18 Greatest Video Games Of The PlayStation 3/Xbox 360 Generation

3. Red Dead Redemption

...And yet, Grand Theft Auto V wasn't Rockstar's finest title on the Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3. That particular distinction lies in the hands of a rugged cowboy and the (slightly) lesser-known Red Dead series. Red Dead Redemption could be written off as a "Wild West GTA clone" but actually, it does a lot of things much better than Grand Theft Auto. For starters, the story in Red Dead Redemption is absolutely phenomenal. It's a tale of - you guessed it - redemption, and the way John Marston seeks to clean up the mistakes of his past is beautifully presented. Your exploration of southern Texas feels like a genuine adventure but that's nothing compared to your arrival in Mexico. It feels like a whole new world entirely and Rockstar deserves a lot of credit for constantly keeping the action moving. Yes, the gameplay owes a lot to Grand Theft Auto but it adds some unique touches that separate it from it's more accomplished sibling. Dead Eye beautifully captures the quick-draw scenarios showcased in your typical Wild West film (notably, a similar system has since been implemented in Grand Theft Auto) and riding a horse feels far more personal than sliding a sports car around urban streets. With a great soundtrack and stunning visuals, Red Dead Redemption is a wonderfully cinematic experience from start to finish and it also backs that up with some great gameplay. Sadly, it might be a game you can only find the drive to finish once; the emotionally draining ending is a satisfying conclusion to an epic story but once you've seen it, you'll probably struggle to arrive at the same conclusion again. Still, Red Dead Redemption had to live up to a huge reputation when it was released; it did so and became a genuine gaming classic in its own right.