Top 50 Christmas Songs

I've been wanting to do this for several years now to capture my favorite Christmas songs. These are the songs I grew up with as kid. They are the songs we hear for a month in December, weather driving in the car, at church, or celebrating the holidays at home with family and friends. They are festive songs yet also religious songs that truly accentuate the reason for the season. I really do enjoy the Christmas season; maybe not so much the present aspect, but most certainly the decorations, movies, traditions, and the musical carols.

I'll say up front there are songs that I enjoyed way more as a kid (like Rudolph or Frost the Snowman) that won't make this ranking. I'll also say there are some songs that have just been overplayed into annoyance, like none other than Mariah Carey's "All I want for Christmas is You". I hope to fine tune this ranking in later years, and also have a more thorough study on the history and culture of Christmas. But for now here are my favorite Christmas songs that really bring me a sense of nostalgia and happiness. 

Many of the popular Christmas songs have been covered by various musical artists. The most iconic Christmas singers are Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Andy Williams. To me these singers capture the nostalgic feeling of Christmas that I grew up with. There are also many modern hits and religious songs that I want to include in this ranking. I'm going to do my best to capture my favorite version of each song. I'll also provide examples of the song's significance where I can. I'm sure there are many popular songs that I have missed, and hope to further update this list in future years. I'll also emphasize that the rankings are not so locked in place, yet are more so my overall top favorites. 

50. Joy to the World

Artist: Nat King Cole

Writer: Isaac Watts (1719)

Recorded Year: 1962

Genre: Religious Hymn

Significance: This is a very simple yet iconic Christmas song that is one of the oldest. Dating back to the 1700s it was written by an English minister, Isaac Watts celebrating Psalms 98:4. It is one of the most covered published Christmas carols since. 

49. Blue Christmas

Artist: Elvis Presley

Writer: Billy Hayes and Jay W. Johnson (1948)

Recorded Year: 1964

Genre: Rock-n-Roll

48. Little Saint Nick

Artist: The Beach Boys

Writer: Brian Wilson and Mike Love

Recorded Year: 1963

 Genre: Rock-n-Roll

48. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

Artist: Frank Sinatra

Writer: Richard Storrs Willis (1850)

Genre: Religious Hymn

Significance: Another very old, religious, and classical song composed by Richard Storrs Willis. The melody is actually written for a poem of the same name written by Edmund Sears. It is a very beautiful song. 

47. Christmas in the Stars

Artist: Anthony Daniels

Writer: Maury Yeston

Year: 1980

Genre: Pop

Significance: This is a very personal preference for me having grown up obsessed with Star Wars. I believe it was my aunt Gily who bought this Christmas album for my birthday, and I couldn't get enough of it. I remember Philip and I enjoyed every song on this Christmas album, especially this opening song. It later became a tradition to start every Christmas season at Thanksgiving with this album.  

45. Feliz Navided

Artist: Jose Feliciano

Writer: Jose Feliciano

Recorded Year: 1970

Genre: Latin Rock

44. Run Run Rudolph

Artist: Chuck Berry

Writer: Johnny Marks

Recorded Year: 1958

Genre: Rock-n-Roll

43. Jingle Bells

Artist: Frank Sinatra

Writer: James Lord Pierpont (1857)

Recorded Year: 1957

Genre: Pop

Significance: There are many many versions of this old classic American song written by James Lord Pierpont in 1857. It is probably one of the oldest Christmas recordings, dating back to 1889. The version I have included here is the upbeat rendition by Frank Sinatra with the choral spelling out the J-I-N-G-L-E bells. 

42. The Holiday Song

Artist: Andy Williams

Writer: Irving Berling (1942)

Recorded Year: 1963

Genre: Pop

41. This Christmas

Artist: Donny Hathaway

Writer: 1970

Recorded Year: 1970 

Genre: Soul

Significance: Another original song by the soul artist Donny Hathaway. It provides an upbeat R&B version of an African-American man in the Christmas spirit. 

40. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)

Artist: David Seville

Writer: Ross Bagdasarian

Recorded Year: 1958

Genre: Pop

Significance: Yet another very original Christmas song performed by the popular animated Alvin and the Chipmunks. The trademark of this song is the ridiculously high-pitched notes blended with perfect harmony and melody. 

39. The First Noel

Artist: Frank Sinatra

Writer: William Sandys and Davies Gilbert (1833)

Recorded Year: 1957

Genre: Religious Hymn

Significance: Yet another very old classical song from the Cornish people of the United Kingdom. It has been covered by many artists and remains one of the more iconic Christian songs at Christmas time. 

38. Please Come Home for Christmas

Artist: The Eagles

Writer: Charles Brown (1960)

Recorded Year: 1978

Genre: Rock

37. Caroling, Caroling

Artist: Nat King Cole

Writer: Nat King Cole

Genre: Easy Listening

Recorded Year: 1962

36. Merry Christmas Baby

Artist: Otis Redding

Writer: Lou Baxter and Johnny Moore (1947)

Recorded Year: 1967

Genre: Soul

Significance: Yet another popular soul version of Christmas covered by Chuck Berry and Bruce Springsteen but best performed by the famous Otis Redding. 

35. I Saw Three Ships 

Artist: Nat King Cole

Writer: William Sandys (1833)

Recorded Year: 1962

Genre: Religious Hymn

34. I Saw Momma Kissing Santa Claus

Artist: Jackson 5

Writer: Tommie Conner (1952)

Recorded Year: 1970

Genre: Soul

Significance: Originally recorded by the Ronettes, this covered version by the Jackson 5 has to be the most popular track on their Christmas Album. The album has become a family tradition and was given to me by my friend Sergio. 

33. O Come, O Come Emmanuel

Artist: Lauren Daigle

Writer: John Mason Neale (1861)

Recorded Year: 2016

Genre: Religious Hymn

Significance: This old Christian hymn was translated by John Mason Neale in 1861 pertaining to the biblical passage of Matthew 1:23. It has a very powerful and enigmatic appeal to it and was one of my favorite religious songs, especially since my confirmation name was Emmanuel. This recent cover of the song by Lauren Daigle is my favorite version.

32. There's No Place Like Home for the Holiday

Artist: Perry Como

Writer: Robert Allen and Al Stillman

Recorded Year: 1954 

Genre: Pop

31. Santa Baby

Artist: Eartha Kitt

Writer: Philip Springer

Recorded Year: 1953

Genre: Jazz, Pop

Significance: A somewhat provocative yet playful song of a woman asking Santa for expensive gifts. Their are many versions of this song, sometimes associated to Marilyn Monroe, however this version by Eartha Kitt was the original and most popular version. 

30. Good King Wenceslas

Artist: Bing Crosby

Writer: John Mason Neale (1853)

Recorded Year: 1957 

Genre: Religious Hymn

Significance: Yet another very classical Christian hymn translated by English hymwriter John Mason Neale. This song is especially enjoyable for me as it is a reference to the feast of St. Stephen (which is the day after Christmas). 

29. Jingle Bell Rock

Artist: Bobby Helms

Writer: Bobby Helms

Recorded Year: 1957

Genre: Rock

Significance: The catchy songs screams of 1950s rock-and-roll with it's electronic guitar and sleigh bells. I recognize the song from many iconic Christmas movies such as Jingle All the Way. 

28. Hey Santa!

Artist: Carnie and Wendy Wilson

Writer: The Wilson Sisters

Recorded Year: 1993

Genre: Pop

Significance: This is an example of a modern hit that has infused itself in the popular Christmas tunes. It's an upbeat melody of two women harmonizing and wishing for Santa to bring their baby back on Christmas. 

27. Twelve Days of Christmas

Artist: Bing Crosby

Writer: Frederic Austin (1780)

Recorded Year: 1949

Genre: Pop

Significance: The very old traditional hymn is a reference to the European celebration of the Twelve Days of Christmas also known as the Twelvetide. The song has been reformatted various times and took it's more popular version we know it as today in 1909. It's a playful countdown of presents offered on the 12 days of Christmas. 

