Red Dead Redemption Has the Opposite ‘Problem’ of AC, Ghost of Tsushima

Red Dead Redemption Has the Opposite 'Problem' of AC, Ghost of Tsushima

As a seasoned gamer with decades of gaming experiences under my belt, I can confidently say that the Wild West setting of the Red Dead Redemption franchise is nothing short of spectacular. It’s like stepping into a John Ford movie, where every sunset is a breathtaking painting and every character has a story worth telling.


The characters and tales within the Red Dead Redemption series have garnered well-deserved recognition across the gaming world. Although these personas and plots are worthy of praise in their own right, it cannot be denied that the franchise’s Wild West backdrop serves as the foundation upon which everything else thrives.

The Red Dead Redemption series is widely recognized as offering an unparalleled gaming experience depicting the Old West, capturing one of history’s most intriguing periods in a compelling manner. While Rockstar Games has consistently thrived in this setting, few other games in the market explore the narrative potential of the Old West to the same extent. Over time, this unique focus on the Old West has undeniably shaped Red Dead, distinguishing it from the multitude of recent AAA titles that have adopted Feudal Japan as their central theme instead.

The Old West Deserves the Same Competition as Feudal Japan in Modern Gaming

Since as early as 2004 with the release of Red Dead Revolver, Rockstar has been making a mark in the Old West genre, accumulating two decades’ worth of expertise in this setting. Initially, Revolver was more reminiscent of the action-packed gunfights found in traditional Western games. However, Rockstar later developed profound and impactful narratives in Red Dead Redemption and its critically acclaimed 2018 sequel.

In 2009, the initial release of “Red Dead Redemption” brought a fresh perspective to the Old West video game genre. At that time, games like “Gun” and “Call of Juarez” were also gaining popularity. It’s worth noting that “Red Dead Redemption” might have been one of the first games in this genre to truly bring humanity to the era by weaving a compelling narrative and developing well-rounded characters. This point is even more valid for its sequel, “Red Dead Redemption 2”.

In addition to an engaging and memorable storyline, Red Dead Redemption 2 is highly praised for its intricately designed gameplay. This includes bonding with horses, maintaining weapons, and a complex honor system, making it justifiably regarded as the pinnacle of the Old West genre in gaming. The excitement surrounding, and success achieved by, Red Dead Redemption 2 can be partly explained by the scarcity of similar Old West titles, particularly within the contemporary AAA industry, resulting in a noticeable void in the market.

In the Wild West environment, where there wasn’t much competition among industries, Rockstar had more time to cultivate Red Dead Redemption 2 without feeling pressured to match other games. This is a luxury that many iconic gaming settings today can’t afford due to fierce competition, such as Feudal Japan, which has a high level of rivalry among developers.

Feudal Japan Settings Are Sink or Swim in the Modern Gaming Space

Over the years, I’ve noticed an impressive diversity in games set in Feudal Japan, a setting that’s been used extensively. From Software’s masterpieces like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice have blended this era with their signature otherworldly chaos, creating a unique gaming experience. On the flip side, titles such as Ghost of Tsushima have delivered a more authentic portrayal of the period, earning critical acclaim. Now, I’m eager to see how Ghost of Yotei will build upon this success and push the boundaries even further in the world of Feudal Japan gaming.

The abundance of Feudal Japan games has raised the bar for upcoming titles set in that era, putting extra pressure on Ubisoft to deliver an exceptional Japanese-themed Assassin’s Creed (AC) game, which is causing delays in the release of Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Meanwhile, the Red Dead Redemption series has avoided the strain of competition among AAA titles for Old West supremacy; it would be fascinating to observe how a touch of competition could influence and enhance both the franchise and the setting in the future.

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2024-10-19 19:03