Red Dead Redemption 2 took an absurdly long time to get engrossed in. I attempted to get into the game back in 2021, but could not get through Chapter 2. With how slow the beginning way, I couldn't find myself getting hooked. In the first three chapters I spent a good chunk of time just having the game paused, watching videos and forgetting to close out of the game. My recorded playtime is 119 hours but it may be more close to 90, realistically. It wasn't until part way through Chapter 3 where the game and its story clicked. Each of the characters began to open up and the story really began to pick up. The conflicts became tangible and the characters banter and humor each other as the writing warms up. The real start of the game is at this point, and the rest is simply opening up the cold exterior of the outlaws. The story's ride reflects that of the characters, and as the story warms up in its humor, it heats up in turmoil. As the game ropes you in, tragedy begins to befall the cast of bandits and it rips at the heartstrings. Playing this right after Cyberpunk 2077 was not the right call because I was crying like a baby.

The gameplay, as slow and repetitive it may be, is the perfect compliment to the story. One gameplay feature I want to look at is the gunplay. Having to cock your weapon before firing, and getting familiar with said weapon. It emphasizes how methodical one needs to be, and asks the player to slow their roll, just like what the story does. It asks for a lot of commitment to warm up to, but when you do it is o' so worth it. The conscious direction for the game to take so long to get into, while brilliant, is unfortunately its main hindrance. I wouldn't know what kind of writing would be necessary to rectify the opening of Red Dead Redemption 2, but that is this games main flaw. Other than that single flaw, lovely game, wonderful story and an awesome time!