26. Baby It's Cold Outside

Artist: Ray Charles, Betty Carter

Writer: Frank Loesser (1944)

Recorded Year: 1962

Genre: Soul, Pop

Significance: Once again a popular song with many versions of a man trying to convince a woman to stay in with him. The song is quite provocative and somewhat controversial for it's hints of sexual harassments yet still considered a very popular Christmas classic. This version by Ray Charles and Betty Carter has the best harmonic melody to it. 

25. Let it Snow

Artist: Dean Martin

Writer: Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn (1945)

Recorded Year: 1959

Genre: Pop

24. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

Artist: Judy Garland

Writer: Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane

Recorded Year: 1944

Genre: Easy Listening

Significance: Not long after her fame from Wizard of Oz, Judy Garland introduced one of this very  emotional Christmas songs. The song was originally produced for the film, Meet me in St. Louis, but has since become one of the most iconic of Christmas songs. 

23. Christmas, Baby Please Come Home

Artist: Darlene Love

Writer: Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry

Recorded Year: 1963

Genre: Soul

Significance: This popular R&B song performed by Darlene Love offered something quite unique and original to the Christmas carols. It has a very festive fusion of rock and soul music that can be enjoyed by all. 

22. Someday at Christmas

Artist: Stevie Wonder

Writer: Stevie Wonder

Recorded Year: 1967 

Genre: Soul

Significance: A very powerful, original, and soulful Christmas song by the great Stevie Wonder. The song is loaded with references to equality and justice in a future world. 

21. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen

Artist: Nat King Cole

Writer: William Hone (1829)

Recorded Year: 1962

Genre: Religious Hymn

Significance: Yet another very old classic religious hymn that dates back as far as 1760. The traditional English melody that we know it as today was composed by William Hone. The song has ever since become a traditional festive song during the Christmas season. 

20. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas

Artist: Burl Ives

Writer: Burl Ives

Recorded Year: 1965

Genre: Rock

Significance: A very catchy rock-n-roll song by the folk artist Burl Ives. While also known for his work on Rudolph the Red-Noised Reindeer, this in my opinion is his real claim to fame. 

19. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Artist: Andy Williams 

Writer: Edward Pola and George Wyle

Recorded Year: 1963

Genre: Pop

18. Silver Bells

Artist: Dean Martin

Writer: Jay Livingston and Ray Evans 

Recorded Year: 1966

Genre: Easy Listening

17. Rocking Around the Christmas Tree

Artist: Brenda Lee

Writer: Johnny Marks

Recorded Year: 1958

Genre: Rock

16. It's Beginning to Look A lot Like Christmas

Artist: Perry Como and the Fontaine Sisters

Writer: Meredith Wilson

Recorded Year: 1951

Genre: Pop

Significance: One of the most iconic Christmas songs for me, I remember fondly as a child. I would almost put this in the overplayed category had it not been for two memories. The first was when I was a kid skipping around church with Jhormy singing this song at the start of Christmas season. The 2nd is that famous line of "mom and dad can't wait for school to start again". 

15. Sleigh Ride

Artist: The Ronettes

Writer: Leroy Anderson (1948)

Recorded Year: 1963

Significance: Once again a catchy song with many version, my preference is the pop version by the Ronettes. This girl group truly embodies the 1960s R&B soul scene with this very upbeat song. 

14. Winter Wonderland

Artist: Darlene Love

Writer: Felix Bernard and Richard Bernhard Smith

Recorded Year: 1963

Genre: Pop

13. Silent Night

Artist: The Temptations

Writer: Franz Xaver Gruber (1818)

Recorded Year: 1980

Genre: Religious Hymn

Significance: This old classical religious hymn dates back to 1818 composed by the German Franz Xaver Gruber. It is a staple of religious songs during Christmas season best performed by choral arrangements. This version by the Temptations is quite different from the original melody but still the same lyrics loaded with the utmost of passion. The harmony and vocal range by this group in this particular song is incredible. 

12. O Christmas Tree

Artist: Aretha Franklin

Writer: Ernst Anshutz  (1824)

Recorded Year: 1992

Genre: Soul, Pop

Significance: This old German song dates back to 1824 first referred to as "A Tannebaum". The song is loaded with powerful religious references that celebrate the meaning for the season. This version by Aretha Franklin is loaded with powerful soul and emotion that truly brings it home. 

11. Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Artist: Bruce Springsteen

Writer: J. Fred Coots and Haven Gillepsie

Recorded Year: 1975

Genre: Rock-n-Roll

Significance: There are many versions of this song and it would very likely fall in my overplayed category had it not been for this version by the boss, Bruce Springsteen. His live rock-n-roll version really gets going and makes for an ideal festive song. 

10. O Come All Ye Faithful

Artist: Celine Dion

Writer: John Francis Wade (1744)

Recorded Year: 1998

Genre: Religious Hymn

Significance: A very old religious hymn acredited to various authors and composers. One of the earliest and most recognizable printed version was that of English hymnist John Grancis Wade in 1744. The song is originally referenced in Latin as "Adeste Fideles" and is an iconic religious hymn during Christmas. This version by Celine Dion is one of my favorites accompanied by a choir she really belts it out as the song builds and builds. 

9. Happy Xmas (War is Over)

Artist: John Lennon

Writer: John Lennon and Yoko Ono

Year: 1971

Genre: Rock-n-Roll

Significance: From Mr. Beatle himself, John Lennon brings home a very powerful message about peace and love in this song. Unlike his former band-mate Paul McCartney's cheesy song about simply having a wonderful Christmas time, John Lennon is challenging the listener in this song. He is asking what have you done to celebrate Christmas and to make it something very worthwhile. 

8. I'll Be Home for Christmas

Artist: Bing Crosby

Writer: Kim Gannon and Walter Kent

Recorded Year: 1943

Genre: Easy Listening

Significance: One of the most iconic and beautiful of Christmas songs by the father of Christmas Carols himself the great Bing Crosby. 

7. Little Drummer Boy

Artist: Harry Simeone Chorale

Writer: Katherine Kennicott Davis (1941)

Recorded Year: 1971

Genre: Easy Listening

Significance: There are so many great versions of this song which is no doubt a credit to it's brilliance. The song is a celebration of percussion at its finest. I enjoy the Jackson 5's version as well as Bing Crosby's multiple versions including his duet with David Bowe "Peace on Earth". For sake of originality I'm going to include the original version by the Harry Simeone Chorale which provides the iconic "Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum" melody and drumline with a full choral backing. 

6. Christmas Canon

Artist: Tran-Siberian Orchestra

Writer: Paul O'Neil and Johann Pachelbel

Recorded Year: 1998

Genre: Classical

Significance: This is a very unique fusion of a song mixing the classical piece of Pachelbel's Canon with lyrics and music by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The song is accompanied by a beautiful children's choral arrangement in which the melody builds and builds as the song progresses. 

5. The Littlest Angel

Artist: Bing Crosby

Writer: Charles Tazewell

Recorded Year: 1962

Genre: Easy Listening

Significance: One of the most beautiful, emotional, religious, soul-wrenching song of them all. It tells the sad story of a young poor boy who is an angel and ashamed of his meager gift he gives to Jesus. However Jesus takes favor with the little boy's gift and thus the star of littlest angel of them all shines brightest at night. This song reminds me of my mom and was always one of her favorite songs. 

4. The Christmas Song

Artist: Nat King Cole 

Writer: Robert Wells and Mel Torme

Recorded Year: 1962

Genre: Easy Listening

Significance: One of the most iconic and beautiful of the easy listening Christmas melodies. There are so many great versions of it, but it's the one by Nat King Cole that really hits home for me. Something about that opening line, about "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" really establish a warm feeling of comfort and nostalgia. 

3. White Christmas 

Artist: Bing Crosby

Writer: Irving Berlin (1942)

Recorded Year: 1942

Genre: Easy Listening

Significance: One of the most popular and iconic of the Christmas melodies sung by the father of Christmas carols himself, Bing Crosby. The song was written by the famous American songwriter Irving Berlin, but first debuted in the 1942 film Holiday Inn. Bing opens with his deep crooning voice and is later accompanied by a full orchestra and choral arrangement. 

