Red Dead Redemption 2

91%
Game Brain Score Based on 207,207 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Red Dead Redemption 2 Game Cover
Starting at $7.82Buy now
Get on Steam Get on Xbox Games Store Get on Epic Games Store Get on PS Store

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.

  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

91%
Audience ScoreBased on 207,207 reviews
story28,040 positive mentions
optimization685 negative mentions
  • story60,806 mentions

    The story of *Red Dead Redemption 2* is widely praised for its emotional depth, intricate character development, and immersive narrative, making it one of the best in gaming history. Players are drawn into the life of Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang, experiencing themes of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption against a beautifully crafted open world. While some critiques mention slow pacing and repetitive mission structures, the overall storytelling and character arcs leave a lasting impact, often evoking strong emotional responses from players.

    • “The slow pace of the story is carried by insanely well-written dialogues and spectacular animations that constantly make you feel what every character feels and want to know more about them.”
    • “Red Dead Redemption 2 is a storytelling triumph, featuring a gripping narrative filled with emotional highs and lows, following Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang through a deeply engaging tale of loyalty, betrayal, and redemption.”
    • “The story is a gripping and emotional rollercoaster, masterfully told through a combination of compelling characters, rich dialogue, and cinematic presentation.”
    • “The story constantly gets in the way of the open world.”
    • “The game goes out of its way in every possible gameplay mechanic, cutscene, and storyline to waste your time.”
    • “The missions are all the same.”
  • graphics15,713 mentions

    The graphics of *Red Dead Redemption 2* are widely praised for their stunning realism and meticulous attention to detail, creating an immersive experience that captivates players. Many reviewers highlight the breathtaking landscapes, lifelike character models, and dynamic weather effects, which contribute to the game's overall aesthetic appeal. However, some players have reported performance issues and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end systems, indicating that while the visuals are impressive, they can be demanding on hardware.

    • “The graphics are absolutely stunning.”
    • “The game's graphics are breathtaking, with detailed character models and a vast, realistic world to explore.”
    • “The graphics, the gameplay, the story, everything about this game is perfect.”
    • “Graphics settings keep changing themselves, which is especially annoying considering this game is great for benchmarking and showing off your graphics hardware.”
    • “The game is so good that it makes me not sleep for days, but I have an issue with the graphics that give me a headache. The grass is sparkling and it's very annoying; I can't explain it.”
    • “I had the audacity to want to play at 60 fps and lower some of the graphics, only to find out I can't because it will just crash.”
  • gameplay13,202 mentions

    The gameplay of *Red Dead Redemption 2* is often described as a blend of immersive storytelling and intricate mechanics, with many players praising its stunning visuals and attention to detail. However, opinions are divided; while some appreciate the realism and depth of activities like hunting and horse riding, others find the gameplay slow, clunky, and at times tedious, particularly due to the game's focus on realism over fast-paced action. Overall, the game is recognized for its rich narrative and character development, but the gameplay experience can vary significantly based on individual preferences for pacing and mechanics.

    • “The gameplay is immersive, with a perfect blend of action, exploration, and role-playing elements.”
    • “The gameplay mechanics are refined and intuitive, offering a perfect balance between action-packed gunfights, exhilarating horseback rides, and the quieter moments of hunting and exploration.”
    • “The gameplay offers a variety of activities and realistic interaction with the environment.”
    • “It will make you laugh, it will certainly make you cry, but for how gripping its story is, its gameplay leaves a lot to be desired.”
    • “The game goes out of its way in every possible gameplay mechanic, cutscene, and storyline to waste your time.”
    • “The gameplay is slow and the whole game feels like a chore.”
  • emotional3,413 mentions

    The emotional aspect of *Red Dead Redemption 2* is widely praised, with players reporting profound connections to the characters and their journeys. Many describe the narrative as a heart-wrenching rollercoaster, often leading to tears during pivotal moments, particularly at the game's conclusion. The depth of character development, combined with a beautifully crafted story and an evocative soundtrack, creates an immersive experience that resonates long after the game is completed.

    • “However, what truly sets Red Dead Redemption 2 apart is its emotional impact.”
    • “The story is deeply engaging, following Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang through a gripping narrative filled with emotional highs and lows.”
    • “It's not just a game—it’s an emotional ride that leaves you thinking about the characters long after it’s over.”
    • “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.”
  • music2,921 mentions

    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 reviewers highlighting the haunting melodies and dynamic score that adapt to gameplay moments. Composed by Woody Jackson, the soundtrack features a mix of original compositions and period-appropriate music that perfectly captures the essence of the wild west, making it a standout element of the game. Players often find themselves deeply moved by the music, which complements the narrative and character arcs, creating a truly immersive experience.

