Red Dead Redemption 2 is a critically acclaimed video game that’s set in the Wild West. You’ll follow Dutch and his gang of misfits and criminals on a scandalous adventure. Sure enough, Red Dead Redemption is set in America, where the land is rich and teeming with nature. The lore is also rich, the characters have deep backgrounds, and the protagonists (John Marston and Arthur Morgan) are great shooters and combatants. It’s a great game of love, loyalty, sin, and redemption.
Also Related: Is Red Dead Redemption 2 Cross-Platform?
What Made Red Dead Redemption 2 So Good?
Red Dead Redemption 2 was satisfyingly good. However, what exactly made it so good? For starters, the graphics were just too sleek, and the landscapes were cinematic. In fact, you can say the landmarks were wallpaper-worthy. Though Nintendo Switch fans won’t be playing Red Dead Redemption 2 anytime soon, other reasons why Red Dead Redemption 2 is classic are:
- Great Story: The story of Arthur and his co-members is brilliant. Yes, we’re fans of the story because Arthur is portrayed as a capable character who can fight and brawl his way through every encounter. He wasn’t the gang’s brains, but he sure as heck got things done. Eventually, Arthur contracts tuberculosis, and so, in a twist of poetic justice for all the wrongs he has done, you finish the game as a sick man.
- Captivating Music and Soundtrack: The music was always perfect for the gameplay. It swelled in equal proportions to whatever was happening on screen. This made you feel like you were Arthur or John themselves.
- A Huge and Reactive Sandbox: The Red Dead Redemption 2 sandbox is massive, and it’s extremely reactive. Take a path off the main road, and you may find yourself in a bandit camp. Go swim in a river, and you may discover gold at the bottom. From side activities like fishing and hunting beasts to hunting down criminals for the bounties on their heads, there are tons of quests and challenges to tackle.
Top 6 Alternatives to Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 is a masterpiece. No matter how many times we play it, the combat is satisfying, and Arthur’s story is still captivating. To that end, below are the 5 best options you can play before Red Dead Redemption 3 is released. Yes, you heard that right! Leaks suggest that the sequel to Red Dead Redemption 2 is in the works. However, unlike GTA 6, we haven’t seen any footage of the game yet.
#1: Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut
Playing the Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut is akin to watching a Francis Ford Coppola movie or sipping on some fine wine. For gamers who don’t know Ford Coppola, he directed The Godfather. So, this game is story-driven and cinematic, with fights looking like you’re putting on a show.
You control Jin Sakai, a disgraced samurai who adopts unorthodox methods for eliminating the Mongol invaders in his homeland. Along the way, players will learn both samurai and ninja techniques to kill enemies. With smoke bombs, poisons, and assassinations, Jin mercilessly abandons his samurai codes. Obviously, the experience is rewarding, especially as the events of the game unfold on the beautiful island of Tsushima.
#2: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
The only reason The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt isn’t ranked first is because of its messy combat. It’s satisfying when you cut off enemy and monster limbs. However, the animations and movements involved are awkward. Besides that, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a perfect game. Like the Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut, this title takes place in a vastly different world from what you’re expecting from Red Dead Redemption 2.
However, when it comes to sandboxes, they’re equally massive and rewarding. Any direction that you head in will reward you. Whether that’s in the form of monster crafting parts or powerful weapons, there’s always a reward tucked in somewhere. The music is also immersive, and it did make us feel like we had superpowers.
#3: Desperados 3
Desperados 3 is set in the harsh Wild West too, but it’s an isometric real-time strategy game. It favours stealth over the brawler-style gameplay that Red Dead Redemption 2 offers. In terms of graphics, the world is just as dense and reactive. So, there are plenty of in-game elements that you can interact with. Eventually, you’ll make your way to Mexico, and luckily, the developers did the landscape justice.
Desperados 3 is a five-character game, and sure enough, each character has special abilities. Depending on the situation you find yourself in, you can choose the character that best fits the scenario. From train missions to brilliant sabotage that leads to assassinations, the game will keep you guessing.
#4: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was released for the Nintendo Switch in 2017. Post-launch, its effects are still felt in modern games’ sandboxes. For one, you could go anywhere in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. You just have to see it, and you’ll be able to reach it. It’s also extremely rewarding for players who love to explore. From swords and maces to health potions and magic hearts, there are a ton of items to explore in the game. The game is also lengthy, reminiscent of Baldur’s Gate 3’s 75-hour-long campaign.
While it’s not a dialogue-heavy game like Red Dead Redemption 2, it’s brilliant for its story-driven narrative. Moving forward, the game is home to different types of beasts, dragons, and monsters. So, you’ll have to experiment with different strategies on the fly if you want to eliminate them all. Thankfully, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, which is the sequel, is out already. So, you don’t have to wait before you can continue Link’s story.
#5: Mad Max
Mad Max might be an underdog, but it offers a better experience than the likes of Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West or Call of Juarez: Gunslinger. It might not be about gunslinging, but the game is set in a desert too. Albeit, this desert is a bleak representation of a post-apocalyptic wasteland. The residents of Mad Max are as crazy as Max himself, so it takes a special blend of skills to eliminate them.
However, the biggest difference between Red Dead Redemption 2 and Mad Max is the vehicle of choice. In Red Dead Redemption 2, you ride a horse, while in Mad Max, you ride a turbo-powered car. The game’s large sandbox is extremely rewarding, so exploration is an integral part of the experience. Especially, if you want to upgrade the Magnum Opus car and reach the Plains of Silence.
#6: GTA V
The adventures of Trevor, Michael, and Franklin are memorable because of the heists they pulled off. Also, the story is tight because of the deceit between the team members. Money is truly the root of all evil, and GTA V is a great depiction of the repercussions of greed. By the end of the campaign, certain members of the team were planning on stabbing the others in the back. Just like how Michael faked his death and ran off with his old gang’s loot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There Any Game Better Than Red Dead Redemption 2?
The short answer is yes, and that’s The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and GTA V. As for the long answer, there’s a long list of games that are better than Red Dead Redemption 2. Sure, they’re better in other aspects, like weapon mechanics and narrative. However, Red Dead Redemption 2 occupies a special spot in our hearts for its story-driven action gameplay.
Is Red Dead Redemption 2 Better Than Cyberpunk 2077?
Red Dead Redemption 2 is the better game compared to Cyberpunk 2077. For one, the game wasn’t plagued by bugs from launch, and in fact, it ran beautifully across the boards. Whether you’re playing it on last-gen consoles like the PS4 or next-gen consoles like the Xbox Series X, the experience is buttery smooth.
Which Map Is Bigger Between the One in Red Dead Redemption 2 and GTA V?
One of the reasons why gamers believe that Red Dead Redemption 2 is better than GTA V is because of its much bigger map. Heck, its map is at least twice as big as the map in GTA V, and sure, there’s enough content to keep the extra space interesting.