2. O Holy Night

Artist: Celine Dion

Writer: Adolphe Adam and Placide Cappeau

Recorded Year: 1843

Genre: Religious Hymn

Significance: The song was originally written as a poem by the French author Placide Cappeau to celebrate the birth of our lord, Jesus Christ. It was later composed into a classical music piece by Adolphe Adam in 1847. It is in my opinion without question the most beautiful religious melody of Christmas. There are so many great versions, however it's Celine Dion's powerful voice that really brings this one home for me. The song builds and builds throughout and she delivers several gut-wrenching long-sustained notes towards the end in beautiful harmony. 

1. Do They Know it's Christmas

Artist: Band-Aid

Writer: Bob Geldof and Midge Ure

Recorded Year: 1989

Genre: Rock-and-Roll, Pop

Significance: This is a personal preference to me and every time I hear it it brings me great joy. It's quite a unique, original, and rather modern song from most Christmas carols. But it drives and builds and has a positive message (on par with John Lennon's song) about being grateful and doing good onto others for Christmas. The song reminds us of everything we have to be grateful for and finishes on a very celebratory message of sharing Christmas cheer with all. I remember blaring this song as a kid in our living room during Christmas time; jumping, dancing, and singing my heart out. 

Game Review: Red Dead Redemption II

Well after a solid two months I am finally wrapping up my gaming experience of Red Dead Redemption II and it was a very enjoyable time. I feel I truly got the most out of it, and put in a total of 72 hours playing the game. The game offered everything I was looking for with a complete free-reign immersion into the Old West. I don't think I've ever played a game so detailed as this, with endless options and things to do. Aside from the main outlaw story, there was an outdoorsmen aspect to this game that really heightened it's quality for me. With all it's features, cutting edge graphics, and exhilarating gameplay I would easily put this in my top ten all time video games. 

The setting is actually a prequel to Red Dead Redemption I set in the 1890s of the Old West. From playing the original game it was made clear that John Marsten use to be a member of a gang. He decided to leave the gang when he was left for dead and later hunted those who betrayed him. This game thus details Marsten's involvement in Dutch van der Linde's gang. However quite surprisingly the main hero of this game is not John Marsten, yet a character named Arthur Morgan. The map is once again a fictional setting, however not quite as much western desert as before. Most of the game play takes place to the east of the western setting included in RD1. The map is massive on par with Breath of the Wild or many of the Assassin's Creed games.

The Story

Having played several of these open-world format games I decided to really take my time with this one and not rush thru the story. It's loaded with great character content and interactions. After all the basis is about a gang of outlaws trying to escape from the law and establish a community. The story begins with this gang escaping high up into the snowy mountains. They had just robbed a bank in Blackwater and needed to clear out for a bit. At this point Arthur Morgan is laid with the first task to locate former gang member John Marsten. He is later discovered barely alive being attacked by a bear (this explains the scars on his face in RD1). From this point the gang takes refuge in the mountain camp where Arthur learns to hunt and track from one of the fellow native American gang members, Charles. 

After some time Dutch convinces the gang to rob a train and relocate to warmer weathers near the towns of Strawberry and Valentine. At this point Arthur Morgan is able to operate freely bringing in resources to the gang's settlement and performing tasks to build wealth. He goes on various missions with Hosea Matthews, Javier Escuella, and Bill Williamson. He helps free one of the gang members, Micah Bell and has an epic drunken escapade with Lenny Summers. He also befriends other gang members such as Saddie Adler (the gunslinger), Josiah Trelawny (the con artist), Leopold Straus (the debtor), Mr. Pearson (the butcher), Rev Swanson (the drunken clergyman), Sean MacGuire (the Irishman), Uncle (the drunkard from RD1), as welll as Abigail and Jack Marsten (the wife and son of John). There are various other minor gang members that Arthur also helps throughout the game. 

