Although Red Dead Redemption 2 has been out for almost two years now on consoles and several months for the PC, the game remains popular among Red Dead fans given its large open-world environment that offers a ton of replayability value. Of course, Rockstar is known as one of the leading video game developers that are masters in the realm of open-world games. But what is in Red Dead Redemption 2 that made it one of the most popular games in recent years, and why is the game still relevant despite it releasing almost two years ago?
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Red Dead Redemption 2 Perfectly Captures the Wild West
To the uninitiated, Red Dead Redemption 2 is the follow-up age to 2010’s Red Dead Redemption, but its story serves as a prequel to its predecessor. The game is set twelve years before the events of the first Red Dead Redemption, putting it in the year 1899 when the famous “wild west” lifestyle begins fading away. Of course, apart from the open-world environment and immersive story, one of the most significant factors that attracted so many players to Red Dead Redemption 2 is its perfect recreation of the Wild West and how it remained faithful to the era that it is set in. It is worth noting that Red Dead Redemption 2 took some liberty in its recreation of the Wild West with some supernatural and made up elements in place; however, what made the game’s depiction of that era in history so appealing is its ability to introduce fictional aspects while retaining the true essence of the Wild West.
Throughout the game, players will spend most of their time completing story missions and exploring the vast open-world environment that the game is set in. Players will find various settlements that are staples in Western films or TV shows such as saloons, general stores, and other buildings that existed during that era. The townsfolk in the game are also faithful depictions of people during that time from the phrases they use to the way they react to every decision made by the player. Given this, Red Dead Redemption 2 became the fantasy game of old-time western fans and even attracted people who may not be familiar with the Wild West but are curious to know about this former way of life.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Has a Long and Immersive Story Campaign
Another important aspect that made Red Dead Redemption 2 an instant classic is its long story campaign. On average, players can finish the main campaign of Red Dead Redemption 2 in 50 hours or more, giving players plenty of time to take in and absorb what Red Dead Redemption 2 has to offer. Apart from its length, Rockstar Games was also able to implement an immersive story that enriched the Wild West setting of the game. Each mission and submission provides players a glimpse of the culture and way of life of that era. However, although Red Dead Redemption 2’s story plays an important role in the overall game, it still provides players a great level of freedom, allowing them to embark on a quest and finish it at their own pace.
Red Dead Redemption 2’s Fishing, Legendary Animals, and So Much More
In true open-world fashion, it also provides players with tons of activities to do outside the main RDR2 campaign. Traveling either by foot or via a horse is also a huge part of the game and allows players to explore the vast open-world environment. Apart from completing the main quest, players can and explore and experience the game whichever way they want to. Players can travel the world and appreciate the sights, or they could go fishing or hunting legendary animals that are scattered all throughout the game.
Choices in Red Dead Redemption 2 Affects the Game’s World
Lastly, one of the most critically acclaimed features in Red Dead Redemption 2 is the way it puts great importance on the decisions made by players. In Red Dead Redemption 2, the player’s choices really matter, and it affects the way the people and environments would react to the player later on. The game also allows players to choose their own path, whether they want to play as a law-abiding citizen or an outlaw that lives by their own rules. What’s fascinating about Red Dead Redemption 2 is that choices are not black and white, and there is always a vague question of morality in every decision the player makes. This mechanic ramps up the game’s replayability value, given that players can always take a different path from the one they initially chose.
In the end, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a near-perfect game that is able to faithfully depict the time period it is set in. Apart from the intuitive gameplay and stellar graphics, the game also provides an immersive story that will keep players hooked till the end. Given all these features that are perfectly woven into one cohesive game, it is unsurprising that despite releasing eighteen months ago, Red Dead Redemption 2 is still fun to play and even rival some of the biggest games released today.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is available now for the PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.
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