Rockstar Peaked With Red Dead Redemption

MMGN.com writes: The headline says it all really, and it is quite a bold statement. Rockstar Games could be considered one of the biggest, but more importantly, best developers in the industry today, yet I'm going out on a limb to say that the studio could have very well hit their peak with the release of 2010's Game of the Year winner, Red Dead Redemption.

[Nimblest-Assassin]

I totally agree with this...

A lot of people are excited for GTAV... and Im going to say it *GASP* Im not that excited for it that much...

I eventually pick up GTA... but those are games I play to escape, and just kill everything. But with RDR.. it was so different.

I got it on opening day, and man was I amazed.. the story telling, the environment the characters...RDR had it all.

I love stories in games, and RDR had this emotional tale of a father trying to right his wrongs, and get his family back. I never felt compelled to kill a random civilian out of boredom like in GTA, nor was I forced not too like LA. Noire. When people bring up GTA 4.. I yell NIKO MY COUSIN, ITS ME ROMAN!.But with Red Dead, I have a serious discussion.

I wanted to be the good guy. Never was I compelled like this in a rockstar game, never was I so emotionally invested with the main character in a Rockstar game, I was heartbroken at the conclusion. People rave about the radio stations in GTA.I say nay. The score in Red Dead is breathtaking

http://www.youtube.com/watc...
http://www.youtube.com/watc...

I think its Rockstars best game... the GTA's are good, but in my opinion, they can not compare to Red Dead Redemption

[RioKing]

^This. (with the exclusion of "not that excited for gta5", I can't wait to get it)

[Nimblest-Assassin]

Well to each his own right... I think the fact Im not that excited is because of the small scraps of info we have on it... but if its the mature take RDR had, and I feel that same emotional connection with the main character of GTAV like I did with Marston... you bet your ass I will be excited for GTAv

Hell I bought Prototype 2 because I thought I would have that connection... nope I got this http://www.gametrailers.com...

I returned it after I platinumed it..Im a trophy whore don't look at me like that... but I got the incredible Max Payne 3 for only 10 bucks

@Jayjayff

Exactly why... when I played as Niko, I never cared when killing civilians... as Cole Phelps I couldn't because the game penalized you everytime you did... but with RDR you did not want to...because of how emotionally attached you became to Marston... thats why I think its Rockstars greatest game... I don't mind the disagrees... after all its my opinion, and Im going to stand to it

[Outside_ofthe_Box]

What Rio said. That is how I feel lol.

While I agree with you Nimblest, I kind of got the impression you was knocking GTA despite you saying the GTAs are good.

People need to remember that GTA4 was Rockstar's first game this gen. It's easy for people to look back and point out all the flaws of 4 as a reason why they aren't looking forward to 5.

I expect GTA5 to be a really really good. After playing the GTA4 DLCs and RDR, I've always expected the next GTA to be one hell of a game.

[jamesgtaiv]

That feel. Honestly, GTA V and Farcry 3 are the only games I'm looking forward to.

[Hisiru]

@Nimblest-Assassin
Well... yeah... I really enjoyed Red Dead Redemption MUCH more and I will give you my "agree" button but I disagree with you because GTAIV has a lot of great (and funny) characters like Niko, Brucie, Roman etc. GTA IV also has a great storytelling, the enviroment was really big and full of details but the problem is they simply removed some great ideas from GTA San Andreas (Gym, tunning car, airplane, bicycle, martial arts etc).

Red Dead Redemption is a deeper experience, no doubts.

Red Dead Redemption has a fresh concept (yes, I played GUN and Red Dead Revolver), better storytelling, an incredible character that you want to make him win and find his family, amazing world, great sense of exploration, amazing gameplay etc etc etc. I loved the song when I was going to Mexico, I almost cried.

Seriously, Red Dead Redemption is one of my favorite games this gen.

[scotchmouth]

It's not that they peaked but they were behind LA Noire which was a miss and Max Payne 3 isn't going to appeal to everyone.

