Red Dead Revolver

He's Red, his parents are Dead, and he's got a Revolver...

As part of the ongoing agreement held between Take 2 and Capcom, the Japanese firm were made responsible for steering Grand Theft Auto: Vice City to success in their home nation, meanwhile Red Dead Revolver's interests became Take 2's property, this chic 'Western'-themed gun fighting extravaganza currently in development at Rockstar San Diego with a release on the Xbox and PS2 this Spring on the cards.

Clearly Rockstar have high-hopes for this update of the old coin-op arcade games, and with the developer of Midnight Club at the helm we're promised a slick, stylish and cinematic romp through the Wild West.

The premise is classic of the kind John Wayne would be proud, albeit with a few vaguely Japanese-inspired twists on the theme, with players assuming the role of young gunslinger Red. Red's family have struck it rich through gold on the Western Frontier, unfortunately however, word of their success crosses the boarder to the ears of General Diego, a rogue Mexican general, who instructs his bandits to massacre Red's family and steal their gold.

Red witnesses the shocking murder of both his mother and father, and as the Bandit's ride off with the loot he burns his hand in the fires to grab his father's gun, scarring himself, before shooting one escaping bandit in the arm as they make their escape. The game commences with a grown-up Red entering manhood and preparing himself for the revenge that has become his destiny.

And so begins Rockstar's Red Dead Revolver, set in the 1880s, a third-person action game promising an involving and compelling plot, tinged with humour, and laced with sharp-shooting arcade gameplay. Full 'motion capture' cut-scenes will help tell Red's tale as it progresses, heightening the game's cinematic pretensions.

Rockstar San Diego clearly hope to capture a sense of the times, as Red becomes a Bounty Hunter, riding the Frontier plying his trade with weapons such as pistols, rifles, shotguns, and dynamite. We're also told that Red will be able to carry one side arm, one long arm, and one thrown weapon, with thirty for the picking in total.

Elements of atmospheric and visual importance will apparently be receiving extra-special attention from the developers, who'll be recreating all manner of movie-inspired deserted towns, prairies and saloons - where Red will engage in plenty of quick-draw showdowns. Finally, lighting will also be used to heighten the mood: "Rays of sunlight stream in through windows, candles and torches correctly light interiors, and the sunsets are breathtaking." "With this game, we have pushed ourselves technically, stylistically and gameplay wise further than ever before," enthused San Diego head Diego Angel. "We are aiming to make a western experience that sparks memories of the past as well as looks forward with an inventive new approach."

All of which sounds very impressive indeed, but of course the real success of Red Dead Revolver will lie in the gameplay on which we know very little at the moment. Certainly the setting and tone could suit a well-made gun-toting arcade title well, providing Rockstar can make it appropriately unique and compelling. We look forward to delving deeper into Red's world as information becomes available.

By Luke Guttridge