Crimson Useless Redemption, one among Rockstar’s finest video games, has at all times been one among its hardest to play, particularly for those who don’t personal an Xbox console or a PlayStation 3. So it’s nice to see RDR making the long-awaited leap from previous consoles to Change and PS4 by way of newly launched ports. I’ve now had time to play the Change model, and whereas it holds up effectively, even when performed in moveable mode, the dearth of recent options, improved visuals, and a few efficiency hiccups makes its $50 price ticket arduous to disregard.
Launched in 2010, Rockstar’s Crimson Useless Redemption was a implausible open-world motion recreation starring John Marston, a gunslinger who’s tasked to take down former gang members to attempt to safe his peaceable, household life. RDR would go on to win quite a few Recreation of the Yr awards throughout PS3 and Xbox 360. Then, in October 2010, the single-player paid growth Undead Nightmare got here out. This excellent little bit of DLC added a brand new mini-campaign that includes zombies and different spooky creatures. Within the years since, Rockstar put out a much bigger, higher prequel within the type of Crimson Useless Redemption 2, however conspicuously declined to launch up to date variations of the primary. Now the unique RDR and its zombie DLC are lastly accessible on extra platforms. It’s nonetheless a disgrace we didn’t get a PC port, however at the very least now Change and PS4 homeowners can simply play RDR. (Because of Xbox 360 backward compatibility the Xbox One and Collection X/S have lengthy had entry to a strong model of the sport.)
Crimson Useless Redemption is a strong Change port
Let’s get to the excellent news: Crimson Useless Redemption on the Nintendo Change runs very effectively. I wasn’t involved about PS4, as that console is greater than able to dealing with RDR. Nevertheless, I used to be nervous that the getting older Change, compounded by a probably sloppy porting job, wouldn’t have the ability to deal with Rockstar’s huge open world. Fortunately, that’s not the case. Enjoying RDR on Change, in moveable or docked mode, is a high quality expertise, with no annoying visible artifacts or frequent efficiency issues. After I switched to docked mode and used the Change’s Professional controller, I rapidly forgot I used to be enjoying the 13-year-old open-world western on Nintendo’s console.
However it’s not excellent, and right here’s the place we get to the sticky subject of this port. Sure, RDR runs very effectively more often than not on Change. Galloping across the desert round Armadillo is okay. However when too many enemies present up, TNT is used, otherwise you go to a really busy space, the framerate can begin to dip a bit. To be clear, this was the case again on the Xbox 360 and PS3, too. In truth, the Change appears a tad extra steady than these older variations when evaluating footage. In order that’s good.
But, that is additionally a 13-year-old conversion of a online game that’s lacking all of its on-line options and multiplayer modes. Plus, there are nonetheless indicators that that is an Xbox 360-era recreation. Not one of the textures are higher, fashions nonetheless look dated, animations stay jerky at a distance, and so forth. RDR nonetheless holds up, because of its implausible artwork design and environment—using by way of a snow-covered forest with the sport’s music quietly fading into the background won’t ever age poorly—however make no mistake: That is nonetheless principally the identical previous recreation.
And promoting that previous recreation for $50, with no 60fps possibility or visible enhancements, feels foolish. Positive, it comes with Undead Nightmare—which is nice and nonetheless a spooky pleasure to play in 2023—however the math in all probability gained’t make sense for most people.
Nevertheless, relaxation assured that in contrast to the rickety and ugly GTA Trilogy remasters, this re-release is identical Crimson Useless Redemption you recognize and love, for higher and for worse. Now you simply have the possibility to play it on the bathroom.
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