Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most impressive looking video games out there, with the authenticity in both gameplay and visuals perhaps unmatched in gaming. Recently, a fan created a video to celebrate what they call one of the most cinematic games they've ever played, as Red Dead Redemption 2 could almost be a western film.
There's a reason why Red Dead Redemption 2 reviewed so well when it launched in 2018. The game focuses on cinematography in ways that most games don't even dream of, as the gameplay finds creative ways to give reasons for the players to explore every nook and cranny of the carefully crafted world. The game really stood out for YouTuber Rasko Hokulic, and they created a video called "Project Red Dead" to show off some of their favorite moments from their campaign run-through.
The video is beautiful, showing off a mix of cinematic nature shots with tense story beats from the game. It is designed to look like a movie trailer, and it feels like something that would be right at home in theaters. In using the cinematic camera and the stripped away HUD from Red Dead Redemption 2, Rasko Hokulic is able to truly show off the beauty of the game,
While the game is already very story-focused, the video highlights intense moments like riding towards a firey battle, characters soaked in blood, and some of the game's best quotes. This certainly isn't the first time, or likely the last, that fans have created videos with Red Dead Redemption 2. One fan even recently recreated one of the iconic scenes from Dicaprio's Revenant.
It feels like this Rockstar creation will be one that fans gravitate to for some time creatively. The sandbox nature of the game, story, and visuals allow for fans to use it as a backdrop for inspiration. Fans even recently created miniatures for Red Dead Redemption 2, as creators find ways to make art both within the game itself and outside of it.
For a time, western films were the hallmark of Hollywood. The term "Western" instantly means movies, even if the true definition of the word is simply a direction. Video games have not been able to catch on in that way for this specific theme. One would think that cowboy games are a perfect setup for gaming, but fantasy, military, or sci-fi games have all certainly been more prominent. Still, Red Dead Redemption 2's beauty is a constant reminder of how perfect of a western game Rockstar created.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is available now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.