Game of the Year 2010

Game of the Year: Red Dead Redemption

Normally, games based on the Wild West never properly capture the essence of the era. As Red Dead Redemption has shown, it’s not all about gun-slinging and duels to the death at dawn. No. The Wild West takes on a life of its own: it’s a world filled with wonder, crime, nobility and struggle. It’s a much simpler time, while being much more difficult to survive. Living off the land by hunting and farming is the base of the economy. The measure of a man is through his deeds, good or bad.

John Marston is one of the more complex characters ever presented to us in a video game, and his story is filled with depth, remorse, sacrifice and will. Marston is always both the good guy and the bad guy. The ex-gang member. The family man. The murderer. The savior. Loyal to his wife, family and farm from the beginning to the end, Marston sets out on a mission, and never takes his eyes off his ultimate prize.

Combining this dynamic world, with a character of both integrity and sin is just one of the many reasons Red Dead Redemption is the best game of 2010. You could spend days just hunting, or completing the list of challenges awaiting Marston, all without ever touching the main storyline. Each supporting character offers a different take on morality and helps to flesh out the plot. The gameplay mechanics are flawless, making it one of the few games that just feels great to play. From the second you see the title screen to the moment the credits roll, you’ll be under Red Dead Redemption’s spell. There’s even a variety of enjoyable multiplayer modes and plenty of downloadable content to keep you busy far after you’ve completed the main game.

While there were many worthy contenders for Game of the Year 2010, none offer a total package so filled with value and polish. Red Dead Redemption isn’t just the best game of the year, it will forever be remembered as one of, if not the best game of this entire console generation.

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