Red Dead Redemption is an action game created by Rockstar Games and released in 2010 for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
It belongs to the Red Dead series, which began in 2004 with Red Dead Revolver, and the latest, third instalment — Red Dead Redemption 2 — was released in 2018 and quickly won the hearts of gamers.
For many years, the series’ games were available exclusively on consoles. RDR2, however, allowed PC players to explore this incredible world a year after its official release. In just a few days, on October 29th, RDR1 will make its PC debut.
You may be wondering if it’s worth playing this 14-year-old title. Absolutely! Especially if you haven’t experienced any instalment of the series yet. Today, we present you with 10 reasons why RDR1 is worth a shot in 2024!
A Title Ahead of Its Time
Red Dead Redemption was released when games had far more limitations compared to modern titles. NPC AI wasn’t as advanced (it still isn’t in many games…), many mechanics were much clunkier, and graphics — well, a lot of games from that era haven’t aged well.
Despite all these technological limitations, RDR1 was impressive! NPCs actively responded to our character’s actions, the graphics are still visually pleasing, and the combat mechanics are smooth and natural.
The HUD and menu are also very user-friendly. It’s worth giving this game a chance simply because it truly was ahead of its time!
Great Story
If you haven’t had the chance to play any of the series’ games, you have to take our word for it — it’s worth playing them for the stories they tell.
On the other hand, if you’ve played and are a loyal RDR2 fan, you know how interesting and complex the story of this title is. Red Dead Redemption is no different.
The game serves as a sequel to the events of RDR2. It tells the story of the downfall of Dutch van der Linde’s gang and the life of one of its former members, who now plans to lead a more lawful life.
The title also portrays the decline of the Wild West era and the arrival of industry and technology on the prairie, which not everyone is willing to accept. So it’s worth playing, even for the story alone!
Interesting Characters
Just like the story, which we mentioned above, Red Dead Redemption has done its homework in terms of character development.
Both the main protagonist, important narrative NPCs, and even… less significant background characters are well-crafted. Their characters are complex, full of internal dilemmas, secrets, and intriguing stories.
So if you like games where even side characters are well-grounded in the world and have their own stories, you must play RDR1.
Brilliantly Crafted World
RDR1 is an open-world game that is truly well-constructed. You probably know games where, apart from the population hubs, not much happens. Sometimes there’s a minor mob to fight or an empty building with a few uninteresting items…
That’s not the case with RDR1! Even the desert areas of the prairie hold secrets and curiosities; you can meet someone there, find animals, or items that have their own stories or might come in handy later.
There’s always something going on here, and there’s no room for boredom. Additionally, the world is quite large and visually impressive.
Understanding Character Relationships
Although you can play both parts of Red Dead Redemption without having played any of the previous or subsequent titles, as they present their own complete stories, knowing RDR1’s plot explains a lot.
Some characters reappear, and their stories are much larger than one game can contain! By playing both parts, we can get to know the characters better, understand their relationships and dependencies, and learn the reasons for their conflicts or decisions.
Discover Hidden Gems
Although many people played RDR1 over a decade ago, it’s worth keeping in mind that it’s rare to discover 100% of what a game offers on the first go. Many players who revisited their favourite titles several times still found something new!
Returning to this particular title after years — when you are, in fact, a completely different person, know more about the world, and look at certain matters differently — might reveal things that you missed in 2010.
Significant Improvements with the New Release
Another reason to buy and play the new PC edition of Red Dead Redemption is that the game has undergone many changes!
During its release on ninth-generation consoles, minor graphical changes were noticeable, but now they’ve taken it a step further.
Visually, the game looks much better, runs smoother, has higher FPS, and certain mechanics have been improved, which only enhances the gaming experience!
Exceptional DLC
Undead Nightmare is one of the best DLCs ever. It even enjoys better ratings than the base RDR1, and many players agree that calling it merely an “add-on” is an understatement.
Undead Nightmare is an excellent Wild West survival horror game. It combines the best of western games and zombie apocalypse themes, while also presenting a moving and captivating story. When you buy Red Dead Redemption on PC in 2024, this magnificent DLC comes included with the base game!
Online Mode Still Lives On!
Online modes in games tend to enjoy immense popularity shortly after release, but interest dwindles over time. Many online servers for games from 14–15 years ago are now practically empty.
Interestingly, in RDR1, the servers are still running, and players continue to visit them to conquer the Wild West together or compete against each other. This only goes to show that this title, even after so many years, still has the power to attract players. It would be a sin not to give it a chance!
It’s Still a Great Game, and Now It’s Coming to PC!
All the reasons mentioned above for why Red Dead Redemption 1 is still worth playing lead us to the final reason, summing up everything we’ve written above.
RDR1 remains an engaging, intriguing, touching, and challenging game that’s worth giving a shot. And the fact that with the PC release, it will be mechanically and graphically enhanced and enriched with an excellent DLC only reinforces this fact.
Let’s not forget that the PC release will undoubtedly attract dedicated modders, who will eagerly expand it with additional content. So, all that’s left to do is to buy and play RDR1 in 2024!