I'll start by saying that, in my opinion, no game is worth a perfect score. Not Mass Effect, not Shadow Of The Colossus, not Breath Of The Wild, and certainly not Red Dead Redemption 2. I feel the need to clarify this point because of the absolutely absurd amount of 100/100 this game received (and a 105/100 from JeuxActu, seriously guys?), in case you expect that to reflect reality. No, it doesn't. And thank God for it. A perfect game shouldn't be sold, it should be gifted to every living soul to be appreciated. Anyway. Onto the review's subject. RDR2 is a good, but flawed game. And its flaws take root in fundamental aspects that Rockstar definitely needs to look into because this is an out-of-fashion way to make games: with an identity crisis. Want to roam the gigantic world? Feel free to, but beware of the people who'll attack you, and don't defend yourself in front of policemen or you'll get a bounty. Wanna shoot that horse's leg to prevent your enemy from fleeing? Too bad, we had planned for you to use that horse to escape, try something else. Do you like that revolver? Here, play this mission with a shotgun then. For the most part, RDR2 doesn't know how to approach player freedom without either making it seem stupid or completely pointless. And that shouldn't be one of an open world game's most glaring issues. For a more practical listing: Pros: -The software's world is beautiful. Like eye-piercingly beautiful. Every corner has been carefully crafted, every single detail masterfully implemented. Be it the untamed wilderness or the busy city center of Saint-Denis, everything feels real. Technically and artistically, it's a masterpiece. Rockstar, I salute you. -The writing is good. The ending takes the cake as the best VG ending of late 2018. A good portion of the main missions and all side quests are cool. The characters are cool, they have motivation, distinct personalities, they feel tangible, and spurt out great lines from time to time. And especially... -Arthur Morgan. Best Rockstar protagonist. Actually feels like a human being, struggles and evolves, unlike GTA V's overly stereotyped fellas (not a complaint, they're written to be like that and I'm fine with it). -The music has its ups and downs, but it mostly shines at the right moments. Shout out to the ending (again). Cons: -What I explained earlier. You mostly watch the game happen instead of playing it. As an example, forcing the player to walk at a certain pace and in a certain direction doesn't feel rewarding. -Gunplay is basically auto-aim-lift-the-cursor-headshot. Come on now. -Controlling Arthur is hard. By hard, I mean that he either handles like a freaking semi or spins around like a top. Also, by preaching ultra-realism, some minor activities become actual chores. I needed to dedicate an entire hour every few couple of them for baths, food and whatnot, because it takes an entire 10-second animation loop to pick up anything. I'm all for little bonus animations, but I didn't need to watch the entire process of Arthur crafting his arrows ONE BY ONE. -Feels weird to say this, but the game is TOO long. I'm more than 80 hours in, and I barely finished the main storyline plus the epilogues while being fairly focused on doing them in priority. The problem is, it's not long because the scenario's taking its time. No. It takes time because you sometimes have to ride across the entire 180 km² map to reach the next objective, or walk (not run, walk) through all of Saint-Denis. This game made by any other studio would be worth a 5. But Rockstar's sheer attention to detail and quality of writing bring it up to 6. That is purely out of respect for the team's dedication to creating a world that feels alive and characters that actually are. Happy New Year.