Red Dead Redemption -- Why Open World Narratives Fail

A game rich with architecture, dialog and distraction. Red Dead Redemption makes huge steps for open world games with narrative, but plays it safe with a bevy of sidequests and mulitplayer options that distracts more than it immerses.
Red Dead Redemption -- a very fortunate game with some unfortunate pieces. I feel like I’m destined to never complete an RPG or an open world game. I’m not sure if this should be seen as a review, because [by my standards] a true review comes from thoroughly exploring every aspect of a game. But times have changed. Red Dead Redemption and games of its massive budget-ilk are a fantastic example of how different games are in this generation in comparison to any preceding. A game rife with imagery and characters that bleed imagination and heavy influence from a time and genre the common gamer will not completely identify with. With as many inspiring answers as to what gaming is capable of today, I’m left asking more questions to the contrary. Why isn’t this an MMO? Do open-world games break a game’s narrative outline [no matter the quality]? And more importantly, why couldn’t I finish this incredible game?

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Can Quality Titles Survive On The Wii? Quality Mature Titles?

It's really easy to say M-Rated games [as a whole] do not fair well on this gaming generation's top selling console, the Nintendo Wii. The Wii has been the proverbial kryptonite for a lot of developers and publishers who refused to put an Italian plumber in their game. How long can devs put up with the 'low risk, high reward' design before the already fully stocked game shelves boot them to the bargain bin? In the history of sales for the Wii, Sega has produced seven titles in the top 100. Five of said titles feature a very tired Sonic the Hedgehog. The odd two who managed to rock the Wii charts -- Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz and the House of the Dead 2 and 3 Return [which were repackaged remakes with new Wii controls].

Before you skewer me with your e-pitchforks, I do acknowledge that games are more than just sales numbers. This is not a sales rap. I am not here to develop marketing strategies for Sega on why titles like Madworld and The Conduit should perform better. I want to talk about why these games don't perform sales-wise as well as garner critical acclaim. I want to talk about what can make mature rated games on Nintendo consoles [yes I am including you DS] welcomed for mature adults as well as the children they may be the parents of.

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