Many players consider Red Dead Redemption 2 to be one of the greatest games ever made. Its popularity is easy to understand – the game boasts a captivating story and offers over 100 hours of gameplay for players who want to explore everything it has to offer.
Because the game came out in October 2018 and heavily emphasizes a single-player mode, some of its features might not appeal to modern gamers. While younger players could still enjoy it, it’s missing some of the things they’ve come to expect and want in games today.
10. Horses Are Complex
Maintaining Your Ride is an Actual Job in This Game
Horses in Red Dead Redemption 2 require consistent care. Since your horse is your primary companion, you’ll need to regularly clean and feed it. Be careful where you ride, though – horses can die permanently. Dangerous situations like predators or gunfire can also cause your horse to throw you and bolt, leaving you on foot.
Okay, so one thing I’ve noticed is that the horses are pretty smart. They won’t just let you ride them off a cliff – which is good, because both of us would probably die! That means I can’t just take shortcuts across the countryside whenever I want; I actually have to stick to the roads most of the time. It’s a little annoying, honestly, because in games like GTA, you can drive off any cliff and just walk away, but here, the horse has some common sense!
These gameplay elements could frustrate modern players and make them stop playing, because they require a lot more effort than other games where getting around is quick and easy. Players generally expect vehicles and companions to be easily replaceable and not demand significant time or attention.
9. Manual Weapon Maintenance
Yes, You Have to Do Your Own Cleaning
Over time, your guns in Red Dead Redemption 2 will become less effective if you don’t clean them. Dirt affects performance, lowering reload speed, fire rate, and damage. You’ll also notice visual cues like dark smoke and altered shooting sounds. Regular cleaning with gun oil or a visit to the gunsmith will keep your weapons in top condition.
Most modern shooting games don’t include gun maintenance, and for good reason. Players wouldn’t enjoy having to stop in the middle of a fight to deal with a weapon malfunction, like suddenly needing more shots to take down an enemy. It would disrupt the fast pace of the action. While running out of ammo is a common challenge in many games, forcing players to maintain their weapons would just feel frustrating and unnecessary, not realistic or fun.
8. The “Slow Walk” and Animation Commitment
Characters Are Not Very Snappy
Animations for character movements, like standing up, crouching, running, and stopping – whether on foot or horseback – will feel more realistic, though they might seem a bit slower compared to modern games. Any action that changes what your character is doing – like switching direction while running or grabbing a weapon from your horse – will now include a complete animation sequence, making everything feel more natural.
Red Dead Redemption 2’s deliberately slower pace wouldn’t be as well-received today. Modern third-person action games, such as Spider-Man and God of War, have much tighter and more responsive controls. The developers of RDR2 intentionally created this slower feel, aiming for a balance between realistic weight and arcade-style quickness. Many players, including me, who are over 30, actually appreciate this unique feel!
7. Story Takes Time to Develop
Revealing Different Aspects of the Game and Locations Takes Time
As a huge fan, I always tell people that Red Dead Redemption 2 is a massive game. Seriously, you’re looking at well over 150 hours of playtime if you get into the side quests! It does start a little slow, though. You spend the first few hours in Chapter 1 getting the story going before you finally unlock the full map and get to explore the open world.
Many games feature conversations that can feel slow, especially in the main story or optional side quests. Modern players generally prefer games that quickly grab their attention and offer regular rewards. Game developers worry that players might lose interest and stop playing if the engaging parts don’t come soon enough.
While some conversations and interactions with characters felt a bit repetitive, the game ultimately made up for it with its incredible depth and secrets that players continue to find even years after its release.
6. Realistic Weapon Management
Plan Out Your Shootout
Most action games let you carry a huge arsenal, but Red Dead Redemption 2 is different. When you’re on foot, you can only have two pistols and two larger weapons, like rifles. If you want to change your weapons, you need to go back to your horse and get them from its saddlebags.
I usually relied on a pair of revolvers, a repeating rifle, and a shotgun, but you never know what you’ll actually need in a firefight. A bow is handy for silent takedowns or clearing out groups with explosives, a sniper rifle is great for long-range shots, and a shotgun is perfect for quick, close-range kills when you don’t have time to aim carefully. Of course, you can’t carry everything!
I don’t think this system would work well in today’s games because developers generally try to make things as smooth as possible for players between battles. The main goal is exciting combat, and while managing weapons in Red Dead Redemption 2 adds to the Western feel, it’s easy to see why some players find it annoying.