    • “The soundtrack, composed by Woody Jackson, is a mix of subtle ambient tracks and powerful thematic pieces that elevate key moments in the story.”
    • “The music in Red Dead Redemption 2 perfectly complements the game's mood and setting.”
    • “Whether it’s a somber track playing during a quiet moment of reflection or an intense piece during a high-stakes chase, the music always enhances the experience.”
    • “The default sound settings were so messed up that you could barely even hear the dialogue because the music was so loud.”
    • “The soundtrack was noticeably awful when I spent the better part of an hour playing dominos without hearing a single song, even low intensity.”
    • “The music is not a strong point but it sure makes everything more serious, and it puts more deep into the story.”
  • optimization2,646 mentions

    The optimization of *Red Dead Redemption 2* has received mixed feedback from players. While some report smooth performance and impressive graphics on high-end systems, many others experience significant issues such as stuttering, frame drops, and crashes, even on powerful rigs. The game is often described as poorly optimized for PC, requiring extensive tweaking of settings to achieve acceptable performance, and many users recommend following optimization guides to enhance the experience. Overall, while the game is praised for its storytelling and visuals, its technical performance remains a point of contention.

    • “The game has a Vulkan renderer, which lets it run with the same performance on Linux as it does on Windows.”
    • “On high-end PCs, players can enjoy smooth frame rates even during the most intense action sequences, thanks to the game's robust optimization.”
    • “The graphics are incredible, the game is well optimized, the story is exceptional, and you will leave this game with tears in your eyes and a feeling of wanting to go back and play it for the first time.”
    • “I'm using an RTX 3060 Ti and keep graphics settings at balanced performance, not even favor performance, and still getting below 60 fps, like 40-50 fps. This is unacceptable.”
    • “Thanks, Rockstar, for introducing us to an amazing game but providing piss-poor performance.”
    • “The game suffers from stuttering and frame drops for literally no reason at completely random points.”
  • stability2,538 mentions

    The stability of Red Dead Redemption 2 on PC has been widely criticized, with players reporting frequent crashes, freezes, and a plethora of bugs and glitches that disrupt gameplay. Many users have expressed frustration with the Rockstar launcher, which is often described as buggy and unreliable, leading to significant troubleshooting efforts just to get the game running. While some players have managed to enjoy the game without major issues, the overall consensus is that the PC version remains unstable and plagued by technical problems, particularly in the online mode.

    • “Runs great on my old hardware too.”
    • “The game looks beautiful and runs great for me on PC.”
    • “It's a beautifully told game, is absolutely stunning and even runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “This game is an absolute buggy mess. I can't play for more than 30 minutes without it glitching and having to restart the game, most of the time losing progress on the mission I was doing when it decided to happen.”
    • “The online mode is a buggy mess that rarely works. The game is full of glitches and crashes, making it almost unplayable.”
    • “The game is a buggy mess. I have spent more time troubleshooting than actually playing, and the constant crashes and freezes are incredibly frustrating.”
  • grinding2,327 mentions

    The grinding aspect of "Red Dead Redemption 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively tedious and time-consuming. While some appreciate the immersive realism and detailed mechanics, others criticize the slow pace of gameplay, repetitive tasks, and the necessity of grinding for in-game currency, which often feels like a cash grab. Overall, players suggest that the single-player experience is far superior to the grind-heavy online mode, which can detract from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “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.”
    • “The online mode could've made them a ton of money, but at first it was way too grindy and over-monetized. Players complained, so they just gave up and abandoned it.”
    • “You and your gang are robbers and killers. I killed like 500 people in the game, and somehow the story writers go with some nonsense about Arthur being a good, moral person who didn't have a choice... like what the hell, if I wanted to be good and moral, I would play another game, like Farming Simulator or some other game with no combat.”
    • “The online mode is a complete pile of steaming garbage and grinding is the only thing you can do.”
  • humor1,312 mentions

    The humor in "Red Dead Redemption 2" is a standout feature, blending dark comedy with lighthearted moments that often arise from character interactions and unexpected in-game events. Players frequently mention the game's ability to evoke laughter through its witty dialogue, absurd situations, and humorous glitches, making it an engaging experience that balances emotional depth with comedic relief. Overall, the humor contributes significantly to the game's charm, enhancing both the narrative and gameplay.

