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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.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Game Cover
92%Game Brain Score
story, graphics
stability, grinding
92% User Score Based on 284,640 reviews
Critic Score 93%Based on 66 reviews

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Red Dead Redemption 2 Game Cover

About

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a single player and multiplayer open world role playing shooter game with a drama theme. It was developed by Rockstar Games and was released on December 4, 2019. It received very positive reviews from both critics and players.

In Red Dead Redemption 2, players assume the role of the outlaw Arthur Morgan, surviving with the Van der Linde gang in America's heartland, 1899. With the law closing in, choices must be made, testing loyalties and personal beliefs. The game also features Red Dead Online, where players form posse's to explore, battle enemies, build a camp, and forge their own paths in the American frontier.

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Red Dead Redemption 2 screenshot
Red Dead Redemption 2 screenshot
Red Dead Redemption 2 screenshot
Red Dead Redemption 2 screenshot
Red Dead Redemption 2 screenshot
Red Dead Redemption 2 screenshot
Red Dead Redemption 2 screenshot
Red Dead Redemption 2 screenshot
Red Dead Redemption 2 screenshot
Red Dead Redemption 2 screenshot
Red Dead Redemption 2 screenshot
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92%
Audience ScoreBased on 284,640 reviews
story36.9k positive mentions
stability2.9k negative mentions
  • The story of 'Red Dead Redemption 2' is emotionally deep and features exceptional character development, particularly that of Arthur Morgan, making it one of the best narratives in gaming history.
  • The game's atmosphere is immersive and breathtaking, with stunning visuals, dynamic weather, and a haunting soundtrack that enhances the overall experience.
  • Character development is profound, with each member of the gang feeling like a real person, contributing to a rich and engaging narrative.
  • The gameplay is criticized for its slow pacing, clunky controls, and repetitive mission structures, which can detract from the overall experience.
  • The optimization on PC has received mixed feedback, with many players reporting performance issues, crashes, and bugs that disrupt gameplay.
  • The online mode is often described as grindy and unbalanced, with aggressive monetization practices that lead to a perception of it being a cash grab.
  • story
    79,907 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story of "Red Dead Redemption 2" is widely praised for its emotional depth, character development, and immersive world-building, making it one of the best narratives in gaming history. Players often describe the journey of Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang as a poignant exploration of loyalty, morality, and redemption, with many noting the story's ability to evoke strong emotional responses, including tears. While some critiques mention pacing issues and repetitive mission structures, the overall consensus is that the storytelling and character arcs are exceptional, creating a memorable experience that resonates long after the game is completed.

    • “The story is captivating and expansive, with branching lines that intersect and interact with other subplots.”
    • “Arthur Morgan's story is a profound, heart-wrenching character study that redefines what narrative depth can be in an open-world setting.”
    • “The story hits hard, the characters feel real, and the world is insanely detailed.”
    • “The story is emotional, the world feels alive, and every detail is pure perfection.”
    • “The story hits hard, the characters are unforgettable, and the world feels alive in a way most games only dream about.”
    • “The story is deep, filled with loyalty, betrayal, change, and the slow, inevitable weight of time, carried by some of the most unforgettable characters ever written in a game.”
  • graphics
    20,098 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of "Red Dead Redemption 2" are widely praised for their stunning realism and attention to detail, often described as breathtaking and comparable to modern titles despite being released in 2018. Players highlight the game's ability to create immersive environments, with dynamic weather and lifelike character animations that enhance the overall experience. However, some users report performance issues and graphical bugs, particularly on lower-end systems, which can detract from the otherwise visually impressive gameplay.

    • “The graphics are like a painting, the music feels like a movie, and the horse - like a family member.”
    • “The graphics are absolutely stunning, and it really feels like you’re immersed in this expansive wild west world.”
    • “The graphics, the story, the gameplay, everything is top-notch.”
    • “The graphics are unbelievable, especially when you consider the game is technically 7 years old now.”
    • “The graphics are not that impressive; Rockstar spent a lot of time making this game, but I don't see why they won't bother doing a continuous development and do something like Witcher 3's next-gen update.”
    • “The graphics are jaw-dropping—every tree, every ripple in the water, every wrinkle on Arthur’s face feels handcrafted with love.”
  • gameplay
    17,374 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of *Red Dead Redemption 2* is characterized by its immersive realism and attention to detail, offering a blend of action, exploration, and survival mechanics that create a rich experience. However, many players find the pacing slow and the controls clunky, leading to a mix of frustration and enjoyment, particularly during missions that can feel repetitive. While the game excels in storytelling and world-building, some critics argue that the gameplay mechanics can detract from the overall experience, making it less engaging for those seeking fast-paced action.

