If you’ve paid any attention to social media, reddit, or game sites over the past few days, you probably already know about Red Dead Redemption 2. If you’re not in the know – where have you been?
Here’s how it went down. Rockstar tweeted out a teaser image on Sunday 16th October 2016 with a mottled red background, and the Rockstar logo front and centre. This, as you’d expect, sent the internet into a frenzy. Speculation was rife and some joked that this was just a troll announcement for a new GTA Online DLC.
The speculation didn’t last long. Come the 17th October, the idea of a new Red Dead game was all but confirmed by a further image with seven gun-toting old western-type characters on the horizon. In the final stage of the unveiling process, Rockstar completely outright confirmed that their next game will be Red Dead Redemption 2. It launches on Xbox One and PS4 in Fall 2017.
Now that you’re up to speed with the story of things so far, here’s what you can (likely) get up to in Red Dead Redemption 2. Or at least the five things we hope we’ll be able to!
1. Red Dead Online
Following the enormous success of GTA: Online, Red Dead seems to be following in its more modern brother’s footsteps.
From the official Red Dead Redemption 2 site: “The game’s vast and atmospheric world will also provide the foundation for a brand new online multiplayer experience.” The original Red Dead Redemption’s online counterpart was at the time revolutionary and undoubtedly shaped how GTA: Online turned out. There will never be a shortage of things to do in Red Dead Online.
I can’t wait to pimp my horse out with some shiny new horseshoes.
2. New ways to waste time
One thing that Red Dead Redemption did brilliantly was it gave you free reign of its beautiful world. Especially online, you could be or do whatever took your fancy.
You could spend an entire evening playing poker with your friends, or head over to Thieves’ Landing to play some Liars’ Dice. If card games aren’t your strong suit (did you see what I did there?), you could go hunting to take down some legendary beasts spotted in the area. A plethora of activities and mini games, as well as just taking in the sunset on your stallion companion was one of the highlights of Red Dead Redemption, something that Red Dead Redemption 2 will improve upon no doubt.
3. A revamped Honor system
In the Wild West, word spreads fast – like wildfire. If you’re running around like Billy the Kid, the world should react to your actions and your outlaw status.
If you have low Honor, Rockstar need to ensure people move away from you when you enter a town, or maybe shops would refuse to sell you things. Make it feel like you are truly an outsider, as in Red Dead Redemption the Honor System had a lot of potential but wasn’t utilised as well as it could’ve been.
4. Swimming!
I always found it hard to believe that a character as cool as John Marston couldn’t swim. Moreover, he couldn’t bare to have water even around his ankles. Swimming is a must in an open world game such as Red Dead Redemption, it adds a lot to a game to be able to swim through a river instead of backtracking to find a bridge.
This adds a whole new dimension to the game’s hunting mechanic as not only could you catch fish, but – depending on how in depth the hunting mechanics are – you could also lose your scent by submerging yourself in water, allowing you to hunt more effectively.
5. Lead your own posse
How cool would it be to have your own posse? I’m not talking about online, either. Imagine roaming around with your gang-mates, wreaking havoc and bringing down your enemies in true Red Dead fashion. The random encounters that you come across on your travels could offer opportunities for new members to add to your gang. You could even promote members to be your most trusted companion.
If done well, being the leader of your own gang would be incredibly cool and useful. It fits in completely with the theme, and would make everyone so much more invested in the character.
So, those are the five things we really want to see from Rockstar for RDR2. The first trailer for Red Dead Redemption 2 will arrive on Thursday 20th October and no doubt our first glimpses of the game’s protagonists, narrative, and setting are not far away!
Keep your eyes peeled for more Red Dead Redemption 2 news right here at TheXboxHub!
just that its on consoles and NOT pc’s…lol
#1 should be great story/long campaign. For me online is meh, so it has to have a campaign like the first RDR. But with the succe$$ of GTA online I guess I shouldn’t hold my breath…
RedDead Online is great in theory, but if it’s anything like GTA Online I’m hardly enthused. Why? Because GTA online is just 24/7 PvP and that gets extremely old, extremely fast. ‘Howdy there partner, wanna posse up and maybe go play some Poker?’ – BLAM! – ‘Get reeeeekt! HAHAHAHAHAHA’. Yeah, no thanks. It’s the #1 reason why I quit playing GTA Online in the end. A gankfest isn’t a fun game experience.