20 Games Nobody Thought Could Live Up To The Hype

4. Red Dead Redemption 2

Although games centred around the Wild West were once considered niche, Red Dead Redemption changed all that overnight. The grounded story and well-rounded characters allowed the American Frontier title go mainstream while maintaining the authentic Old West theme.

Though follow-ups are always welcome for great games, Red Dead Redemption 2 was risky. The first instalment culminated in the death of John Marston, completing his story arc. Marston was such a captivating protagonist, it was unlikely Rockstar could manufacture a character quite as appealing.

But not only was this prequel a masterpiece, the new lead, Arthur Morgan, was just as compelling as Marston. His moral journey dives into themes of loyalty and redemption in a way that resonated with the masses.

Wildlife behaved realistically, towns changed over time, and NPCs react dynamically to the player’s actions. Hunting, camping, and interacting with strangers were designed with outstanding complexity, creating an environment that feels authentic.

The story elaborates on character conflicts and motivations that were only glimpsed out in the original, creating a nice cohesion between the two games and expanding the backstory as a whole.