You’d think that an era filled with as much violence and history as the Wild West would be an excellent setting for video games. Unfortunately, it seems that a good game with cowboys is about as rare as a decent licensed game. The folks at Rockstar seem to have gotten sick of the terrible Old West games and seek to make the setting fun again with “Red Dead Redemption.”

Gamers may recognize Rockstar from their very famous, and controversial, Grand Theft Auto series. Whoever played the more recent Grand Theft Auto IV will be right at home in Red Dead Redemption. The developer’s skill at crafting engaging stories with memorable characters is on display, and even the control schemes are nearly identical. The only real gripe I have with the controls is some horse-handling issues, but they’re minor issues and easily ignored after you get used to them.

Gamers may remember an old Wild West game called Red Dead Revolver, also developed by Rockstar. Redemption is intended as a spiritual successor to that, following a different character and plot while keeping virtually the same setting. The protagonist is one John Marston, a former outlaw trying to start a living as a simple farmer to settle with his loving wife and son during the decline of the American Old West.

However, life is never simple: Marston’s criminal past catches up to him in the form of a shady government official sending him to hunt down some of his past cohorts. Along the way he runs into many colorful characters with their own issues and backstories, each of them expertly written. The story is gripping from the moment you step off of the train to the moment the credits roll.

If the story wasn’t enough motivation to keep playing, certainly the immersive and beautiful world of Redemption will prevent you from putting your controller down. The desert area you’ll trek across is sprawling and lovingly detailed down to each and every cactus. The breathtaking vistas aren’t the only display of graphical power; the character models are as detailed as the environment and look amazing in motion.

Though you’ll have a hard time gazing at the views while bullets whiz by your head. What would a Wild West game be without some gunslinging action? Redemption doesn’t fail to deliver, boasting combat controls that have been refined since Rockstar’s GTAIV. The cover system may have a few hiccups, but it rarely gets in the way of the realistic gunplay; and the addition of regenerating health was a wise choice.

The desert area is filled with activities that have you doing everything from picking flowers for an elderly person to chasing after horse thieves. It’s hard not to find something to preoccupy yourself with between storyline missions. Random events can spring up just about anywhere in the environment and usually offer boosts to your Honor or Fame. Animals can attack you while you ride about, or you can go on the hunt for pelts and meat to sell for cash. The developer did an amazing job at bringing what could’ve been a boring wasteland to life.

While the singleplayer is definitely the meat of the game, which is no surprise, the multiplayer component proves to be a robust experience as well. The typical multiplayer modes all put in appearances, such as Deathmatch and Capture the Flag, and each is a fun affair with your buddies. If you don’t fancy a straightforward match, you and a bunch of friends can jump into a free-roam mode where you’re free to do whatever you want.

Once you complete the game and figure you’ve done everything worth doing, be sure to check out the downloadable expansions available online. Definitely pick up “Undead Nightmare” if you loved Redemption. This expansion throws Marston into a zombie outbreak and tasks him with finding a cure to save his wife and son. The combat here is a little iffy since the zombies tend to charge at you instead of taking cover, but if you can forgive that, you’ll have a grand time in this alternate world.

So would I recommend Red Dead Redemption? Most definitely, especially if you’re a fan of the Wild West like I am. Even if you aren’t, it’s hard not to be drawn in by the fantastic story and stellar gameplay. There’s a reason Redemption has won many “Game of the Year” awards; I’ll give it an A!

Cody Webb lives in Live Oak.