Rockstar gives a video game lesson

There is so much to say about the game that you do not even know where to start. Well, we could go back two seconds to our theory, the one that wants the developers to demystify John Marston after having deified in the first Red Dead Redemption. Just to clarify it immediately: we are all wrong. In fact, Dan Houser, Mike Unsworth and Rupert Humphries – who scratched the screenplay of Red Dead Redemption 2 – imagined something more nuanced, more subtle, to prevent events from being sewn with white thread. We were convinced, however, that Marston was going to be crawled over like a shit, a feeling reinforced by the opening generic sublime. While in 2010, we had to go all the way to see the huge "RED DEAD REDEMPTION" repaint screen, Rockstar Games decided this time to shoot us from the outset. Realtors do not know it too well: in general, the act of purchase is triggered in the first two minutes of the visit. This is exactly what we feel with Red Dead Redemption 2 which, in a few seconds, makes us understand that we are facing an extraordinary game. So we can debate for ten lead on the sacrifices it took the developers, create dramas on Twitter after swallowing for years the soup in which we spit, but when we have the privilege to have in the hands a such a work of art, one closes it and one kiffe.

Dan and Sam Houser were visionary in choosing the name of their studio: today, the video game rockstars, it's them. They are all up there, among the constellations, at a level that even the big names in the industry will probably never be able to reach.

Of course, we will not tell you anything about the history of the game, but know that we are well within the 60 hours recently announced by Dan Houser, excluding quest schedules. No question of illusion with farming like Assbadin's Creed Odyssey, the main missions are linked at a crazy speed by offering a level of variety rarely reached. We will probably have the opportunity to talk about it once everyone has finished Red Dead Redemption 2, but there are expeditions that mark not only their crazy atmosphere, but also their mechanics of gameplay. Obviously not, the game does not invent anything, and it should be in bad faith to support the opposite. The thing is, Rockstar Games explores areas where no other studio has been able to venture so far. Let's be clear: here, we do not talk about the power of consoles and the technologies they can develop, we just talk about ideas. To create a universe that is as coherent, organic and harmonious, it's not enough to work on a game for eight years; that would be known. No, we must opt ​​for an intelligent approach so that each of the elements fits perfectly, an area in which the ATM box has no equivalent; maybe Naughty Dog, but on a smaller scale. And then, there is this writing … Still, this is not the first thing that comes to mind when we talk about Rockstar Games, but Red Dead Redemption 2 is full of dialogs that smash. Every time that Dutch opens his mouth, it beats up.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GET YOUR HORSE READY!"

It's not just him, everyone else is making a difference, starting with Arthur Morgan, one of van der Linde's most faithful disciples. Authoritarian both in his approach and when he draws his weapon, he is the anti-John Marston par excellence. If the latter was in the most redemption redemption in Red Dead Redemption, Morgan, however, follows the orders of his Dutch mentor. Whether it is robbing a bank, attacking a stagecoach, or even stealing bearer bonds on a train, it's zero mood. If this strong bond which unites the two bosses of the gang constitutes the base script of Red Dead Redemption 2, other strong characters revolve all around them. For example, Sadie Adler whose husband was murdered badly by a clan, and who joined the band of Dutch in the hope of revenge. Through it, hard not to see a desire of Rockstar Games to silence criticism that the studio has never included strong women in his productions. Believe us, these people will be served, not only with her. Already present in the first Red Dead, Bill Williamson is a little broken arm of the group. He tries to be a good man, but he knows deep down that he does not serve much in spite of his ex-military status. It's impossible not to mention Hosea Matthews, van der Linde's right-hand man who, unlike his sidekick, uses his brain before making his guns talk. Ultra clbady despite his advanced age, it can be said of him that he is the philosopher of the clan. Also present in Red Dead Redemption, Javier Escuella has a mouth that can hardly be forgotten. His particularly dark eyes inspire fear in people who cross him, and he feels no emotion when sticking a bullet between the eyes.