    • “The gameplay is incredibly immersive and fun.”
    • “The gameplay balances action, exploration, and immersion perfectly.”
    • “The gameplay, story, graphics, and everything about it is amazing.”
    • “I don't understand how it's possible for a game to have possibly one of the most legendary stories to ever exist paired with quite literally the worst, slowest, nonsensical gameplay and logic of all time.”
    • “The time-slow mechanic too is lacking and overcomplicated compared to other games.”
    • “The gameplay is a mess.”
  • emotional
    5,368 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The emotional aspect of "Red Dead Redemption 2" is widely praised, with players highlighting the profound connection they develop with the protagonist, Arthur Morgan, and the richly crafted narrative that explores themes of loyalty, morality, and redemption. Many reviewers express that the story is not only engaging but also heart-wrenching, often leading them to tears, particularly during pivotal moments and the game's conclusion. The combination of exceptional voice acting, a haunting soundtrack, and immersive world-building enhances the emotional depth, making it a memorable experience that resonates long after playing.

    • “Arthur Morgan’s journey is one of the most compelling arcs I have seen in any medium, grounded, emotional, and full of introspection.”
    • “Red Dead Redemption 2 is not merely a game; it’s a cinematic, emotional odyssey—the pinnacle of storytelling in interactive form.”
    • “The story is emotional, the characters feel real, and Arthur Morgan easily became one of my favorite protagonists ever.”
    • “Slow and boring storyline, janky console port controls feeling, your first 2+ hours are just cut scenes and running from A to B to avoid noticing how bad the gameplay is and avoid refunds, I guess.”
    • “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).”
    • “The game has the longest, most boring storyline that you have to work through to play.”
  • music
    3,933 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in *Red Dead Redemption 2* has been widely praised for its emotional depth and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, with many players noting how it perfectly complements key moments in the story. The soundtrack, composed by Woody Jackson, features a mix of haunting melodies and dynamic scores that adapt to gameplay, creating a cinematic experience that resonates with players long after they finish the game. Overall, the music is considered a standout element, contributing significantly to the game's immersive quality and emotional impact.

    • “The music in the epilogue beautifully tied everything together, making the ending feel both emotional and rewarding.”
    • “The soundtrack, composed by Woody Jackson, perfectly captures the mood of the game, with haunting melodies and stirring orchestral pieces that enhance the emotional impact of the story.”
    • “The music fits perfectly too, rising and falling with the action or quiet moments, making everything feel cinematic.”
    • “The music is forgettable.”
    • “The only area that left me wanting was the soundtrack.”
    • “I would have loved more traditional western-inspired background music to heighten duels, rides, or quiet campfire moments.”
  • optimization
    3,147 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The optimization of *Red Dead Redemption 2* has received mixed feedback from players, with many citing significant performance issues such as stuttering, crashes, and inconsistent frame rates, particularly on PC. While some users report smooth gameplay with high-end hardware and optimized settings, others struggle with poor performance even on capable systems, indicating that the game may not be well-optimized for a wide range of configurations. Overall, while the game is praised for its graphics and storytelling, the optimization challenges remain a notable concern for many players.

    • “The amount of attention to detail, and being such a good looking game yet so optimized is why I love Rockstar.”
    • “The optimization is great, the gameplay feels smooth, and every detail from how your horse moves to the weather changing — just adds to the realism.”
    • “This game has by far the best character development and one of the best stories I've ever seen in this media, and it's quite well optimized, running fine on some GPUs from almost 10 years ago while also looking pretty good if you have the hardware to push the settings to the max.”
    • “Constant crashing, stuttering, the settings not saving, the list goes on and on and on.”
    • “Stuttering on a good PC makes it literally unplayable.”
    • “The game is a masterpiece with hours of content & activities in single-player and online, but it is unfortunately pretty poorly optimized with some strange bugs like graphics settings not being saved unless you check the system.”
  • stability
    3,090 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 a plethora of bugs and glitches that disrupt gameplay. Common issues include game crashes, freezing during missions, and various graphical glitches, particularly in the online mode, which is often described as a "buggy mess." While some players have managed to enjoy the game with minimal issues, the overall consensus is that the game requires extensive troubleshooting and is plagued by stability problems that detract from the experience.

