Red Dead Revolver

by Rockstar Games

Product Features

• As a boy, Red's homesteader family was gunned down by outlaws. Taken in by a wise old Indian, he learns the arts of survival and masters the gun. As an adult, Red goes on out into the world with nothing but the clothes on his back, a six-shooter, and a bur
• Hunt down the savage, ruthless killers who took your home & family, as you explore a 3D Wild West map
• Authentic period weapons to choose from -- from knives and revolvers, to double-barreled shotguns and dynamite sticks
• Ride down those outlaws as you shoot from your horse, fight gun duels on top of moving trains, and command stagecoaches in over a dozen exciting chapters
• Full motion cutscenes and breathtaking in-game visuals tell this classic Spaghetti Western story

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B0001ADAMO
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.2 x 0.8 inches ; 4 ounces
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: April 27, 2004
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,199 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Platform: Xbox

Game Informer Review

Drawing inspiration from Sergio Leone's classic spaghetti westerns and Clint Eastwood's hard-boiled, serape-clad performances, Red Dead Revolver stands tall with a conceptual basis that the video game industry has not vested a lot of interest in, yet many have yearned for. There are few things sweeter in this world than getting the opportunity to step into the boots of the pale rider and the quickest gun in the west. This is essentially what Red Dead Revolver offers.

All of the staples that we've come to recognize from films of this ilk (even the horse operas) are included in some fashion. You'll ride horseback and leap onto a runaway train, exchange fisticuffs in a bar brawl, and stare death in the eye in a high noon showdown. Thematically, developer Rockstar San Diego has hit the nail right on the head. You really do feel like the toughest cowboy to ever step foot in the west. Grainy graphical filters and era-specific camera effects are also used to make the cutscenes feel like the films that this game pays tribute to. Continuing its streak of wowing gamers with brilliant soundtracks that perfectly accompany the atmosphere of the game, Rockstar has decked this game out with an incredible selection of songs reminiscent of spaghetti western master Ennio Morricone.

While it sounds like the perfect game up until this point, Red Dead Revolver has a hobble in its strut when it comes to the delivery of gameplay. Granted, you will find yourself smiling wryly at the outrageous missions and scenarios that you'll get yourself into, but you never really feel like you have your feet firmly under you. Each mission comes and goes at such a rapid pace that I will go out on a limb and say that the game doesn't necessarily have levels, but moreover pockets of intense action. In this regard, it's all about the big moment and payoff. Exploration is limited and the environments are usually fairly small. The same goes for the delivery of playable characters. You'll spend most of your time as Red, but will control five other characters throughout your quest. Each one has a different attack and Bullet Time-esque special move. Again, however, you play as this character for 30 seconds to a minute, then move on. I just never really felt a connection with the characters or their surroundings.

As you would expect, the majority of gameplay is dedicated to running around and blowing vermin to kingdom come. The execution of this is commendable, and is very much in line with the Max Paynes of the world. Although just split-screen, multiplayer is surprisingly addictive and loaded to the hilt with extras that players can unlock throughout the game with cash earned along the way.

I really enjoyed the time I spent with this title, yet walked away wishing that it had a little bit more meat on its bones. If you find satisfaction in mindless action games in the tradition of Max Payne, you'll surely get your fill with Red Dead Revolver.

The Edge

The Xbox version puts a bullet right between the eyes of the PlayStation 2. Not only does it run at 60Hz (twice the framerate of the PS2), it features 480p widescreen, twice the sound memory (on the PS2 you'll hear up to three ricochet sounds, whereas on Xbox you'll hear upwards of six to nine), and double the texture resolution. With hard drive caching the game loads twice as fast, as well. As if the technical edge wasn't enough of a reason to invest in the Xbox version, it's also Live Aware, and comes packaged with an exclusive multiplayer level (the Coliseum). Without the slightest hint of doubt, the Xbox version gets The Edge.

Concept:
Clean up the west as a merciless cowboy in this heavily influenced spaghetti western game

Graphics:
The character models are not the most detailed, but the environments look nice and I love the camerawork

Sound:
A remarkable soundtrack lures players into the vibe of the west

Playability:
Unnaturally short levels and satisfactory run and gun action

Entertainment:
The stages should have been longer, but replay is abundant in the number of unlockables and enjoyable multiplayer

Replay:
Moderate

Rated: 8 out of 10
Editor: Andrew Reiner
Issue: June 2004

2nd Opinion:
Buck up, cowpokes. All y'all cowboys that been hankerin' for a good ole fashioned western, you best get ready to draw. Red Dead Revolver is without a doubt one of the finest titles to tap the often barren landscape of old west games. With a straight flush of soaring production values, the game offers a completely immersive gallop through the sights and sounds of an old cowboy flick. Chapters are short and fast paced, with a remarkable variety of challenges. Anything you've ever seen in a western movie you'll see here, from the duel at high noon to the high speed train robbery to the sleazy saloon girls. You are constantly unlocking new game features, which helps to drive the action forward. Combat is definitely more stylistic than it is technically perfect. The gun targeting system is generally well implemented, but frustrating at times – particularly with fast moving opponents. But if the old west strikes your fancy, I reckon you'd be a coot not to pony up the cash and take a shot at Red Dead Revolver.

Rated: 8.5 out of 10
Editor: Matt Miller


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Product Description

Red Dead Revolver takes you back to a time before you could spray opponents with gunfire and watch them fall. In this Old West shooter, a quick draw and a sharp eye are your best weapons, as you live out a classic tale of revenge. Great 4-person multiplayer deathmatch game for even wilder shootouts, in the Wild West!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally a good game for Western aficionados, June 22, 2004

By 

Rocco (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Dead Revolver (Video Game)

Deliver some lead in this spaghetti western videogame!