Of course, Jack and Abigail Marston are there, alongside John who does not really like the band. The many hints from the intro of the game suggest that it is not a reliable member, Dutch does not understand why the case of Blackwater could bad so much. You already know, the list is long and we could continue to list the characters for hours; we prefer to leave you the pleasure of discovery. What is amazing is that we were convinced that after the trio of GTA 5 (Michael, Franklin, Trevor), Rockstar Games would never do without this formula so it has marked the spirits. This is the card of the lonely man that plays Red Dead Redemption 2, while relying on the experience gained in Los Santos. Indeed, each NPC has a well-researched history; not only those of the gang, but also most of the individuals encountered in the city or in the depths of nature. The developers have gone far, far to make you want to move away from the main campaign, to listen to what he says in the saloon or shop corner, and not with skits of two lines. We are entitled to real scripted quests cut, sometimes, in several parts. And all that is not fixed, that is to say that a weak character at the beginning can very well, later, reveal itself with a strength of character that we did not even suspect. In the other direction, supposed burnt heads will collapse at the first difficulty. When you know that behind 1,200 actors were asked to create the NPC, and 700 are able to hold a dialogue (80 pages of script for each of them), it gives you an idea of ​​the thing.

There's no need to go there: Red Dead Redemption 2 is the most beautiful open-world ever created. He buries the competition and proves brilliantly that the games called "corridors" do not have the monopoly of the realization.

If we repeat for months and months that there will be a before and after Red Dead Redemption 2, it is because a lot of nonsense will be difficult to tolerate now. At Rockstar Games, it does not make sense that a NPC foolishly repeats the same sentence twice. So, if you do not pay attention when he speaks, it's dead. With a little luck, he may paraphrase perhaps, but you must not take them for morons. Even in the answer choices, it will get gray after two-three replicas. In short, it changes squarely from what is done elsewhere. Another example: the secondary missions that Arthur Morgan is not obliged to accept. That's right, there is nothing new in this, except that in Red Dead Redemption 2, if you decline the NPC request, it's over until the end of the adventure. Severe but ultra realistic. So think carefully before making your choice, especially as progressing in the game, some quests will disappear for the benefit of others. Yes, the scenario of the game taking place over several months, individuals having each their own life cycle, it would not have been sensible to let missions melt in the same place. It is also a clever way to ensure the game a replay value in reinforced concrete: as far as we are concerned, we have already embarked on a second run to discover all the little stories we have gone through. We will not go so far as to say that it is as complex as Detroit: Become Human in terms of variables (even if it's unheard of for an open-world), but accepting the slightest need of an NPC can lead to a handful of side missions that we could have missed if we had not paid attention.

RINGARDIZE COMPETITION

In the same delusion, we also note that the NPCs react according to our quickdraw, our behavior and our actions. Thus, if you enter somewhere as a brute, you will immediately think. After a successful robbery, we happened to be invited to a conversation when we had not specifically planned to take part, without pressing the slightest touch. We are challenged at the other end of the camp, we come to get us if we do not move, and here we are with the friends around the fire trying to break the case. If you spend too much time searching a house while the rest of the gang is waiting outside, you will be called several times with different intonations. It does not happen once in the game, huh? It's systematic, it's na-tu-rel. As in Red Dead Redemption, a gauge of honor allows us to know how we are considered by others, that we multiply the heroic acts (without becoming an angel, of course) or that we do in the dirty . In the shoes of the Good Samaritan, it will be easier to trade with the NPCs and fill their pockets as a bounty hunter, and the shops will even give us rebates. It is unclear whether there is a link or not, but after committing a crime, the witness who was there did not bother to alert the police. To check. By deciding to switch to the dark side, people will look at us sideways, doors will remain closed, and to use the example of the witness, it will be easier to intimidate the potential scales.

In the first Red Dead, it is remembered that by acting disgustingly, John Marston aroused the admiration of gangs who offered him, suddenly, to make robberies together. Better, by going to Thieves Landing, there was way to take advantage of welcome discounts. We do not know if this is still the case in Red Dead Redemption 2, but you can count on us to keep you informed once the test is released. Anyway, what is extremely interesting with the tonnage of honor, it is this refusal of Manicheism: that one is on one side or the other, there are advantages and disadvantages ; and it's even more powerful with consequences that we do not necessarily understand right away. In the end, we end up weighing constantly the pros or cons – must we help the girl lost in the middle of nowhere, must we attack the banker comfortably installed in his diligence, or is it better to give a hand to the local sheriff. The possibilities are many, the consequences sometimes heavy. Since we have just spoken of sheriff, this is the time to discuss the Pinkerton, the famous private agency whose agents travels the Wild West in search of criminals. Well, in Red Dead Redemption 2, it is not mandatory to cut the throat of an individual to be run by the cops. A simple scramble can cause the brothel.

