Today Rockstar Games revealed the first gameplay trailer for Red Dead Redemption 2 and boy was it a doozy. If you weren’t excited for Rockstar’s next big open world game, watch the six-minute long trailer and you will be. There was so much to take in from the gameplay reveal, so luckily we’re here to help you along.
The Plot
Rockstar explains what they’ve tried to accomplish with Red Dead Redemption 2 and that’s to recapture the age of outlaws at the turn of the century. Instead of the main character from the first game, players will assume the role of Arthur Morgan. Morgan is part of van der Linde gang, who’ve just gotten caught up in a major robbery that went sideways. The gang is now being pursued by federal agents and bounty hunters who look to take them down.
The premise of the open world game is going to be simple enough. The gang will be constantly on the move setting up encampments as they try to stay one step ahead of those who look to take them down. Morgan is a main piece of the gang’s leadership and works hand-in-hand with Dutch van der Linde to make decisions for the good of the group. What we’ve seen in the gameplay of Red Dead Redemption 2 is that the open world in this game is going to be both massive and diverse. From snowy mountains and muddy towns, to swamps, bustling cities and desert landscapes, there looks to be a ton of variety when it comes to the environments of the game.
The gang’s camp
Which seems crucial because one of the key gameplay elements that Rockstar discussed here is the encampment system of the game. As the story progresses in Red Dead Redemption 2 the gang will constantly be on the move, setting up new campsites in new locations. These encampments will also serve as spot where Morgan can interact with the different members of the gang and perform activities like performing robberies, hunting, fishing and others. The camps will also be a hub that evolves as players perform different actions in the game. Morgan will play a central role in keeping things running smoothly, that means that you’ll be rewarded for providing things like money, food, and supplies.
New levels of interaction
Gunplay does seem to be a huge part of Red Dead Redemption 2, but it isn’t the only way that players will be able to interact with the world. Morgan will be able to initiate conversations with almost everyone in the world. In his day to day activites, Arthur Morgan will live by a code of honor and your actions as the player will change how honorable he actually is. This fluctuating honor system will offer both new opportunities and consquences for the actions. Morgan will be able to do things like intimidating witnesses to a crime, start a fights with NPCs, rob them of their belongings. Morgan will have the ability to be confrontational and make enemies, but he’ll also be able to diffuse confrontational situations and form friendships as well.
Combat evolved
A large portion of the gameplay reveal showcased some of the improved mechanics to both shooting and fighting. Weapons have unique characteristics with realistic reloading and recoil which Rockstar says will keep players feeling grounded and connected to the action in a gunfight. The melee combat did seem to offer a little bit more variety with blocking, kicking, and punching mechanics at play. Rockstar also claims that the slow-motion mechanic from RDR will return, but it has been evolved. Details about this are being held for a second gameplay explanation video.
Not just about guns
Horses played a huge role in the original Red Dead game and Rockstar didn’t skim over this aspect of the game in Red Dead Redemption 2. Horses will play a role in the game as a form of transportation, labor, and as a companions to Morgan. Each horse will have a different personality and a personal bond can be established between Arthur and the horse which will make it perform better in tense situations. The horse can be used to transport items as well through the saddlebags that are equipped. Morgan can stash extra weapons, animal remains, or other items on the horse itself rather on in his person. Horses will once again be able to be captured by lasso or other methods, and they’ll need to be tamed in order to be ridden.
So where will you be tracking down these animal remains? Rockstar says that the world of RDR2 will once again be stocked full of both predators and prey that can be hunted. Hunting will be one of the activities that Morgan can partake in to help the camp or earn money. Some of the animals showcased in the trailer include bears, wolves, buzzards, alligators, and more. Morgan will be able to wound animals during a hunt, and can then use a tracking mechanic which seemingly tracks a trail of blood to find them. The hunting sequence showcased in the game saw him hunting with a bow and arrow, instead of firearms. Bringing in these animal pelts, Morgan can then exchange them for cash which can in-turn be used for supplies at the general store, gunsmiths, or saloons.
Amazingly, this six minute video didn’t even cover the whole Red Dead Redemption 2 experience as Rockstar says they have a lot more to share. Regardless, Red Dead Redemption 2 is shaping up to be that next big open world extravaganza to sink your teeth into this fall.
Red Dead Redemption 2 launches on the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on October 26th, 2018.
