Here is a very interesting video, that goes into extreme details into why Red Dead Redemption is the best game RockStar ever made.
https://youtu.be/bEP9SvARIxk
Bully is my personal favorite, but Redemption would be a close second. Then San Andreas, then Red Dead Revolver
shareMy only problem is the side missions. Having good side missions contribute to the player wanting to keep playing the game when the main story is over. In the case of RDR, especially since the main character is killed, and replaced by his son , you really just want to stop playing. That is, after you've found Edgar Ross and made him pay. But then what? And even during the main story, the side missions are mediocre to say the least. I mean, some of them are okay. I like the Mystery Man ones, as they really test John's moral compass--and it's hilarious if you make him do the wrong thing. But the point is, you can accomplish all those minor tasks during the story campaign and leave nothing to do afterwards, and it makes even less sense doing them as Jack, because how is he supposed to know these weird people his father encountered during his quest?
I hope Red Dead Redemption 2 has better side missions. Take a page from GTA 5.