Red Dead Redemption 2 is my favourite game of all time period. It is a masterclass in storytelling, it's world never stops surprising me. Its secrets are still being discovered to this day. The gameplay feels amazing and the hunting system is on another level. It's massive campaign, distinct characters, honour system, soundtrack, score, story beats is all of which I find perfectly executed. I have rebeat it more times than any other game. I highly recommend a high honour play through, and I am of the belief that it is the best story path for it. It is what gifted me so many feels. Arthur Morgan, no matter how you play, is still a deep and phenomenal protagonist, this is all thanks to the amazing writing team and the performance by Roger Clark. Every character is fleshed out, and the more you investigate into them, the deeper they go. I remember the first time I walked into Dutch's tent and found a script by his bedside of the speech he just gave in the mission before. This is a testament to how far games have come. And even in 2023 it feels as if it could have came out yesterday. Theres so much to say, but some things just need to be experienced. I have never felt so fulfilled by a game, it is my definition of perfection.

I knew I was going to love this, but it surpassed my incredibly high expectations and had worked its way up to my #2 spot of all time. The story here is rich, well thought out with a few of the best arcs I've ever seen in all of gaming, among other mediums for one in particular. The gameplay is snappy, you have to find a rhythm, it is what I taught myself with the 2018 predecessor. This one adds even more to the flow. I was astonished throughout at the techniques I applied to battle. As a game about a war general this is essential. The bosses blew me away, the level structure was such a treat and the more open world sections had this linear feel because of the attention to detail and the additions across every corner. The side missions were great, with its relevance to the story enhancing the whole thing. Sindri's character was among my favourites but I can't say there was anyone I rolled my eyes at when I saw them, they all served their purposes. The villains too; had so much depth, there was one that was so unbelievably hatable and man oh man did they nail the writing even on that one. It's story made me tear up several times and the score kicked ass throughout but that last song, the very last one, the one they hinted toward throughout. That one gives me more than goosebumps, it gives me hoppy blood. The third act was the greatest treat, but the game never went for more than fifteen minutes without giving me something to drop my jaw in awe at. I love love loved it and can't wait to see what the team comes up with next.

I love driving in this, I love the graphics, I love how it made me more interested in cars. The obvious problems with the game are progression based, its the always online , the roulettes giving the lowest thing every spin (I've must've spun over forty times at least, and I can only recall once getting something above the bottom tier: stack of coins). The micro transactions are on Fortnite levels as in $27 and you can have Kratos, its expensive to get in-game currency and its a long grind once the campaign is complete. This all being said, I got lost in hours of gameplay. The races can be tough, and some demand upward of twenty minutes of perfect execution with just enough accessibility options to not let you fail, and even with all of it turned on, you must keep your engagement. It is a phenomenal balance of challenge. I constantly find myself leaning toward my television, this is fun, and somehow has found a way into my heart despite all the negatives I listed. The devs cared about this, cars feel unique. Parts feel unique, the weather system is quite breathtaking from time to time. And I loved the campaign structure of collecting cars to progress through the story. Even the ending made me laugh out loud, probably wasn't the intention, but it made me admire it more. The car customization is extensive and has a sticker search engine which gifted me opportunities such as making a Communist Seinfield Mustang. (Flag of china across the top, Seinfield logo on the hood, with blends of green and red across the vehicle. In case you're wondering), People put lots of fun IP into this online database, and I found myself laughing my ass off to what I could come up with. I'm still playing to this day, and will happily continue to.

EDIT: They have improved the rate you make money, and I found that if you wait a day or so the raffles produce better results (Although I think thats a problem still), I have also found the addictiveness of both the online matchmaking and the license centre, the demand it has for perfection, perfecto. The game has earned a half star ;)