I think this video perfectly captures the beauty of RDR2. Many people focus on the chaos the main storyline presents, but what makes the player connect with Arthur isn't that. It's the time we spend fishing in the rivers, walking through the streets of Saint Denis, brushing our horse off, that bring Arthur to life. He's not just a bunch of pixels and code -- he's an embodiment of how the allure of life is found in the time between. Thank you for making this video, Noah.
@@greed6is6good maybe on the first playthrough i didn't like all the back and fourth but i have come to appreciate it. We go through it bc Arthur had to!
My horse was a grey (warhorse I think) that I stole in a town once. No violence was in involved He was called theft. Never really got over his death. Most powerful moment I have experienced in a game. Hits my memory harder than Arthur's demise. Anyone could be Arthur. Only I had theft. I almost forgot this... As john I named a very similar horse Arthur as a semi tribute to the fallen ones. Anyone else call John's horse Arthur?
that’s beautiful, the unique experiences we have with our own horse is such a standout within the game. with each playthrough i find it hard to use multiple horses. i always get attached to one, like the experiences of your time in the game are shared with someone else. someone who’s always had your back
How do u never accidentally drive your horse off a cliff, run him into a tree at 100kmph, or anything that accidentally kills him. I went through about 20 horses in this game
I think theft was around halfway through my game experience. I did have others and did lose a few of them along the way. Compared to rdr1 it seemed easier to keep horses alive in rdr2.
Rewarding Arthur by letting him fish, take a stroll with my horse, buying new clothes and guns and customizing them, playing side games at camp and at town, staying at a hotel, getting food and drinks at a saloon, writing and reading his journal, and doing other things that aren’t part of the main story just made me connect with him so much more. I even made him wear certain clothes in certain climates or parts of the game. Some of the activities he does is something most us can relate with. He was the enforcer of the gang. When Hosea died and Dutch started going mad, a lot of them started looking at Arthur for guidance and safety. Also Arthur is the main reason why I got a journal for myself. It’s a Harry Potter Gryffindor styled journal because I’m a huge Harry Potter fan. It’s just so refreshing to have one. I can write and draw whatever I want in there. I started writing a lot in there and drew some characters like Pokémon in there. I want someone to read it one day but at the same time I really don’t.
Dude, i am absolutely beside myself. The message you crafted in this documentary type piece is one that i am very familiar with, especially the fact that quiet memories are the ones you find yourself thinking about the most. I feel like that sense of nothingness is the main reason these types of interactive experiences like tlou, rdr2, etc are replayed over and over again. The way you interweaved the in-between feeling of peace and being in the moment in media and in real life created such a beautiful statement. I applaud you and all the time and dedication you obviously put into this. My eyes and ears were glued. Well done.
thank you so much man, i’m so glad all of these things came across and i absolutely agree! it’s something that has been on my mind for a while and i just had to try and get it out in a larger way. seriously means so much! ❤️
@@noahcote I don't really find music like that very often, I don't know what genre it is, but music like that is gold. If there was a whole album of music with unique rhythm like this one, I'd be listening all day.
Amazing video. I got to meet Roger Clark in 2019 and I brought up that moment with him, when Arthur talks to Mary-Beth at 20:48. It really moved me the first time I played that moment, because it was the first time in any medium or art form where I genuinely believed to my core that a character was a real person. The illusion and artifice of the game melted away and I reacted as if I was hearing a friend tell me something. Roger remembered the scene down to every line...I can't imagine how much dialogue he must have performed over the years of development but he beat me to the "I write like a fool!" line before I even got the chance to say it. Considering how small that interaction is, that blew me away.
thank you, that’s amazing! it really is such a stand out moment for me, so many little interactions in camp left me with that same feeling. when suddenly the characters jump off the screen in a way that feels so natural
Didnt even realise your channel was this small. Genuinely million subscriber type content. Loved the video, the message and the vibes. Absolutely keep it up - you earned a sub.
This is legit the best video I've ever been recommended. I've put stupid amounts of hours into GTA and RDR2 and you really captured how those in-between moments feel and what they mean not only to me but so many others. You've really made me feel solace and much more appreciation for the memories I've made in those worlds and the one we live in. You earned my sub and like and deserve many more to come man. I'm rooting for you!
I browse a lot on youtube. A lot. And rarely, maybe once a year, I find a video that is just perfect. Shivers down my spine. This is one of those videos. Perfection. A beautiful blend of poetry, documentary, and art. Never has 30 minutes passed by so quickly. Tears down my cheeks during the last minute. It was an amazing emotional journey. Thank you. ❤
This video made me realise why rdr2 is my all time favorite game so far... I've felt exactly the same while playing it so it's really cool to see someone else putting those feelings in such good words and editing. This needs to get more attention!!
after the first few moments of watching this, it was almost as if i transcended into another mind, one where it was quiet- quiet in the fact that the one voice spoke volume. millions of voices that never leave my head left all at once, and i could focus on what your piece was conveying. i find everything about this beautiful, and i fell in love because each aspect was filled with that beauty. when the musician, Brian, spoke about the job that artists have, he was talking about the game but also your work. this was a dream of a world inside a world, and you created it. thank you, Noah. the mundane really is an overlooked beauty that needs to be noticed more.
I’ve played this game non stop since it’s release Same with RDR1 I always find myself being most relaxed while just riding around in the world of Red dead redemption 2. The background music. The map. Everything Thankyou rockstar
Once more I’ve been blessed by the algorithm, your video is really deep and accurate about how RDR2 made a lot of us feel. I can’t believe that so few people saw that… great work brother, love from France !
I love when games give me this feeling. I vividly remember walking through Skyrim doing nothing but admiring the huge mountains and the music. Or in rdr2 taking care of my horse, finding a nice lake to fish, meeting a stranger on the road. Even Minecraft, I LOVE to play Minecraft in peaceful mode simply because I want to explore, gather materials and build my farm by a lake, I've never beat the ender dragon because the survival part never caught my attention. These moments stay in my mind longer than the missions or story.
I've spent roughly a thousand hours in Red Dead's world so far. I'm still seeing new things, hearing new lines of music, discovering new tiny details each time I play. I think your video has captured almost exactly how I feel about this masterpiece. I will die on the hill where I say this is truly the best game ever made. The absolute shock I had when I saw you have less than a thousand subs was substantial because I immidiately assumed you had millions with this type of quality in writing and narration, coupled with your fantastic ability to keep focus on your underlying point. Please continue to post content such as this at your own pace because you deserve a lot of praise for your work.
@@co2_os It's not how many times I've played it in the sense of playing the story. I've completed the story maybe 5 or so times in total. But I spend a large amount of time with Arthur in act 2, and then with John at the end. I spend a lot of time just wondering and soaking up the world because as the video says there is no other game that comes close. I also am not using guides to find anything it's all through exploration and just luck/chance.
one of my best memories playing this game was me and my friend walking on the train tracks for hours just talking. no running, no jogging, no horses and we ended up all the way in the other side of the map. great conversations we had.
You perfectly described my love for hardcore Minecraft. Having everything being temporary, knowing one day I will die and loose it all makes everything so beautiful and special
I don't know about you but the amount of time I find myself juggling between "I" and "He" or "Us" and "They" when retelling the events of the game to friends. The line becomes so blurry because of how present you are in their world. How much they end up mattering and meaning to you as you just, exist, alongside the gang and this world. So far no other game resonated as much as this one for me. Thanks for putting beautiful words to what I've been feeling for the past years
During all of my playthroughs, I have lived in the RDR2 world. At work, at home, it doesn't matter what I am doing, I am thinking about Arthur and the gang. It's incredible how the world embraces the player. RDR2 is HBOs West World. I stay in the park.
I know exactly what you mean. I just finished my first playthrough the other day and whether I was at school or work, I was worrying for what would happen to Arthur and members of the gang. It is also incredible how the game managed to make me feel genuine hatred towards Micah, unlike any other antagonist in other forms of entertainment. He never felt comedic or showed moments of kindness, every time I seen him or heard him talk I was angry with him and in my opinion, the creators executed his character perfectly.
@Mirblewave There was one bit of dialogue in Chapter six when Micah was introducing Arthur to Cleet and Joe, where he breaks character for a split second. He tells Cleet and Joe that Arthur is a stone cold killer and explains how Arthur saved him in Strawberry. The dialogue just made me hate him more.
Well that was the best 34 minutes I've experienced on UA-cam in a long, long time. I can't properly put into words how this has made me feel. But what I do know is that your entire perspective has resonated with me so deeply. I could never properly put into words what these moments meant to me, but this has just... completely nailed it. And the way you let the video continue playing with nothing but the ambient in-game sounds, imagery and dreamy background music. Perfectly crafted art. 💙 I'm in the process of replaying RDR2 and this has just given me permission to spend hours roaming and soaking in the atmosphere. I've spent years feeling like I was broken in some way, since everyone around me focused on jobs, money, work, kids... when I've never strived for any of that. It's incredibly difficult not to feel alone in your perspective when no one closeby seems to share it or begin to comprehend it. Everyone's just constantly moving from one thing to another, and they miss out on so much life and beauty because of it. But you've quite literally nurtured my soul with this. I've spent years trying to be okay with simply wanting to strive for love & peace in my life, and to have that be enough. To find a kinship with other folk who share the same perspective, and can notice the stillness in every tender in-between moment... that's all I want. No milestones. No pressure to hit goals. Just a constant recognition of these moments that make us feel content. To look at the moon with people I care about and feel at home. And you've sincerely helped me in nourishing that dream. I cannot thank you enough for making this, and I'm gonna be coming back to this video again and again just to keep telling myself it's okay to simply want the 'nothing' moments. Because the 'nothing' ends up meaning everything. Also, is there anywhere we can listen to this ambient music you played in the video? I've tried to find similar music myself in the past, but I never know what genre to class this music as. I saw that you made it yourself (which is amazing btw), but the thought of meditating while listening to it in the background would be absolute bliss. EDIT: Found your SoundCloud through your linktree in the description, so I think I answered my own question hahah
thank you so much for taking the time to comment this! i resonate so much with everything you said and am so glad that you can feel seen in some way by me sharing my perspective. that feeling of isolation due to this mindset is something i feel deeply. the video was a very personal endeavor to help me see how i feel more clearly, from a different vantage point. but, to see others resonate with these feelings as well has been such a gift. so thank you for sharing! and enjoy every second of your playthrough, and life in general :)
and yes my soundcloud has quite a few of my songs! most that are in this video are u released however, im planning on putting together an ambient album of a lot of these works. for artists with similar feelings i highly recommend brian eno’s ambient works as well as aphex twin. i especially love brian’s longer songs that really allow for that meditative state to be reached
@@noahcote I'm glad you were able to resonate with my comment 💙 Truly. And I can't imagine how incredible it must feel to share something so personal and see kindred spirits discover your work and feel immense comfort from your way of thinking. I'm still speechless at how gifted you are at being able to articulate these emotions. To spend so long making art, and to have other people find themselves within it... it's one of the most beautiful things we can experience. And the fact you added such meditative aspects to it too... I'll always be grateful. And I will definitely have to check out those music artists you recommended. Super stoked that you're considering putting together an ambient album. The world could definitely use more of it. I've no doubt it'll be awesome!
