Red Dead Redemption 2 Review: 7 Ups & 3 Downs

3. The Ambitious, Laid-Back Pacing

As is evident from its divisive, arguably lumbering opening two hours, Rockstar is in no rush at all to tell this tale, and the result is perhaps the most slow-moving AAA game ever made.

You'll ultimately spend more time riding around and talking with your gang than you will shooting people, and in addition to the game's almost fetishistic approach to animating every last, mundane character movement, fast travel options are also rather limited.

As such, you'll probably find yourself riding to most missions, and though it's fair to say that Rockstar probably should've included a more comprehensive fast travel option, it's clear they're trying to immerse players in a very particular, deliberate atmosphere and tone.

For many players it'll simply be too low-energy, but if you can appreciate a slow-bleed approach in-between all the bloodshed, then RDR2's uniquely relaxed pacing is a major breath of fresh air.

Think of it as the Blade Runner 2049 of video games: a magnificent technical achievement that polarises the mainstream due to its methodical clip.