Rockstar Games' 2018 smash hitRed Dead Redemption 2may have first launched back in 2018, but many fans agree that not a lot of games since have managed to match it. With its gorgeous environments, technical triumphs, and a plot that perfectly elegizes a diminishing way of life,Red Dead Redemption 2hit all the right notes and then some. Although the scope and ambition of the game impressed many, it’s actually the smaller details that have helped to cementRed Dead Redemption 2’s place in gaming history as one of the most impressively designed titles to date.
Among the gun-toting action, grandiose landscapes, and high-stakes narrative journeys,Red Dead Redemption 2is bursting with little features and specificities that might go unnoticed by many, but still help to build a beautiful experience. Some players might not pick up on these subtle details, such as the fact thatAbigail and John stand where they’ll eventually be laid to restin one scene, or that even after 1900 hours of playtime one gamer only just picked up on the fact that they can back up their horse.Red Dead Redemption 2is so full it’s easy to miss out on a whole host of things, but one major aspect that remains just as impressive today is the detail in the eyes of the characters.
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Many agree that 2010’sRed Dead Redemptionwas a great game, but its sequel blows it out of the water. Eight years may feel like a long time in between installments, but players agreed that the developer certainly made good use of its time when they got their hands onRed Dead Redemption 2. Everything was elevated, from the horse-riding mechanics to the astounding open world, and it was seen as the benchmark for game design. It’s almost been five years since its release, but not a lot of games have managed tolive up toRed Dead Redemption 2’s legacy, especially from a design perspective.
Playersexperience the game through Arthur Morgan, and even though he’s central toRed Dead Redemption 2’s story, it’s still surprising how much of a part of the world he feels. One of the most incredible aspects of this is his eyes, which will dilate depending on the light in his environment. They’ll also reflect what’s around them like the flicker of a flame or the sparkle of sunlight off the water, and redden realistically as Arthur’s health declines. This is generally unmatched in the industry and further demonstrates howRed Dead Redemption 2blurs the line between a work of art and a video game.
Some might dismiss aspects such as reflections in a character’s eyes as an unimportant part of the gameplay. However, even if fans didn’t pick up on this – or the other minute elements that showcased Rockstar’s incredibleattention to detail throughoutRed Dead Redemption 2– it adds to the overall sense that this game is a masterfully crafted and a well-thought-out creation. Combining all the aspects both big and small that come together to make a world that feels real, lived-in, and beautiful is an awe-inspiring feat. This is especially true in an industry where many AAA games are rushed to release in a half-finished state, and it makesRed Dead Redemption 2’s polished end product stand out even more.
These small touches demonstrate an unparalleled level of detail and immerse players in the world of a game like never before. Including thoseincredible details in Arthur Morgan’s eyesturns a potentially flat video game character into a believable, reactive conduit through which gamers can experience the world and elevates the whole game. Players might not have seen this care taken with the design of many titles before or since, but it still feels like the future of video games.
Red Dead Redemption 2is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.