I knew I fell in love with this game when one day, when I started playing, Arthur was just waking up in the camp , all I did was saying good morning to everyone in there, had a cup of coffee, cut some wood, got my horse and went to nearest town’s saloon and got fricking breakfast, went hunting, got the pieces to the camp, played poker with the gang, fished in the lake, got lunch from Pearson, hear some stories in the campfire, and went to sleep. When I realized I spent those 40 minutes without doing virtually anything while been so entertained, I knew this game was different.
It's absolutely insane that RDR2 will be 5 years old this year, and that it still sets the highest standard for game immersion. Indeed, alive is the perfect word to describe this world. Alive in every way. I think we've all dreamed of time traveling at one point. This game is a chance to live a small span of time, in the life of another person, our alter ego, a hundred and twenty-five years back. No game ever felt so real before, and i'm not sure it's possible to do it again. Except maybe if Rockstar reproduces the feat.
This speaks to a part of myself that I had neglected for a long time. I rushed from event to event believing that there was something more consequential about it even if the events themselves were not. I felt like I was doing "something". This past couple of years I have made an effort to balance that part out. I take more time with everything. More time talking to friends and family and really listening to what they are saying. Taking time to smoke a cigar while on a walk at 3AM when the small city I live in is asleep. I even take more time making my coffee using things like french press or pour over instead of drip coffee. I have found that being present in every moment, good or bad, is the greatest gift you can really give yourself. Those moments of peace have become the thing that drives my life forward at this point and is what I build my life around. This video really made me feel the same way I do on those quiet nights walking through my town in the cool night air. I love Red Dead Redemption 2 and I am in the middle of my slow deliberate playthrough right now as the first time I played it was more about getting through the main story and I am loving every second of it. Thanks for this video, it was really well done. I look forward to what you post in the future.
thanks so much for sharing that, i completely relate! finding those moments in the everyday and in the entertainment we consume has benefited me so much. glad that feeling resonates!
Your voice coupled with the music and visuals of these games has probably made this one of the most therapeutic videos Ive ever watched on youtube. I think your mellow narration perfectly suits the tranquility of rdr2 at times
I absolutely love this video. You hit all the emotional points of this journey and I'm honestly getting teary eyed watching and listening to this video. Just the other day I go onto RD2 and just rode my horse and explored. I didn't worry about missions, special events, etc, I just rode with Kaya and enjoyed everything I and Arthur could take in. It was beautiful, I got to watch the environment around us change and it was spectacular just like this video. Very well done.
The solitary moments of RDR2 always manage to give me that feeling of complete serenity my life often lacks. I don't think we'll get a game as beautiful as this one ever again. Glad the video is finally blowing up by the way, fingers crossed it crosses a million views.
I was shocked seeing this had a couple thousands views when it clearly deserves more! I actually replayed the story of rdr2 and once I arrived at the bank robbery mission where (spoiler alert) two certain characters die, I just stopped. Like I'm stuck in this "in between space" and don't want to move on knowing the fate of the gang from this point forward. This video is one of the best I've seen in a while so thank you.
The horse in RDR2 is really what ties me in. Until your video, I never really realized how correct you are about how you see your horse as a pet. I'd think stuff like "Oh I should feed you, huh?" instead of thinking "My horse needs feeding." I started to feel bad when pushing my horse too hard, and letting him have breaks after riding for extended periods of time. Whenever wolves attacked us I got off him and made him flee to keep him safe. I grew a real bond with him to the end of the story. When my horse died at the end of the game, I felt genuine grief. It didn't feel like Arthur was comforting him in his last moments, it felt like it was me.
first time i cried in years... thank you. i cannot express how much i love this game and your video not only brought it back up to my timeline, it also captured in words feelings i never understood i had. Thank you for making this Video, Noah, and stay blessed everyone.
Feels like a whole movie. You just translate what my body and my mind was trying to say to me for years playing at those video games, listening to music or watching UA-cam videos like yours. You’re a poet of that modern society forcing us to feel things and live life through something that takes us out of our regular life. Love your video, keep going, sending love all the way from France.
I remember my first playthrough of Red Dead 2 vividly, I was very emotionally invested and brought to the brink of tears many times throughout the game. But by far the saddest moment of my first playthrough was when my horse died. He was the black shire you can take from that one mission with hosea which I named Dusty because, on the ride over there, I had to brush him numerous times. I used that horse throughout the majority of the game and then he died when I was running away from lawmen, I don't remember what crime I had committed but I do remember Dusty falling on the ground, where he started squirming about with my only option being to kill him to put him out of his misery, and I stood there for what felt like forever as the lawmen shot at me unable to kill, this fictional horse. I cried after that session because it felt like losing a pet, a companion who was always there for me without complaint, no matter how lonely the nights in red dead were or however many horrible crimes I committed, Dusty was there. That's why this game is one of my favorites, it is the only game that I have played where I have formed a deep emotional connection with 1's and 0's.
Arthur is a good man, no matter how much he denies it, a good man who has done his share of mistakes. I always try to keep my honor as high as possible by doing the right thing in every opportunity given to me because I can't have people in the world looking at Arthur in a negative light because of my selfish cravings. Arthur is an empath who cares so much more about all the people in his surroundings than himself, taking everything in silently and listening intently to conversations, he understands people, that's why people count and depend on him, his little interactions with his horse tells more about his personality than any major action cutscene, him whistling on the journey or mumbling a quiet song, something that he remembers the tune of but not all the words, the memories he shared with people he loves or loved, him sketching a tree or a bird or an abandoned church in his journal, keenly observing his surroundings, Arthur is a man whose silence speaks soo much more than most people do with their mouths, so much personality and emotion into such minor things that most don't care about or simply don't notice. I am in chapter 4, and sadly I know what happens in the ending and I don't know if I am strong enough to bear what is coming, I am laying off the inevitable until I feel like I am strong enough to bear it. Thank you for the video, I feel like now I will stop for a few moments in all this chaos and listen instead of speak, observe instead of act.
beautifully said, that’s all i could hope for :) he really is an unforgettable character. one who steps beyond the simple lines of a script into a space that we inhabit along side him
This whole video was so masterfully crafted:The music, sounds, clips and the wonderful script. You deserve a ton more of recognition, you have made the most surrealy beautiful video I've seen in a long time and made me appreciate even more the amazing game that is Red Dead Redemption 2
My first time playing rdr2 I quickly rushed through the main story. Got about half way through, when you find out Aurther’s condition. I went back and started a new save, because it felt like I was doing playing the game wrong. That second time around truly taught me something. What you talked about in this video, appreciating the little moments. Amazing video. This channel deserves to be big
I just finished the game a few hours ago, I was so emotionally moved and exhausted I went for a walk and watched the sun set on a crisp winter evening. I savoured this game like nothing else and having already played RDR1 twice, John’s epilogue and happy ending with Abigail hit me very hard, I don’t know how to express this properly but this video moved me to tears especially at the end and I thank you so much for reminding us to slow down and savour the moment. This game has changed my life and given me a greater perspective on life itself.
This video is indeed a story.. A narration and masterpiece itself. Im currently on my 3rd playthrough on rdr2 going for 100% this time but gonna take it real slow this time.. To savor the beauty of this gem. Also you forced me to remember all of my gaming experiences and now i see those memories from a diffrent, more accepting mindset
"You savor what time you have left but, are also slowly accepting the end of it all." This. I put off finishing Red Dead for years after it came out. I put a good dent in the story, then went to online, and then I just put the game down and stopped playing. For no good reason either, I just didn't want it to end. This is a recurring problem for me tbh. I've got a problem when it comes to finishing games I've been truly moved by. I just don't want it to end, I don't want to close the book. Because once it over. You can't experience it the same way anymore. You're 'Revisiting' not 'Continuing'... Everytime I would boot the game back up, I wouldn't even touch the story. Not because I didn't like it, or wasn't immersed by it, simply because I wanted the game to forever be in that state of 'more to experience'. I would boot the game up just to soak in the world Rockstar created. I would just go wander around in the vast wilderness, taking it all in, discovering little easter eggs and nuggets the Devs put in. The game is so many things, it's actually mind boggling. If I were to go back in time 10 years and give myself this game, it would blow my mind. The sheer scale of the world, the freedom you have, the mind-boggling level of detail. And realizing that only grew my appreciation for the work of art that is this game. I decided just recently to actually dive back into the story, and it's been a journey. The fact this video showed up in recommended is something lucky.