I think GTA V will come out and then Agent and then I would like to see this article updated. I do see why some people would think this. RDR was a pretty darn good game!

[MrMister]

Red Dead Redemption was just more of the same open world sandbox with a story crap R* has yet to take to the next level. I had it and sold it back because it was just GTA in the wild west. We need something new to be added to the genre--like maybe a co-op campaign option to ride out with your friends as a posse, or a MMO type of game. Redemption wasn't a bad game--it's just that I felt like I'd been there, done that already.

[Dee_91]

Well how many gams did R* release between red dead and max payne 3?They basically just published la noire.
So its kind of dumb to make that statemeent when they only made one game since.
Makes more since to just flat out say red dead was better than max payne.Then again they are 2 totally different games.

[lastdual]

I'm pumped for GTAV, but I am skeptical about it being better than RDR.

Simply having open fields made the gameplay much more freeform versus the cramped streets of GTAIV.

If I have to go back to navigating crowded roads, I really hope the vehicles at least have more forgiving handling.

[slayorofgods]

Rockstar peaked somewhere between GTA3 & San Andreas. RDR is about as close as we got to Rockstar's golden years this generation..... So far at least.

[ilikestuff]

not sure if they peaked, i think gta 5 will determine if rockstar is in a downward trend, if they did peak though it was with san andreas no doubt. red dead was good, ill even go as far as to say it was great but san andreas was legendary

[Jayjayff]

While i share your feelings towards RDR, i myself couldn't shoot civilians because Marston wasn't that type of man in my eyes. That is not good reason to expect them not to learn for what they have accomplished, Gta 4 was a hint of the maturity they're taking with their games and i think they will follow this trend from now on.

[WeskerChildReborned]

Yea but i think GTA was the series that launched them to being who they are today and whenever i hear Rockstar, i think of GTA but i agree. I liked RDR better than GTA IV because of the story.

RDR will alway's be one of Rockstar's best games and if they are planning a sequel, then boy will i be excited.

[RioKing]

Honestly...I was pretty hesitant to buy RDR at first, but ended up getting it based on the raving reviews it got from pretty much everybody; and it's turned out to be the biggest surprise of my gaming life...I was blown away by it. Still am.

If there's a sequel, prequel, or whatever.....it's a day-one buy for me.

[spektical]

idk. i found RDR environment to be boring. the storytelling, and specifically John Morston were phenomenal.

[arjman]

Na man the environment nailed the western feeling perfectly, sure there wasn't a gunfight or a heist at every turn but the feeling of just riding your horse on the plains with the sun setting did it for me

[Fez]

Completely agree. My main memory of the game is endlessly riding on a horse with absolutely nothing going on in the environment. People said GTA IV had nothing to do in it...eh?

Story was really brilliant though and Marston was a good character.

@arjman, so weird how one man's cure is another man's poison.

[showtimefolks]

i am a RS fanboy so i don't think they peaked to me they make AAA big blockbuster titles and they learn from their mistakes so expect GTA 5 to be better than 4 and they must have learned something from RDR

RDR is one of if not the best games ever made along with MGS3 and MGS4 for me(also MGS: peace walker should be played by MGS fan its an amazing game)

[mewhy32]

Read Dead was awesome. Really something special and best on Xbox as see on lensoftruth.

[Resistance_lord]

@mewhy32 Could You Troll any harder?..omg You can?!

[QuodEratDemonstrandm]

@Mewhy32

And Xbox has exactly nothing to do with whether or not Rockstar has peaked.

So your reason for bringing it up is.... oh I see.

Scale of 10 on the trolling meter you get a 3. Minus several hundred just for trying too hard.

[mewhy32]

@Resistance_lord

Simply making a statement isn't trolling young man. Oh, wait, this coming from someone with an avatar name of Resistance_lord ????? Yeah OK.
You need to look up the definition of trolling there sonny.

