I mean is this really a surprise when it comes to a game that intends to deliver the authentic western cowboy experience? Of course not. This isn’t GTA where your main mode of transportation is a motor vehicle (or a jetpack for those San Andreas homies) but this is an actual animal, a steed so to speak. The relationship between a man and a horse has always been reminiscent of that of a symbiote and Red dead 2 intends to deliver on that feel and relationship.
Those who’ve played Redemption 1 should be familiar with the games cowboy vibe and aspect when you played in the boots of good old John Marston who hunted down his own gang in exchange for the safety of his wife and son.
This time you play as Arthur Morgan in a prequel to that very story. Fighting alongside Dutch Van Der Linde, John Marston and the rest of your gang to escape the authorities on your tail after a botched up robbery in Blackwater.
Now naturally you can’t outrun the law of the wild west on foot, right? Of course not, and that’s where your horse comes in. Your loyal companion to be by your side as your steed through all manner of weather, bullet storms and other trials.
To emphasize the relationship with your horse, Rockstar has stated that your stallion won’t respawn upon death in the game. And given how often you’ll be on horseback, plus how focused the development and loyalty of your steed will build up over time, you do NOT want it to die just because of some doohickey with an unexpected dynamite explosion and an abrupt farewell to your old friend. Sure you can replace it with another horse but you’ll be losing all the progress you made with your deceased best friend.
Rockstar has definitely put their work out on the Red Dead Redemption 2 horses aspect. I mean their balls change size with the weather, what more could a gamer want? But besides that, they’ve made the in-game transportation more than just a way to get from point A to point B and that’s really special.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is releasing on October 26 for PS4 and Xbox One.
