Strolling Through the Wild West I’d heard so many rave reviews about "Red Dead Redemption 2" that I was sure — this must be the digital revelation of the century. I’d seen my friends play it: one peacefully fishing, another trudging through the snow, someone else spending hours brushing their horse… A whole epic. But my old PC would sigh at the mere mention of the game, so I only got to experience it after buying a new laptop — sleek, capable, and finally strong enough to handle this masterpiece, at least on medium settings. So I started playing — and, well, it didn’t grab me at first. Everything looked gorgeous, the story was there, the cowboys were as tough as they come — but the spark just wasn’t there. It all felt a bit forced in the beginning. Arthur Morgan, the camp, the horses, the shootouts — all in place, yet no “wow” moment. But this game knows how to wait. Gradually, I got pulled in: the characters started to feel familiar, the events grew more engaging, and the dialogues became genuinely interesting. Then, somewhere along the way, I realized I had to know how it all ends. And when I finally did — it was truly sad. Like finishing a great TV series, the credits roll, and you just don’t want to say goodbye. The story is genuinely strong. It follows Dutch van der Linde’s gang — people trying to live the old outlaw way in a world that no longer allows it. It’s the late 19th century, times are changing, but the gang isn’t. They run from the law, try to stick together, hold on to their own codes of honor (some better than others) — and bit by bit, everything falls apart. The narrative is full of emotional turns — moments that make you sad, angry, or deeply respectful. There are tons of characters, each with their own backstory, personality, and quirks. Some are irritating, others sympathetic, and a few genuinely inspiring. They all feel alive, which makes the world even more believable. I kept thinking of "GTA" — naturally, since it’s from the same developers — but this is a completely different beast. There’s no urge to steal a helicopter and go on a rampage. Here, the tone is slower, more reflective — about honor, duty, and the fight within yourself. And the best part is, you get to decide who Arthur Morgan becomes: a noble man or a ruthless outlaw. Then there are the mechanics — so many of them. You can manage your camp, hunt, fish, collect bounties, explore the world, stumble upon strange encounters, or just enjoy the cowboy life. All these side activities perfectly complement the main story — which, by the way, is anything but short. And of course — the visuals. "Red Dead Redemption 2" is one of the most beautiful games I’ve ever played. The world feels alive, detailed, and natural. From forests to snowy peaks, from swamps to cozy towns — you can practically smell the dust and gunpowder, hear the creak of the saddle, and gasp in awe at a sunrise over the prairie. Simply breathtaking. Thanks to the game, I even got a better sense of what American frontier towns might have looked like back then. With such attention to detail, the environments feel truly alive. "RDR2" is a great game — deep, gorgeous, and full of life. But somehow, that magical connection between us just didn’t happen. Maybe it’s because my expectations were too high, or maybe it just isn’t entirely my thing. Still, objectively, it’s a solid, thoughtful, and impressive piece of work that leaves a lasting impression — even if the journey wasn’t love at first sight. 7 out of 10