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Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 is the perfect gaming experience, and what you were hoping for in the next iteration of the series. It has a rich story, deep gameplay, unrivaled visuals, and plenty of plains to explore.
92%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
optimization, stability
91% User Score Based on 245,230 reviews
Critic Score 93%Based on 66 reviews

Platforms

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About

"Red Dead Redemption 2" is a dramatic open-world game with both single-player and multiplayer modes, including co-op and PvP. The story follows outlaw Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang fighting to survive in 1899 America, while Red Dead Online allows you to build your own frontier life. With stunning visuals, sensational music, and an emotional narrative, the game offers plenty of replayability despite some bugs and grinding.

Red Dead Redemption 2 screenshot
Red Dead Redemption 2 screenshot
Red Dead Redemption 2 screenshot

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 245,296 reviews
story32.5k positive mentions
optimization747 negative mentions

  • The game features a deeply emotional narrative with rich character development, particularly of Arthur Morgan, making it one of the best storytelling experiences in gaming.
  • The graphics are stunning, showcasing exceptional realism and attention to detail, which enhances the immersive open world.
  • The gameplay offers a blend of action and quieter moments, with fluid mechanics that create an engaging and immersive experience.
  • The game suffers from slow pacing, clunky controls, and frequent crashes, which can detract from the overall experience.
  • Many players find the gameplay repetitive and tedious, with a grinding aspect that feels unfulfilling, especially in the online mode.
  • The online mode is criticized for being heavily reliant on microtransactions and lacking meaningful content, overshadowing the praised single-player experience.
  • story
    70,422 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Red Dead Redemption 2" is widely regarded as one of the best in gaming, featuring a deeply emotional narrative centered around Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang. Players are drawn into a richly detailed world where every character feels alive, and the plot explores themes of loyalty, redemption, and the inevitable decline of the outlaw lifestyle. While the pacing can be slow at times, the immersive storytelling and character development create a memorable experience that resonates long after the game ends.

    • “The best story game ever! The narrative is rich, emotional, and unforgettable.”
    • “Red Dead Redemption 2 is a masterpiece of storytelling and open-world design, offering a gripping story, stunning visuals, and immersive gameplay.”
    • “The story of Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang is deeply emotional, with rich character development and impactful choices that stay with you long after the credits roll.”
    • “The story is a masterclass in narrative depth and emotional weight.”
    • “The story of Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang is deeply emotional and incredibly well-written, with characters that feel alive and memorable.”
    • “The story, gameplay, graphics, and even the side-quests are a work of art.”
  • graphics
    18,048 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "Red Dead Redemption 2" are widely praised for their stunning realism and attention to detail, often described as some of the best in gaming history. Players are captivated by the breathtaking landscapes, lifelike character models, and dynamic weather effects that enhance immersion in the game's expansive open world. Despite being released in 2018, the visuals continue to impress, holding up remarkably well against modern titles, although some users report performance issues and graphical glitches on lower-end systems.

    • “The graphics are truly amazing.”
    • “The graphics, attention to detail, and immersive world-building are top-tier.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely stunning, showcasing Rockstar's dedication to immersive world building and detail.”
    • “In general bugs... from visuals to objects flying between people without heads and still alive to animals without skin and continue life as if they were nothing... I must say this game has a lot of bugs; when I say many, they are really many.”
    • “It's quite a decent game, I like the world, the graphics but it seems badly optimized and crashes very often.”
    • “The graphics are terrible, just dialog boxes from the Rockstar Games launcher with very few options to click.”
  • gameplay
    15,330 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of *Red Dead Redemption 2* is a blend of immersive storytelling and intricate mechanics, offering a rich variety of activities such as hunting, fishing, and engaging in gunfights. While many players praise its attention to detail and realism, some criticize the slow pacing and clunky controls that can detract from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game is often regarded as a masterpiece due to its compelling narrative, stunning visuals, and the depth of its gameplay mechanics.