This video is so well done!! It's the reason why enjoy playing videogames so much, since I was a kid. You never feel lonely, you always find new things, you always feel calm and at peace. The reason why I love the Sims so much, especially the Sims 3, is the exploration. No Sim feels ever the same. It feels like you can get a glimpse into a life of a randome person, their family and life. How they thrive or fail. I don't play it to make everyone suceed, I play to see what these little pixels end up choosing to do. It is the moments in between, when they meet their friends on a friday evening, visit their grandma, read a book in the park. It gives you a feeling of security, that everything will be alright, no matter what kind of path you choose. I wish I could show this my mom, as she asks often why I exactly I enjoy playing games alone and not with friends. Sure playing with friends is fun but it doesn't give you the same sense of calmness, where you alone can choose to go wherever you want to go. I really appreciate open world games or games with multiple endings as you can just disover something new every single time! My mom doesn't speak English, otherwise I would show it to her :) Anyways, thank you so much for uploading this video!!
This game gave me the same feeling I used to get when I played games as a kid. I would play for hours without getting bored because I was so immersed in that world. Anytime I wasn’t playing I would be watching videos about it on UA-cam getting excited to play it again. It left such an impact on me that I still go on about it 5 years later. Thing is back in 2018 I was more eager to play Spiderman and God of War but RDR2 is the one that changed my perspective on games and what they can be.
It's a crime that RDR2's world was abandoned so quickly by Rockstar. It held so much potential such as: An RDR1 remake, but with 2's map A Mexico expansion (They already have custom scripts for the land lmao) A Guarma expansion, because the entire island exists and is solid/walkable, Rockstar just needed to finish it A map expansion in literally any direction, because the out-of-bounds portion of the game world was beyond necessary for what we got in the story, as it wasn't an island like the GTA series There was just so much time and love put into making the world of RDR2 as good as it is. Every tree, every bush, every boulder, every run-down shack in the woods, they were all placed where they are by intent, with a purpose, by someone who wanted to make his or her mark in this universe. To everyone who made the world of RDR2, even if a big chunk of it was underutilized, thank you for all your hard work. I hope you put in just as much effort into the world of GTA 6.
totally agree, it really is a shame. hopefully their approach to GTA6 will be different. there’s so much potential for added longevity through expansions of that nature! but, either way, if their next game is at the same level of quality as RDR2 i know it’ll be a great experience. 5 years later and there’s still nothing that competes with it in terms of level of detail and overall quality.
"It doesn't need to last forever for it to feel meaningful" - this is the statement that made me cry and reminded me of all the games and movies and stories I have heard. For me it was Marvel films from first 3 phases, gta V, harry potter, assassin's creed series and many more. Sometime I feel like even though the worlds shown in these films isn't real and merely an entertainment but they are special and they belong to special mind of those who are real. And I am blessed to witness it with my own eye in this life. Now I just have only one wish and that is to play GTA 6 at least once before I die. take care of yourself and this beautiful world.
This is a truly truly incredible piece of art you made and you took all the feelings and emotions this game and it’s world makes me feel and illustrated it far better than I could have ever imagined. I just want to thank you for making this I loved it. Forever in that space between.
This level of depth in any game is unparalleled. It just isn't about the superficial "attention to detail" that everyone talks about but the depth in every aspect that this game has to offer. It isn't just a "game", it's a whole experience that just sticks with you. There are so many small things that just make up the whole different experience. This is the level of brilliancy that Ubisoft or EA will never, in their lifetime, be able to touch. In fact, I don't even know if Rockstar themselves can do such a masterpiece again.
There’s not enough good words I can say about this video and how you illustrate the game’s feeling to the player, where the player becomes so interlinked with the world and characters. Many points stick out for me in this video, whee you mention the awareness of the end - so appreciate the present and savour the beauty of every detail. And also feeling like you know Arthur as if he is some figment of your past life, or if you are Arthur navigating a past world you feel weirdly familiar with. The game is truly alive, I love living in that world and spent a lot of mental time there when I’m physically away from that world as strange as that sounds. RDR2 is easily the best game of all time for me, a unique, timeless one-off that makes me feel like no game, or media ever has or ever will do I’m sure. I could cry or get goosebumps just thinking about it, and I’m glad UA-cam recommended me this video to be able to view someone’s like minded expression.
Very well done video, I related to a lot of your experience and feelings while playing Red Dead 2. I'm half way through a third play-through right now, so this is very timely for me. Keep up the great work, hope to see more from you.
thanks so much! really appreciate it. my playthrough in preparation for this video was my third as well, there’s so much to see it really never gets old
as a rdr2 lover I have to say this video essay is pure art. the way you discribed the characters captured my feelings in words. The music you did is amazing and your commentary let my thought you have like 200k subs but damn... this Video is just perfect and I enjoyed every second of it
The different worlds video games provide and the moments you can get lost in are something I really treasure because of how fleeting they are. Even though you can always replay a game, it's never quite the same as your first run and finishing a game always leaves you with that feeling. Friends often make fun of me for how long it takes for me to finish a game when they're usually done a playthrough in 60 hrs or less. But I'm starting to appreciate those "quieter" moments more the older I get and would rather take my time. It's like I'm finally aware that I'm living in the 'good ol days' right now.
I’ve always had an idea for a video almost exactly like this one even down to sharing thoughts on gta and red dead mixed in with the sort of grand thoughts on life itself. It’s nice that someone talented has put those ideas to work where I might have never got the opportunity. Thank you for this little slice of solidarity. I’m writing this comment out in the middle of the night while in the warmth of my bed but there is subzero temperatures just beyond my walls. I couldn’t have found this video at a better time. Thank you for that. Edit: I know this comment is kind of scattered but, sort of like Arthur’s notebook I just had to write my thoughts out as they came to me.
Ever since i found you on the internet, I have seen you as an inspiration and believe me when i tell you That this piece of art that you've created makes me feel alive and be proud of myself as an artist. i started documenting the silent and monotonous moments in my life and i inspire to create something even remotely close to your work. I wish the best for you on your art journey and hope to see more from you
I can only aspire to write like this, to shoot scenes like this, and to talk about things like this. You not only gained a new sub, but you also gained someone who believes in your work. Thank you for this.
This touched me as this is all the things I love to do using roleplay. Walking these worlds on roleplay servers and just doing the mundane. People don't expect to see someone walking the dirt roads on rdr2 to Beecher's Hope to work the farms; dressed in typical attire that actually makes. People don't expect to see someone taking extra time at a player run mechanic shop on gta to ask about my characters window washing fluid in her vehicle. There might be no mechanic for it but I roleplay it as something that exists. I take a lot of time immersing myself completely in every world I venture into and providing this to others beyond myself. I call it the dying the art of self immersion. Its not really doing 'nothing' to me. Self immersion is dying in the world of roleplay. The fine details of many characters have been lost with voice chat becoming popularized with these very games; gta, rdr2, dayz. These worlds can be so rich and its sad a lot of what is there to build story on is ran by as players grind to make a thousand. Speeding and full sprinting by everything great that makes up these worlds. People often find this level of detail of how I play boring, too much, too realistic. When I streamed rdr2 I played very slow just walking to destinations a lot. To me I find peace in this, fulfillment in doing the small and taking this extra time. Makes me actually feel apart of these worlds instead of just a 'player'. I live in these worlds...live through these worlds. I love to see others living among these worlds since single player gets lonely, and the stories become all known. I love rdr2 for self immersing. Its a masterpiece of its time. Walking around and just exploring is one of my favorite things to do. So many places to photograph, sketch, and just enjoy. Just like Author I've found making a journal of my current characters experiences about these games and what I come across a new way to elevate my own immersion. Did I ever think I'd end up sketching out the buildings I see around rdr2 and learning to draw because of this game? No. However after so long of staring at all the complexity of what is built around I decided to start trying to draw what I see. These games have changed me, and I'll keep diving right back in. I always hope to run into others like me while on servers. Those people who blend into the world, become a part of it.
@@missnatcula Beautifully said! I’ve been diving back into the game recently and spending a lot of time in photomode, messing with the effects that allow for a period accurate feel. I’m hoping to make a video on it, including what i’ve created so far. It’s wonderful when a piece of art can be a jumping off point for even more art to come from it. That’s amazing that you started drawing because of it!
I've followed you since around 2018 but this has to be your magnum opus, incredibly proud, I had an idea similar to this but you excel completely with the work you do, also I subbed lmaoo
thanks so much for sticking around this long. it means the world and thank you for taking the time to watch and comment! i won’t be stopping anytime soon :)
This video was so beautifully crafted, I can't even truly describe it. It captured the exact feeling I got when I first played Red Dead Redemption 2, a masterpiece of the generation that truly changed my view & expectations of video games so much so that I had a hard time playing a lot of sandbox titles after. Red Dead 2's dynamic open world packed with detail & care, its rich storytelling, characters, immersive mechanics, etc. All create an unforgettable experience. This is what I've been thinking and trying to say about RDR2 & gaming in general for a few years now but haven't found the exact words for it.
Wow, just wow. Not only did you brilliantly execute on the delivery of an idea and what it means to you in a super enthralling way, but you managed to put words(or a whole story, even) behind a feeling I could previously only ever describe as “ah, quiet video game calm brain.” I didn’t realize there was such a deep philosophy behind the feeling and I especially didn’t realize how many people truly appreciate the self-made serenity in a beautiful game otherwise known for its chaos and high octane moments. Masterfully done, sir. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for your channel!
Man the beginning of this video really brought me back in time. Sitting on top of an abandoned building with my friends, we were 16. Peacefully watching the city lights. That’s a moment in between that I’ll never forget also one of my favorite memories. Also red dead 2 is easily one of the best games ever made.