Before moving on after our test, let's pause a few moments on the horse, true icon of westerns, which, insists, has never been the subject of much attention in a video game. Those who had slobbered on that of The Witcher 3 risk being shocked (in the good sense of the word) by seeing that of Red Dead Redemption 2.

More concretely, once the exaction is committed, the security forces hurry on site to crisscross the sector. If you are still in the corner – that is inside the red zone indicated on the radar – they will do everything to make your arrest. It is only once you have been on the run that the "WANTED" gauge begins to decrease. Easy enough? Not really, and for two reasons. The first is that even if you manage to escape, you end up with a search notice and bounty hunters in the bad. The second reason is that Pinkerton is not famous for recruiting firearms beginners. Understand that his agents are remarkably above average, especially when they want you dead or alive. In this case, it's not just two-three guys who are trying to catch you, but a group of madmen trying to stoop. It should be noted that the research can extend to an entire region and that all local establishments and services (due diligence, train stations, shops, etc.) are temporarily closed. Fortunately, we can pay the premium we are subject to so that the state of alert is lifted. Always in this concern for extreme coherence, changing outfit, shaving or going to the hairdresser avoids being recognized too easily by the witnesses who know what we look like. Simple, but still had to think about it.

A GAME CHANGER

With such a huge playground, exploration plays a central role in Red Dead Redemption 2. While the first episode was mostly desert-like, the developers came up with a whole new set of scenes. Saint-Denis is undeniably the city that stands out. Symbol of industrialization and "civilization" hated by Dutch and its clique, it seduced by its architecture that is reminiscent of that of New Orleans. It is a pleasure to listen and listen to the French speaking in English with this accent of our home. Ambiance Louisiana requires, we are entitled to the famous bayous where crocodiles love to hang out. You already know that the adventure allows you to explore snow-capped mountains, but you may not be aware that Red Dead Redemption 2 is home to areas with significant vegetation. We immediately make the connection with Uncharted 4 and its lush jungle: there, we are clearly a step above, promised. Those who do not really want to swallow miles with their horses can always go through the fast travels. The latter work either with stagecoaches or with the trains, or with a rapid movement card that is unlocked by improving the camp. Like other open-world, indicators allow to go from point A to a point without getting lost on the road, knowing that it is possible to activate a Cinema view which is responsible for maintaining our horse on the way (even if you can take the reins at any time). Hyper practice, since it allows to focus on the dialogues that never stop with Rockstar Games, you know it well.

Before moving on after our test, let's pause a few moments on the horse, true icon of westerns, which, insists, has never been the subject of much attention in a video game. Those who had drooled over that of The Witcher 3 may be shocked (in the good sense of the word) seeing that of Red Dead Redemption 2. It's not just a question of graphics, it is also and above all a question of reactions to the world around us. Something stupid: when our horse hears a shot, she gets scared. It makes sense, but that's the kind of detail that other studios do not necessarily think about, and it's this kind of detail that makes Rockstar Games revolutionize open-world. Another example: if we go to venture up a mountain and our horse stays down, we can whistle it, it will not hear us. It will be up to us to get closer to get it back. Ditto a predator will roam around: our companion will be wary and will move back. Before we become one with our horse, before it finally becomes an extension of Arthur Morgan, we will have to spend time with him, treat him properly, and create a bond. Take the time to attach it to a pole instead of leaving it in the middle of the path, clean it, calm it when it's frightened, feed it, this is an example of the actions that allow you to cross the different levels of affection. In addition, we access new maneuvers very useful in case of danger (rearing, turn slippery, etc ..) And it becomes more complicated to make you fly. Well yes, we fly well that of others, so why they could not do it?

One of the strengths of Red Dead Redemption 2 is to offer a streamlined interface despite all the parameters that must be taken into account.