The gang has to relocate once again after breaking Micah out from the Valentine prison. They relocate to the hillbilly territory of Lemoyne and settle near the town of Rhodes. Dutch instructs his gang to stay out of trouble and befriend the wealthy families of the territory. The families eventually turn on the gang, leading Dutch to destroy both families in retaliation. They then relocate their camp near the booming city of Saint Denis to recover the kidnapped Jack Marsten. The gang finds a partnership with the city mob boss, Bronte, performing various jobs for him until feeding him to an alligator. Everything goes wrong for the gang however when the attempt to rob a major bank in Saint Dennis. Hosea and Lenny are killed, John is arrested, and the rest of the gang must flee on a boat. 

Dutch, Arthur, Bill, Javier, and Micah crash land on a remote island named Guarma. They are quickly imprisoned by the ruthless plantation owner, but rescued by a group of revolutionaries. The gang offers to help the revolutionaries if they can provide a ship back to America. This is an all out war on a tropical island and quite a change from the previous tasks and gameplay. The gang is able to help defeat the sugar plantation, free the island slaves, and find passage back to America. They are able to regroup with their isolated gang members in the swamplands of Lagras. Arthur disobeys Dutch and teams up with Saddie Adler to break John Marsten out of prison. 

From this point on a distrust begins to grow with Arthur Morgan and Dutch. Furthermore Arthur catches tuberculosis and begins to grow very sick. Knowing he is approaching his death, Arthur begins to act more graciously towards others. He insists that John and Abigail leave the gang and find a better life. Meanwhile Dutch and his new right hand man Micah establish a new partnership with the native tribes of Wapiti. Arthur sees thru Dutch's intentions to help the native people as more of a decoy from the law. The gang continues to dissolve amidst internal conflict and growing paranoia. Arthur however continues to stay loyal and aids Dutch in the robbery of an Army train. However once again this heist goes bad and Dutch abandons Arthur, leaves John for dead, while Abigail is captured by the Pinkerton. 

At this point Arthur is done with Dutch's gang, however still wants to help free Abigail. He teams up with Saddie to assault the Pinkerton's stronghold. They are able to free Abigail and also discover that Micah is a Pinkerton informant. Arthur then returns to the gang's camp to confront Micah and a standoff occurs between Arthur against Dutch, Micah, Javier, and Bill. Out of nowhere Arthur is aided by John who is somehow still alive. Before the gunfight can commence the Pinkertons arrive to bust the camp and everyone disperses. Arthur runs off with John into the mountains to help him escape as he holds off the Pinkertons. As John is able to flee, Micah ambushes Arthur in a final fight. Already weakened by the gunfight and his sickness Arthur eventually succumbs to death. His heroic act is complete however as John has successfully escaped with Abigail and their son.

The epilogue of the story now begins where the game's playable character switches from Arthur to John Marsten. John and Abigail begin to start a new honest life free from crime. John find's work as a ranch hand and quickly gains the favor of the owner as he fights off local bandits. After several years he is able to take a loan from the Blackwater bank and purchase the plot of land at Beecher's Hope. He is later joined by Uncle and Charles to build a ranch on the land. He also reunites with Saddie who shows him her successful endeavor of bounty hunting. In the final task of the game John, Saddie, and Charles set off to kill Micah. In a rather shocking turn of events, Dutch kills Micah before John can and everyone parts ways. John returns to his ranch happily with his wife and son and the main story ends at this point. 

The Gameplay

The format of the game is quite similar to Red Dead 1 with the basic elements of shooting, horseback riding, and western trade. Some new trade elements of this game include a butcher, fur-trapper, barber, and the ability to buy and eat food. New features include the ability to hunt, fish, craft, and cook which are essential in building the character's health and resources. I'll get more into this aspect of the game later. For now I'll focus on the general shooter-up format of the game. As I mentioned in my previous RD1 game review, I normally prefer the sword-and-slash over the shooter-up format and made a rare exception for both of these games. However it made for a very exhilarating new change for me. 

This game has many realistic elements to maintaining your character, your horse, and your supplies. For example the character has not only a health bar, but also a stamina bar and a dead-eye bar. It is encouraged to eat, drink, take medicine, and rest often to revitalize the character. The horse also has a health bar and can only run for so long without any supplements. Even the guns require frequent maintenance and cleaning with oil for more accurate shooting. I found this to be a very realistic addition to the game.    