    • “The PC version runs great (after some initial patching), and with the added visual enhancements, it looks breathtaking even years after release.”
    • “This is an amazing game with great graphics even at the lowest settings, runs great even on low-end hardware such as a laptop, and has an amazing story.”
    • “The game looks beautiful and runs great for me on PC.”
    • “It's got a fair share of bugs and glitches though, which sometimes break immersion.”
    • “Constant game-breaking glitches.”
    • “Saying that, this game is incredibly buggy and likes to crash on a very new £2000 custom-built gaming PC that has literally 0 issues.”
  • grinding
    2,946 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 of gameplay, others find the repetitive tasks, slow animations, and the need for extensive grinding to unlock content frustrating. The online mode, in particular, is criticized for its grindy nature, often requiring players to invest significant time or money to progress, leading to a perception of it being a cash grab. Overall, players suggest that while the single-player experience is rich and engaging, the online component can feel like a chore, especially for those who dislike grinding.

    • “All I wanted to do was hunt and fish, but I'm not grinding for 3 real-life months to make enough gold to become a trader.”
    • “It had enough of those side quests, places that needed to be explored, and tasks to be done to make me truly feel like being in a living world filled with a lot of high-quality amazing content and having explored it appropriately, while also not grinding my attention span to death before I could finish it and feel good about it.”
    • “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.”
    • “Overall for a game so unbalanced and sort of broken, it's also way too grindy and isn't worth putting any time into.”
    • “Sadly online is only a money machine to Rockstar Games since you need to pay up real money if you don't feel like grinding for 50 years to get enough gold to go bounty hunting.”
    • “The online mode is a complete pile of steaming garbage and grinding is the only thing you can do.”
  • atmosphere
    1,714 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere in *Red Dead Redemption 2* is widely praised as one of its standout features, with players highlighting its breathtaking visuals, immersive sound design, and rich attention to detail that brings the late 19th-century wild west to life. Reviewers note that the game's world feels alive, with dynamic weather, realistic NPC interactions, and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that enhances emotional moments, making it a deeply engaging experience. Many players find themselves lost in the game's atmosphere, often choosing to explore and soak in the environment rather than rush through the story, solidifying its status as a masterpiece of atmospheric storytelling in gaming.

    • “The atmosphere, the world, the characters… everything about Red Dead Redemption 2 reminds me why it’s one of the best games ever made.”
    • “When you fully settle into the game's rhythm, immerse yourself in its atmosphere, and get into the flow, you're no longer playing a game; you're living the life of Arthur Morgan.”
    • “The atmosphere is insane — every inch of the world feels alive.”
    • “The atmosphere is genuinely breathtaking and pulls you into the world with its many side 'jobs' and mechanics.”
    • “The atmosphere, the story, the details... just phenomenal.”
    • “The atmosphere in the game is unmatched.”
  • humor
    1,687 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 and crying simultaneously. Players appreciate the witty dialogue, quirky character interactions, and the absurdity of various in-game situations, such as unexpected glitches and humorous side quests. While some find the humor to be a refreshing contrast to the game's serious themes, others note that it can sometimes feel out of place or repetitive, yet overall, the game successfully balances humor with emotional depth.