    • “It's funny, tense, and heartwarming—just like a great movie.”
    • “The fact you can literally just shoot anyone is hilarious and I love the freedom it gives you while exploring.”
    • “The story is so deep and the characters are so great and funny in parts.”
    • “Most side missions are either not interesting events or not funny events.”
    • “This game is so broken it's not funny.”
    • “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.”
  • atmosphere1,224 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Red Dead Redemption 2" is widely praised for its breathtaking visuals, immersive sound design, and rich attention to detail, effectively capturing the essence of the late 19th-century American West. Players often find themselves lost in the game's dynamic environments, enhanced by a haunting soundtrack and realistic wildlife, creating a living, breathing world that invites exploration and emotional engagement. Despite some criticisms regarding gameplay mechanics, the overall atmosphere is considered one of the game's standout features, making it a must-play for fans of atmospheric storytelling.

    • “The atmosphere is so dense it's simply amazing.”
    • “The world, the characters, and the atmosphere are all so rich and immersive that it’s easy to get lost in it for hours.”
    • “The atmosphere in every single moment is perfect.”
    • “You’d expect frequent standoffs or gunfights, but these moments are few and far between, leaving the 'western' atmosphere feeling weak.”
    • “I mean, the game is fun and all but there are some things that completely ruin the atmosphere like the horse handling that bugs out and it just runs in circles.”
    • “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 development813 mentions

    Character development in "Red Dead Redemption 2" is widely praised for its depth and emotional resonance, particularly through the protagonist Arthur Morgan, whose journey from a hardened outlaw to a figure seeking redemption is compelling and relatable. Players appreciate the intricate relationships within the Van der Linde gang, with each character exhibiting distinct personalities and growth that enhance the narrative's richness. The game's storytelling, combined with player choices that influence character arcs, creates a profound connection, making it one of the most memorable experiences in gaming history.

    • “Arthur's journey, from a hardened criminal to a man seeking redemption, is a deeply human one, filled with introspection, moral dilemmas, and profound character development.”
    • “The character development is exceptional, making you genuinely care about the fate of Arthur and the gang members.”
    • “The depth of character development is astounding, with each member of the Van der Linde gang having their own motivations, struggles, and arcs.”
    • “The game's slow pacing and deliberate storytelling may prove taxing for some players, requiring patience and perseverance to fully appreciate its narrative depth and character development.”
    • “There is no character development at all for more than 15 hours of main story gameplay.”
    • “While character development could be better, and the storyline is sometimes drab in comparison to Witcher 3, it still blows most all games out of the water.”
  • replayability552 mentions

    Replayability in the game is highly variable among players, with many praising its immense replay value due to random events, multiple endings, and a rich open world filled with side quests and character interactions. However, some users express disappointment, citing limited replayability after completing the main story and a lack of engaging online content. Overall, while many find the game infinitely replayable, others feel it loses its charm after several playthroughs.

    • “There are so many random things that can happen in this game, the replay value is through the roof.”
    • “With a vast world full of secrets to uncover, multiple endings, and countless side quests, the game has incredible replay value.”
    • “The story is so replayable and the acting and everything is a gaming masterpiece that will go down in history.”
    • “Very little replay value.”
    • “No replay value or longevity to enjoy this game.”
    • “The choices you make and the 'honor' system seem to have little impact on the gameplay or story, which diminishes the replayability for me.”
  • monetization373 mentions

    The monetization aspect of "Red Dead Online" has been heavily criticized for its reliance on microtransactions, which many players feel are predatory and designed to encourage spending rather than enhancing gameplay. Users report a frustrating grind for in-game currency, with essential items and features often locked behind expensive paywalls, leading to a perception of the online mode as a cash grab. While the single-player experience is praised for its depth and quality, the online component is seen as lacking content and plagued by issues that detract from the overall enjoyment.

    • “Microtransactions: while not essential, the presence of microtransactions for in-game currency can be off-putting.”
    • “The economy in Red Dead Online is (purposely) broken - it takes an unrealistically long amount of time to grind for money (obviously in an attempt to encourage microtransactions).”
    • “Unfortunately, it is pretty clear that the entire function of the game is purely made for microtransactions and to net Rockstar extra profits.”
    • “The constant pressure to spend real money on in-game currency cheapens the entire experience and feels like a blatant cash grab.”
    • “In online multiplayer, there is far too much grinding that not only ruins the enjoyment of the game but it is visibly created intentionally to encourage monetization of the game.”
    • “The online multiplayer mode has also received criticism for its microtransactions and lack of content compared to the single-player mode.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Buy Red Dead Redemption 2

Play time

48hMedian play time
114hAverage play time
50hMain story
179hCompletionist
10-123hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1,212 analyzed playthroughs

Videos

Similar Games

Game News