I love this! I've never felt this much connection to a video. This, this is why I play so many sandbox games: they're filled with so many little moments to be experienced! I've had a little secret for a while now. When I'm alone (not lonely, just alone) I go an sit below the sun and just exist. For as long as I can remember, those were the moments I felt more alive. The sun slowly warms your skin up, the wind keeps flying through, life keeps going. But I was alone, and free, and comfortable. I was, in those little moments, myself. I don't think anyone really understands it, but someday, somewhere, someone will be able to sit alongside me and live that moment with myself, to be able to see the purest part of me. That's a good little dream I of mine I guess ;)
that’s so beautiful. i think we all have that desire deep within even if we don’t realize it! those moments of peace and calm with yourself are so important and i’m glad you’ve found that experience :)
I’ve never been able to put into words the exact feelings that you portrayed in this video towards but now I honestly feel complete. The moment I saw the thumbnail and noticed it was Read Dead I just knew this was a going to be a video to savor. RDR2 saved my life in manny ways, when life felt meaningless, empty, and repetitive. In free play I felt free in a sense I had never and most likely will never be able to experience. I know” touch some grass” but I’m just glad I’m not the only one that has the same feelings of impact and comfort that these games gave to me. Thank you so much.
I spent hours, weeks, just camping and exploring, fishing all over the map. Enjoying the world with no real goal other than to just be there and experience it. It’s gorgeous.
Really great video man. Thank you for spending so much time on this. Got me thinking about my two playthroughs, my main horses in them (Todd & Pasadena), and all those little precious moments with them. RDR2 is a truly beautiful experience, than just a game.
This is genuinely the best UA-cam video I’ve watched in years because the mixture of just unreal feeling videos, your comforting and intriguing voice, the perfect choice of music. The way you managed to bring me back to the hours riding around on my horse or when I first came to realise that the game would eventually come to an end and that I had to enjoy every bit I could. This also made me realise that rdr2 also should make us realise that we do not last forever and that we also need to live in the moment.
Easily the best analysis of RDR2 I've seen and makes me appreciate the game even more than I already do, somehow. Connecting the idea of the mundane being the most memorable moments in life really resonated with me and made me consciously realize why I like the types of games, movies, and books I do. Also, the footage you use for "the imbetween moments" is strinkingly beautiful. Thanks so much for the video, this channel will surely reach the success it deserves.
This is what I've been feeling for the past year or so, savouring the spaces in between but I failed to put it into words like this video. The writing of this video is eloquent and beautiful. Wandering around listening to ambient music is one of my favourite pastimes. This made me emotional. Thank you.
This video is awesome. It's a wonderful piece of insight into how impactful RDR2 really is and why it is that way for so many people. I distinctly remember having a discussion with a friend about exactly this, and exactly how "at home" we felt exploring the story mode. So we hopped on the certainly more feral and lawless Red Dead Online and, partially motivated by the content drought there and our earlier conversation, we started going on hunting trips across Ambarino, fishing trips along the Lanahachee, and spending more time at our little camp by the fire, just taking it all in. I started noticing we did fewer and fewer missions, bounties, and supply runs, often picking a trip to the general store in Valentine to get a can of peaches or two over the action-packed missions. That to me, to us, is the true beauty of the game's world. As you say, the in-between. Taking in everything it has to offer just by existing. Thank you for posting, Noah. Loved this ❤️
This was a wonderful and beautiful video man the perfect way to describe the feelings u experience in these games and in real life and the nostalgia and moments contained in them both sometimes u really dont know what your experiencing until u sit back to take a moment and experience the beauty of each moment
I understand that feeling. One other game I felt like that is Mafia 2, especially because It has such a linear story with no side quest but its in a beautiful detailed open world in the 30s-40s. Just driving around in old cars and listening to the old radio stations is just so relaxing.
This video speaks to me personally. I always admired the subtle beauty from man meets girl in the Before series, the quiet and calmness of Lost in Translation, and more importantly the magnificence that is Red Dead Redemption 2. This video made me add Columbus onto my watch list also. We are so in common with our views that I feel exactly as you did about GTA. I played for over 600 hours and after all that time I had the same conclusions. It lacked that soul and charm that the likes of GTA 4 and obviously Red Dead 2 has. 3 main protagonists dilutes the feeling of being personally involved. On the other side Arthur makes you believe he truly existed in our world. Valentine, strawberry and Saint Denis make you fully immersed and involved I n this wonderful slice of land. As close to perfection as I’ll ever see in gaming.
I love a video that keeps you thinking the whole time. You've captured a concept I've always pondered on a bit but never really new how to express. But now I know why I find myself playing these two particular games still, to this day.
Amazing video man I think this might be one of my favourites on youtube. You perfectly captured how I feel about GTA 5 vs Red Dead 2- I remember when I first bought GTA 5 I was really sick so I was home in bed for a few days and pretty much all I had to do was play GTA, I played the first few missions up to when you get Chop the dog and after that I would just get up every in-game day and hang out with my dog. Franklin and Chop drove all over the map and found all sorts of cool places, I remember I found this one tiny beach- not the main one with the pier, this one is super tucked away in a secluded corner of the map. It's got one of those cool natural rock archway formations you can walk under, it's really cool. It's never featured in the main story, I think there is a jet ski race there later on but it is totally missable, yet you can go there every day and find different cars and people hanging out. And there are so many places like that on the map which the main story is totally disconnected from. If I play GTA now I will sometimes play the missions if I feel like mindlessly shooting things to break up my driving around and listening to the radio time (Radio Mirror Park and Non Stop Pop my beloveds). Whatever I think of the story, I love that map so much and I feel like I lived in Los Santos for years in a way. But yeahhh the humour and tone of the main story feels like playing an extended episode of South Park which I loved at the time but it's definitely not something that has matured with me. Red Dead Redemption 2 felt almost like an apology for all of this, the world of that game is living and breathing and almost feels like a character itself and the story feels like playing some great novel, and I think I will be thinking about this story and the world and Arthur until the day I die. I think playing a game about the world changing around you totally out of your control and everything falling apart during the first pandemic lockdown really hit different too. Not ashamed to say Arthur Morgan changed me, I can relate to the feeling of the battle of light and dark inside me- way lower stakes than a murdering robbing outlaw but still I get it lol, people tell me I'm a nice good person but I feel like I have a lot of problems with anger and avoidance, among other things. but I always *try* to live in the light, partly because of Arthur. If you read my journal it's just me trying to sound like him lol I love his writing style, wish I could draw like him tho. Crazy to think a lot of people don't even read the journal when half of the characterisation is in there. Anyway sorry I'm rambling lol I could gush about this game for hours, I'm willing to be proven wrong by other games in the future/games I haven't played yet ofc but I think for now this is one of the best games ever made, if not THE best. But yeah awesome awesome video dude, I remember places I've been in games more vividly than a lot of stuff from my own childhood and I feel like you get that yknow? I have ADHD so it's harder for me to stop my brain and take in my surroundings and live in the moment a lot of the time, but when I do it's really peaceful and special. "There ain't no shame in looking for a better world" -Arthur Morgan
really appreciate your comment, and totally relate to what you said! rly glad the video resonated with you :) there truly is no other game that has surpassed that level of connection i have with the world and main character as RDR2. It lives and breaths in every inch
2:50 “and inner knowing that everything is okay.” well said. sometimes we as humans don’t realize that at some point, everything will be okay essentially.
![Lp. Последняя Реальность #107 РОДНОЙ ДОМ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IK3QKzKUlHM/mqdefault.jpg)
I think this video perfectly captures the beauty of RDR2. Many people focus on the chaos the main storyline presents, but what makes the player connect with Arthur isn't that. It's the time we spend fishing in the rivers, walking through the streets of Saint Denis, brushing our horse off, that bring Arthur to life. He's not just a bunch of pixels and code -- he's an embodiment of how the allure of life is found in the time between. Thank you for making this video, Noah.
Thank you! i’m glad it resonated
That was well said #Diced
y’all should try our RedM if you enjoy red dead singleplayer but want a better online experience.. game changing
Dont you feel sleepy sometimes riding that horse? Be honest
@@greed6is6good maybe on the first playthrough i didn't like all the back and fourth but i have come to appreciate it. We go through it bc Arthur had to!
I think the fact that you can genuinely start caring for your horse like it's a real pet, is a testament to how great this game is made..
My horse was a grey (warhorse I think) that I stole in a town once.
No violence was in involved
He was called theft.
Never really got over his death.
Most powerful moment I have experienced in a game.
Hits my memory harder than Arthur's demise.
Anyone could be Arthur.
Only I had theft.
I almost forgot this...
As john I named a very similar horse Arthur as a semi tribute to the fallen ones.
Anyone else call John's horse Arthur?
that’s beautiful, the unique experiences we have with our own horse is such a standout within the game. with each playthrough i find it hard to use multiple horses. i always get attached to one, like the experiences of your time in the game are shared with someone else. someone who’s always had your back
How do u never accidentally drive your horse off a cliff, run him into a tree at 100kmph, or anything that accidentally kills him. I went through about 20 horses in this game
I think theft was around halfway through my game experience.
I did have others and did lose a few of them along the way.
Compared to rdr1 it seemed easier to keep horses alive in rdr2.
@@karuntz Damn i wish i could feel games like you do... for me the horses are just hairy 4 legged cars
Lmao that’s so cringe
Rewarding Arthur by letting him fish, take a stroll with my horse, buying new clothes and guns and customizing them, playing side games at camp and at town, staying at a hotel, getting food and drinks at a saloon, writing and reading his journal, and doing other things that aren’t part of the main story just made me connect with him so much more. I even made him wear certain clothes in certain climates or parts of the game. Some of the activities he does is something most us can relate with. He was the enforcer of the gang. When Hosea died and Dutch started going mad, a lot of them started looking at Arthur for guidance and safety. Also Arthur is the main reason why I got a journal for myself. It’s a Harry Potter Gryffindor styled journal because I’m a huge Harry Potter fan. It’s just so refreshing to have one. I can write and draw whatever I want in there. I started writing a lot in there and drew some characters like Pokémon in there. I want someone to read it one day but at the same time I really don’t.
