The game premises is still the same, the dynamics are still the same, the mechanics, while greatly improved are the same, and yes, it is in a different sub-genre . . that’s the beauty of it.

It gives you complete freedom to do as you wish, when you wish and how you wish. Much more so than any GTA.

And if anything GTA IV was a clone fo this, as this was being built prior to GTA IV surfacing, they knew it (RDR) could not make it with the RAGE engine as it was, and that it needed further abilities, so they went ahead with GTA IV in order to tweak and gain more from RAGE.

DO some reading, you’ll find plenty of rockstar details around this.

It’s not us per-se who are saying that it’s like GTA IV, it’s actually Rockstar themselves.

Rockstar are at pains to push the fact this is a Western version (and more so) of GTA IV, so if you think we are pushing it, then head over to the official sites.

That aside, the game stands on its own two feet, and I personally dislike the GTA series, but really have enjoyed every hands-on Ive had with this game, including the Multiplayer, and I’m not a PMP type of guy.

Those that say RDR is simply a ‘clone’ of GTA IV obviously have not actually read up on the game, nor why and how it was made. Even the great Table Tenise game that showcased the RAGE engine was done for this game.

If ppl give RDR it’s own freedom, they will see it is far greater than GTA IV series, it’s not meant to take its place, but add more variety to a genre (sandbox) for a different audience.

I’d personally like to see Red Dead: Redemption on all 3 platforms, but for whatever reasons, some publishers till hold onto the old idea of single platform games. Times are changing, and many publishers need to look at that more now than ever before.

I wouldn’t recommend anyone go out and purchase a ‘cheap 360′ just for one game, particularly when they already have quite a capable gaming platform.

I think it’s a valid point to request that most games be released for all platforms.

ERemember, Red Dead: Redemption was being made BEFORE The GTA IV series, and before the excellent Table Tennis game which ushered in their R,A.G.E engine. They had to hold off on RDR until now, so that they could tweak the engines to produce what we have now in RDR. GTA IV was a testing board for it, not the other way around.

But seriously, what’s wrong with having a 360 (or whatever platform) for those games that don’t come on the PC, or do, but much later? If you are into games, it matters little as to which platform it is on, so long as you get to PLAY the game, rather than shout that you want it for my platform etc. Games are meant to be played, so go grab it when it comes out. I believe it will appear on the PC, but have no idea when (or if). So don’t miss a perfectly great game for the sake of not being able to play it on a PC.

The same applies to Red Dead: Redemption. Rage was created for the game, it’s first real outing was Table Tennise to get a feel for it. Having seen Red Dead firsthand, I can tell you this, it’s not simply a re-clothed GTA, it’s far more than that on every level.

This is one of my concerns for the game. Many will simply feel it is a GTA clone, and or simply not be in the space for a Wild West style sandbox games as they may have been some years ago. The mian buying market is not nessesarily “in to” the Wild West these days, and look at games for the high impact, big guns, large bosses and blowing everything up.

Red Dead: Redemption is true to its period, no grenades, no machine guns (there is gattling gun/s), no BFG’s . . Just various “six shooters” long range rifles (single bolt and repeaters) and dynamite. Not to mention the various hand held items you can use in the game. Give the game a chance, and I’m 100% certain that you’ll not only like it, but see just how good it is, and that GTA would be one of its weaker cousins.

It doesn’t matter though, it’s looking good.