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RedDead-Logo

The logo of the Red Dead series since 2010.

Red Dead is a video game series developed and published by Rockstar Games, consisting of four standalone games (including a dedicated multiplayer title), one expansion pack, and associated downloadable content.

The series is influenced by both westerns and the realities of the 19th and early 20th century American West. Due to the time period in which the games are set, the horse, stagecoach, and train are the primary methods of transportation.

Gameplay varies between games in the series. The first game, Red Dead Revolver, follows a purely linear story line with fixed, limited locations. The second game, Red Dead Redemption, provides the player with an open world setting and more options for side missions and random exploration. The third game, Red Dead Redemption 2, builds upon mechanics introduced in its predecessor and introduces greater level of interaction with the game map and NPCs, while Red Dead Online is considered by Rockstar as the series' first ever dedicated multiplayer title.

Overview[]

All of the games in the Red Dead saga take place during the final years of the American Old West (1834-1920). The main titles are third-person shooters, but feature several key gameplay differences between them.

The franchise's trademark game mechanic is the Dead-Eye targeting system, which allows the player to aim at targets in slower motion on the battlefield and then attack with a flurry of bullets. The games also share similar themes and aesthetics of the Western genre of media. While the protagonists of Revolver and Redemption are unrelated, they share similar traits such as facial scars, hats, and strong devotion to their family.

The lead character of Red Dead Revolver, Red Harlow, appears to be an amalgamation of various Western Clint Eastwood-inspired characters from assorted movies, mainly the "Man with No Name" from the "Dollars" film trilogy and the titular character from the 1970s film "The Outlaw Josey Wales." Red Dead Revolver is a linear game, with most of the action driven by the story. The game also reproduces a "grainy film" effect and uses music that is highly influenced by the music of famous Spaghetti Western composer Ennio Morricone. Revolver was not a widely acclaimed success but received mostly positive reviews in its day.

Red Dead Redemption is not a direct sequel to Red Dead Revolver, instead, it is a loosely-based spiritual successor to the previous title. Redemption boasts a broad, open game environment comprised of three unique territories representing different regions in the American Southwest and Northern Mexico. It features multiple other features aside from the main story campaign such as hunting, clearing gang hideouts, treasure hunting, and exploring.

Red Dead Redemption 2 serves as a prequel to the events depicted in Redemption, expanding on themes introduced in its predecessor, such as morality, redemption and the arrival of technology to the Old West. Redemption 2 explores backstories hinted in Redemption, primarily the downfall of the Van der Linde gang, a central element in the original Redemption game's lore. The game retains the same open-ended design its chronological sequel featured, but builds upon established mechanics and gameplay features to create a more immersive environment.

Combat and gunplay are an integral part in all three games. Players can take cover, blind-fire and free-aim. Different kinds of weapons are introduced across the games, mostly rifles and revolvers of the Western Era. Both Revolver and Redemption 2 feature weapon degeneration system, as well as upgrades to different firearms.

Red Dead Redemption makes use of a morality system where players have the ability to gain positive or negative "honor.” Some of the ways to gain positive honor include taking an outlaw alive instead of killing him or saving a kidnapped innocent. Negative honor can be gained for committing crimes including killing or robbing civilians. This works along with another system, "fame" showing and governing how people react based on the player’s honor. This concept returns and is expanded on in Red Dead Redemption 2; the player’s honor can affect how people react to them and how certain missions play out.

All three games feature different takes on multiplayer gameplay; Revolver includes Showdown Mode, allowing for several players to engage in different death-matches as characters from the game's story mode. Redemption includes a multiplayer mode set in the game's open-ended map, thus allowing players to either freely explore the setting, team up to form posses, or participate in different game modes.

Redemption 2 also includes a stand-alone multiplayer title called Red Dead Online, initially launched in November 2018. Like its predecessor’s multiplayer mode, it is set in the game’s open-ended map, allowing players to freely explore the setting and team up to form posses. Players can also complete missions together as well.