[koh]

I absolutely agree that RDR was Rockstar's best game, which only makes me more excited for GTAV. I feel that they have the ability to learn from their past successes as well as failures to deliver another great game.

[vortis]

I love this post (bubbles to you). I don't discount that the agrees/disagrees are also about right. I think you have a very valid post which dictates a sound understanding of what makes some games fun and others, not so much.

I think I also had a pretty good connection with GTA's Lost and Damned. Unlike the Ballad of Gay Tony, I wasn't particularly compelled in TLAD to kill randomly because it had a much darker tone. I appreciate that you, too, liked this kind of weightier feel to some of Rockstar games.

I don't think that GTA V will be as engaging as RDR but I still look forward to it.

[Ezio2048]

Ohh so GTA IV doesnt compare to Red Dead. FYI GTA IV ranked 1st on Game Informer list of best games of this generation, 4th on Games Radar list of best games of all time, 5th on MS Xbox Wolrd list of best games of all time, higher than all this generation games in these lists. I am sure if any other popular list would have come, GTA IV would have topped that also. So think before you speak.

[koh]

He said that was his opinion, he wasn't trying to say it was a fact that RDR was better than GTAIV. Additionally, it is an opinion that I agree with, and I really love GTAIV and both episodes. Reasonable people can disagree. So think before you speak.

[NukaCola]

I wouldn't say they peaked. Rockstar San Diego is the best company branch they got. The also Made Sand Andreas which is by far my favorite GTA game. They are great.

[Trey_4_life]

Rockstar san diego DIDN'T make san andreas, rockstar north developed san andreas as they did with gta 3, vice city and 4.

All GTA's made for console are developed by rockstar north, i have no idea why you thought san diego had anything to do with san andreas.

Infact, all rockstar san diego done before RDR was the midnight club series of games and even with RDR (story Written by Dan houser from rockstar north) they were under direction and in collaboration rockstar north.

So seriously, unless you rate the midnight club games over the GTA series then why would you favour san diego over rockstar north?

[RumbleFish]

I really love all GTA games that I have played and I still play the older ones from time to time, but I also think that RDR was the most unique world they've created and the MP portion of the game was unique and entertaining too.
I would love to play RDR again... on PC, but that's a dream and I fear it will never happen.
RDR is one of my favorite games of all time. Best game of Rock*'s? I don't know. It's a question of taste.

[Shaman]

Do you people understand that the latest leak from MP3 disk implies that GTAV will feature skiing, hiking and snowmobiles? It could easily be the craziest and boldest GTA yet. RDR was made by R* SD which, with North, is their best team. LA Noire was completely made by TB and Rockstar helped to make a game out of very complicated idea. MP3 is made by Vancouver so it was never meant to be on the level of GTA and RDR.

[ginsunuva]

Exactly.
Even though the GTA's may have had groundbreaking design and whatnot, I did not find them to be fun games. Just big, detailed worlds with poor gameplay, and flooded with immaturity that doesn't really feel like social satire (I think that's what is intended - but only gta3 did that well).

RDR was a beautiful world, but the game started out slow, and just like all R* games, involves some grown man being everyone's errand boy. It's somewhat annoying, but RDR is better than any other R* game, still.

L.A. Noire was brilliant,s well, but that was Team Bondi for the most part; Rockstar published.

Max Payne 3, well, it's a fancy shooting gallery in between strange cutscenes. And the multiplayer is an auto-aim fest that involves no skill.

ALSO: KEEP IN MIND THAT ROCKSTAR CONSISTS OF LIKE 10 DIFFERENT STUDIOS. THERE'S NO SINGLE ROCKSTAR.

[Man In Black]

There's a free-aim option in the Max Payne 3 multiplayer, and you can find matches which use either option. Do some research next time.

Also, it's an awesome third person shooter with an involving story.

[Pwee]

I think your in love son

[SnotyTheRocket]

New Red Dead? HELL-GOD-DAMN YEAH!

