Why There Will Never Be a Replacement for Red Dead Redemption 2

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Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar’s 2018 western adventure and a prequel to the 2010 game Red Dead Redemption, received widespread critical acclaim. When it first came out, opinions were sharply divided – some fans hailed it as the best game ever, while others thought it was overhyped and tried too hard. Now, seven years later, most of the negative voices have quieted down, and there’s a general agreement that Red Dead Redemption 2 is a truly high-quality game.

Look, I think Red Dead Redemption 2 is an incredible game, honestly a masterpiece. But I get why some people had issues with it when it first came out. A lot of the criticism comes down to how it plays. It doesn’t really let you experiment or do things your own way, which can feel limiting. If you compare it to something like Elden Ring or even the newer Assassin’s Creed games, the moment-to-moment gameplay feels a bit… basic. It doesn’t have the same depth of RPG systems. But Red Dead 2 gives you something those other games just can’t – something special that goes beyond just how it plays.

Spoilers ahead for Red Dead Redemption 2.

Red Dead Redemption 2’s Writing Isn’t Good—It’s Exceptional

Image via Rockstar Games

Just because a game is big-budget and tries to feel like a movie doesn’t mean it has a good story. Some of these games wouldn’t be considered well-written if they were books or films. Even when they start with interesting ideas, these stories can become weighed down by unnecessary details and predictable gameplay, making it hard to truly connect with the characters and plot.

The heart of Red Dead Redemption 2 is its storytelling. Everything in the game is built around the narrative, not the other way around. Unlike many games where characters like Charles simply exist to support the protagonist, Red Dead 2 gives Charles his own goals, beliefs, and independent story – like his connection with the Wapiti tribe, and even when he and Arthur disagree. This makes him feel like a fully realized person, not just a tool to advance Arthur’s story. Red Dead Redemption 2 clearly prioritizes a thoughtful and deliberate story, whereas many other games seem to add characters, plot points, and themes as an afterthought or to fit predictable patterns.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Is More Mature Than Most Games

As a huge gamer, one thing that really gets to me lately is how many games shy away from truly complex, human stories. I’m all for positive and hopeful messages, but when I play something like Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 and it feels like they’ve toned down some of the more interesting parts of the original story, I just feel a little disappointed. I’m not saying every game needs to be super dark and depressing like The Last of Us 2, but games aimed at adults shouldn’t be afraid to explore some heavier themes, you know?

Red Dead Redemption 2 handles its complex characters well, showing their flaws without being overly moralistic or simplifying the story’s conflicts. Take Micah Bell, for example – he’s truly awful, consistently committing terrible acts until his death. Importantly, he isn’t simply arrested or killed in self-defense; he’s deliberately killed as an act of revenge by John. This allows the game to explore complicated ideas about morality, moving beyond the typical message that “violence is bad.” Unlike many games, Red Dead Redemption 2 doesn’t offer a neat resolution where everyone makes amends or finds peace. Instead, it ends with death and betrayal all around, and the story doesn’t judge these events as good or bad – it simply presents them as the consequences of the characters’ actions.

What makes Red Dead Redemption 2 stand out from most big-budget games is its willingness to tackle difficult and unpleasant themes. The protagonist, Arthur Morgan, isn’t a traditional hero – he’s flawed, capable of violence, and makes tough choices, even suggesting abandoning a friend to save the rest of the gang. Despite his flaws, or perhaps because of them, Arthur feels real and relatable. He’s a complex character, and that’s why players connect with him more than with seemingly perfect heroes like Aloy, Rook, or Cal Kestis. Those characters feel simple and lack the depth and nuance found in Red Dead 2, where even minor characters feel fully realized and complex.

Games with Mature Stories Like Red Dead Redemption 2

  • Cyberpunk 2077
  • The Witcher 3
  • Disco Elysium
  • What Remains of Edith Finch
  • Kentucky Route Zero

Red Dead Redemption 2 Is Impressively Detailed

Honestly, what really sets Red Dead Redemption 2 apart isn’t just the story, it’s how incredibly detailed everything is. Everyone talks about the horses being super realistic, which is funny, but it’s so much more than that. The world just feels alive because every single person in it has their own little routine. Even just overhearing conversations around camp with the gang feels special. And I have to say, the way Arthur handles his gun? That’s something else. It all adds up to a world that’s totally believable and keeps me hooked.

I think what really sets RDR2 apart is the incredible attention to detail. Most games don’t even try to go this deep, and honestly, I get why – all those little things, like how NPCs react and how realistic the plants look, definitely cost more to create. But it’s so worth it! Rockstar didn’t cut corners, and it really shows. It feels like a true AAA experience, and they used all the latest technology to make everything feel incredibly immersive and well-crafted. It’s a game that feels like it earned its reputation, you know?

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Games Whose Level of Detail Approaches Red Dead Redemption 2’s

  • The Last of Us Part 2
  • Death Stranding 2
  • Metal Gear Solid: The Phantom Pain
  • Hitman: World of Assassination
  • Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Open-World Design Makes Red Dead Redemption 2 Come Alive

While games like Elden Ring, Breath of the Wild, and Ghost of Tsushima may have more impressive open-world designs and ways to explore, Red Dead Redemption 2 still excels at creating incredibly realistic, detailed, and varied environments. It offers a different kind of exploration experience, focusing on immersion and realism rather than just typical game mechanics.

Honestly, exploring the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 is just… peaceful. It’s not just the pretty scenery, though – the way the light changes, the weather feels real, and all the little details really pull you in. It’s like the game goes above and beyond to make you believe it’s a living, breathing place. Some might even say it’s hyperrealistic, and I’d have to agree – it’s that immersive!

I grew up spending time in Florida, Georgia, and Louisiana, and those places heavily influenced the design of the in-game state of Lemoyne in Red Dead Redemption 2. However, the game isn’t a perfect copy of those states. When I travel from the Bayou Nwa swamp to Saint Denis, I don’t focus on the fact that swamps aren’t typically near big cities. Instead, the game feels like an artistic interpretation of the American South, almost as if it were created from the memories of someone who knows those states well. Ultimately, Red Dead Redemption 2‘s map doesn’t aim for geographical accuracy; it strives for a more authentic feeling of the American countryside, capturing its core essence in a beautifully detailed way.

Games With Tranquil Open-Worlds Like Red Dead Redemption 2’s

  • Assassin’s Creed Shadows
  • Horizon Forbidden West
  • Ghost of Yotei
  • No Man’s Sky
  • The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild

There’s No Such Thing as Perfect, But Red Dead 2 is Pretty Close

Image via Rockstar Games

While I really enjoy Red Dead 2, it’s not quite my all-time favorite. It’s likely in my top five games ever, but probably not the top three. It does a lot of things well, especially its story and incredible detail, but its gameplay feels a bit dated. The combat isn’t very exciting, exploring the world isn’t as rewarding as it could be, and the missions feel old-fashioned. Compared to other modern open-world games, Red Dead Redemption 2 just doesn’t quite measure up mechanically, and many have since surpassed it.

What makes Red Dead Redemption 2 truly special is that its story and characters matter more than how complex the game itself is. This is a good reminder that video games don’t need to be judged just on their gameplay. RDR2 excels because of its well-written story, memorable characters, and incredible attention to detail – the gameplay supports the story, rather than the other way around. Often, big-budget games feel like their stories are just added to meet expectations, but Red Dead Redemption 2 is different. Its dedication to a rich, complex narrative and world is what makes it one of the greatest games ever, and what people will remember long after other similar games are forgotten.

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2025-12-06 18:39