Anyone who enjoyed Rockstar’s PS2 Wild West shooter Red Dead Revolver should head over to Strategy Informer, where James Pikover has published a first impressions piece (with screenshots) on its talked-about sequel Red Dead Redemption.

Rockstar’s Rage engine makes a welcome return to power the game’s mountainous barren landscape that is, if claims are to be believed, bigger that GTA IV’s Liberty City. In typical sandbox fashion, players can choose to follow the narrative unfalteringly or take time out at will to embrace other activities – trampling rabbits with the hooves of their trusty steed, perhaps.

Authentic period weaponry, showdowns at high noon, saloon shenanigans, horseback heists – it’s all here. So saddle-up an’ get yerselves readin’ yah yellah-bellied, lily-livered, um... Clint Eastwood wannabes?

Yeah, didn’t really pull that off, did I?