[synchroscheme]

GTA games seem bad(to me) except for the mindless fun that you can spend hours on. GTAIV however, seemed to "grow up" at least just a bit, and toned it down while trying to tell a somewhat thoughtful narrative based on the story of an immigrant starting his new life in the states (although there's still many explosions, helicopter chases and bowling to be had).

RDR is on a whole 'nother level in my eyes because Rockstar left out all of the things that prevented me from taking the GTA games seriously while focusing much more on the narrative. As someone who has watched too many western films to count, I thought RDR hit the feel of the genre just right, and I'm only saying this because looking back at it I don't remember the gameplay so much as I do the story, which almost makes it seem like I'm talking about a movie and not a video game. The gameplay was good, but it was certainly not the focus of the game, at least not for me.

I don't really think that Rockstar will continue this trend in GTAV so I'm gonna have to agree with the article, at least for now, that they really did peak with RDR and I would not expect them to outdo themselves with a sequel.

[KwietStorm_BLM]

Makes no difference to me. Rockstar has some very talented people at their studios, and I love just about every one of their games, even some of the obscure one like Manhunt. I'm not a critic. I just game. I either enjoy a game or I don't. I'm not going to dissect every element of a game until I unconsciously tell myself not to like it. And they're clearly not going anywhere. Red Red Redemption was a masterpiece, but I think you would be selling a studio and their future short by saying they peaked with a single game.

[Nimblest-Assassin]

Agreed... RS is incredibly talented... I just finished Max Payne 3 and though it was great... MP is a bit iffy though

[cstyle]

The person who wrote this must be hi because Max Payne 3 is awesome. Best cinematic storytelling and gun play ive seen in a long time.

[neutralgamer19]

Max payne is mediocre stop it. Sp is maybe a 7.5 with tons of annoying cutscenes and mp is lije a 6.5. Sorry i dont know what you guys are smoking i guess htpe really works.

[kingdavid]

I think we got it the first time you said it. You dont need to keep saying it in every max payne news thread.

[cstyle]

7.5...lol.. you must have the PS3 version. They don't usually turn out as good....oh.. wait I just realized who you are...lol Now I get why you think the game isn't good.

[neutralgamer19]

Oh you must not have a ps3 and just game on xbox lol now i know whyyou think its tge besr game ever lol poor youyou dont know what it really is to experience ps3 killa exclusives. I dnt blame you now. See what i just did haha checkmate.

[roadkillers]

I'm playing through the story mode now and loving it. If the online is anything like the single player, then it is definitely a step forward. I couldn't stand the competitive online for GTA4 and RDR. I played them for the single player and online free roam.

[xVeZx]

free roam was fun especially playing around with the glitchy swingsets

[xVeZx]

rockstar is never gonna peak....i feel that gtav is gonna be the end all be all of open world games....its gonna set a new standard for how open world games have to be in the future

[Mr_Kuwabara]

I really have no complaints at all when it comes to Red Dead. If anything, I have been spoiled by its incredible narrative, engaging story and down right perfect rendition of that Spaghetti Western atmosphere

[TheFallenAngel]

I have a HUGE complaint against RRD, and that complain is that it ended.

[Hicken]

Wait.. isn't Max Payne only the second game they've done since Red Dead? isn't it a little early to start calling RDR a "peak" of any sort?

I mean, I loved it and thought it was a great game, but just because LA Noire and Max Payne 3 (supposedly) don't live up to the lofty goals set by Red Dead, that doesn't mean R* can't or won't get any better.

[jrbeerman11]

LA Noire was a really good game, but Red Dead Redemption was a masterpiece.

We can only hope that Rockstar keeps trying to raise the bar. We do not have many reasons to think otherwise.

[Ducky]

LA Noire wasn't really made by Rockstar (Team Bondi were the real developers), so technically, MaxPayne3 is the only game by RS after RDR.

... and even that is ignoring the fact that Rockstar has multiple studios.

I haven't gotten a chance to play MaxPayne3 yet, but it looks like they've improve a lot on the shooting mechanics, so hopefully that makes an appearence in GTAV.

