There's a lot about Red Dead Redemption 2 that doesn't work for me. It's missions structure is too on-rails and has very little room for player expression. The honor system is dated and confuses the main thrust of the story — especially in the first couple chapters when you don't have an idea about Arthur's capability for empathy. If the game tells you not to do something and you take that as a challenge, it's rare that comes up to something more than a "Fail Mission" screen. It very much wants you to play the game in a specific way. But once you and the game are speaking the same language, there are few things like it.

Its commitment to realism is astonishing. As someone who doesn't really care about good graphics, I was mesmerized every time I pulled this up. Some of the facial animations aren't quite right, but the world is alive. Not just in its looks, but the people in it. There's so much to do, people to talk to, and discover all of the time. The random encounters rarely repeat and are simply a joy to come across. The simulation elements really help make this feel immersive and they aren't so commanding that you have to worry about it constantly. I really felt like I was part of the world.

What completely blindsided me was the writing. Nothing is embarrassing here like it is in so many video games. The story and characterizations come with nuance and subtext. It takes its time to unfold, but if you see it through, you'll get to know one of the greatest ensemble casts in the medium. Dutch stands out as a charismatic, near cult-like, leader and watching him unravel is riveting. Then there's Arthur Morgan. It's a slow burn, but he became possibly my new favorite protagonist in games. Coming into this, I thought there was no way he could beat out John. But Joh Marston is not my cowboy. Not anymore.

It's bloated, messy, and not really elegant at all. But it's also really special and will hold a place in my heart for years to come.