Harsh Realities Of Replaying Red Dead Redemption

Released over 15 years ago, Red Dead Redemption remains one of Rockstar Games’ most beloved games. Its stunning visuals and clear inspiration from classic Spaghetti Westerns combine with a gripping story about John Marston tracking down his former outlaw companions, creating a truly unforgettable experience.

Now that Red Dead Redemption is being updated for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and potentially the Nintendo Switch 2, players revisiting the game as John Marston might be surprised by some changes or aspects that haven’t aged well.

Be warned: the second half of this article contains significant spoilers for both Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2.

The Open-World Feels Smaller This Time Around

The Many States of RDR2 Showcase the Limited Nature of 2010

The world of the original Red Dead Redemption – including New Austin, West Elizabeth, and Mexico – felt impressively large when it first came out. However, after playing many other open-world games, and especially Red Dead Redemption 2 with its map that’s more than three times bigger, it doesn’t seem quite as expansive anymore.

The world of Red Dead Redemption is still visually stunning, with its hot deserts and snowy mountains offering a great experience for exploration. However, beyond the main story, challenges, and random encounters, there isn’t a huge amount of activity to keep players engaged.

The Gun Variety Isn’t as Robust as the Prequel

No Dual-Wielding, Or the Ability to Leave Weapons With Your Horse

Red Dead Redemption features a wide variety of weapons, including 5 shotguns, 3 sniper rifles, 7 rifles and repeaters, and 8 revolvers and pistols. While it’s satisfying to use all these weapons, getting them again on a replay can be a hassle, especially knowing that some of the best guns are actually in Red Dead Redemption 2.

Considering Red Dead Redemption came out eight years before RDR2, it’s understandable that it doesn’t have the same advanced weapon features. You can’t dual-wield revolvers or use a bow for quiet attacks like in the newer game. While combat is still enjoyable and there’s a good variety of weapons, you’ll definitely notice the difference.

You’re Alone in the Wild West

There’s No Company or Conversation Like in RDR2

John Marston’s family has been taken hostage by the government, forcing him to hunt down the people he used to consider family. It’s understandable, then, that he feels incredibly lonely. When you play Red Dead Redemption, you really experience this isolation – John spends most of his journey with only himself and his horse for company.

When traveling between towns, you won’t have many conversations with people outside of the main story scenes. Unlike in Red Dead Redemption 2, there aren’t any casual chats around campfires or unexpected encounters with dialogue. This makes being alone in the Wild West feel quite different, and it can take some getting used to, even though the game world itself is very immersive.

Hunting Can Feel Rather Limited

Immersive Features Aren’t as Detailed as the Prequel

Hunting played a big role in Red Dead Redemption 2, offering a wide variety of animals to find, learn about, and hunt in different areas. Players who enjoyed that aspect might find the hunting in the original Red Dead Redemption less satisfying. While animals are still present, there are fewer types, and the experience isn’t as fulfilling.

Although you can collect items from the animals you hunt, the experience isn’t as detailed or engaging as in some other games. Going back to Red Dead Redemption to hunt cougars, bison, beavers, or anything else might feel a little simple compared to more modern hunting mechanics.

Harsher Movement and a Lack of Swimming

Future Rockstar Titles Feel Far Smoother, and Provide Swimming Lessons

In the game Red Dead Redemption, John Marston famously can’t swim. What started as a simple way to block off certain areas has become a defining trait for his character. If John enters the water, he immediately drowns, which can be annoying while you’re trying to explore the game world.

As a big fan of Red Dead Redemption 2, I absolutely loved being able to swim with Arthur and even take my horse for a dip! It made exploring the world so much more immersive. But going back to play the original Red Dead Redemption is a bit of a shock – it really hits you how much that feature changed things! Suddenly, water isn’t your friend anymore, and John Marston just…can’t swim. It’s a funny little detail that highlights how much the sequel improved on the formula.

Missions Can Feel a Tad Repetitive

Ride a Horse and Shoot Stuff, Rinse and Repeat

Considering Red Dead Redemption came out in 2010, some of its missions might feel a bit dated by today’s standards. They’re still enjoyable, but players now expect games to constantly push boundaries. So, revisiting a game where most missions involve riding a horse and shooting can feel a little simplistic.

While the missions are still enjoyable, players who have experienced the game before might find themselves going through the motions – quickly reacting to shoot or rushing to the next combat encounter on horseback.

The next entries are all spoiler-heavy!

Killing Your Old Gang

The Van der Linde Gang Falls For the Last Time

A central part of Red Dead Redemption 2 is the Van der Linde gang. Players likely have fond memories of gathering around the campfire, listening to stories from characters like Bill Williamson and Javier Escuella, and being led by the compelling Dutch Van der Linde. However, these moments don’t last, and the gang eventually breaks apart before John Marston can finally escape with his family to Beecher’s Hope.

Honestly, going back to New Austin in 1911 is tough. You end up hunting down Bill Williamson, Javier Escuella, and even Dutch – people who used to be your gang. It’s weird because, after spending so much time with them in the prequel, getting to know them, going on adventures… you almost feel bad about having to kill them. It really hits you that these are people you used to consider family, and now you’re the one putting them down. It’s a pretty harsh realization.

Arthur Morgan Doesn’t Exist

RDR Was Written Before Arthur Morgan Was Imagined

Okay, so replaying Red Dead Redemption after Red Dead Redemption 2 is…weird. You realize Arthur Morgan just isn’t in the first game, and that’s a tough pill to swallow. It’s not that the prequel didn’t happen, it’s just that Red Dead Redemption came out before they even thought up Arthur. It really shows – it feels like his story wasn’t factored into John’s history at all when they made the original game.

Although the ending of Red Dead Redemption 2 shows John avoids thinking about Arthur because it’s painful, it’s a little disheartening that there’s no mention of Arthur in the first Red Dead Redemption. Since Arthur wasn’t a character yet when the original game came out in 2010, there are no flashbacks or even passing thoughts about him.

You Know What Fate Awaits John Marston

It’s Not a Happy Ending

John Marston is a legendary character, but revisiting the original game is heartbreaking knowing he never truly finds peace at Beecher’s Hope with his family, including his uncle. He ignores the wisdom Arthur Morgan shared about the futility of revenge, choosing instead to pursue vengeance for Arthur. This ultimately leads him into a life of working for the government as an assassin, a path that tragically results in his death.

Playing Red Dead Redemption again is a bittersweet experience. Knowing how the story ends—with John Marston tragically killed—makes revisiting the game painful, as it doesn’t change his ultimate fate. He’s still needlessly murdered and left to be forgotten, a victim of the government’s actions.

Having to Play as Jack Marston

He’s Certainly No Arthur, Nor John

After finishing the main story of Red Dead Redemption, players will continue playing as an older Jack Marston, and will hear lines like, “Work, ya damn Nag!” repeated throughout the game. While Jack isn’t a bad character – his story is actually quite sad, as he ends up following a similar path of crime and revenge as his father, rather than pursuing his dream of becoming a writer – this continuation is what players will experience post-credits.

Jack doesn’t feel as developed as his father, and since players have spent so much time as John Marston – both in this game and Red Dead Redemption 2 – it’s strange to play as someone else in New Austin. The game unfortunately locks you into playing as Jack for the entirety of the experience.

2025-12-02 21:13