[theeg]

gtaiv on pc is the best r* game

hopefully max payne 3 on pc will change that

gtaiv on pc with a few mods, thats something, graphically at least, next gen consoles won't do

gtaiv on any platform is an amazing social critiqe, and the bredth and depth of the world only rivaled by skyrim/oblivion/morrowind

red dead was a great game, beautiful, atmospheric, but, it was ultimately shallow compared to gtaiv

[BitbyDeath]

Do you not care about gameplay?

Red Dead, while i didn't like the story had brilliant gameplay.

[Bladesfist]

No he does not lol. He makes all us pcgamers look like dicks half the time

[jrbeerman11]

to call RDR shallow......well thats just blasphemy. Statements like that make me think that opinions CAN be wrong.

especially from a PC fanboy.

[ShaunCameron]

He's just bitter that PC owners like himself didn't get the game.

[Darth Stewie]

RDR was Rockstar best game this gen and also one of the top games overall of the PS3/360 gen. The only thing disappointing about RDR was their was no PC version for the PC Rockstar fans. Just imagine the mods that could of been created for this game.

[caboose32]

Yea true dat. But it seems like they are supporting the PC platform more and more, so lets hope to see the next installment in the series on PC.

[Son_Lee]

I think Max Payne 3 is better. I found RDR to be quite boring, in all honesty.

[honkyjesus]

They actually peaked in about ten years ago, they have been doing the same game since then.

[TheLyonKing]

I really liked LA noire but then I am a sucker for 1940-50 games!

[TheLyonKing]

haha I got disagreed for liking La Noire and that whole era for games. Thanks N4G.

[TheModernKamikaze]

I really cried at the ending of Red Dead Redemption it was really emotional so I agree to this.

[TheFallenAngel]

The only game that have made me cry was GoW: Ghost of Sparta. This game got my eyes watery though.

[yeahokchief]

No fucking way.

Honestly, I was not very excited going into Max Payne 3, but I bought it because it was R* and I trust them. After playing through the Singleplayer, I can say WITHOUT A DOUBT that this is my FAVORITE ROCKSTAR GAME to date and I've played them all.

Story - 10/10 Shit gets real. Not predictable. Keeps you hooked. Protagonist isn't some fancy pants do-gooder. A real guy with real flaws makes for a much more interesting story.

Dialogue - 10/10 Is actually funny. You'll want to listen to every word.

Music/Sound - 10/10 Excellent music and ambient music throughout the game. Variety of sound options with surround settups/headphones etc. Sounds Amazing on Astro A40s. Hear where your enemies are coming from.

Graphics - 10/10 Looks as beautiful as RDR and LA Noire and better in a few places because it's not open world and they can spend more time and energy on details. The best part is that it doesn't feel linear either. The action pushes the game forward constantly and you enjoy every fucking second of the ride. You don't feel like its a hassle to finish the game. I've played games like that. This isn't one of those whatsoever. I was Blown Away in every chapter.

Environments - 10/10 Fucking goregous. Sao Paulo. Wow. THe game does an excellent job of shifting your environment to mix things up too because the story is told Quentin Tarantino style (which I fucking love because it keeps you engaged and thinking).

Environmental/Character Detail - 10/10 Papers flying, Windows breaking, prostitues boobs jiggling and countless other details that add to realism

Action- 10/10 On par with Uncharted 3 (which is a huge fucking compliment). So far I've played 13/17 chapters and it hasn't topped the Plane Sequence in my opinion, but overall it has more frequent moments that make you say OH SHIT that are just as good as Uncharted if not better in a few spots. The transitions between cutscenes and gameplay make you feel like a total badass when you get control.

Please stop wasting your precious time reading this and go buy the fucking game. You will not be disappointed.

[Trenta27]

I agree completely with you. I was eh about getting it, but it is truly incredible. I am blown away on every single level. GTA V and future Rockstar games will be glorious.

