I've played RDR, and I'm playing GTA 4 now. I had around 16 or 17 hours in RDR before I got the fake ending, and I'm still on story missions after 32 hours in GTA 4. I like GTA 4 much better so far, the characters seem less stale and there's a lot more to do (including watching Republican Space Rangers..).

RDR...but dont take that as an endorsement of the game...because it isnt. 

here is the thread on how to mark spoilers. if you want to.
http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=117278

OT: red dead redemption is much better than gta4 in my opinion.  gta4 was to realistic with character I couldn't relate too.  were as red dead it was a man trying to save his family, which I could emphazise with and although realistic it was set in a different era, which was interesting to me. there was many more reason I liked rdr and many more reason I disliked gta 4. of course I wouldn't say gta 4 was bad though I still enjoyed it enough to play it through twice.

Why? He is the best character this generation ever.

* Spoilers *

One of the themes of the game, in line with films like The Wild Bunch or Unforgiven, was the end of the old Wild West and the transition to modern times.  That's why he died the way he did.  It was a bitter end but underlined the sense that he was a relic from another time and that he was killed (in the game literally) by the forces of change representing the new future.

I thought it was a good ending and I was glad - even if like all Rockstar games pretty much all the themes/plot points/missions are "borrowed" from films rather than original - that the game had the guyt to end like that and stick to its underlying themes.  Certainly most developers would have chickened out and allowed John to live.

For John to live would undermine the whole mood and theme established right up front in the openning intro cut scene.

The coda somewhat cheats as it allows players revenge and threatens to undermine the very themes I've mentioned (and John's own death) but it makes sense at the same time so no major damage to the overall narrative was done.

* end spoilers *

Quoted for absolute truth.  Although I'd argue the two games are a tie in the "horrible ending" department as well.

As much as i love GTA.....I am sexually aroused by Red Dead. R* really needs to get back to the Vice City days if they wanna save GTA.