Red Dead Redemption 2 is packed chock-full of surprises. Take a walk in the forest and you might find yourself on the run from a bear. Head down the less-taken path along the road and you can stumble upon a bandit camp. Heck, even trying to rest is dangerous since the game’s sandbox is alive. That said, bizarre encounters, strange phenomena, and weird NPCs are the norm in Red Dead Redemption 2. So, this list breaks down the 10 strangest phenomena in the game and where you can encounter them.
From alien encounters to spooky events, this game is full of all sorts of activities, including some of the strangest phenomena. Thankfully, these activities have depth and add a level of realism to Red Dead Redemption 2 that’s not often experienced in AAA games. So, if you’re an explorer or completionist, these are the 10 strangest phenomena you should hunt down in-game.
Also Similar: Is Red Dead Redemption 60 FPS on Console?
The 10 Strangest Phenomena in Red Dead Redemption 2
There are dozens of weird events in Red Dead Redemption 2’s Wild West, but these are the most strangest phenomena. They’re not only spooky, but they also add a layer of mystery, horror, and suspense to an otherwise straightforward game. Without further ado, here are 10 spine-tingling events in Red Dead Redemption 2.
#1: The Strange Man
The Strange Man surmises one of the strangest phenomena in Red Dead Redemption 2. Gamers at Player.com voted on this and sure enough, he’s eerie. He’s a minor character who appears throughout Red Dead Redemption 2, offering cryptic insights and tense messages. Many players believe he’s the devil in disguise because he knows John Marston’s past. Additionally, his cryptic insights are visions of the future, so watching John’s journey unfold confirms all of the Strange Man’s ramblings. His position isn’t static, since he’ll conveniently appear at mission locations.
One of the reasons why the Strange Man is so memorable is because he resembles Josiah Trelawny. Also, in the add-on, The Diamond Casino Heist, the Strange Man appears in the protagonist’s fortune. The fortune teller says he frightens him. Sometimes, John sees the Strange Man stalking him but when he turns around, he’s gone, just like the devil, who’s always in the details.
Where to Encounter Him: Around Hennigan’s Stead in New Austin and Bayall Edge in Lemoyne.
#2: The Vampire of Saint Denis
You can uncover a vampire in Red Dead Redemption 2 by looking out for clues. This is one of the most horrifying events and the strangest phenomena in the game, adding a layer of gothic lore to it. He’s a known lover of maidens, so his targets, according to the clues, are all women. Once you’ve researched and found the creature’s spawning point, you head there at midnight. He’s extremely dangerous, so you only have a small window of opportunity to kill him and obtain his ornate knife.
Although he’ll give you several warnings before he attacks, so, just keep your distance and gun him down using the Dead Eye mode. In the end, the Vampire of Saint Denis is a narrative of an old evil haunting the back streets of modern society. Everyone should experience this narrative. Unfortunately, Red Dead Redemption 2 isn’t on Nintendo Switch and we doubt Rockstar Games will port it over anytime soon.
Where to Encounter Him: Saint Denis.
#3: The Night Folk
The Night Folks are a group of occultists whose bizarre rituals are over the top and popular throughout the swamps of Bayou Nwa. Red Dead Redemption 2’s world is massive and the only game that comes close is The Legends of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. We encountered them during the night and frankly, the experience was chilling which made it to be the strangest phenomena in game. Especially as the Night Folks are masters at ambushing people, so we were only able to win by using Dead Eye. Bayou is already dangerous, with alligators lurking in the swamp. Thus, you shouldn’t take these folks lightly.
The cult doesn’t only ambush and just offer their victims up as an offering to their idol. Rather, they’ll prepare traps, rob, pillage, rape, and then murder their victims in the vilest of ways. Dismemberment and disfigurement are their go-to killing signatures. Finally, the Night Folk can kill players with one hit, making them one of the four enemies that can pull off that feat in the game.
Where to Encounter Them: Bayou Nwa.
#4: The Feral Man
The Feral Man is a loony, borderline werewolf who owns a pack of wolves and lives deep in the woods. To complete his profile, he also lives in a cave in harmony with his pack and nature. The events of Red Dead Redemption 2 allude to a world on the brink of civilisation and advancement. So, the Feral Man is a perfect contrast to modern society, especially as he doesn’t take kindly to finding humans on his turf. So, he will attack on sight.
The Feral Man wasn’t always a wolf man, since he had a regular family like most folks in the game. He went hunting with his father and helped his mother out with the dishes too. However, he eventually left his family and, along the way, met some wolf pups. He bonded with them and eventually started behaving like a wolf, complete with midnight howls.