[FunkMacNasty]

I dont agree that R* "peaked" with RDR at all! RDR was a narrative masterpiece and one of my favorite games this gen, but I think it's on-par with GTA IV in many ways.

LA Noire was flawed but still a masterpiece IMO.. Haven't played Max Payne 3 yet, but it seems to be receiveing great reviews. I don't think GTA V will let fans of the series down. The fans that abandoned the series because the dark and more mature and realistic tone of GTA IV didn't appeal to them, might not come back for GTA V, but they have 3 fantastic Saints Row games to play if they want that "classic" GTA III/Vice City/San Andreas cartoony action.

I don't think R* have peaked at all.. with each 3rd person action release this gen, they have consistently pushed boundaries in terms of gameplay, narrative delivery, and graphics.

[Pintheshadows]

Has R* closed? No. Has every game they are ever going to release come out? No.

This articles beggars belief.

[beerkeg]

I was thinking the same thing. Unless they've gone out of business you can't say they've peaked at all, unless you can see into the future.

'While their games are enjoyable and memorable, I personally feel that Rockstar peaked with Red Dead Redemption. I doubt we'll ever see the studio combine gameplay, story and general feel that well ever again.'

Yeah, go you with your crystal ball.

Silly article.

[MrDead]

This article is beyond stupid for the reasons you give.

N4G is littered with opinion pieces like this.

[SolidFenix86]

To be honest, this article and some of your comments are utterly retarded. I understand that everyone has their own tastes but to say that Rockstar peaked with Red Dead Redemption is naive.

Also, for anyone disagreeing that Max Payne 3 is a stellar game you're either A) Too young to even know what Max Payne is B) Compare everything to an open world environment like RDR or GTA 4. Most fall into category B, and the fact they say it's lackluster and most review sites are scoring it 9 and above...clearly your opinion is sucking donkey anus.

[PersonMan]

I'll tell you one thing...

I've played the original Max Paynes and Rockstar's rendition is keeping it in line with the originals. It closely resembles the first 2 games and I think that's the point.

Red Dead Redemption is a Rockstar IP while Max Payne was originally done by Remedy, so in a way, Rockstar had to follow what Remedy did or they would piss off the original series fan base.

At first I didn't like Max Payne 3... I have to admit, but then once I figured out how to play without dying every 5 seconds, it became a totally different game to me and I found myself playing and losing track of the time. I don't usually stay focused on a game so much that I lose track of time, so that must mean something.

I just played the first few parts in Favela and the game is really starting to pick up. I also really enjoyed the boat sequence.

One more thing... when I was walking through Favela, I kinda had the feeling that Rockstar stole the whole "cinematic interactive walking through a village" thing from Uncharted 2 and 3. That's totally an Uncharted thing and it seems like Rockstar tried duplicating it. That's just how I feel.

[YodaCracker]

Not including the Team Bondi developed L.A. Noire, Red Dead Redemption was Rockstar's most recent open world game. Open world games are Rockstar's specialty and where they really shine. So how can one truly say they have hit a peak? Wait until GTA V and only then shall we see the true state of Rockstar Games.

For the record, GTA IV and RDR are by far my two favorite games of this gen, so I have VERY high expectations.

[Rupee]

Such a stupid article... Has rockstar peaked? How can you even know? I loved red dead redemption. I'd say it's my favorite game of all time. But how can you respect rockstar and say they've peaked? They've still got so much potential...

[Ascalon94]

I want a RDR port to the vita.

[SolidFenix86]

@PersonMan I got the same feeling when I entered that Favela level. It wasn't a bad thing, but I did get the sneaking feeling that it had been done elsewhere.

I personally really enjoyed the first 2, so it was cool for this one to finally come out. I'm glad they've shown they can do other things besides GTA.

I also hope that if Rockstar does a sequel or anything that's close to L.A. Noire, despite severing ties with Team Bondi, I hope they add more replay value. I thought it was a great game, somewhat repetitive but it was new...I just couldn't bring myself to play it again.

