Great game. I find it to be way more fun than RDR2 thanks to the more arcadey feeling.
It has a simple premise that is executed pretty well; John's (b. 1873) family—his son, Jack (b. 1895), and wife, Abigail (b. 1877)—have been kidnapped by the Bureau of Investigation, and to rescue them back by capturing/killing your formers brothers-in-arms. While at the same time, they're not just a plot device. They have their own personalities, personal wishes and aren't helpless. Unlike Christopher Nolan's female characters in his films, Abigail isn't just there to serve the male, John. She isn't a soulless puppet devoid of any personality. She can also kill a man (as seen in RDR2), she is the one who has the most logical-thinking. She doesn't support John's hot-blooded crimes, since most of his actions lead to consequences thanks that he cannot win an argument without drawing a weapon.
Ah, John. It is now time to talk about the star of this Western. He doesn't stick out his neck for no one who isn't his family. A very good comparison I found is this one; John Marston is like Rick Blaine from Casablanca (1942 film). Beneath all the sarcasm and cynicism, they both have a solid moral compass.
What about Edgar Ross? The Government Bureau loverboy? He doesn't rely on being visually tough. He uses it by words. Just like Major Strasser (interpreted by the great Conrad Veidt), from the same 1942 film. With just the slight difference that Major Strasser is a good character, 6'3"/1.90m unlike Edgar Ross and his 5'6"/1.69m.
Anyway, the oppressive atmosphere, and since you don't really know what John has done in the past if you haven't played the prequel, it is just like The Trial (1962 film). The civilized world doesn't want John. Innocence/redemption is irrelevant, guilt is assumed. John is almost like Josef K. at the same time. I wish there was a Romy Schneider interpreting the role of Leni here, hahahaha. She was so conventionally attractive and reproductively appealing, even her faint moustache was appealing.
I, absolutely, recommend this game.
