Red Dead's Special Edition Shoots Blanks

Ok, so in my excitement and anticipation for the upcoming Red Dead Redemption, I recently checked out the special edition, keen to purchase it. I always like getting special editions with games I'm particularly into, that little bit extra, making it a real sense of occasion, a real treat to behold. But when I checked on it, what did I find? A replica revolver? Some kind of Wild West paraphernalia? No, some useless codes for some rubbish horse or another. It's only one step off being the infamous Horse Armour in Oblivion.

In their infinite wisdom, Rockstar have decided that the extras in the limited-edition pack will be downloadables, effectively allowing you to 'cheat'. Well, it's not cheating in the strictest sense of the word, but it does offer you significant advantages . Although I don't have major problem with this, it just doesn't strike me as special. These are shitty download codes, the up,up,left,right,down,select,start of the modern era. They're not worth more money. Do they really add up to calling the game a 'special edition'?

Next to my TV sits a Fallout 3 Vault-Tec Bobblehead, next to my Bioshock Big Daddy Statue. These came with tin boxes, with art books, with loads of shite that no-one needs, but lovingly displayed. My friend bought the GTA4 lockbox, and who can forget the night-vision goggles with Modern Warfare 2?!?! Special editions are exactly that. Special. Lovely pieces of shameful geekery, trinkets and Spartan Cat helmets that are no use to anyone. For a game as big as Red Dead, I kinda hoped Rockstar would of pulled their finger out of their arse. Ah well.

Rockstar, this is how you REALLY do it...