Red Dead Redemption is, quantifiably and measurably on scales other than the passionate opinions of both its fans and critics, one of the greatest pieces of interactive media ever developed.
I say this as a fan of video games with valuable narratives with equally meaningful gameplay and as a longtime, lifelong fan of the western genre in general.
RDR is not flawless. But it is an incredible accomplishment. It is legitimizing force for whether AAA games can be considered a valuable medium for expression and storytelling. It is a textbook example of making your gameplay intrinsically meaningful to the thematic picture you are creating and it's an incomparable experience.
I have never played anything else like RDR. RDR is a canonized classic in the video game pantheon. RDR is a triumph of our entire medium. RDR is one of the best westerns ever told and one of the most rewarding experiences I've ever had with a game.
Just play it. Maybe you won't like it. I'm sorry if you don't.
But maybe you'll see why people who love this game are as enamored as they are. Because RDR is a revelation. It is like BioShock, Portal, Mass Effect, Half Life, and all the other games that redefined what our medium has become.
It is a triumph. It is so high on a pedestal for a reason. It is a platinum standard for what games can be.
I hate Rockstar games, by the way. At least the ones I've played, I might like Bully or The Warriors if I tried them. I definitely don't enjoy GTA even a little bit. But I will never not treasure Red Dead Redemption. A game like that only comes a long once in a very, very long time.