I've beaten Red Dead Redemption 2.
Chapters 3-6 are when the game comes alive imo, I also did like chapter 1, chapter 2 has a good story, but the game does make itself very overwhelming at first with all of the gameplay features. And the Epilogues are very ropy imo, from John and Abigail scenes, to a level where John has to propose to Abigail (excuse the spoiler) to John and Jack segments, and of course the boring farming levels, if I wanted to play a Farming game then I'll play one that's actually a Farming game and is actually good at it. Thank god for Sadie, Uncle, and Charles during the Epilogue.
But if you can get to chapter 3 of the game then you really start to get a great lead in Arthur, brilliant characters in general, and a great world that feels so vibrant and alive, and some great main and side missions.
I will try to buy Red Dead Redemption 1 soon, but I am dreading a full game led by John Marston.
Oh and Red Dead Redemption 2 has a great lifespan, you could be playing it for months there's that much to do in the game.
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Inspector Mock, at your service.