I also started journaling again because of Arthur lol. And I love it
Im not the type to write to myself in a journal, but if I was it still wouldn't work I'd just end up drawing on every pagw
@@ClaytonTheCracker Maybe draw how you feel!
I always go to saloons, get him drunk, play poker and start bar fights 😂.
You gave him a meaningful last few months.
Dude, i am absolutely beside myself. The message you crafted in this documentary type piece is one that i am very familiar with, especially the fact that quiet memories are the ones you find yourself thinking about the most. I feel like that sense of nothingness is the main reason these types of interactive experiences like tlou, rdr2, etc are replayed over and over again. The way you interweaved the in-between feeling of peace and being in the moment in media and in real life created such a beautiful statement. I applaud you and all the time and dedication you obviously put into this. My eyes and ears were glued. Well done.
thank you so much man, i’m so glad all of these things came across and i absolutely agree! it’s something that has been on my mind for a while and i just had to try and get it out in a larger way. seriously means so much! ❤️
@@noahcote what's the music that starts at 7:44
I'd appreciate it
@@logygm4335it’s an original piece by me! haven’t released it
@@noahcote I don't really find music like that very often, I don't know what genre it is, but music like that is gold.
If there was a whole album of music with unique rhythm like this one, I'd be listening all day.
@@logygm4335 I think it's called electric something. I wish I remembered.
Amazing video. I got to meet Roger Clark in 2019 and I brought up that moment with him, when Arthur talks to Mary-Beth at 20:48. It really moved me the first time I played that moment, because it was the first time in any medium or art form where I genuinely believed to my core that a character was a real person. The illusion and artifice of the game melted away and I reacted as if I was hearing a friend tell me something. Roger remembered the scene down to every line...I can't imagine how much dialogue he must have performed over the years of development but he beat me to the "I write like a fool!" line before I even got the chance to say it. Considering how small that interaction is, that blew me away.
thank you, that’s amazing! it really is such a stand out moment for me, so many little interactions in camp left me with that same feeling. when suddenly the characters jump off the screen in a way that feels so natural
Didnt even realise your channel was this small. Genuinely million subscriber type content. Loved the video, the message and the vibes. Absolutely keep it up - you earned a sub.
thanks so much! really appreciate it :)
Hope they blow up fr quality content c:
I also agree your content got me as soon as I saw rdr2
Bruh just start this channel, it will be a long journey 🤙
This is legit the best video I've ever been recommended. I've put stupid amounts of hours into GTA and RDR2 and you really captured how those in-between moments feel and what they mean not only to me but so many others. You've really made me feel solace and much more appreciation for the memories I've made in those worlds and the one we live in. You earned my sub and like and deserve many more to come man. I'm rooting for you!
thank you so much i’m so glad to hear that! means the world
You articulated alot of feelings I have had the past few years but never realized it. Incredible work
so glad to hear. thank you!
I browse a lot on youtube. A lot. And rarely, maybe once a year, I find a video that is just perfect. Shivers down my spine.
This is one of those videos. Perfection. A beautiful blend of poetry, documentary, and art. Never has 30 minutes passed by so quickly. Tears down my cheeks during the last minute. It was an amazing emotional journey.
Thank you. ❤
this seriously means a lot, thank you so much! :)
My man you should really reconsider your time here, just saying, own your time again.
Couldn't have said if better myself, this man has a knack for poetry I find as beautiful as the game itself.
This video made me realise why rdr2 is my all time favorite game so far... I've felt exactly the same while playing it so it's really cool to see someone else putting those feelings in such good words and editing. This needs to get more attention!!
thank you! i’m glad it resonated :)
I've been doing nothing 2 decades now, guess I'm something of an artist myself.
after the first few moments of watching this, it was almost as if i transcended into another mind, one where it was quiet- quiet in the fact that the one voice spoke volume. millions of voices that never leave my head left all at once, and i could focus on what your piece was conveying. i find everything about this beautiful, and i fell in love because each aspect was filled with that beauty. when the musician, Brian, spoke about the job that artists have, he was talking about the game but also your work. this was a dream of a world inside a world, and you created it. thank you, Noah. the mundane really is an overlooked beauty that needs to be noticed more.
thank you so much
I completely agree with you
fax
I’ve played this game non stop since it’s release
Same with RDR1
I always find myself being most relaxed while just riding around in the world of Red dead redemption 2. The background music. The map. Everything
Thankyou rockstar
Once more I’ve been blessed by the algorithm, your video is really deep and accurate about how RDR2 made a lot of us feel. I can’t believe that so few people saw that… great work brother, love from France !
I appreciate that! thank you
I love when games give me this feeling. I vividly remember walking through Skyrim doing nothing but admiring the huge mountains and the music. Or in rdr2 taking care of my horse, finding a nice lake to fish, meeting a stranger on the road. Even Minecraft, I LOVE to play Minecraft in peaceful mode simply because I want to explore, gather materials and build my farm by a lake, I've never beat the ender dragon because the survival part never caught my attention.
These moments stay in my mind longer than the missions or story.
I've spent roughly a thousand hours in Red Dead's world so far. I'm still seeing new things, hearing new lines of music, discovering new tiny details each time I play.
I think your video has captured almost exactly how I feel about this masterpiece. I will die on the hill where I say this is truly the best game ever made.
The absolute shock I had when I saw you have less than a thousand subs was substantial because I immidiately assumed you had millions with this type of quality in writing and narration, coupled with your fantastic ability to keep focus on your underlying point. Please continue to post content such as this at your own pace because you deserve a lot of praise for your work.
thank you so much for the support! i’m glad you enjoyed the video :)
There is really not many games I could truly ever consider to be the best game to ever exist. But Red Dead 2 is one I can definitely agree with.
How many times you played it? Cause I 100% it and didn't even come close to half that time.
@@co2_os It's not how many times I've played it in the sense of playing the story. I've completed the story maybe 5 or so times in total.
But I spend a large amount of time with Arthur in act 2, and then with John at the end.
I spend a lot of time just wondering and soaking up the world because as the video says there is no other game that comes close. I also am not using guides to find anything it's all through exploration and just luck/chance.
one of my best memories playing this game was me and my friend walking on the train tracks for hours just talking. no running, no jogging, no horses and we ended up all the way in the other side of the map. great conversations we had.
You perfectly described my love for hardcore Minecraft. Having everything being temporary, knowing one day I will die and loose it all makes everything so beautiful and special
I don't know about you but the amount of time I find myself juggling between "I" and "He" or "Us" and "They" when retelling the events of the game to friends. The line becomes so blurry because of how present you are in their world. How much they end up mattering and meaning to you as you just, exist, alongside the gang and this world. So far no other game resonated as much as this one for me. Thanks for putting beautiful words to what I've been feeling for the past years
i know exactly what you mean, and thank you! glad it resonated :)
During all of my playthroughs, I have lived in the RDR2 world. At work, at home, it doesn't matter what I am doing, I am thinking about Arthur and the gang. It's incredible how the world embraces the player.
RDR2 is HBOs West World. I stay in the park.
I know exactly what you mean. I just finished my first playthrough the other day and whether I was at school or work, I was worrying for what would happen to Arthur and members of the gang. It is also incredible how the game managed to make me feel genuine hatred towards Micah, unlike any other antagonist in other forms of entertainment. He never felt comedic or showed moments of kindness, every time I seen him or heard him talk I was angry with him and in my opinion, the creators executed his character perfectly.
@Mirblewave There was one bit of dialogue in Chapter six when Micah was introducing Arthur to Cleet and Joe, where he breaks character for a split second. He tells Cleet and Joe that Arthur is a stone cold killer and explains how Arthur saved him in Strawberry.
The dialogue just made me hate him more.
Well that was the best 34 minutes I've experienced on UA-cam in a long, long time.
I can't properly put into words how this has made me feel. But what I do know is that your entire perspective has resonated with me so deeply. I could never properly put into words what these moments meant to me, but this has just... completely nailed it. And the way you let the video continue playing with nothing but the ambient in-game sounds, imagery and dreamy background music. Perfectly crafted art. 💙 I'm in the process of replaying RDR2 and this has just given me permission to spend hours roaming and soaking in the atmosphere.
I've spent years feeling like I was broken in some way, since everyone around me focused on jobs, money, work, kids... when I've never strived for any of that. It's incredibly difficult not to feel alone in your perspective when no one closeby seems to share it or begin to comprehend it. Everyone's just constantly moving from one thing to another, and they miss out on so much life and beauty because of it. But you've quite literally nurtured my soul with this. I've spent years trying to be okay with simply wanting to strive for love & peace in my life, and to have that be enough. To find a kinship with other folk who share the same perspective, and can notice the stillness in every tender in-between moment... that's all I want. No milestones. No pressure to hit goals. Just a constant recognition of these moments that make us feel content. To look at the moon with people I care about and feel at home. And you've sincerely helped me in nourishing that dream.
I cannot thank you enough for making this, and I'm gonna be coming back to this video again and again just to keep telling myself it's okay to simply want the 'nothing' moments. Because the 'nothing' ends up meaning everything.
Also, is there anywhere we can listen to this ambient music you played in the video?
I've tried to find similar music myself in the past, but I never know what genre to class this music as. I saw that you made it yourself (which is amazing btw), but the thought of meditating while listening to it in the background would be absolute bliss.
EDIT: Found your SoundCloud through your linktree in the description, so I think I answered my own question hahah
thank you so much for taking the time to comment this! i resonate so much with everything you said and am so glad that you can feel seen in some way by me sharing my perspective. that feeling of isolation due to this mindset is something i feel deeply. the video was a very personal endeavor to help me see how i feel more clearly, from a different vantage point. but, to see others resonate with these feelings as well has been such a gift. so thank you for sharing! and enjoy every second of your playthrough, and life in general :)
and yes my soundcloud has quite a few of my songs! most that are in this video are u released however, im planning on putting together an ambient album of a lot of these works. for artists with similar feelings i highly recommend brian eno’s ambient works as well as aphex twin. i especially love brian’s longer songs that really allow for that meditative state to be reached
also the album music for animals by nils frahm is a favorite of mine within this genre!
