My rootin' tootin' cowboy adventure journal #1:

[Zeze]

Journal entry #1: My rootin' rootin' cowboy simulator is finally ready to play in its peak form thanks to my new gaming rig (see sig). I played this on Stadia with KB+M few years ago and it was awful. Now I get to appreciate it in its full glory. The nerds online tell me that mid-chapter 2 is the perfect time for unlimited free roaming. So I'm finally doing that in peace.

The game is running maxed at 32" 1440p monitor at 2.25x DLDSR (effectively 4K+ textures) with DLSS quality. This nets me 92 fps avg (in-game benchmark) with 60-65 fps lows. This means the game runs just perfect for the butter-smooth gameplay.

• I found me a nice American Thoroughbred as my primary horse. It is larger in size, and its stats are beefy. I named her Jenny.
• Did you know you can have a second temporary horse that can stow extra stuff for you? I got the largest draft horse in the game, which is the Shire breed. This black brute (right) is perfect for the task.
• It feels pretty damn cool going deep into hunting with two horses with me.

• My primary gun is the good ol' Springfield rifle. It's been charcoal varnished with a red wrap. This scoped rifle is perfect for big game hunting and big idiot hunting.
• The small game Varmint rifle is engraved and ready to dispatch for perfect pelts.
• I also got a nice Granger revolver by killing a side-quest gunslinger. With this trio of guns, I'm ready for anything. Oh yea, Jenny's got a double-barrel shotgun tucked in somewhere.

• Let's go home!

• Obligatory fishing pic - I'm using the controller as the devs intended. The UI is bugged out.

I'm taking my time exploring and hunting. I'll try to stable that white Arabian soon enough, but there is so much to do. I'll get the legendary Buck first for that trinket...

Thank heavens I barely remember the map from before!

 

[Zeze]

Journal entry #2: I have conquered the legendary buck. I really need to unlock fast travel, but the rides are nice.

 

[Stg-Flame]

This is definitely a game where I can boot it up with the intention to do one specific thing and then six hours later I'm still out hunting or gambling in Saint Denis with absolutely zero progress towards my original goal. So far on Steam, I've sunk 60 hours into the game and I'm still in Chapter 2 trying to get as much done as possible and even with 300+ hours on the PS4 version, I'm still finding new stuff every time I load it up.

 

[Zeze]

Journal entry #3: I got to know the land more intimately around me. Valentine is pretty much a very cozy town for me. From time to time, I like to spoil myself with a deluxe bath after a long session of night hunting.


Man, lake fishing was fun! I was pleasantly surprised with the additional lure mechanic. The action and decision making are very similar to IRL fishing. I battled with a fish for a surprisingly long amount of time. Then, wham, out comes a 19 pound sturgeon.



Look at this trash hand. Enjoying a nice table cover made from my perfect deer pelts. I didn't know Pearson was such a trash talker in poker. I wonder if you can also play with other characters like that asshole Dutch or that fucker Micah.


Look at this buffoon.

 

[Zeze]

After hunting some more, time to treat myself...


Strawberry.




Laze around and do some fishing!




Oh and uh.. I got to see a hanging. Damn they scripted it so well, I kind of got to experience what a public hanging feels like.

 

[Zeze]

Been busy with friends coming over and fam vacations. Now I've put the cowboy hat back on.




I use this the most. I used it a lot and am actually looking forward to finding/getting the bolt-action rifle or something faster. No rush.


Is this Emerald Ranch or Roanoke Ridge? I don't even remember. Here I am, ordering a drink.



It felt like an eternity looking for a perfect beaver for crafting.



Being a decent human being and giving someone a ride.



@ Three Sisters overlooking that lake which vaguely resembles Lake Tahoe IRL.




Look at this pretty thing I caught.



Maybe it was the KB/M first time around, but using the controller, I was surprised to realize RDR2 has a full-blown combat & stealth mechanic that is just as deep as Far Cry or more action oriented games. Here I scouted out all the baddies and completely slaughtered this enemy camp with my scoped Springfield from an elevated position.