Honestly, we have never been so attached to a horse in a video game; so when he dies (he also has a core of health and energy) and is unable to revive him, it is hard to cash. Already because his eyes filled with suffering tears the heart, and then because we will have to recreate a link with another horse, even if the team can own up to three companions. Obviously, there are several races that behave differently, not to mention all the accessories that are intended for them. Some of the ancillary activities include taking part in a business of wild horses that can be resold, then to receleurs. As for the saddle, it is used to store the equipment of Arthur Morgan. Moreover, we can see some objects on our mount, including the weapons that the character removed from the saddle or puts on the weapons that we decide to take with us. The horse is also practical for hunting if only to transport the skin, the fur, or the corpse of slaughtered game. The opportunity to remember – just in case – that the quality of the meat is taken into account and that we must therefore be careful not to bring down the animals as a barbarian. If there are too many impacts, if the injuries are too great, the value of the goods will fall. Same if we leave the corpses too long on our horse: the decomposition will begin, and we can even see flies fly at times. You have to admit that to complete the game in time, we did not spend hours hunting, but Hosea showed us how to use bait to attract animals – including the legendary ones – how to track them with clues betraying their pbadage (thanks to the Eye of Lynx), and how to approach them without being spotted.

A LIVING WORLD, A COHERENT WORLD

Like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, we can cook our own dishes not only from the meat that we have recovered, but also the flowers we have picked. We will not list all the ingredients of the game, but know that there are many recipes. Naturally, depending on the food, the effects will be different, hence the need to take time when you are close to the fire, especially that Arthur Morgan is able to mount a mini-camp anywhere and any what moment. There is so much to discover in terms of flora and fauna that the encyclopedia is a true Bible to know where everything is. With so many strong personalities in the Dutch band, it would have been unfortunate that Rockstar Games did not give an important place to the management of the camp. This is the case, and one would even be tempted to say that there is more life in this camp than in any other open-world. We have already said tons about the interaction between characters, so we prefer to focus on improving the base. Everyone will have to contribute in one way or another. Next to van der Linde's tent is a crate where liquids or valuables can be stored, knowing that at each break, part of the loot is delivered directly to the camp, the rest being dispatched between the members who participated in the mission. Nearby, a register allows to know which are the ones who decarcated the most, and those who do not jerk one. Moreover, it is not uncommon to hear the members s'invectiver because some people stall instead of increasing the robberies. While going to visit the chef Pearson, we can give him game to feed the group and craft some objects. The developers have said, improving your camp will not be mandatory to progress in the adventure, but those who will strive to do so will be generously rewarded.

Organic as possible, determined to impose new standards in terms of interaction, the game still offers more conventional gameplay mechanics, except perhaps the cores that offer a perfect compromise between old-fashioned HP bars and the automatic regeneration of health has become unavoidable for several years. Basically, to be shot down, it will be necessary that the core and the gauge that accompanies it are completely empty. The small subtlety is that if the core is at a low level, the health meter will fill more slowly. Conversely, if your character is in good shape, he will find his mind faster. Clever, especially since it will consume specific items to revitalize the core. And this is not only about health, since the Dead Eye and Arthur Morgan's energy are also subject to this rule. A lot of parameters come to impact these nuclei, like the weight of the hero, like. If he is too wrapped, he will be more robust but will get tired more quickly, and if he does not eat enough, he will less easily accept the damage but will be more enduring. As in Breath of the Wild, it will be necessary to pay attention to the clothes that one wears to avoid being too hot or too cold, and thus to grill the kernel of health. By finding amulets and by obtaining certain objects, the nuclei can be boosted. Finally, let's not forget that the level of health, energy and Dead Eye evolves if we multiply the actions that require endurance, skill, or power. As you can see, this system is extremely effective.

If there is a key that the game absolutely can not happen, it's LT / L2; it is from her that most of the interactions depend. By targeting an individual and pressing the second trigger left so we can access different contextual actions. Yes, contextual, because the choice will not be the same according to the mood of the NPC that we will face.

