ok. Didn't play for long as knackered and not particularly well at the moment but got my way through the intro and early tutorials.
To be honest, I had absolutely no recollection of the opening at all. And whilst the passing decade perhaps hasn't been overly kind to the visuals, Rockstar got the feel of this just right. It really felt like you were stepping into a classic spaghetti western with the blood red typography set against classic scenes of the great iron horse crossing the plains. You can really sense the influence of Iginio Lardani, Sergio Leoni's title designer, and know that this is going to be a true tribute to the genre, as opposed to just a setting for GTA on four legs.
Having said that, I'd forgotten that once you alight the train just how 'gamey' the intro is. Follow this path marker, go the next path marker, cos you're an idiot and wouldn't know how to cross the street to reach the saloon unaided. Having said that, the Rockstar attention to detail is still there - the drunk can be followed stumbling along the street until he finds somewhere to rest, the dust kicks up as you cross the terrain leaving hoofprints in your wake.
The first encounter at Fort Mercer brought smiles of recollection as John faces off with Bill Williamson. And I will be honest, a shiver genuinely went down my spine at the mention of Dutch. It's going to be strange playing this with the knowledge of the sequel/prequel (?), and will hopefully frame the game better as I never really understood why our protagonist was being pursued so incessantly by the 'the man'.
So I ended up at the ranch, did a few chores with Bonnie - man that shooting gallery with the rabbits just felt plain evil
Yes, so far it feels clunky and dated, which surprised me but it is amazing how the memory, specially one as ropey as mine, can play tricks on you. Despite that I'm already looking forward to playing again tomorrow., hopefully get a bit more done next time.