    • “The story, gameplay, and graphics fit so well together that sometimes you just wander around, meet new people, and chill.”
    • “The gameplay is smooth, good quality, and immersive.”
    • “The gameplay strikes a perfect balance between action and quieter moments, complemented by fluid gameplay mechanics that feel natural and responsive.”
    • “There is no auto save unless you are playing the main story (no side quick quest or exploring), also it doesn't have a quick save mechanic like an 'F5', so you need to go to your main menu every 5 minutes and manually save every single time before a random crash or bug destroys your entire progress.”
    • “The gameplay does become repetitive over time; the combat is basically hiding behind something then pressing M2 and M1, the stealth is awful, and there are still many bugs (visually and ragdoll mostly, no game-breaking bugs) which is a bad reputation for such a beautiful game.”
    • “The gameplay is so bad.”
  • emotional
    4,202 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of *Red Dead Redemption 2* is widely praised, with players expressing profound connections to the characters, particularly Arthur Morgan. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to evoke a range of emotions, from joy to heartbreak, often resulting in tears during pivotal moments, especially towards the end of the story. The narrative's depth, combined with exceptional voice acting and a haunting soundtrack, creates an immersive experience that resonates long after the game is completed, making it a standout in emotional storytelling within the gaming medium.

    • “Never have I felt more emotional for a character in a video game.”
    • “The story of Arthur Morgan is one of the best-written narratives in gaming, packed with emotional weight, moral dilemmas, and a slow-burning tension that builds to an unforgettable conclusion.”
    • “This game has such a compelling story and a heart-wrenching ending I've ever seen from a game in a while.”
    • “Maybe I just expected too much, given all the hype I've heard over the years, but slow reaction, poor controls, constant cutscenes, and just flat out long and boring story burned me out less than 4 hours into it (and that's with skipping some dialogue and hoping to get to play).”
    • “A great world and plethora of gameplay mechanics don't override a horrific control system and boring story.”
    • “The game has the longest, most boring storyline that you have to work through to play.”
  • music
    3,456 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in "Red Dead Redemption 2" has been widely praised for its exceptional quality and emotional depth, enhancing the game's immersive storytelling and atmosphere. Composed primarily by Woody Jackson, the soundtrack features a mix of haunting melodies and dynamic scores that adapt to gameplay moments, making it a standout element of the experience. Players have noted that the music not only complements the narrative but also evokes strong emotional responses, with specific tracks becoming memorable highlights throughout their journey in the game.

    • “The soundtrack is so phenomenal, and the writing is actually perfect.”
    • “The hauntingly beautiful soundtrack complements the action perfectly, underscoring both the tension and the beauty of the world.”
    • “The soundtrack in this game doesn't get talked about enough.”
    • “The music is very appropriate for the theme and that's really the best I can judge it for.”
    • “The music, combined with the atmospheric sounds of nature, bustling towns, and distant gunfire, makes the world feel truly alive.”
  • optimization
    2,922 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of *Red Dead Redemption 2* has received mixed feedback from players. While many praise the game's stunning graphics and immersive world, numerous users report significant performance issues, including stuttering, crashes, and inconsistent frame rates, particularly on lower-end systems. Although some players have successfully optimized their settings for better performance, the overall consensus is that the game requires further optimization to fully leverage modern hardware capabilities.

    • “The differences in quality and performance are much welcomed, and it runs like a dream.”
    • “It's already nearly 7 years old, which is insane to me, but it's still one of the best looking games I've ever played, partially due to the incredible optimization.”
    • “Highly optimized game that can surprisingly play well on most systems.”
    • “It's quite a decent game, I like the world, the graphics, but it seems badly optimized and crashes very often.”
    • “Game play was fun, but had lots of issues with stuttering to the point where it made fights not fun.”
    • “I'm sure most of it is just poor optimization, but if you get the settings right, it runs great.”
  • stability
    2,864 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The stability of Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC has been a significant point of contention among players, with many reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and various glitches that disrupt gameplay. While some users have experienced smooth performance with minimal issues, a substantial number have faced persistent problems, particularly with the online mode, which is often described as a "buggy mess" filled with hackers and connection issues. Overall, the game's stability remains a mixed bag, with many players expressing frustration over the lack of timely updates and fixes from Rockstar.