Red is a gunner with a Clint Eastwood face (I would not be surprised if good old Clint sued Rockstar for using a skin that is a bit too close to his likeness). His parents were murdered when he was a child, his father's legendary gun, "the Scorpion Revolver," robbed. Now that he is old and skilled with all sorts of weapons, Red is on a quest to avenge his parents, get that gun and kill anything that gets into his way.

This game is an excellent western, and here are its game characteristics:

Graphics: 9 out of 10.
^^^^^^^^ Its like being at the movies, great 3D animation and wonderful graphic engine. The wild west finally revives...

Sound: 10 out of 10.
^^^^^ Music seem to come directly from the The Good, The Bad and The Ugly. Sound FXs are perfect, voiceovers are well done.

Atmosphere: 9 out of 10.
^^^^^^^^^^ Story, voicovers, music, and graphics will all contribute to a perfect western experience. Gun slinging, western humour, duels... you get everything.

Gameplay: 8 out of 10.
^^^^^^^^ Yes good, but a bit too arcade "kill them all." You will have a LOT of fun though, expecially if you like things simple and entertaining. Plus, not only you command Red around the game, you will use also a cast of other 5 perfectly designed characters.

The Bottom Line:
Thus is a GOOD BUY:
1) for western movie fans.
2) for Rockstar Game fans.
3) for action oriented gamers tired of battling undead that jump out of the sewers or aliens in airshafts.

For all others, this is a possibly good game on which to spend your money, as its overall quality is undeniably great.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Taking aim at "Red Dead Revolver". . ., May 19, 2004

By 

-- "--" (Gondor, IN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Dead Revolver (Video Game)

If you're an avid fan of the western and a gamer to boot, then "Red Dead Revolver" is the only game in town that should get a tip of your hat. Western-themed games are rare to say the least, and good ones are rarer still. This is the latter kind, and its mature themes make it even more remarkable - it's as close as you'll ever get to playing through an old Clint Eastwood film.

You're cast as Red, a bounty hunter who's seeking to avenge the murder of his parents. His quest takes him through many bizarre locations and pits him against a wide variety of murderous outlaws. It's his job to shoot first and ask questions later... then again, he doesn't really ask questions, he just shoots people and leaves it at that.

The game's levels are usually brief affairs that revolve around one particular set piece or another and are jam-packed full of people to kill. Fortunately, all that killing is mighty satisfying. There's hardly a wide variety of weapons to help you along despite the designers' best efforts to bring variety to the period setting, but the weapons that exist are cool enough to compensate. Area specific damage and gouts of blood and gore keep things visceral and compelling. Red can fire from cover if things get too hectic, but it's generally not an essential tactic - even if it is a welcome option. He's also got a Max Payne-like ability called "Dead Eye," which allows him to slow time and take steady aim at his opponents.

You don't only play as Red during the course of the game. There are several other characters and storylines to delve into, and while they sometimes steer the focus of the game's story in the wrong direction, it's generally a welcome change of pace. Red's native cousin, Shadow Wolf, enjoys a particularly entertaining mission that encourages stealth and a fair aim with a bow and arrow. Some of the other character missions feel tacked on, though - such as the Buffalo Soldier's wagon ride back to town.

What's a western-themed action game without the occasional duel? Drawing on opponents is handled like a sort of minigame that generally fits well into the scheme of things. Unfortunately, it's too frustrating, particularly later in the game. It's more a matter of a luck than skill, and certainly could have been handled with more flair.

It's far from perfect, but "Red Dead Revolver" should provide hours of fairly mindless but addictive fun. With the lack of competition, it easily earns its place as the best western-themed game ever released. If this kind of thing rubs you the right way, go grab a copy.

Final Score: B

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Game challenging but not impossible, June 17, 2004

By 

Yojimbo (Boston) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Red Dead Revolver (Video Game)

Good game which I enjoyed. The game is challenging in some places but not impossible. To me its more of an old school game were you might get beat a couple of times until you change you strategy and I would rather get some challenge with a game then speed through it.

There are some levels in the game which are frustrating for one reason or another. The most annoying I can think of is the Diago stage since the game is very vague about explaining what your supposed to be doing while your getting shot at with cannons which is a bad thing. The key to making the game easier is to focus on getting head shots. Focusing on head shots makes the game a lot less frustrating.

The atmosphere and music in the game was very well done a lot of the voice acting is over the top and funny in a good way. The voice acting of the main character was little to similar to Solid Snake. The music is similar to Kill Bill which I thought had a great soundtrack so its a plus here.

The graphics are good, and I like that the cut scenes were done to imitate old movie reels with scratchs and dirt. Character models are well done and the levels are well designed.

There have been a lot of complaints about the dueling system which isn't perfect but isn't impossible. The key is drawing your gun out quickly. Theres a slight pause when the game is showing Red and the enemy and then goes full screen. If you time it right you can usually get a shot off first. I didn't have a problem until the end when the time gets a lot shorter for you to shoot.

The story is your basic revenge story so while it does a good job of drawing out the outcome, the outcome is always assured. Playing as different characters throughout the game adds some variety to the levels. Also having a town as a homebase works well. Red Dead Revolver also has a fun multiplayer mode with over 20 characters.

So overall Red Dead Revolver was a fun game that had some frustrating parts that were challenging but not impossible. It does a great job with the western genre but its not that long of a game so you'd probably be better off renting it first. Just remember to focus on those head shots!

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