly after the release of Redemption, on June 22, 2010, Rockstar released the first DLC, Outlaws To The End. The content included six new cooperative side missions ranging from raiding a mine and stealing the gold to riding down a river to secure a town's weapon cache. New multiplayer challenges, as well as new trophies/achievements, were also included. The downloadable content is free for all users on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live.

Rockstar subsequently announced several more major DLC; in chronological order, Legends and Killers, Liars and Cheats, Undead Nightmare, and Myths and Mavericks. Several other minor DLC was released as well. A full list can be found on the Redemption DLC category page. In September 2011, a Game of the Year edition was announced that includes all previously released DLC (details below).

A Free-Roam pack had been announced earlier. It was initially going to be released for free, but Microsoft's and Sony's rules regarding the quantity of free DLC that a game can have resulted in the contents being incorporated into the Liars and Cheats pack instead.

Pre-Order Contents

Main article: Pre-order Bonuses
RDR GoldenGuns Screenshot-450x253

There were three bonuses for those who pre-ordered the game. The content itself was dependent on the vendor, as different shops provided different bonus content, with some even providing all three.

Box Contents

The original boxed version of the game includes the following materials:

  • Game disc on Blu-ray (PS3) or DVD (Xbox 360)
  • Game manual
  • Game map (approximately 29" x 18" or 72 cm x 46 cm) with a poster featuring Bonnie MacFarlane on the reverse side

Game of the Year Edition

On September 13, 2011, Rockstar announced that a Game of the Year Edition of Red Dead Redemption would be released on October 11, 2011.[1] This edition bundles the game with all downloadable content released to date. This edition also brings the Solomon's Folly gang hideout and the Walton's Gang Outfit to the Xbox 360.

The Game of the Year edition adds a Hardcore single-player difficulty option that was not previously available for the game.

Soundtrack

Main article: Red Dead Redemption Soundtrack

Game Guide

Main article: Brady Games Official Guide

Reception

Upon release, the game received widespread critical acclaim from all over the gaming industry. Aside from a few graphical glitches (noted by IGN and other gaming sites), its presentation, sound, and multiplayer were universally praised. While others such as GamePro have criticized the "occasional pop-in and repetitive missions", they also said it "expertly captures the Wild West", with 1UP giving similar praise and complaints. IGN gave the game 9.7/10' GamePro gave it 5/5 stars, and 1UP gave it an A.

The average score, according to Metacritic, is 95 out of 100 for both PS3 and Xbox 360 versions with 100% of critic reviews rated as "positive." The game won the title of "Game of the Year" from multiple publications as well as awards based on user and developer voting. Among these are the Spike VGAs 2010, Game Informer, Game Developers Choice Awards, GameSpy, and GameSpot. The soundtrack also received many awards.

GameSpy gave it 5/5 stars saying that Rockstar managed to create one of "the most impressive open worlds I've ever seen in a game, and it's telling that — even after playing for over 30 hours — all I want to do is get back on my horse and gallop back into the wilderness." VideoGamer gave it a 10/10 exclaiming "The game itself is absolutely spectacular... The sheer quality of Red Dead Redemption is evident right from the word go." They also said, "it's a magnificent piece of work that everybody should play."

The game's most "negative" review was made by Eurogamer, who gave it 8/10, stating that it "re-clothes" the Grand Theft Auto series with its "distinct and expertly realized scenario".

Other reviewers such as Edge, GameSpot, GameTrailers, PALGN and Game Informer, gave the game scores ranged between 9/10 to 10/10.

Eighth generation re-releases

The Xbox 360 version was made playable to Xbox One owners via backward compatibility on July 8, 2016. The PlayStation 3 version was made playable to PlayStation 4 owners via PlayStation Now on December 6, 2016. On April 10, 2018, the Xbox One backward compatibility version received a patch that enables Xbox One X owners to play the game in native 4K resolution.

On August 7, 2023, Rockstar Games announced versions of the single-player modes of the game and Undead Nightmare for the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch, which were released on August 17, 2023 digitally, and October 13, 2023 physically. The PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch versions were developed by Double Eleven Studios. Reactions to the announcement were mixed, with the trailer receiving mostly dislikes on YouTube; some journalists and players appreciated the game becoming available on modern consoles, but lamented the lack of visual and frame rate upgrades (at launch for the PlayStation 4 version), absence of a Windows release, omission of multiplayer, and US$49.99 price point. However, an update on October 4, 2023 for the PlayStation 4 version added an option to increase the frame rate from 30 to 60 frames-per-second when played on PlayStation 5 via backward compatibility.

Trivia

  • Red Dead Redemption is the first sandbox game from Rockstar that allows the player to enter an entirely different country (Mexico) as they progress through the campaign. 
  • The ending to Redemption bears a striking similarity to its spiritual predecessor, Red Dead Revolver, in which the protagonist comes home, believing things to finally be good in life, only to be killed in a sudden government attack, resulting in their wife's death as well, leaving the sole survivor of their family, their son, to achieve retribution on a government official.
  • Red Dead Redemption was very different during initial development; this can be seen here.
  • The ending is also similar to Rockstar's Grand Theft Auto IV, in which Niko Bellic carries out his final deal and attempts to leave his criminal life behind, only to have it taken from him with the death of either Roman or Kate at Roman's wedding. The final mission, "Remember My Family", also bears resemblance to Niko's revenge mission that he carries out after the wedding with Little Jacob to avenge a lost loved one.
  • The main plot of Red Dead Redemption itself draws from the 1969 western The Wild Bunch, in which a former outlaw is coerced into hunting down his former gang members during the closing days of frontier banditry. Indeed, the game itself has several references and plot beats that appear to be heavily inspired by the movie, including: the former outlaw pursuing the gang into Mexico after they flee there, a struggle during the Mexican Revolution between the military and rebels in which the gang becomes involved, and both the former gang leader in Red Dead Redemption and the second-in-command of the gang in The Wild Bunch sharing the name "Dutch."
  • The title is shown twice in the story - at the beginning during the first mission "Exodus in America", and the epilogue, "Remember My Family".
  • Unusually for a video game, especially one by Rockstar, the credits do not roll at the end of the last story mission, but rather after a "side" mission which constitutes the real ending.
  • In an episode of the American sitcom The Big Bang Theory, Sheldon can be seen playing Red Dead Redemption to "clear his head" when in a bad mood. He has John walk around Armadillo and then enter the saloon to drink whiskey.

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