1 - Red Dead Redemption 2
I borrowed a copy of RDR2 from a friend, and I've played a bit of the introduction area.
I'm actually enjoying it quite a bit!
Some things I like:
• The first game had some "riding on a horse with someone, with your characters having a conversation" scenes. Those scenes are still here, but they've been improved - you actually get branching dialogue choices. They're generally not hugely meaningful choices, but I really appreciate getting to make choices like that!
2 - Red Dead Redemption 2
• While I generally prefer to have character customisation, I think this is the correct way to have a predefined character. You start in medias res, after a botched heist caused your gang to go on the run, stranded and starving in a snow storm. Over the course of the first few missions, you start piecing together some of what happenned, and learn about both the characters around you and the character that you're playing, Arthur.
3 - Red Dead Redemption 2
• The three main characters so far actually have some really strong characterisation - they're all outlaws, and the game makes sure you know that none of them are "good guys".
The leader of the gang is obsessed with the past.
The side character Micah (who I'll talk about in a bit) is an asshole.
Your character is a little too keen on violence and torture.
5 - Red Dead Redemption 2
I've played a few more missions, and you get to spend more time with the other characters and learn about them! Yay!
I'm not yet in the open world section of the game, so I expect to find out, but...
Why does this have such a negative reception, when GTA V was considered very positively?
4 - Red Dead Redemption 2
My only real problems (so far):
• There are a number of people of colour and women in the gang, which is great! But they're all side characters.
• Micah is a genuine asshole. He's not a fun in depth character, he's an irritating childish (and racist) prat. I hate it when he's in any scene, and not in the "you love to hate this character" way. Put one of the PoC or women in his narrative place! That would be so much better!