On a side note, does anyone remember Smuggler's Run on PS2?

[Pintheshadows]

Yeah, Smugglers Run was a great game.

[Kidmyst]

I completed everything in RDR but got like 1/2 to 3/4 through GTA4 and just got tired of it. Maybe somewhat because of a been there done that thing but also the friends calling you just got old. I would be on a mission and someone would call to play darts or whatever and I'd say not now then they would like me less?? It started to be to muchs Sims like and order your character to go on dates and crap. I hope 5 goes back more like 3. I'll still check out 5 most likely because it does look good.

[GammaSix]

MAx payne 3 owns all action titles to date

single player and multiplayer are awesome

[Ramses3]

How can you say a company "peaked" when they arn't done creating yet?
Thats like saying Ferrari "peaked" at the 458, when in reality, the engineers are continually refining and evolving.

[RXL]

R* has always been ten steps ahead of us..

we thought we knew what to expect with San Andreas and that totally blew us out the water..

i still say GTA4 was a tech demo to see what they could do and just wet our appetite..while the following downloadable content was just a "see..we could do this all day with our fingers tied behind our backs"...

Red Dead Redemption was there love child of awesomeness..

GTA5 will be their magnum opus this generation..

[Soldierone]

Say what you want, when Rockstar releases a game I know I will have an interest in it. There was only I think one game I didn't care for and it was their over the top Bully game. Everything else has had me enjoy it one way or another.

Then when they put their effort into it, there games are extremely hard to pass up. Max Payne, GTA, LA Noire etc...You could say they hit a peak after every major release. But they had me back when they made GTA and Smugglers Run.

[paybackprahl]

Eh... It's way too early to claim such a thing. The only Rockstar-developed game to come out since RDR in 2010 is Max Payne 3, and Max Payne 3 is awesome and - to me - more fun than Red Dead Redemption. If you envision a studio's success as a simple bell curve where the only place to go from your highest Metacritic game is down, you're doing it wrong.

[DJLB2115]

Agreed. Nuff said

[muttonface]

Who here has actually finished San Andreas? I don't know why everyone talks about GTAIV at all. If you finished both IV and SA than you would know the author should be talking about how RDR and GTA:SA were .... on par. :P

I only think that people would agree with me if they had actually finished San Andreas which I'm sure to many people did.

[BattleTorn]

NO WAY!

Max Payne's Social Club Crews that get involved in regular TDM, via "Crew Fued" is revolutionary!!

R* is getting better and better.

[OooHJohnny]

GTA shooting system is so outdated... that's why I prefer RDR.

[bronxsta]

I absolutely disagree. How can you say a company has reached its peak when it's still developing games? That's like saying the same thing for a director or musician; experience and maturity can do wonders to one's product.

Anyway I believe Rockstar is doing just fine. I'm one of those people who will buy a game with no prior knowledge because their logo is on the box.

I loved GTA 4 (I always prefer realism and it was my first PS3 game) and I loved RDR.

LA Noire was okay gameplay-wise, but it was also unique and innovative and Rockstar didn't actually develop it.

I haven't played Max Payne 3 yet but I've seen the first twenty mintues and I was already hooked. If it's anything like the second game, which still holds up today, then I'll be totally satisfied. And with the amazing graphics, the more realistic tone and neo-noir atmosphere (one of my favorite genres), and the beautiful gore and animations, I think it may just surpass GTA or RDR as my favorite Rockstar game.

[attilayavuzer]

I'd agree, except RDR is far from being the best game they've made so far. I still think Bully is the most immersive and rich game I've played. Just nailed the atmosphere and story.

I actually found myself bored pretty often while riding around in RDR, it was like Far Cry 2 with the Jeep...just get me to the fucking mission. And this is coming from someone who has spent countless hours roaming around watching sunsets in Just Cause 2.

[jlukee]

Red Dead Redemption was just in a whole league of it's own. In terms of a second RDR, I think a prequel is more likely than a sequel as RDR is set during the end of the wild west. Playing as a younger Marston during his time with Dutch seems more likely or even a new character and new setting.