    • “The relationship between the characters is emotionally intelligent, gripping, funny, and just simply enthralling.”
    • “Legendary bears and cougars mauled me and the all-around randomness and bar fights made for a funny night spent in the saloon where I got so drunk everyone turned into my drinking buddy Lenny (even the working girls) and the HUD even had slurred misspelled words where usually they are legible.”
    • “The story had me teary-eyed, laughing, and with my jaw on the floor at various points.”
    • “Not funny, I cried.”
    • “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.”
  • character development
    1,102 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Character development in "Red Dead Redemption 2" is widely praised as one of the game's standout features, with many reviewers highlighting the profound and emotional growth of protagonist Arthur Morgan and the intricate backstories of the supporting cast. Players feel a deep connection to the characters, as their journeys are marked by moral complexity and significant transformations, making the narrative resonate on a personal level. Overall, the game's character development is described as unparalleled in the gaming industry, setting a new standard for storytelling and emotional engagement.

    • “The character development, especially that of Arthur, is one of the best I’ve seen in gaming.”
    • “Rockstar truly nailed it — the storytelling, character development, and visuals complement each other perfectly.”
    • “The character development is profound, with each member of the gang feeling like a real person with their own motivations and complexities.”
    • “Nothing depends on you, there is no character development or leveling or choices/consequences, none at all.”
    • “The actual plot is beyond thin and character development is pretty non-existent for the time required to actually move the narrative forward.”
    • “There is no character development at all for more than 15 hours of (main story) gameplay.”
  • replayability
    739 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The replayability of "Red Dead Redemption 2" is generally regarded as high, with many players praising its vast open world, branching storylines, and numerous side activities that encourage multiple playthroughs. While some reviews note that the game can feel linear and that the online mode lacks depth, the single-player experience offers enough variety and emotional engagement to keep players returning. Overall, the game is often described as infinitely replayable, especially with the addition of mods and the honor system that allows for different gameplay experiences.

    • “The sheer fact that it holds up years after launch to even new releases with its game mechanics and the fact it's got so much replayability, or just go on and spend an afternoon hunting animals, fishing, or going around to the vast differentiating environments within the worldspace.”
    • “With its four possible endings, it's highly replayable, and each adventure through the wilderness with your horse will feel different every time.”
    • “The story, characters, gameplay, environment, music, and creatures are what keep this game so memorable and replayable.”
    • “There isn't a lot of replay value with this game.”
    • “Overall disappointing replay value unless you just want to start the campaign again.”
    • “But the game is actually amazing and the story is just great and so emotional, but the game sucks at replayability; it feels like Rockstar Games went out of their way to make the game as tedious as possible to replay.”
  • monetization
    471 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players criticizing the aggressive push towards microtransactions that significantly hinder gameplay. Users report a frustratingly slow progression system designed to encourage spending real money on in-game currency, leading to a perception of the online mode as a blatant cash grab. While the single-player experience is praised, the online component is often described as a grindy, unbalanced environment rife with predatory monetization practices, making it difficult for players to enjoy without spending additional money.

    • “No in-game purchases required, although if you want to look a certain way, go ahead.”
    • “Personally, I loved that you're able to get gold without in-app purchases also.”
    • “What to say, no DLC, no loot boxes, no microtransactions, no pay-to-win!”
    • “Progression feels artificially slow to push microtransactions.”
    • “The constant pressure to spend real money on in-game currency cheapens the entire experience and feels like a blatant cash grab.”
    • “The online mode is just grinding hell or pay to win with microtransactions - avoid!”
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93%Critics’ scoreBased on 79 critic reviews
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50h Median play time
133h Average play time
50h Main story
179h Completionist
11-150h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 1,528 analyzed playthroughs
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In a desperate attempt to undo the damage of accidentally wiping their fiancée's Red Dead Redemption 2 save, someone paid $159 to enlist Arthur Morgan's voice actor to apologise for them

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February 17 on gamespot.com

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February 17 on escapistmagazine.com

Red Dead Redemption 2 fan hits the emergency button after accidentally deleting his fiancée's save file, pays Arthur Morgan's actor to apologize on his behalf: "Let us all send this poor girl positive vibes"

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Frequently Asked Questions

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a open world role playing shooter game with drama theme.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Phone and others.

The main story can be completed in around 50 hours, while the entire game is estimated to take about 179 hours to finish. On average players spend around 133 hours playing Red Dead Redemption 2.

Red Dead Redemption 2 was released on December 4, 2019.

Red Dead Redemption 2 was developed by Rockstar Games.

Red Dead Redemption 2 has received very positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its stability.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, Ghost of Tsushima and others.