Reasons why Red Dead Redemption 2 earned $725 million

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a western-themed open-world action game by Rockstar Games and serves as a prequel to 2010’s Game of the Year, Red Dead Redemption. The game was highly anticipated by gamers worldwide and finally got its release on October 26, 2018. The game generated $725 million in sales during its opening weekend, second only to Rockstar’s own Grand Theft Auto 5(GTA 5) as the most profitable entertainment product launch.

The game was exclusively launched for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, sadly for PC gamers, there has been no word of the game coming to PCs anytime soon.

Here are the five reasons you should play Red Dead Redemption 2. 


The Classic Western Plot

CAPTION: One of best parts of RDR2 is its western plot with gunslingers and gangs. SOURCE:

By 1899, the age of the outlaw and gunslingers was at an end. America was becoming a land of law. Even the Wild West had mostly been tamed. A few gangs still roamed but they were being hunted down and destroyed. You play as Arthur Morgan, an outlaw gunslinger and the lieutenant in the Van Der Linde gang. If you’ve played the original game, you will get to know more about the main protagonist John Marston as a young outlaw. Returning characters include the antagonists Dutch Van der Linde and Bill Williamson among others.

IGN writes, "Red Dead Redemption 2  is a sprawling Western tale of loyalty, conviction, and the price of infamy, chronicling the inevitable collapse of a motley crew of Wild West holdouts kicking against the slow march of civilization and industrialization."


The Wide Open and Interactive World

CAPTION: The world in Red Dead Redemption 2 is as diverse as the real world United States. SOURCE:

The world features snowy mountains, green fertile river lands, alligator swamps, old rustic farm and cattle towns and sprawling cities all seamlessly woven into a single universe for us to explore. This world spans five fictitious states of the United States. The world feels gorgeous, authentic and lived-in with absurd attention to detail. To help explore the wild west, you ride and bond with your trusty sidekick, your horse. The game features a bonding system to make you treat your horse with care, as so few horses can be relied on in gun battles to stay calm.

The objects and NPCs in the world are very interactive by design. Dogs can be petted, you can visit the hair salon and even catch a movie. Interaction with the NPCs are dynamic and have different dialogue trees. It also features item degradation requiring some cleaning and maintenance. Every small detail like these helps in immersing entirely in this world.


Exciting Gun Play and Character Progression

CAPTION: RDR2 has one of the best animation, including gunfights. SOURCE:

The gunplay feels natural, and gunfights are cinematic affairs with ultra-realistic animations with just the right amount of feedback for your shots. The animation for your pistols and rifles never get repetitive and is extremely satisfying. There are some borrowed elements from Rockstar’s GTA 5 and it makes for a smoother experience. The Wanted system of GTA 5 seems to be a nice addition, as it brings an urgency to your quests and if you do decide to kill everyone, one might have to face off against the entire Mexican Army or Rangers.

There is an honor system that’s always in the background, whether you play as a cold-blooded gunslinger or an outlaw with a soft heart, people will interact with you differently based on the choices you make. Whether you are constantly hunted by bounty hunters, or you get discounts in local shops, is left entirely to you.


Critically Acclaimed and Favorable Reviews

CAPTION: Along with GTA5, RDR2 has the highest rating of a video game in Metacritic. SOURCE:

It is currently the highest rated video game for Playstation 4 and Xbox one on Metacritic along with GTA 5. Game Informer and IGN both awarded the game a perfect score. IGN reviewer writes “Red Dead Redemption 2 stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Grand Theft Auto V as one of the greatest games of the modern age. It's a gorgeous depiction of an ugly period that's patient, polished, and a huge amount of fun to play, and it's combined with Rockstar's best storytelling to date. Even after finishing the lengthy story I can't wait to go back and play more." Critical acclaim and soaring sales have made RDR2 a worldwide success story.

Realistic Hunting and Fishing

CAPTION: Hunting and fishing in RDR2 seems very natural. SOURCE:

It also features hunting and fishing much like the system of the Far Cry series which provide food, income and crafting materials. The hunts are exciting because the prey is aware of its surroundings and if successful you can either skin and butcher the animal or take it with you. If the carcass is left unattended, it will rot and decrease in value. Got to love the attention to details.

So, grab the game and settle down during the weekend for duels and gun battles on horseback and make a name for yourself as the fastest gunslinger in the west.

“We’re Thieves, in a world, that don’t want us no more” - Arthur Morgan

Have you played RDR2 yet?  How does it compare to the original?  Let us know.