5. Harsh And Annoying Witness and Crime Systems
When You Don’t Even Know You’re Committing a Crime
The game can sometimes be unforgiving, penalizing you for minor actions like accidentally bumping into people, defending yourself from an attack, or even examining a corpse. While this doesn’t happen constantly, the system is easily triggered, potentially disrupting your plans and forcing you into unplanned gunfights or hasty retreats from areas you intended to explore.
The game has some really strange moments, like when police started pursuing me for shooting bandits – even though it was part of the story! Apparently, someone reported it, and that triggered the chase.
Generally, today’s games steer clear of complicated systems that might frustrate players, opting instead to make crime and its results straightforward. Red Dead Redemption 2 deliberately makes its system unpredictable to create a realistic, dynamic world, but this isn’t always what players prefer.
4. Missable Random Encounters and Content
Are You Sure You Completed All Side Quests?
Red Dead Redemption 2 features a variety of optional activities beyond the main story. These come in two main forms: side quests, which involve characters you’ve met and trigger at specific points, and random encounters with strangers that can lead to unique stories. Both types of activities are often tied to certain chapters of the game or only happen under specific conditions, like at night. Plus, completing these optional activities is the best way to find all the hidden weapons the game offers.
A stranger once asked me to watch his horse while he quickly ran off to do something. I was busy with my own task at the time, so I said no. After playing for many hours, I still haven’t encountered him again.
Today’s gamers generally want to fully experience everything a game has to offer, aiming for 100% completion with all collectibles and achievements. Modern games usually help with this by constantly reminding players about unfinished content and allowing them to complete side quests and story elements at any time, without penalty for missing something earlier.
3. Massive Single-Player Experience With Minimal Monetization Pressure
New Games Rarely Offer Such An Experience
Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto V offer huge, complete open-world experiences without needing players to buy extra content like battle passes or daily rewards. While their online modes do have those features, many players stick to the core games. Steam data shows that, over the last month, around 40,000 people have been playing the main Red Dead Redemption 2 game, compared to just 648 playing the online version.
Subscribe to our newsletter for deeper RDR2 insights
Okay, so games are really different now when it comes to keeping players hooked. It’s all about constantly giving you stuff for playing – the more you play, the more rewards you get. It’s a total contrast to something like Red Dead Redemption 2’s story mode, which was pretty slow-paced. Now everything’s super fast, with tons of cosmetic items, boosts, and they’re always adding new content to keep you playing.
2. The Game Often Refuses to Rush the Story
Rushing Missions Makes You Miss Out On Important Details
Red Dead Redemption 2 feels more like a carefully written novel than a typical action-packed western. Expect long stretches with in-depth conversations – sometimes without any action at all. The developers clearly prioritized creating believable characters and meaningful relationships, and paying attention to all the cutscenes is crucial to understanding both the characters and the game’s complex story, which is one of its best features.
Many modern games, like Diablo, can be completed quickly if players choose to rush through them, focusing on leveling up and getting the best equipment. Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) is different. Unlike those games, RDR2 doesn’t have traditional levels or power increases. Unlocking new weapons doesn’t make you stronger – it just gives you different options. For example, a headshot is always instantly fatal, no matter what weapon you use. This focus on experience over progression makes RDR2 one of the best open-world games for players who enjoy a slower, more immersive pace.
1. The Economy Is Weirdly Realistic
The Game Doesn’t Want to Spoil You
Early in the game, money is important for essentials like weapons, better gear, and improving your camp. However, the game doesn’t make it easy to come by. You can earn more by completing tasks or looting enemies, but you won’t become incredibly wealthy and able to buy anything you want.
Most big-budget games today focus on fast-paced progression, constantly rewarding players with unlocks and upgrades. Red Dead Redemption 2 takes a different approach, allowing players to experience hardship and a sense of vulnerability. You might feel under-equipped or struggle with limited resources for extended periods, particularly at the beginning of the game. This deliberate pacing isn’t accidental; it reinforces the game’s story, which centers on a gang desperately seeking one final, profitable heist.
Read More
- Off Campus Season 1 Soundtrack Guide
- DoorDash responds after customer uses AI to make food look bad and get a refund
- Gold Rate Forecast
- 10 Most Universally Beloved Sci-Fi Movie Villains, Ranked
- Hideo Kojima says Metal Gear Solid 2 became the future he hoped would not happen
- All Golden Ball Locations in Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
- Jon Bernthal Explains Why Marvel Let Him Make The Darkest Punisher Story Ever
- Umamusume has been transformed into a D&D game with new race
- HSR Banner Schedule (Honkai Star Rail)
- How to Get to the Undercoast in Esoteric Ebb
2026-05-24 15:41