@@noahcote I'm glad you were able to resonate with my comment 💙 Truly. And I can't imagine how incredible it must feel to share something so personal and see kindred spirits discover your work and feel immense comfort from your way of thinking. I'm still speechless at how gifted you are at being able to articulate these emotions. To spend so long making art, and to have other people find themselves within it... it's one of the most beautiful things we can experience. And the fact you added such meditative aspects to it too... I'll always be grateful. And I will definitely have to check out those music artists you recommended. Super stoked that you're considering putting together an ambient album. The world could definitely use more of it. I've no doubt it'll be awesome!
@@noahcote where can we find the music that was in this video
I knew I fell in love with this game when one day, when I started playing, Arthur was just waking up in the camp , all I did was saying good morning to everyone in there, had a cup of coffee, cut some wood, got my horse and went to nearest town’s saloon and got fricking breakfast, went hunting, got the pieces to the camp, played poker with the gang, fished in the lake, got lunch from Pearson, hear some stories in the campfire, and went to sleep. When I realized I spent those 40 minutes without doing virtually anything while been so entertained, I knew this game was different.
It's absolutely insane that RDR2 will be 5 years old this year, and that it still sets the highest standard for game immersion. Indeed, alive is the perfect word to describe this world. Alive in every way. I think we've all dreamed of time traveling at one point. This game is a chance to live a small span of time, in the life of another person, our alter ego, a hundred and twenty-five years back. No game ever felt so real before, and i'm not sure it's possible to do it again. Except maybe if Rockstar reproduces the feat.
This speaks to a part of myself that I had neglected for a long time. I rushed from event to event believing that there was something more consequential about it even if the events themselves were not. I felt like I was doing "something". This past couple of years I have made an effort to balance that part out. I take more time with everything. More time talking to friends and family and really listening to what they are saying. Taking time to smoke a cigar while on a walk at 3AM when the small city I live in is asleep. I even take more time making my coffee using things like french press or pour over instead of drip coffee. I have found that being present in every moment, good or bad, is the greatest gift you can really give yourself. Those moments of peace have become the thing that drives my life forward at this point and is what I build my life around. This video really made me feel the same way I do on those quiet nights walking through my town in the cool night air. I love Red Dead Redemption 2 and I am in the middle of my slow deliberate playthrough right now as the first time I played it was more about getting through the main story and I am loving every second of it.
Thanks for this video, it was really well done. I look forward to what you post in the future.
thanks so much for sharing that, i completely relate! finding those moments in the everyday and in the entertainment we consume has benefited me so much. glad that feeling resonates!
this is the greatest vid to exist. everything about it is just… complete
thank you sm❤❤
This is the most beautiful video i have ever seen.
Your voice coupled with the music and visuals of these games has probably made this one of the most therapeutic videos Ive ever watched on youtube. I think your mellow narration perfectly suits the tranquility of rdr2 at times
i’m so glad, thank you so much!
I absolutely love this video. You hit all the emotional points of this journey and I'm honestly getting teary eyed watching and listening to this video. Just the other day I go onto RD2 and just rode my horse and explored. I didn't worry about missions, special events, etc, I just rode with Kaya and enjoyed everything I and Arthur could take in. It was beautiful, I got to watch the environment around us change and it was spectacular just like this video. Very well done.
thanks so much! glad you had that experience. it’s a favorite pastime of mine too
The solitary moments of RDR2 always manage to give me that feeling of complete serenity my life often lacks. I don't think we'll get a game as beautiful as this one ever again.
Glad the video is finally blowing up by the way, fingers crossed it crosses a million views.
just laid in bed and started sketching while watching and listening to your video. so peaceful
love this :) i’m glad
'Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.'
I was shocked seeing this had a couple thousands views when it clearly deserves more! I actually replayed the story of rdr2 and once I arrived at the bank robbery mission where (spoiler alert) two certain characters die, I just stopped. Like I'm stuck in this "in between space" and don't want to move on knowing the fate of the gang from this point forward. This video is one of the best I've seen in a while so thank you.
the algorithm has been great recently
also had no idea they put Jasmine by Jai Paul on GTAV. That alone makes me want to replay it.
it was a great moment when i realized it was on there! the radio station is radio mirror park
The horse in RDR2 is really what ties me in. Until your video, I never really realized how correct you are about how you see your horse as a pet. I'd think stuff like "Oh I should feed you, huh?" instead of thinking "My horse needs feeding." I started to feel bad when pushing my horse too hard, and letting him have breaks after riding for extended periods of time. Whenever wolves attacked us I got off him and made him flee to keep him safe. I grew a real bond with him to the end of the story. When my horse died at the end of the game, I felt genuine grief. It didn't feel like Arthur was comforting him in his last moments, it felt like it was me.
"small in your scale but infinite in your ability to feel" made me cry bro
first time i cried in years... thank you. i cannot express how much i love this game and your video not only brought it back up to my timeline, it also captured in words feelings i never understood i had. Thank you for making this Video, Noah, and stay blessed everyone.
so glad you enjoyed it, thank you!!
Feels like a whole movie. You just translate what my body and my mind was trying to say to me for years playing at those video games, listening to music or watching UA-cam videos like yours. You’re a poet of that modern society forcing us to feel things and live life through something that takes us out of our regular life. Love your video, keep going, sending love all the way from France.
thanks so much, it means a lot!
I remember my first playthrough of Red Dead 2 vividly, I was very emotionally invested and brought to the brink of tears many times throughout the game. But by far the saddest moment of my first playthrough was when my horse died. He was the black shire you can take from that one mission with hosea which I named Dusty because, on the ride over there, I had to brush him numerous times. I used that horse throughout the majority of the game and then he died when I was running away from lawmen, I don't remember what crime I had committed but I do remember Dusty falling on the ground, where he started squirming about with my only option being to kill him to put him out of his misery, and I stood there for what felt like forever as the lawmen shot at me unable to kill, this fictional horse. I cried after that session because it felt like losing a pet, a companion who was always there for me without complaint, no matter how lonely the nights in red dead were or however many horrible crimes I committed, Dusty was there.
That's why this game is one of my favorites, it is the only game that I have played where I have formed a deep emotional connection with 1's and 0's.
Arthur is a good man, no matter how much he denies it, a good man who has done his share of mistakes. I always try to keep my honor as high as possible by doing the right thing in every opportunity given to me because I can't have people in the world looking at Arthur in a negative light because of my selfish cravings. Arthur is an empath who cares so much more about all the people in his surroundings than himself, taking everything in silently and listening intently to conversations, he understands people, that's why people count and depend on him, his little interactions with his horse tells more about his personality than any major action cutscene, him whistling on the journey or mumbling a quiet song, something that he remembers the tune of but not all the words, the memories he shared with people he loves or loved, him sketching a tree or a bird or an abandoned church in his journal, keenly observing his surroundings, Arthur is a man whose silence speaks soo much more than most people do with their mouths, so much personality and emotion into such minor things that most don't care about or simply don't notice. I am in chapter 4, and sadly I know what happens in the ending and I don't know if I am strong enough to bear what is coming, I am laying off the inevitable until I feel like I am strong enough to bear it. Thank you for the video, I feel like now I will stop for a few moments in all this chaos and listen instead of speak, observe instead of act.
beautifully said, that’s all i could hope for :) he really is an unforgettable character. one who steps beyond the simple lines of a script into a space that we inhabit along side him
This whole video was so masterfully crafted:The music, sounds, clips and the wonderful script. You deserve a ton more of recognition, you have made the most surrealy beautiful video I've seen in a long time and made me appreciate even more the amazing game that is Red Dead Redemption 2
thank you so much! :)
My first time playing rdr2 I quickly rushed through the main story. Got about half way through, when you find out Aurther’s condition. I went back and started a new save, because it felt like I was doing playing the game wrong. That second time around truly taught me something. What you talked about in this video, appreciating the little moments.
Amazing video. This channel deserves to be big
I love it when a kid voice starts telling me about getting old and how memory is a funny thing
I just finished the game a few hours ago, I was so emotionally moved and exhausted I went for a walk and watched the sun set on a crisp winter evening.
I savoured this game like nothing else and having already played RDR1 twice, John’s epilogue and happy ending with Abigail hit me very hard, I don’t know how to express this properly but this video moved me to tears especially at the end and I thank you so much for reminding us to slow down and savour the moment.
This game has changed my life and given me a greater perspective on life itself.
This video is indeed a story.. A narration and masterpiece itself. Im currently on my 3rd playthrough on rdr2 going for 100% this time but gonna take it real slow this time.. To savor the beauty of this gem. Also you forced me to remember all of my gaming experiences and now i see those memories from a diffrent, more accepting mindset
Criminally underrated great job the music the editing all of it was so calming and such a great take on a very enjoyable series of games
thanks sm!
"You savor what time you have left but, are also slowly accepting the end of it all."
This. I put off finishing Red Dead for years after it came out. I put a good dent in the story, then went to online, and then I just put the game down and stopped playing. For no good reason either, I just didn't want it to end. This is a recurring problem for me tbh. I've got a problem when it comes to finishing games I've been truly moved by. I just don't want it to end, I don't want to close the book. Because once it over. You can't experience it the same way anymore. You're 'Revisiting' not 'Continuing'... Everytime I would boot the game back up, I wouldn't even touch the story. Not because I didn't like it, or wasn't immersed by it, simply because I wanted the game to forever be in that state of 'more to experience'. I would boot the game up just to soak in the world Rockstar created. I would just go wander around in the vast wilderness, taking it all in, discovering little easter eggs and nuggets the Devs put in. The game is so many things, it's actually mind boggling. If I were to go back in time 10 years and give myself this game, it would blow my mind. The sheer scale of the world, the freedom you have, the mind-boggling level of detail. And realizing that only grew my appreciation for the work of art that is this game. I decided just recently to actually dive back into the story, and it's been a journey. The fact this video showed up in recommended is something lucky.
