Tried playing some more this morning. Figured I would try more of the missions as that is what people says is good.
Went to get the Reverend at the poker game that ends in a fist fight. win the fist fight, witness sees me for assault and you have to chase him down. tried three times on foot and twice on horseback. he gets too far away every time, are you supposed to just shoot him? gave up on that one
Went to help Mary out with her brother. Timed it and it took 8 minutes to get to the site. and then I finally give chase, can't catch him. tried twice with my regular horse, and then my fastest. even at a dead gallop couldn't catch him to get close enough to lasso. gave up on that one too.
after I gave up on that mission it spawned me way far away on a railroad track, right in front of a train. get ran over (kinda funny) spawn right back in the same spot, get run over again. finally figured out after a couple times that getting off the horse actually buys me some time, for some reason. managed to get away from train. horse still gets run over, pretty sure it dies for good. cause I can't find it, or whistle for it afterwards. now I am stuck on foot somewhere northeastish of the Valentine.
I keep trying to let this game be good, but I can't figure it out at all.