[OcelotRigz]

The first post pretty summed up Red Dead for me, it was a very special game, nothing really compares to it. It was Rockstars best game but i disagree that its them at there peak, saying that assumes that it was the best they could do. I dont think thats the case, ive no faith in any other developer like i do with Rockstar, they're like the HBO of gaming, they stand out from the crowd and im sure there will be another Red Dead style quality from them in the future.

Two additional points, i cant wait for GTAV, i think it could be the best GTA. My other point, GTA radio stations are some of the funniest stuff ive ever heard, ive actually pulled over in the game just to listen to the likes of Lazlo or judge grady and would be in the stitches laughing.

[jlukee]

Judge Grady is hilarious!
His reaction to the bit about the guy taking a dump in the air filter cracks me up every time

[OcelotRigz]

"JUDGE: You shit in the air filter!?! AHAHAHAHAHA! Give it up, my man.
That's cold.

LAMAR: Yeah. So every time she turns on the air conditioner, her car smells like my shit!

JUDGE: Ha! That's right! That's ingenuity right there. That's what got us out of the primordial soup and into the luxury condos and plasma TV's and robotic dogs. Good goin'!"

Brilliant.
The things he says are hilarious, another favorite of mine;

"How am suppose to believe you lost your legs, now wheel him out of here lieutenant before i push him down some stairs myself!"

[Trenta27]

Max Payne 3. Enough said. It's amazing in every single way. Rockstar has done it again.

[ShaunCameron]

What? I just completed Part 2 of Max Payne 3 and all I can say is.... it's arguably their best game yet this generation. And it isn't even an open-world game they usually make. The favelas scenery was just breath-taking.

[bacrec1]

Can I get an opinion from a MF that has actually played Max Payne 3.

[InTheLab]

Waiting on the PC version....c'mon man!!!!

[hellerphant]

Yeah, the PC version is where I'll be sinking my time. Hopefully it looks as great as the system requirements suggest.

[Omnislash]

Nope. They peaked in the PS2 era. With GTA: San Andreas and Manhunt. I dont think they will ever bring back anything as awesome as those games with todays graphics.

[Holeran]

The funny thing is none of the GTA titles held any of my interest as well as the Red Dead Redemption titles, for some funny reason none of them appealed to me ( I own all of them but this is for collectors reasons ). Max Payne 3 I can't get out of my PS3 because I am having way too much fun, single and multiplayer. I can honestly say I was never a big fan of Rockstar but when Max Payne 3 hit that all changed. I loved remedys take on Max Payne and I think Rockstar also loved it and that is why we have this Incredible game to play now.

[hellerphant]

It certainly tells a thrilling tale, and it plays nicely, but it won't change the industry or anything.

[Gamerita]

for me R* are the only developers who are better than Naughty Dog.

both are class above the rest.

[hellerphant]

I never expected this to get such a response. I just want to point out that I love Max Payne 3, and Rockstar games in general, I just feel that now they are more interested in telling the story than providing a game.

Having said that, even at their worst, Rockstar are still better than most.

[Dfooster]

I'm not having LA noire banded as a rockstar game. It wasn't so it doesn't count. They had some input into it as a publisher because team bondi were making a pigs ear of it and it showed in the final product. Red dead redemption was good but if you remove the rose tinted glasses for a moment a lot of the missions were very similar to each other and the shooting mechanics left a lot to be desired.

Moving onto GTA the last really great one was vice city. The consensus on having to do weightlifting in San Andreas at the time was that it was a chore and boring but for some reason everyone is now looking back in it fondly. Not me. GTA4 was an attempt at a more serious GTA world but they did take out the fun factor until the expansion packs were released.

If they learn from this and incorporate the fun into GTAV and include Vegas in the map then this could be rockstars defining glory.

I don't agree with this article

[mananimal]

I agree totally with this, sad but true.