This video is so well done!! It's the reason why enjoy playing videogames so much, since I was a kid. You never feel lonely, you always find new things, you always feel calm and at peace.
The reason why I love the Sims so much, especially the Sims 3, is the exploration. No Sim feels ever the same. It feels like you can get a glimpse into a life of a randome person, their family and life. How they thrive or fail. I don't play it to make everyone suceed, I play to see what these little pixels end up choosing to do. It is the moments in between, when they meet their friends on a friday evening, visit their grandma, read a book in the park.
It gives you a feeling of security, that everything will be alright, no matter what kind of path you choose.
I wish I could show this my mom, as she asks often why I exactly I enjoy playing games alone and not with friends. Sure playing with friends is fun but it doesn't give you the same sense of calmness, where you alone can choose to go wherever you want to go. I really appreciate open world games or games with multiple endings as you can just disover something new every single time! My mom doesn't speak English, otherwise I would show it to her :)
Anyways, thank you so much for uploading this video!!
This game gave me the same feeling I used to get when I played games as a kid. I would play for hours without getting bored because I was so immersed in that world. Anytime I wasn’t playing I would be watching videos about it on UA-cam getting excited to play it again. It left such an impact on me that I still go on about it 5 years later. Thing is back in 2018 I was more eager to play Spiderman and God of War but RDR2 is the one that changed my perspective on games and what they can be.
This video is a love letter to one of the best games ever made. love your content and thank you for this.
It's a crime that RDR2's world was abandoned so quickly by Rockstar. It held so much potential such as:
An RDR1 remake, but with 2's map
A Mexico expansion (They already have custom scripts for the land lmao)
A Guarma expansion, because the entire island exists and is solid/walkable, Rockstar just needed to finish it
A map expansion in literally any direction, because the out-of-bounds portion of the game world was beyond necessary for what we got in the story, as it wasn't an island like the GTA series
There was just so much time and love put into making the world of RDR2 as good as it is. Every tree, every bush, every boulder, every run-down shack in the woods, they were all placed where they are by intent, with a purpose, by someone who wanted to make his or her mark in this universe.
To everyone who made the world of RDR2, even if a big chunk of it was underutilized, thank you for all your hard work. I hope you put in just as much effort into the world of GTA 6.
totally agree, it really is a shame. hopefully their approach to GTA6 will be different. there’s so much potential for added longevity through expansions of that nature! but, either way, if their next game is at the same level of quality as RDR2 i know it’ll be a great experience. 5 years later and there’s still nothing that competes with it in terms of level of detail and overall quality.
"It doesn't need to last forever for it to feel meaningful" - this is the statement that made me cry and reminded me of all the games and movies and stories I have heard. For me it was Marvel films from first 3 phases, gta V, harry potter, assassin's creed series and many more. Sometime I feel like even though the worlds shown in these films isn't real and merely an entertainment but they are special and they belong to special mind of those who are real. And I am blessed to witness it with my own eye in this life. Now I just have only one wish and that is to play GTA 6 at least once before I die.
take care of yourself and this beautiful world.
This is a truly truly incredible piece of art you made and you took all the feelings and emotions this game and it’s world makes me feel and illustrated it far better than I could have ever imagined. I just want to thank you for making this I loved it.
Forever in that space between.
This level of depth in any game is unparalleled. It just isn't about the superficial "attention to detail" that everyone talks about but the depth in every aspect that this game has to offer. It isn't just a "game", it's a whole experience that just sticks with you. There are so many small things that just make up the whole different experience. This is the level of brilliancy that Ubisoft or EA will never, in their lifetime, be able to touch. In fact, I don't even know if Rockstar themselves can do such a masterpiece again.
There’s not enough good words I can say about this video and how you illustrate the game’s feeling to the player, where the player becomes so interlinked with the world and characters.
Many points stick out for me in this video, whee you mention the awareness of the end - so appreciate the present and savour the beauty of every detail.
And also feeling like you know Arthur as if he is some figment of your past life, or if you are Arthur navigating a past world you feel weirdly familiar with.
The game is truly alive, I love living in that world and spent a lot of mental time there when I’m physically away from that world as strange as that sounds.
RDR2 is easily the best game of all time for me, a unique, timeless one-off that makes me feel like no game, or media ever has or ever will do I’m sure.
I could cry or get goosebumps just thinking about it, and I’m glad UA-cam recommended me this video to be able to view someone’s like minded expression.
Of all the RDR2 essays ive seen, and ive seen A LOT, this is my favorite. Perfectly encapsulated so many feelings i resonate with
Very well done video, I related to a lot of your experience and feelings while playing Red Dead 2. I'm half way through a third play-through right now, so this is very timely for me. Keep up the great work, hope to see more from you.
thanks so much! really appreciate it. my playthrough in preparation for this video was my third as well, there’s so much to see it really never gets old
keep making videos man!! you’re a great storyteller
means a lot, thank you so much!
as a rdr2 lover I have to say this video essay is pure art. the way you discribed the characters captured my feelings in words. The music you did is amazing and your commentary let my thought you have like 200k subs but damn... this Video is just perfect and I enjoyed every second of it
The different worlds video games provide and the moments you can get lost in are something I really treasure because of how fleeting they are. Even though you can always replay a game, it's never quite the same as your first run and finishing a game always leaves you with that feeling. Friends often make fun of me for how long it takes for me to finish a game when they're usually done a playthrough in 60 hrs or less. But I'm starting to appreciate those "quieter" moments more the older I get and would rather take my time. It's like I'm finally aware that I'm living in the 'good ol days' right now.
I’ve always had an idea for a video almost exactly like this one even down to sharing thoughts on gta and red dead mixed in with the sort of grand thoughts on life itself. It’s nice that someone talented has put those ideas to work where I might have never got the opportunity. Thank you for this little slice of solidarity. I’m writing this comment out in the middle of the night while in the warmth of my bed but there is subzero temperatures just beyond my walls. I couldn’t have found this video at a better time. Thank you for that.
Edit: I know this comment is kind of scattered but, sort of like Arthur’s notebook I just had to write my thoughts out as they came to me.
Ever since i found you on the internet, I have seen you as an inspiration and believe me when i tell you That this piece of art that you've created makes me feel alive and be proud of myself as an artist. i started documenting the silent and monotonous moments in my life and i inspire to create something even remotely close to your work. I wish the best for you on your art journey and hope to see more from you
thank you so much, i’m so glad that anything i’ve made could have that effect. really appreciate you sharing that ❤
One of the best YT vids I have ever Watched out of the hundreds of thousands, since 2007. Incredible, truly!
thank you so much! means a ton
This is one of the best videos I have seen in awhile. Much, much love.
this is an absolute gem.
thanks so much!
I can only aspire to write like this, to shoot scenes like this, and to talk about things like this.
You not only gained a new sub, but you also gained someone who believes in your work. Thank you for this.
incredibly grateful, thanks so much!
This touched me as this is all the things I love to do using roleplay. Walking these worlds on roleplay servers and just doing the mundane. People don't expect to see someone walking the dirt roads on rdr2 to Beecher's Hope to work the farms; dressed in typical attire that actually makes. People don't expect to see someone taking extra time at a player run mechanic shop on gta to ask about my characters window washing fluid in her vehicle. There might be no mechanic for it but I roleplay it as something that exists. I take a lot of time immersing myself completely in every world I venture into and providing this to others beyond myself.
I call it the dying the art of self immersion. Its not really doing 'nothing' to me. Self immersion is dying in the world of roleplay. The fine details of many characters have been lost with voice chat becoming popularized with these very games; gta, rdr2, dayz. These worlds can be so rich and its sad a lot of what is there to build story on is ran by as players grind to make a thousand. Speeding and full sprinting by everything great that makes up these worlds.
People often find this level of detail of how I play boring, too much, too realistic. When I streamed rdr2 I played very slow just walking to destinations a lot. To me I find peace in this, fulfillment in doing the small and taking this extra time. Makes me actually feel apart of these worlds instead of just a 'player'. I live in these worlds...live through these worlds. I love to see others living among these worlds since single player gets lonely, and the stories become all known.
I love rdr2 for self immersing. Its a masterpiece of its time. Walking around and just exploring is one of my favorite things to do. So many places to photograph, sketch, and just enjoy. Just like Author I've found making a journal of my current characters experiences about these games and what I come across a new way to elevate my own immersion.
Did I ever think I'd end up sketching out the buildings I see around rdr2 and learning to draw because of this game? No. However after so long of staring at all the complexity of what is built around I decided to start trying to draw what I see. These games have changed me, and I'll keep diving right back in. I always hope to run into others like me while on servers. Those people who blend into the world, become a part of it.
@@missnatcula Beautifully said! I’ve been diving back into the game recently and spending a lot of time in photomode, messing with the effects that allow for a period accurate feel. I’m hoping to make a video on it, including what i’ve created so far. It’s wonderful when a piece of art can be a jumping off point for even more art to come from it. That’s amazing that you started drawing because of it!
@@missnatcula just posted a video focusing on the photography i’ve created in the game!
That is the most beautiful thing on the UA-cam for the last few years
I love your stuff man! Big fan or ur vsco ❤️
rly appreciate it! :)
I've followed you since around 2018 but this has to be your magnum opus, incredibly proud, I had an idea similar to this but you excel completely with the work you do, also I subbed lmaoo
thanks so much for sticking around this long. it means the world and thank you for taking the time to watch and comment! i won’t be stopping anytime soon :)
@@noahcote excited for your future, im sure it'll be a bright one
This video is pure art. Thank you for making this tribute to what the “little moments are the ones that create the greatest memories” phrase means.