We also focused on gunfights, a very important aspect when we talk about Wild West. Already at the top eight years ago, they are still in Red Dead Redemption 2, the developers of Rockstar have adapted them to the philosophy of the game. Arthur Morgan will be able to enjoy fifty weapons (rifles, rifles, pistols , arcs among others) and customize them by changing the barrel, or even adding a telescope. While some elements are purely cosmetic, others have a real impact on the performance of the machine (damage, accuracy, range, etc.). So, going regularly to the gunsmith to perfect his arsenal is anything but gadget, especially if you run out of oil to clean your weapons, he will be able to give you a hand. Wear, precisely, requires to take care of his equipment not to end up with damaged guns and statistics bad. Owning a case protects them from dirt and thus slows down deterioration. In addition, it should be noted that if the same weapon is often used, the character will tend to use it better over time; we can also see it by looking at the stats that have increased significantly. Another point: the possibility of buying different types of balls depending on the use you want to make. For example, high velocity cartridges will be the best at long range, while express bales have the ability to put an enemy out of harm's way at the first impact. This is not all, because if you do not find your happiness in the armorer's catalog, know that there is way to make your own ammunition, including explosive bullets that hurt a lot. And picking the right plants, we can coat our arrows with a poison particularly toxic. We tell you again, they thought of everything.

ONE BEFORE AND ONE AFTER RED DEAD 2

The only thing we could blame for the gunfights is the coverage system that is a victim of chiaded level design. The hideouts are so numerous and their forms so different that sometimes the aim is not optimal; and this is where we realize the lack of an option to change the shoulder. Even with the FPS view (we can do the entire game in subjective view, by the way), it's still a hbadle and we are forced to shift with the risk of exposure to enemy fire. A little further up, we talked about the Dead Eye. In order to be complete on the subject, let us specify that there are different ways of exploiting it. The more basic one allows to slacken the time to better adjust the opponents, while the next stage authorizes the marking of the targets with the legendary red crosses. Behind, there is a third level which, this time, highlights the critical points of the enemies. Ideal to eliminate them in a minimum of balls. Hand-to-hand combat also has a say in Red Dead Redemption 2, and even if you do not expect a big fight – in other words, the commands are not more advanced than that – it's enough for Arthur Morgan to break mouths. In broad outline, we can put straight, counter, dodge, and even grab the guy across the neck to place a whim. When he is stunned, it's time to take the opportunity to chase the blows, or even put it on the ground to complete it. Always with that sense of detail that Red Dead Redemption 2 never leaves, bruises, abrasions, bruises appear when you cash hooks. We feel all the brutality of the fighting, especially when the mud gets involved.

Crazy from head to toe, Arthur Morgan luckily has the opportunity to take a hot bath at the village hotel. Leaving a few extra pieces, a young lady will come to keep him company while helping to rub his hair, arms and legs. To not have to dirty his clothes, we can very well opt for the infiltration that has become indispensable in any self-respecting open-world. Crouching to make as little noise as possible, we have the opportunity to approach enemies to neutralize them discreetly. Unlike Assbadin's Creed, you can not hide in the bushes outside the missions planned for, of course. What is well seen, however, is that Arthur Morgan, during some quests, advises his acolytes to use force or act in the shadows. Well, maybe we are bad, but we only managed once to complete a mission only in infiltration mode. The guards were four in number and the area quite restricted. After, the goal of Red Dead Redemption 2 is certainly not to walk on the borders of the Brotherhood. We notice quite quickly that the enemies are not followers of the big rounds – which would slip in their backs – and then it spares us some inconsistencies of the type the guy next door hears nothing while his partner is in to agonize. On the other hand, to conceal the bodies remains necessary.

To create a universe that is as coherent, organic and harmonious, it's not enough to work on a game for eight years; that would be known. No, we must opt ​​for an intelligent approach so that each of the elements fits perfectly, an area in which the ATM box has no equivalent; maybe Naughty Dog, but on a smaller scale.

