Red Dead Revolver

By JON MINIFIE

Rockstar Games acquired Red Dead Revolver when they bought Angel Studios (now Rockstar San Diego) from Capcom.

It is unclear what kind of state this third-person action shooter was in when it fell into Rockstar's hands but their stylish touches are distinctive throughout the game.

Red Dead Revolver excels in atmosphere and presentation. Divided into 21 chapters, the game plays out as a series of action set-pieces built around lead character Red Harlow, who is out for revenge after seeing his family murdered when he was a boy.

Now grown up, players leave a bloody trail guiding Red (now a Bounty Hunter) towards ultimate revenge.

Initially, the goal is to learn how to shoot; players' skills as a gunfighter will be tested regularly, against multiple opponents.

As daunting as these are to learn, they are a true force to be reckoned with once mastered. The slow-motion bullet-time-esque Dead Eye is on loan from Max Payne (and The Matrix), slowing down time so that you can get the jump on your opponent by unloading a spectacular volley of shots.

If you are interested in Red Dead Revolver because you want to live out a Western, prepare to be fulfilled.

The gritty old West atmosphere is first-rate, beating the recent Xbox shooter Dead Man's Hand and every other Western-inspired game ever made. Players go through classic Wild West scenarios, from gunfights and chair-shattering bar brawls, to defending a moving train from Mexican bandits.

Your ears will love this game: Rockstar has put together a Tarantino-like soundtrack and, as usual, music plays a central role.

Of the two, the Xbox version has a definite edge with cleaner visuals, at 60 frames a second (30 on the PS2), an added multiplayer level, and Xbox Live compatibility, but wannabe gunfighters will be well served by either version.

PlayStation 2/Xbox, $99.95

Email: jon@tenthplanet.co.nz