This video was so beautifully crafted, I can't even truly describe it. It captured the exact feeling I got when I first played Red Dead Redemption 2, a masterpiece of the generation that truly changed my view & expectations of video games so much so that I had a hard time playing a lot of sandbox titles after. Red Dead 2's dynamic open world packed with detail & care, its rich storytelling, characters, immersive mechanics, etc. All create an unforgettable experience.
This is what I've been thinking and trying to say about RDR2 & gaming in general for a few years now but haven't found the exact words for it.
Wow, just wow. Not only did you brilliantly execute on the delivery of an idea and what it means to you in a super enthralling way, but you managed to put words(or a whole story, even) behind a feeling I could previously only ever describe as “ah, quiet video game calm brain.” I didn’t realize there was such a deep philosophy behind the feeling and I especially didn’t realize how many people truly appreciate the self-made serenity in a beautiful game otherwise known for its chaos and high octane moments. Masterfully done, sir. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for your channel!
thank you so much! it’s been very gratifying to see that people share the feelings i tried to articulate :)
Man the beginning of this video really brought me back in time. Sitting on top of an abandoned building with my friends, we were 16. Peacefully watching the city lights. That’s a moment in between that I’ll never forget also one of my favorite memories. Also red dead 2 is easily one of the best games ever made.
I heard a lot of people complaining about how slow paced RDR 2 is,well I feel bad for those people,they never understood the true meaning of the game.
I absolutely love the style of this video, and you knocked it out of the park. Thank you so much for this!
love it man
thank you!!
I love this! I've never felt this much connection to a video. This, this is why I play so many sandbox games: they're filled with so many little moments to be experienced!
I've had a little secret for a while now. When I'm alone (not lonely, just alone) I go an sit below the sun and just exist. For as long as I can remember, those were the moments I felt more alive. The sun slowly warms your skin up, the wind keeps flying through, life keeps going. But I was alone, and free, and comfortable. I was, in those little moments, myself.
I don't think anyone really understands it, but someday, somewhere, someone will be able to sit alongside me and live that moment with myself, to be able to see the purest part of me. That's a good little dream I of mine I guess ;)
that’s so beautiful. i think we all have that desire deep within even if we don’t realize it! those moments of peace and calm with yourself are so important and i’m glad you’ve found that experience :)
This is one of the best documentaries I’ve ever watched. Great job
This hits home. I always felt alone yet comforted when exploring in Skyrim, rdr, and no man’s sky especially.
I’ve never been able to put into words the exact feelings that you portrayed in this video towards but now I honestly feel complete. The moment I saw the thumbnail and noticed it was Read Dead I just knew this was a going to be a video to savor. RDR2 saved my life in manny ways, when life felt meaningless, empty, and repetitive. In free play I felt free in a sense I had never and most likely will never be able to experience. I know” touch some grass” but I’m just glad I’m not the only one that has the same feelings of impact and comfort that these games gave to me.
Thank you so much.
in between 4eva
I spent hours, weeks, just camping and exploring, fishing all over the map. Enjoying the world with no real goal other than to just be there and experience it. It’s gorgeous.
I saw a part of this video in a hurry a few months back and was searching it for months. This is one of the best piece of content on UA-cam.
really appreciate that :)
Really great video man. Thank you for spending so much time on this. Got me thinking about my two playthroughs, my main horses in them (Todd & Pasadena), and all those little precious moments with them. RDR2 is a truly beautiful experience, than just a game.
The Art of making amazing ambient breathtaking videos! Thank you so much, its perfect
This is genuinely the best UA-cam video I’ve watched in years because the mixture of just unreal feeling videos, your comforting and intriguing voice, the perfect choice of music. The way you managed to bring me back to the hours riding around on my horse or when I first came to realise that the game would eventually come to an end and that I had to enjoy every bit I could. This also made me realise that rdr2 also should make us realise that we do not last forever and that we also need to live in the moment.
i’m so happy to hear, thanks so much for taking the time to comment :)
Easily the best analysis of RDR2 I've seen and makes me appreciate the game even more than I already do, somehow. Connecting the idea of the mundane being the most memorable moments in life really resonated with me and made me consciously realize why I like the types of games, movies, and books I do. Also, the footage you use for "the imbetween moments" is strinkingly beautiful. Thanks so much for the video, this channel will surely reach the success it deserves.
This is what I've been feeling for the past year or so, savouring the spaces in between but I failed to put it into words like this video. The writing of this video is eloquent and beautiful. Wandering around listening to ambient music is one of my favourite pastimes. This made me emotional. Thank you.
This video is awesome. It's a wonderful piece of insight into how impactful RDR2 really is and why it is that way for so many people.
I distinctly remember having a discussion with a friend about exactly this, and exactly how "at home" we felt exploring the story mode.
So we hopped on the certainly more feral and lawless Red Dead Online and, partially motivated by the content drought there and our earlier conversation, we started going on hunting trips across Ambarino, fishing trips along the Lanahachee, and spending more time at our little camp by the fire, just taking it all in.
I started noticing we did fewer and fewer missions, bounties, and supply runs, often picking a trip to the general store in Valentine to get a can of peaches or two over the action-packed missions.
That to me, to us, is the true beauty of the game's world. As you say, the in-between. Taking in everything it has to offer just by existing.
Thank you for posting, Noah. Loved this ❤️
This might just be my favorite yt video of all time. Really gives me not only the feels but a whole lot to think about...
This was a wonderful and beautiful video man the perfect way to describe the feelings u experience in these games and in real life and the nostalgia and moments contained in them both sometimes u really dont know what your experiencing until u sit back to take a moment and experience the beauty of each moment
Thanks man, I never thought I could find someone that understand me more, please make more of these videos.
I understand that feeling. One other game I felt like that is Mafia 2, especially because It has such a linear story with no side quest but its in a beautiful detailed open world in the 30s-40s. Just driving around in old cars and listening to the old radio stations is just so relaxing.
This video speaks to me personally. I always admired the subtle beauty from man meets girl in the Before series, the quiet and calmness of Lost in Translation, and more importantly the magnificence that is Red Dead Redemption 2. This video made me add Columbus onto my watch list also. We are so in common with our views that I feel exactly as you did about GTA. I played for over 600 hours and after all that time I had the same conclusions. It lacked that soul and charm that the likes of GTA 4 and obviously Red Dead 2 has. 3 main protagonists dilutes the feeling of being personally involved. On the other side Arthur makes you believe he truly existed in our world. Valentine, strawberry and Saint Denis make you fully immersed and involved I n this wonderful slice of land. As close to perfection as I’ll ever see in gaming.
Great vid, very well done. RDR2 helped me get through my burnout and depression. It forced me to slow down and be present. Thanks.
I love a video that keeps you thinking the whole time. You've captured a concept I've always pondered on a bit but never really new how to express. But now I know why I find myself playing these two particular games still, to this day.
2:20 From experience, this is the look of what being young in 2005 felt like
Amazing video man I think this might be one of my favourites on youtube. You perfectly captured how I feel about GTA 5 vs Red Dead 2- I remember when I first bought GTA 5 I was really sick so I was home in bed for a few days and pretty much all I had to do was play GTA, I played the first few missions up to when you get Chop the dog and after that I would just get up every in-game day and hang out with my dog. Franklin and Chop drove all over the map and found all sorts of cool places, I remember I found this one tiny beach- not the main one with the pier, this one is super tucked away in a secluded corner of the map. It's got one of those cool natural rock archway formations you can walk under, it's really cool. It's never featured in the main story, I think there is a jet ski race there later on but it is totally missable, yet you can go there every day and find different cars and people hanging out. And there are so many places like that on the map which the main story is totally disconnected from. If I play GTA now I will sometimes play the missions if I feel like mindlessly shooting things to break up my driving around and listening to the radio time (Radio Mirror Park and Non Stop Pop my beloveds). Whatever I think of the story, I love that map so much and I feel like I lived in Los Santos for years in a way. But yeahhh the humour and tone of the main story feels like playing an extended episode of South Park which I loved at the time but it's definitely not something that has matured with me.
Red Dead Redemption 2 felt almost like an apology for all of this, the world of that game is living and breathing and almost feels like a character itself and the story feels like playing some great novel, and I think I will be thinking about this story and the world and Arthur until the day I die. I think playing a game about the world changing around you totally out of your control and everything falling apart during the first pandemic lockdown really hit different too. Not ashamed to say Arthur Morgan changed me, I can relate to the feeling of the battle of light and dark inside me- way lower stakes than a murdering robbing outlaw but still I get it lol, people tell me I'm a nice good person but I feel like I have a lot of problems with anger and avoidance, among other things. but I always *try* to live in the light, partly because of Arthur. If you read my journal it's just me trying to sound like him lol I love his writing style, wish I could draw like him tho. Crazy to think a lot of people don't even read the journal when half of the characterisation is in there. Anyway sorry I'm rambling lol I could gush about this game for hours, I'm willing to be proven wrong by other games in the future/games I haven't played yet ofc but I think for now this is one of the best games ever made, if not THE best.
But yeah awesome awesome video dude, I remember places I've been in games more vividly than a lot of stuff from my own childhood and I feel like you get that yknow? I have ADHD so it's harder for me to stop my brain and take in my surroundings and live in the moment a lot of the time, but when I do it's really peaceful and special.
"There ain't no shame in looking for a better world" -Arthur Morgan
really appreciate your comment, and totally relate to what you said! rly glad the video resonated with you :) there truly is no other game that has surpassed that level of connection i have with the world and main character as RDR2. It lives and breaths in every inch
2:50 “and inner knowing that everything is okay.” well said. sometimes we as humans don’t realize that at some point, everything will be okay essentially.