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It took eight years for Rockstar Games to reveal the second installment of the Red Dead Redemption game. Like its predecessor, the Red Dead Redemption 2 became an instant hit. This was not a surprise because RDR2 was one of the most anticipated video games of the year.

So, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a Western-themed action-adventure game launched in 2018. When we said the second installment in the intro, we didn't take Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare, released the same year as RDR (2010), because that was a standalone expansion pack.

Players fancying co-op games should know that Red Dead Online was released in 2019 as an online component of RDR2. So, this game has no local co-op, only online co-op with up to 32 players. Now that we have discussed this game's basic elements, it's time to dive deeper into it.

Storyline

The story takes you to the Wild West in the last year of the 19th century. The main protagonist of this game is Arthur Morgan, but you can play with John Marston sometimes. Given the time this game's storyline begins, this is a prequel to the RDR video game.

Arthur Morgan is part of the Van der Linde gang trying to escape the authorities after an unsuccessful robbery in Blackwater. So, Arthur and the other gang members have bounties on their heads and must be very careful as they navigate through the massive open world. 

This is another title where players can make specific decisions that affect the gameplay. Arthur is a strong character who experiences moral dilemmas all the time. Throughout the game, you must make decisions that will test your and other people's loyalty, honesty, and willingness to be redeemed. 

Gameplay

We'll start this section by noting that this is one of the biggest open-world action-adventure video games. It works on Windows, PlayStation 4 and 5, Xbox One and Series X, and Stadia platforms. Interestingly, players can, once again, play it from a first or third-person perspective.

As expected, there are central missions and side missions that players can complete whenever they are ready. Another fun thing about Red Dead Redemption 2 is the mini-games. For example, you can play poker at poker tables in 7 locations. One of these poker games is part of the "A Fine Night of Debauchery" mission. The creators did an excellent job of recreating the gameplay of this card game by providing a chance to master various poker hands, practice bluffing, and more, allowing you to advance your skills. 

As for the gameplay mechanics, they are definitely improved compared to its predecessor. You should not be frustrated initially because it might take some time to get used to all the controls and combat movements. Also, it will take some time to upgrade your weapons. Still, once you master these things and get the best weapons, the gameplay will become much more manageable (it will still be challenging, so you don't have to worry about that).

Let's not forget that players will notice cores besides stamina bars and health. They impact the rate at which stamina and health regenerate. You will have to spend more time caring for your character, like feeding him, getting a good night's sleep, wearing suitable clothes depending on the season, etc. The same applies to the horse, which plays a vital part in the gameplay.

What we noticed in RDR2 is that committing crimes creates a bigger fuss than before. The law is alerted by locals ASAP, and the more crimes you commit, the more bounty hunters, law enforcement officers, and/or marshals will hunt you. The good thing is that you can spend time in jail or pay to remove these bounties.

Online Features

We already mentioned that getting the Red Dead Online component is the only way to get involved in multiplayer and co-op action in the Red Dead Redemption 2 game. 

In this variant, you can create and customize a character. It's up to you to decide whether to explore the gigantic world alone or as part of a group. Every event featured in this game can include up to 32 players. As expected, you are given various activities that bring experience points.

The latter helps you improve your character in rank and get bonuses. In other words, the more experience points you get, the more you progress in Red Dead Online. Since its release in 2018, Red Dead Online received several updates and upgrades. However, Rockstar Games revealed in 2022 that they will stop providing significant upgrades to RDR2's online version giving priorities to other games like GTA 6.

Final thoughts

Even though it was released over 5 years ago, Red Dead Redemption 2 is still one of the best video games. With amazing graphics, a complex, massive open world, and a unique story, it promises a memorable gaming experience. Also, the Red Dead Online component has proven to be an excellent option for those who want to leap into multiplayer/co-op action. If you haven't tried RDR2 yet, you should know that it's never too late to give this timeless video game a chance.