Red Dead Redemption Multiplayer Impressions (360)
By Kevin Haverty
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Saddling up for the multiplayer of Red Dead Redemption, the biggest difference from other online experiences is the absence of a lobby. After picking “Multiplayer” from the menu, gamers are thrust into a free roam of the open game world with up to 16 other players. This is a great tool for getting players right into the action.
Once in the open world, there are a handful of things to do – discovering gang hideouts and flushing them out, shooting waves of dangerous game or going out Bonnie and Clyde style against the lawmen to earn XP. Earning XP levels up the character and unlocks titles, character models and mounts that can range from donkeys to bison. Instead of forming a party, RDR features the ability to join a posse of up to 8 players to tackle the aforementioned events, as well as other Player vs. Player modes.
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Some of the more traditional multiplayer modes, like deathmatch and “Capture the Bag” are also included in Red Dead Redemption. Free-for-all matches start with a shootout that usually ends up like the final scene of Reservoir Dogs. While in a posse, gangs can take on other gangs in the team deathmatch mode dubbed “Gang Warfare.”
While it doesn’t seem like a serious competitor to the likes of Halo and Modern Warfare 2, Red Dead Redemption is a fantastic alternative to the first-person shooters. Players might encounter the occasional glitch, but Rockstar has addressed glitches and promised a fix. The promise of downloadable content also looks to keep fans sticking with Rockstar’s Western outing.
For more info, www.rockstargames.com/reddeadredemption
Pads & Panels received a copy of the game courtesy of the publisher for review purposes.
