Why Red Dead Redemption 3 Must Revolutionize Its Gunplay

by

It seems that the Red Dead Redemption series might be taking a break for a long while, as Rockstar Games appears to be deeply engrossed in developing GTA 6. Given their previous release patterns from the 2010s, it’s highly likely we won’t witness a new installment of Red Dead Redemption 2 until possibly the 2030s, though this is subject to change.

Despite the success and acclaim of the “Red Dead Redemption” series, it still holds untapped potential. The first two games, praised for their exceptional environment design and storytelling, have solidified themselves as a modern classic. However, despite these strengths, there are notable weaknesses, with gameplay being a primary concern. While Rockstar Games is known for prioritizing strong narrative over gameplay, the “Red Dead” games feel notably rigid and sluggish, making subsequent playthroughs rather laborious. If a “Red Dead Redemption 3” ever materializes, improving the combat sandbox and overall gameplay should be a top priority.

While some view Red Dead Revolver as belonging to the larger series, its distinct gameplay mechanics and structure, combined with the absence of “Redemption” in the title, suggest it leans more towards being a spin-off, despite being released before other games in the series.

Red Dead Redemption 3 Needs To Deliver a Better Gunslinger Fantasy

Third-Person Shooters Red Dead Redemption 3 Could Learn From

If Rockstar Games is seeking inspiration for the development of Red Dead Redemption 3, there’s a wealth of third-person shooter games out there that could prove inspiring. Games with a similar grounded feel to Red Dead Redemption 3 that might be worth exploring include:

1. The Last of Us – This game offers a post-apocalyptic world filled with danger, suspense, and emotional storytelling, all while maintaining a third-person perspective.
2. Uncharted series – These games follow the adventures of Nathan Drake, an Indiana Jones-like character, through various historical settings. The games are known for their cinematic storytelling and action-packed gameplay.
3. The Wolf Among Us – Based on the Fables comic book series, this game takes place in a world where fairy tale characters live among humans. The third-person perspective and narrative-driven gameplay could provide valuable insights.
4. Heavy Rain – This interactive drama focuses on a series of interconnected stories involving multiple protagonists. The game’s mature themes, immersive storytelling, and third-person perspective make it an intriguing option for inspiration.
5. Detroit: Become Human – This game explores the relationship between humans and androids in a near-future Detroit. The branching narrative and third-person perspective could offer insights into creating engaging characters and immersive storytelling.

  • The Max Payne franchise
  • Resident Evil 4 Remake
  • Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
  • The Last of Us Part 2
  • Uncharted 4

Among numerous excellent third-person shooter games available today, the ones mentioned here are particularly fitting given their traditional shooting mechanics; games such as Space Marine 2 may be impressive, but they don’t quite align with a discussion about Red Dead Redemption 3. For example, Uncharted 4 and The Last of Us 2 stand out for their stealth systems reminiscent of cat and mouse, coupled with intense, brutal animations that amplify the impact of every shootout. Metal Gear Solid 5 is also a worthy mention due to its strategic stealth gameplay and exceptional character controls, elements that seem absent in modern gaming.

Compared to other third-person shooters, the Resident Evil 4 Remake may well stand out as the finest. The movements of Leon feel fluid yet substantial, creating a strong bond between player and game that results in an intuitive, immersive, and rich experience. Red Dead Redemption 3 could greatly benefit from emulating these qualities, leading to a far more natural and subtle wild-west shooting game. Lastly, Max Payne shares similar mechanics with Red Dead Redemption due to their shared use of bullet-time effects. However, the Max Payne series offers a much more engaging and dynamic bullet-time experience, allowing players to perform jumps, slides, and dives while eliminating enemies in slow motion. This emphasis on momentum is an area where Red Dead Redemption 3 could potentially excel even further.

Red Dead Redemption 3 Needs To Hone In On Certain Gunplay Design Pillars

In the discussion above, it’s clear that the points made are useful from a theoretical perspective, but if Rockstar chooses to disregard all other third-person shooter mechanics as potential influences, there are still crucial aspects that the developer should address in Red Dead Redemption 3. A more expansive range of enemy interaction might be the key area: in Red Dead Redemption 2, players often find themselves limited to either shooting from cover or charging into a barrage of bullets, with little room for strategic maneuvering. Introducing varied tactics that reward thoughtful play and innovation could make Red Dead Redemption 3 more enjoyable and expressive, without compromising its realism. Another area that could use improvement in RDR3 is character movement; Arthur and John tend to move as if they’re on wheels instead of agile outlaws, which might be addressed to create a more authentic experience.

Read More

2025-03-26 04:07