    • “Gameplay is bug free most if not all the time unless you really try to break it.”
    • “The game looks beautiful and runs great for me on PC.”
    • “Great open world and wonderful graphics in a bug free environment.”
    • “Works on my old out of date PC just fine, but on my brand new 4070 I cannot run the game. It constantly freezes and bricks the game. Floating guns shooting at me and the train quest is not playable to the point where I cannot progress.”
    • “I get freezes and crashes all the time, making me replay long missions from the start and lose hard obtained objects.”
    • “The game constantly freezes and crashes, making the game almost unplayable.”
  • grinding
    2,690 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of "Red Dead Redemption 2" has received mixed feedback from players, with many describing it as excessively tedious and time-consuming. While some appreciate the immersive realism and the depth it adds to gameplay, others find the constant need for grinding—especially in the online mode—to be frustrating and unfulfilling. Players often express that the online experience feels like a grind for minimal rewards, with many tasks requiring significant time investment without adequate compensation, leading to a perception of the game as a "grind simulator."

    • “The world is filled with encounters and side quests that are fun to do and most of the time not tedious.”
    • “If you do decide to play this game, which I hope you do, I recommend taking your time and not grinding out the story like some people make the tragic mistake of doing.”
    • “Everything in-game costs a whole lot, but you can get everything only by playing, and in my opinion, it's not that grindy and it will make you have goals for playing.”
    • “This game, with its unbelievably broken law/bounty system, janky movement system, slow and unresponsive controls, and tedious everything, is the biggest, most overrated game I have ever had the misfortune of purchasing on sale on Steam.”
    • “I just cannot enjoy it; the game is beautiful and immersive and seems like there could be some really fun aspects, but it's just super grindy and any online match is just ten minutes of getting one-shot repeatedly by pay-to-win players.”
    • “The online mode is a complete dumpster fire grinding simulator, with nothing fun to do.”
  • humor
    1,527 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in "Red Dead Redemption 2" is a standout feature, blending dark comedy with heartfelt moments, often leaving players laughing one moment and crying the next. Many reviews highlight the game's witty dialogue, absurd situations, and the charming antics of characters like Arthur Morgan and Lenny, particularly during memorable missions such as the drunken bar scene. The game's ability to juxtapose humor with serious themes creates a rich emotional experience, making it both entertaining and thought-provoking.

    • “Not to mention the humor and the charisma Arthur brings every time he’s on screen.”
    • “The journey with Arthur had me laughing, happy, worried, angry, and sad.”
    • “The interactions among gang members often lead to hilarious situations, which contrast beautifully with the darker themes of the narrative.”
    • “It's not funny to have insidious people running around for no other purpose than to ruin other players' gameplay.”
    • “The game is boring: it takes ages to get from point A to B, while gangs kill you again and again, your horse gets tired, etc. You can play tons of games (e.g. poker, dominoes), but it's also slow and not funny at all.”
    • “Coming from GTA V - one of the most cynical, unfunny (cringy), boring, and pointless stories ever, that's really something.”
  • atmosphere
    1,440 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in "Red Dead Redemption 2" is widely praised for its stunning visuals, immersive sound design, and rich attention to detail, creating a vibrant and authentic representation of the late 19th-century American West. Players appreciate the dynamic weather systems, day-night cycles, and the seamless transition between bustling towns and serene wilderness, all of which contribute to a deeply engaging experience. The game's haunting soundtrack and exceptional voice acting further enhance the emotional weight of the narrative, making the atmosphere one of its standout features.

