Rockstar overachieves in some areas, then underachieves in others... again.
Pros:
- Graphics look beautiful, animations flow well, details are amazing.
- Big sandbox environment, lots of areas to explore.
- Various side missions, random encounters, and storyline make for a lengthy experience.
Cons:
- Controls are lacking. Aiming is sporatic, making Dead Eye a requirement to shoot anyone before they gun you down; camera can't keep up with the action; cover system needs work, sticking you to the wrong cover half the time leaving you exposed, not letting you shoot from half the cover you do stick to properly, and there are clipping problems with hits still penetrating cover.
- The big sandbox environment is mostly boring desert, rock or plains. Really just a lot of nothing to see until you reach settlements.
- John Marston runs slow, horses run slow, trains run slow, pretty much everything is slow. Maybe that's the point, since the alternative is blazing speeds with cars or planes in other games, but i've never been so bored with riding a horse in all my life. At least there's fast travel through improved campsites or via carriage, but then you miss out on the random encounters. Which isn't too bad, since half the random encounters end up getting you killed.
- Duels are next to impossible. Hitting the button when the crosshairs turn white is a timing nightmare. The crosshair pulses need to be slower.
- Gambling is hit or miss. Card games are as expected, but other games aren't programmed well.
- John Marston is not a likable or interesting character. Cinematic interactions & pretty much all dialog portray him to be quick of mouth but slow of brain.
- Can't swim?! I though Rockstar fixed this back in GTA: San Andreas. Just disappointing.
Really thought i'd be wow'd by this game based on reviews and word of mouth. If you stick exclusively to the storyline, all the issues probably don't compound as much, but if you want to be thorough, prepare to be frustrated and let down.