Where to Encounter Him: Roanoke Ridge.
#5: Francis Sinclair
Francis Sinclair is a time traveller in Red Dead Redemption 2, which hints at the possibility of travelling across realities. Also, the mere fact that we encounter a grown-up Sinclair in the beginning but, in the end, he’s an infant makes this encounter mind-bending. His missions are straightforward; Tracking down rock carvings that are scattered throughout the huge sandbox of Red Dead Redemption 2.
One of the rock carvings hints at an atomic bomb, showing how Sinclair is truly out of time and space. In fact, throughout the tasks he assigns to players, you’ll keep doubting reality because he talks about inventions and events from the future. You’ll have to find 10 rock carvings to complete his tasks, making this one of the strangest phenomena in the game.
Where to Encounter Him: Big Valley in West Elizabeth.
#6: The Ghost Train
A ghost train can be seen haunting the tracks of New Hanover, adding to the paranormal activity of Red Dead Redemption 2. Behind this encounter is a tragedy about a train and the unlucky souls who were inside it. Finding the ghost train is tricky because it only appears at 3:00 AM. You’ll be able to race with the train and experience its ethereal form before it vanishes into thin air again.
There’s a possibility that you won’t encounter the train the first time you camp at Scarlett Meadows. However, it’ll show up if you’re persistent enough. There’s no in-game reward for finding this ghost train but it does add to the game’s story.
Where to Encounter It: Head northwest of Lemoyne in the middle of Scarlett Meadows.
#7: The Robot
Marko Dragic is an inventor who works on secret projects in a laboratory located on a hill. His latest project is the creation of a sentient machine that’ll listen to him, but it’ll also be akin to a companion or a butler. Naturally, his machinations aren’t foolproof, and soon enough, his experiments lead to his death.
His robot escapes to a frozen mountain where it won’t be disturbed by people nor will the elements get to it. His robot calls him “Papa” and is capable of human emotions such as sadness. This blurs the lines between invention, artificial life, and life itself. So, this is one of the strangest phenomena in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Where to Encounter It: Find him on the mountain peak near Colter using the Electric Lantern.
#8: The Cave Hermit
The Cave Hermit claims to be the Devil himself and he lives in a cave in West Elizabeth. So, he’s one of the strangest phenomena in Red Dead Redemption 2. You’ll know it’s the Cave Hermit because of his grey hair, which is styled like the Devil’s horns. There’s also a red pentagram in his cave, which confirms his relationship with hell and its demonic spirits. However, he eventually admits he’s not the Devil but he wants to be.
On the bright side, the Cave Hermit won’t attack players and if you do decide to kill him, your honor will be reduced. Especially as the man isn’t violent or aggressive towards players. That said, his loot is always randomised though the experience remains the same no matter how many times you encounter him.
Where to Encounter Him: West Elizabeth.
#9: Sasquatch
Yes, you can find Bigfoot in Red Dead Redemption 2 and he’s as elusive as the legends portray him. He’s also called a sasquatch but you can only encounter him during the Undead Nightmare DLC. Sasquatch is capable of human speech, telling John Marston about his strict diet of berries and mushrooms and how someone has been murdering his kind.
Despite being some of the strangest phenomena in the game, with their bizarre appearance and tall figures, they process emotions the same way humans do. Eventually, players will be given the chance to kill or spare the sasquatch who claims to be the last of his kind. That belief isn’t true, though, because players will still encounter the occasional sasquatch within Tall Trees even after killing him.
Where to Encounter Him: Tall Trees.
#10: The UFOs
Watch out for the UFOs, which are some of the strangest phenomena in Dead Redemption 2. Throughout the game, you’ll experience a handful of encounters. While the paranormal activities of the game are worthwhile, UFOs add a sci-fi aspect to Red Dead Redemption 2. It’s similar to your encounters with Marko Dragic and Francis Sinclair. You’ll have to show up at a cabin that’s north of Emerald Ranch and the Heartland Overflow Reservoir.
Where to Encounter Him: Mount Shan.
An Unpopular Opinion: This List of Strangest Phenomena Isn’t a Waste of Time
Unfortunately, Red Dead Redemption 2 doesn’t support cross-platform play. Only completionists go down this path because it helps flesh out the experience. However, casual players might not want to hunt down these strange NPCs and elements because there’s no reward. In fact, it’s not even an official quest, but players who have completed the game can try it out to pass the time. In the meantime, check out six alternatives to Red Dead Redemption 2. They boast detailed sandboxes with beautiful visuals.