    • “The characters are richly developed and complex, with the atmospheric details and musical score working together to create an unmatched sense of time and place.”
    • “The world is rich with atmosphere, and Rockstar has outdone themselves in creating an environment that feels authentic and lived-in.”
    • “The game’s stunning graphics, paired with an atmospheric soundtrack and immersive sound design—whether it's the rustling of trees, the distant howl of a wolf, or the twang of a melancholic guitar—create a world that feels truly alive.”
    • “They create a tedious and frustrating atmosphere, interrupting gameplay and forcing players to repeatedly watch lengthy dialogues.”
    • “The devs decided that to maintain the realistic atmosphere of the game, they made things very slow.”
    • “The story ruins the immersive atmosphere, making it the best way to experience the game is to play until the bank heist in San Denis and then imagine that the gang got their money and left for Tahiti.”
  • character development
    927 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in "Red Dead Redemption 2" is widely praised as one of the game's standout features, with players highlighting the profound and emotional journey of the protagonist, Arthur Morgan, and the intricate relationships within the Van der Linde gang. Reviewers note that the writing and character arcs are exceptionally crafted, allowing players to form deep connections with the characters, making their choices feel impactful and meaningful. Overall, the game is celebrated for its rich storytelling and the depth of character development, setting a new standard in the gaming industry.

    • “The plot is so well-written, and the character development really makes you connect with Arthur Morgan and the rest of the Van der Linde gang.”
    • “✅ Incredible storytelling: Arthur Morgan’s character development, the relationships within the gang, and the impact of your choices make every moment unforgettable.”
    • “Arthur Morgan's character development is extraordinary, making him one of the most memorable protagonists in gaming history.”
    • “Meaningful character development is non-existent.”
    • “The actual plot is beyond thin and character development is pretty non-existent for the time required to actually move the narrative forward.”
    • “There's no character development, the story unfolds without your input, you may as well be watching a movie.”
  • replayability
    651 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game boasts high replayability, primarily due to its engaging story mode, moral choices that affect outcomes, and a vast open world filled with side quests and random events. Players appreciate the depth of character interactions and the ability to explore different play styles, which keeps the experience fresh across multiple playthroughs. While some critiques mention limitations in online content and linearity, the overall consensus highlights the game's rich narrative and immersive gameplay as key factors contributing to its replay value.

    • “The story mode is really fun, with lots of replay value.”
    • “Beyond the main storyline, the game offers numerous discoveries, enhancing its depth and replayability with multiple possible story outcomes.”
    • “The replayability is insane due to how open the in-game world is.”
    • “This game sadly isn't really replayable for me at least, because it took me 130 hours to complete it once.”
    • “Also, when you finish the story, there isn't anything really to do, so replayability is nearly 0.”
    • “The choices you make and the 'honor' system seem to have little impact on the gameplay or story, which diminishes the replayability for me.”
  • monetization
    422 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of "Red Dead Online" has drawn significant criticism from users, who describe it as heavily reliant on microtransactions that detract from the overall experience. Many players feel that the game is designed to encourage spending real money for in-game currency, leading to a frustrating grind for those who prefer not to pay. Additionally, the presence of ads and a lack of meaningful updates have contributed to perceptions of the online mode as a cash grab, overshadowing the otherwise praised single-player experience.

    • “Countless hours of singleplayer content with no microtransactions or battle passes.”
    • “Red Dead Redemption 2 offers exactly what you paid for: a massive, immersive playground with no microtransactions or battle passes.”
    • “The single player has zero microtransactions which I really liked.”
    • “The constant pressure to spend real money on in-game currency cheapens the entire experience and feels like a blatant cash grab.”
    • “The online multiplayer mode has also received criticism for its microtransactions and lack of content compared to the single-player mode.”
    • “The online portion of this game is a horrible, broken cash grab that just isn't fun.”

Buy Red Dead Redemption 2

50h Median play time
117h Average play time
50h Main story
179h Completionist
11-136h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1,373 analyzed playthroughs

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