'Red Dead Revolver' takes gamers to Wild West
By Stephen Ryan
CNN Headline News
(CNN) -- Grab your six-shooter and saddle up: "Red Dead Revolver" is riding the wagon train toward its release. This third-person shooter game has a Wild West story line, a slew of weapons and more action than you can shake a spur at.
Bandits beware, Red the bounty hunter is aiming with a vengeance. It all started when his family struck gold. When a gang caught word of the find, they rode in and killed Red's family. Since that fateful day, Red has been trying to make things right.
" 'Red Dead Revolver's' story line may seem a bit cliché as Westerns go, but that was intentional on Rockstar Games' part," says Dan "Shoe" Hsu, editor in chief for Electronic Gaming Monthly. "For example, it's aimed at reminding the player of classic Western movies and books. Everything has a dusty feel, similar to the grainy film look from the early 1900's."
There are more than 20 scenarios to keep you running and gunning in "Red Dead Revolver."
"One scenario has you talking with a town sheriff about a bounty when bandits arrive," says Shoe. "They start a fight, and the outcome depends, well, on how good your aim is. Another scenario, perhaps one of the more fast-paced ones, has you riding a horse alongside a train. There are opportunities to jump aboard and try your hand at knocking-off moving targets."
While using "Red Dead Revolver's" Gatling gun sounds like a sure-fire way to get the mission accomplished, Shoe says, "You have to keep fighting more enemies as you hop off and on your horse. Another cool part of the game is a quick-draw showdown. Also, 'Red Dead Revolver's' bosses have more health and hit-points than your typical enemy."
" 'Red Dead Revolver's' graphics are not mind-blowing, but they are pretty solid," adds Shoe. "The graphics offer a neat scene when it comes to the towns. There [are] a lot of tumbleweeds that blow through, and the buildings themselves are very reminiscent of old Western towns. They're detailed to the point you have saloons, hotels, sheriff's offices, et cetera."
Cover is key in "Red Dead Revolver." For example, when you're involved in a shoot-out in a town square it's best to hide behind barrels, especially for reloading. The enemies keep popping out from buildings, and other hiding spots around town. Shoe says, "The controls are similar to other third-person shooters. When it comes to aiming, you generally point your cursor at enemies, then fire with one of the buttons. You have your pick of six-shooters, the Gatling gun, shotguns and rifles. Using a rifle allows you to zoom in a little closer. Some weapons fire faster while others are more powerful."
"Red Dead Revolver" is scheduled for release late next month. When it's released, it will be one of a few Western-style games on the market. It's a game well-suited for people who are looking for something new -- something besides your typical war or sci-fi shooter games.
