As mentioned last week, if you are a part of the Giant Bomb Discord and are a premium member, find the comment from Bakalar about Fandom looking to conduct interviews by "Giant Bomb Superfans."Fandom wants YOU to tell them what you'd like to see on the site and why you still enjoy what's going on here.
@nickhead: Hi! I actually wrote the RDR review for the old GB e-zine at the time, so maybe I can offer some insight to why it was, and still is, so beloved.
Setting: The death of the West is a great theme. Constantly you (Marston) are confronted with the changing of the times as it slowly creeps its way westward. All around you you see signs of the changing times, and how you are a relic of the past, your kind going extinct. This really goes great with Marston's character arc, really highlighted in the conclusion of his story, but also reflected as he chases down the old members of his gang - they too know they are quickly becoming outdated and no longer fit, and they are all struggling with it in their own ways, just like Marston. It's just great.
Characters: I think the writing is pretty great. This is obviously subjective, but I really enjoyed the variety of characters and the dialogue. This is a Rockstar strong point (at least to me, barring GTA's tiredness), and not a surprise to me that I find myself really engaged with the players in the narrative. I can see how characters like Seth would be off-putting, but I generally like all of them, especially the Irishman and the old Gunslinger you encounter in Mexico.
Overall Quality: Just a lot of content. The strangers stuff was a big step up over GTA IV's Strangers and Freaks, and often gave you glimpses into other stories going on in the universe. You honestly meet the Devil in a side quest who gives you a huge insight into the finality of the game, and it's just fantastic. From the variety of things to do (I don't mean the mini-games, which are mostly superfluous, but the variety of game systems working in tandem offering a sort of playground to noodle with), to focus on minutia, it's just a pleasure. The online mode gave a really exciting glimpse into what the future with GTA:O would be, and is probably the game's most significant lasting contribution to the Rockstar brand. I happen to have always been the shotguns and revolvers and bolt action rifles guy in games, so that stuff was only a pleasure for me. For what it is worth, there are a couple automatic weapons in there if this is a sticking point. It is 1911, after all, so of course Colt's most famous would make an appearance.
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