I found targeting to be a little more difficult in this game, however once again the very valuable tool of Dead Eye is back. This feature slows everything done so the character can get a proper target in the midst of a gunfight. The Dead Eye meter only lasts a few seconds but can easily be restored with various forms of tonic, tobacco, cigarettes, or alcohol. The arsenal in this game offers five types of guns (revolvers, pistols, rifles, repeaters, and shotguns). It also offers various other weapons such as the bow-and-arrow, knives, dynamite, tomahawk, and the classic lasso. Other items include the character's satchel, his binoculars, lamp, fishing rod, mask, and his camping gear. He also has the ability to change outfits and weaponry while mounted on his horse. 

The game has so much to offer in side quests, mini games, and challenges. There are many characters in need of help and assistance that have arching stories. There is also the random stranger in need of help (be it a lost horse, kidnapped friend, or rescuing from bandits). Acts such as this will build your player's honor, while killing or robbing for no reason will bring dishonor. When a dishonorable act is committed the crime will be reported, investigated, and later hunted. At this point there is a red region on the map in which the player must flee from to avoid conflict with the law. Bounties and misdemeanors are a frequent element of this game, and even bumping into a citizen can result in a criminal offense. 

I began to really enjoy the side games and challenges once I had finished the main story. I enjoyed Arthur Morgan but it felt especially fun to be playing once again as John Marsten. I partook in the side games of Poker, Blackjack, Dominoes, and Finger Filet. I explored as much of the map as possible, which surprisingly included some of the western towns in RD1 (such as Armadillo and Thieve's Landing) however these towns were not quite as settled yet. I also got very engaged in the challenges of this game pertaining to Bandit, Explorer, Gambler, Herbalist, Horseman, Hunter, Sharpshooter, Survalist, and Weapons Expert. I achieved about 40 of the 100 various challenges in these categories to be performed within the game.

The Outdoorsmen Aspect

I think it was Assassin's Creed 3 where I first began to enjoy the outdoorsmen feature of games. The character in that game could hunt and trap animals and use them to upgrade his equipment. I'm really not a fan of hunting for sport, but I do enjoy the idea of using it for survival. This feature was also very prevalent in Breath of the Wild and a very important part of the game for Link's survival. He needed to hunt in order to eat and maintain his health. Well in this game, the outdoorsman aspect is not quite as vital as it was in BOTW, however it is very much more detailed. 

Any animal in this game can be studied, tracked, hunted, skinned, stowed, cooked, eaten, or sold. The tracking feature is similar to dead eye where the player can follow the scent and footprints of an animal. The skinning and stowing of each animal's carcass is very detailed, realistic, and graphic in this game. I was furthermore quite impressed to see the hunter's ability to stow the dead carcass on his horse's back. Hunting is not as easy as shooting the animal dead, and has higher benefits for better hunting. A perfect hunt depends on the quality of the animal, yet more-so the right weapon with a clean kill-shot. Some animals required a bow-and-arrow or a varmint rifle to get a clean kill. With a clean kill you can sell or craft the animal pelts for clothing and equipment gear upgrades. 

Aside from hunting, the player also has the ability to collect plants and herbs. These herbs can be used as food or medicine and are ideal for crafting. In order to craft a certain recipe the player must obtain a recipe pamphlet and can learn to craft medicines or weapons such as a horse stimulant or a poisonous arrow. He can also cook coffee or his hunted game that will quickly restore health. In order to craft the player must be near a fire or at his campsite. Also at the campsite the player can sleep or fast travel to another location. 

There is also the ability to fish in this game which on par with the rest of the game is also very detailed. There is a variety of bait and lures that correspond with the type of fish and the type of water. The player can cast from along a shoreline or a small boat in the midst of the water. Once the proper bait is secured it's a matter of casting, hooking, and reeling the fish in. Just like normal fishing this takes patience but also precision. There are about 15 different species of fish in this game ranging from pickerel, salmon, perch, trout, and bass. The fish can be stowed and cooked just like the hunting game meat. It is as a great resource to revitalize the player's health.