Red Dead Redemption has been out for over 15 years, and its memory remains strong as one of Rockstar Games' best titles. The incredible aesthetic and homages to Spaghetti Westerns, along with a beautifully action-packed story of John Marston hunting down his old gang, all add up to a great experience that's hard to forget.
However with Red Dead Redemption returning for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S upgrades, and a port to Nintendo Switch 2, returning players looking to go again as John Marston may face some harsh realities.
Red Dead Redemption: 7 Things the First Game Did Better Than the Sequel
Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2 are equally incredible, but there are a few things that the 2008 game did superiorly.
There will be major story spoilers too Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2 in the latter half of this article!
The open world feels smaller this time around
The many states of RDR2 showcase the limited nature of 2010
New Austin, West Elizabeth and Mexico are the range of Red Dead Redemptionand they feel really spacious on your first playthrough. That is, until you come back to the game over 15 years later after playing other open world games, and even Red Dead Redemption 2where the map is practically over tripled in size from the original game.
Red Dead Redemptions open world is still beautiful, and the scorching sun blazing the dry desert landscape of New Austin and Mexico, along with the cold blanket of snow enveloping West Elizabeth, is still a joy to explore. However, there isn't much to do here apart from challenges, main quests, and the occasional Stranger quest.
The Gun Variety is not as robust as the prequel
No dual control, or the ability to leave weapons with your horse
There are a bunch of weapons in there Red Dead Redemptionwith 5 shotguns, 3 snipers, 7 rifles and repeaters and even 8 revolvers and pistols. This arsenal that John Marston can have feels really good to use, but replaying the game means you have to go out of your way to get them, and that's with the fact that you're missing some of the best weapons from RDR2.
Like a game 8 years older than RDR2it's no surprise that Red Dead Redemption lacks the prequel's innovative weapon system. There's no off-hand holster to let John double-swing revolvers, nor is there a bow to enjoy stealthy action. The combat is still fun and the weapons vary, but these systems will certainly be noticed this time around.
You are alone in the wild west
There is no company or conversation like in RDR2
John's family has been captured by the government and he has been sent on a mission to kill the men he once called his brothers. As such, it's no surprise that John Marston feels very lonely and isolated. Playback Red Dead Redemption will make you face the harsh reality that John does most of his adventure with just himself and his horse.
As you head to different towns, there isn't much conversation to be had outside of the main quest cutscenes. There are no campfire talks or confrontations with dialogue, much like there were in 2018 Red Dead Redemption 2. Being alone in the Wild West can feel a little different this time around, as the lonely feeling is hard to get used to, even though the world is easy to immerse yourself in.
Hunting can feel quite limited
Immersive features are not as detailed as the prequel
Hunting was a central element in Red Dead Redemption 2with an abundance of different animals to track, study and hunt across a range of regions. This was another feature that players may feel they have ruined a replay of Red Dead Redemptionbecause there are still animals here, but the selection is much smaller, and hunting them is not as rewarding.
The biggest unexplained mysteries in Red Dead Redemption Games
The Red Dead Redemption series has plenty of unexplained mysteries worth looking into, so here are some of the best and unsolved ones to pay attention to.
While you can get some looting gear from them, the system isn't as intricate and immersive. Returns to Red Dead Redemption can feel a little bare bones when hunting cougars, bison, beavers and anything else that might look good against the barrel of your rifle.
Harder movement and lack of swimming
Future Rockstar titles feel much smoother and provide swimming lessons
John Marston can't swim, and what was once only used as a way to stop players from reaching places they shouldn't, has actually become part of his character. Goes into water Red Dead Redemption would cause John Marston to instantly die, and this can be quite frustrating when exploring.
Players were spoiled with Arthur Morgan's ability to swim, and the fact that horses could also swim, meaning you could cross rivers and other bodies of water. Unfortunately replays Red Dead Redemption will put you back in a reality where water is John Marston's greatest enemy.
Missions can feel a bit repetitive
Ride a horse and shoot stuff, rinse and repeat
As a game from 2010, it's not surprising that the missions in Red Dead Redemption can feel a little musty. That doesn't mean they aren't engaging and fun, but players constantly expect more innovation with each title, so going back to the past can seem a little strange when the missions span from two modes: riding a horse and shooting people.
Sure, these missions are still fun, but if you've played the game before, you'll be sitting there with a controller in hand, ready to hit the trigger again, or spam the sprint button on your horse to reach the next spot to shoot some more.
The next entries are all spoiler heavy!
Killing your old gang
The Van der Linde gang falls for the last time
The Van der Linde gang was a major focus in Red Dead Redemption 2and players fondly remember sitting around a campfire to listen to the stories of Bill Williamson, Javier Escuella, while following their charismatic leader, Dutch Van der Linde. Still, these good times don't last forever, and the gang falls apart before John Marston escapes with his family to Beecher's Hope.
When players return to New Austin in 1911, they will hunt down Bill Williamson, Javier Escuella and Dutch Van der Linde, former members of the gang that you can't help but feel a little sorry for. A harsh reality here comes from the fact that you kill former members of your family, who in the prequel you could talk to, go on quests with, and truly love.
Arthur Morgan does not exist
RDR was written before Arthur Morgan was introduced
A brutal reality you have to face when you replay Red Dead Redemption is that Arthur Morgan really isn't here. Yes, the events of the prequel happened. Still, Red Dead Redemption was created before Arthur Morgan was conceptualized as a character, and it might feel a little obvious that this story was made without Arthur being considered a part of John's past.
While Red Dead Redemption 2s epilogue makes it clear that John doesn't like thinking about Arthur because of the pain it causes him, it feels a little sad to know that there isn't even a semblance of a memory for him in Red Dead Redemption. No flashbacks or thoughts, simply because the character didn't exist in 2010.
You know what fate awaits John Marston
It's not a happy ending
John Marston is an icon, but replaying the first game is made that much sadder knowing he doesn't get the happy ending he wants at Beecher's Hope with his wife and son (and even uncle). Arthur Morgan's words are lost on John, and he doesn't listen to “revenge is a folly“, and instead gets revenge for Arthur, only to end up in the pocket of the government as their contract killer, a contract that ends with his death.
Red Dead Redemption 2: 8 characters who didn't deserve their fate
While there have been some truly brutal outlaws who deserved what comes to them, other RDR2 characters didn't deserve their fates.
Playback Red Dead Redemption invites further heartache, as you'll be forced to play the entire game knowing it was for nothing, as John's fate remains unchanged. He is still senselessly killed as a loose end of the government, and left buried in a nice place to be forgotten in time.
Having to play as Jack Marston
He is certainly no Arthur or John
“Work, damn Nag!“It's just one of the many recurring quotes players will hear as the credits roll Red Dead Redemptionas they will be forced to play as an aged Jack Marston. Now, there's nothing wrong with Jack Marston as a character (and his fate is actually quite tragic, as he ends up in the same criminal revenge saga as his father instead of moving on as a writer).
However, Jack is not as educated as his father and has spent the entire game (and the latter half of Red Dead Redemption 2) like John Marston, it's always hard to see anyone else don the hat and explore New Austin. So, a harsh reality of playing this classic title means you'll be stuck as Jack until you quit.
- Released
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May 18, 2010
- ESRB
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M for Adults 17+ due to blood, intense violence, nudity, strong language, strong sexual content, use of drugs
- Developer
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Rockstar San Diego