One of the strengths of Red Dead Redemption 2 is to offer a streamlined interface despite all the parameters that must be taken into account. Indeed, by default, only a radar dress screen on the bottom left, the cores and gauges only appear when they are requested. On a la possibilité de réduire le radar, de l’élargir, et même de le désactiver (sauf les noyaux), ce qui renforce grandement l’immersion. S’il y a bien une touche dont le jeu ne peut absolument pas se pbader, c’est LT/L2 ; c’est d’elle que dépendent la plupart des interactions. En ciblant un individu et en pressant la seconde gâchette de gauche donc, on pourra accéder à différentes actions contextuelles. Oui, contextuelles, car le choix ne sera pas le même selon l’humeur du PNJ que l’on aura en face. Par exemple, s’il se montre menaçant, on pourra le dévaliser, voler son cheval, ou encore le provoquer ; et c’est dynamique car on fonction de sa réaction, d’autres options s’offriront à nous. Face à une demoiselle badise sur un banc, il y aura moyen d’entamer une conversation et de la continuer jusqu’à ce que les choix se grisent. En appuyant sur LB/L1, on accède à la roue des armes qui est badez claire pour que l’on comprenne que le stick droit permet de sélectionner tel ou tel flingue. En maintenant LB/L1, puis en pressant RB/R2, on pbade cette fois-ci à la roue des objets. Vous vous en doutez, le cheval n’est pas en reste puisqu’une fois à côté de lui, Arthur Morgan pourra le caresser, le nourrir, le guider, ou bien le brosser. En fouillant dans la selle, il pourra choisir les armes et objets qu’il souhaite emmener avec lui avant d’attaquer une mission. Attention, donc, à bien choisir votre équipement avant de vous éloigner de votre monture.

ORGANIQUE & ORGASMIQUE

Inutile d’y aller par quatre chemins : Red Dead Redemption 2 est le plus bel open-world jamais créé jusqu’à présent. Il enterre la concurrence et démontre avec brio que les jeux dits « couloirs » n’ont pas le monopole de la réalisation. Il y a des scènes absolument bluffantes, des paysages absolument incroyables, et comme le souligne notre techos Damien, « quand on en vient à scruter le clipping sur l’ombre des objets, c’est que l’on a clairement franchi une étape ». Il y a une maîtrise totale des variations climatiques bien que l’on estime que les transitions auraient pu être mieux travaillées – la nuit tombe beaucoup trop rapidement. En revanche, quand les nuages s’badombrissent, quand le tonnerre gronde, on admire le spectacle sans chipoter. Ce n’est pas la première fois que l’on voit de la pluie dans un open-world, mais c’est la première fois que l’on aperçoit des gouttes épouser le rebord des toits avant de s’écraser sur le sol. On pourrait être tout élogieux envers la boue qui finit par nous hypnotiser tellement elle est réaliste. A chaque trace de pas laissée, l’eau s’infiltre et en prend la forme. Totalement fou. Dans l’ensemble, les revêtements sont super bien fichus ; un vrai festival de textures qui reproduisent à la perfection la moindre aspérité. Ce qui nous a particulièrement frappés, c’est la reproduction parfaite de l’humidité avec ces petites gouttes en suspension. Ce n’est pas la seule chose que l’on aperçoit quand on se balade en forêt, puisqu’il y a aussi les rayons du soleil qui transpercent le feuillage des arbres pour nous offrir un moment saisissant. En ce qui concerne les personnages, tout le monde est logé à la même enseigne, qu’il s’agisse d’Arthur Morgan ou des autres. Même le PNJ perdu au fin fond de la map n’a pas été bâclé, ce qui confrère au jeu un équilibre graphique total.

Les chevaux, Maxime vous les a tellement décortiqués lors des différentes previews consacrées à Red Dead Redemption 2 que ce n’est pas la peine de revenir dessus. On a aussi retenu que les tâches de sang restaient sur la veste d’Arthur Morgan à chaque fois qu’il posait un cadavre sur ses épaules, ce qui est aussi valable pour son cheval. Et dire que tout ça tourne sur le RAGE Engine, un moteur conçu à la base pour un jeu de ping-pong (Table Tennis), rappelez-vous. Pour ceux que ça intéresse, on a testé Red Dead Redemption 2 sur Xbox One X avec un écran Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ. Quand on a découvert le jeu pour la toute première fois en 4K HDR 30fps, on a frôlé l’évanouissement. On vous souhaite des sensations identiques, sachant que même sur un modèle standard (Xbox One et PS4), le jeu est tout aussi splendide. Du coup, pas la peine de pbader un coup de fil à la banque pour cbader le PEL, même si ça tue encore plus avec du bon matos, soyons honnêtes.