Setting[]

The Red Dead games all share similar western settings, aesthetics and atmosphere. However, each game possesses its unique landmarks, locations and settlements. The level of interaction with the setting differs between games.

Throughout its linear narrative and progression, Red Dead Revolver features a transitory setting; the limited interactions Red has with the environments include a small array of towns and mountains, some only appearing in cutscenes; prominent stages include Brimstone, a town frequented by protagonist Red Harlow. The game's events are implied to be set in the 1880s. By the events of both Redemption games, the events of Revolver have transcended into legend. Despite this, Rockstar Games writer and producer Dan Houser has stated that the game's events take place in its own canon.

Red Dead Redemption starts a new continuity separate from Revolver. Set in 1911, Redemption includes three regions for the players to explore in an open world environment: New Austin, considered to be the last wild territory in the United States; Nuevo Paraíso, a northern region in Mexico which serves as the stage for the Mexican Revolution; and West Elizabeth, a rapidly technologically advancing region ruled by the American government. Redemption includes an epilogue segment following the events of the mission "The Last Enemy That Shall Be Destroyed,” which takes place in 1914. Aside from potentially different dialogues in Stranger side-missions, the territories of Redemption remain the same.

The Undead Nightmare expansion pack uses characters, concepts and aspects from Redemption, but presents a new continuity away from the core game. All three regions return in Undead Nightmare, but with slightly redesigned appearances due to the game's zombie apocalypse premise.

Red Dead Redemption 2 revisits the continuity established in the first Redemption, but takes place in 1899, twelve years before the first game's events. Similar to its predecessor, Redemption 2 is an open-world game that allows its players to explore landscapes and settlements sprawled across the map. Three new states are introduced: Ambarino, a hostile and mountainous frontier located on the northern end of the game's map; New Hanover, a large state in the process of industrialization; and Lemoyne, a warmer and advanced region that includes the “Eighth Wonder of the Civilized World,” the city of Saint Denis. Additionally, West Elizabeth is expanded on, with the region of Big Valley being added north of Great Plains and Tall Trees.

Guarma, a tropical island east of Cuba, serves as the setting for the game's fifth chapter, but is unavailable outside of associated story missions.

Similar to Redemption 1, Redemption 2 includes an epilogue segment following the completion of the story campaign. The epilogue takes place in 1907, and unlocks both southern West Elizabeth and New Austin for the player to explore. Both regions include familiar landmarks and places from their first appearance, but feature several changes due to the time gap. Although Nuevo Paraíso is not available in the second game, its landscapes, along with El Presidio, can be seen from New Austin.

Games[]

Red Dead Revolver[]

Red Dead Revolver Coverart

Red Dead Revolver is the first game of the Red Dead saga, released in 2004. It is a linear shooting-adventure gameplay that the player must progress through.

The story focuses on Red Harlow, who’s family was killed by Governor Griffon when he was young. Following their deaths, Red becomes a bounty hunter and embarks on a journey of revenge to find Griffon and avenge his family.

The game received mixed to positive reviews. It received a 75% in GameRankings.

Red Dead Redemption[]

Rdr cover

Red Dead Redemption is the second game in the series and was released in 2010. Unlike Revolver, the game is free-roam; the player can venture and interact with the world all around them. The game expands on most of the gameplay of its predecessor, such as the Dead-Eye Targeting and dueling system.

The story takes place during the twilight era of the Old West, in 1911. Former outlaw John Marston is tasked with finding Bill Williamson and the rest of his former gang in order to have his family returned safely, after being abducted and held ransom by the Bureau of Investigation.

After its release, it gained universal acclaim from several gaming websites due to its engaging story and open world gameplay. So far, the game has a 95% in both GameRankings and Metacritic. A Game of the Year Edition containing all pre-order and multiplayer content plus Undead Nightmare was released in October 2011. As of August 2023, Red Dead Redemption has shipped over 23,000,000 units and is tied with God of War as the 50th best-selling video game of all time.[1]

Red Dead Redemption 2[]

Reddeadcover
Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic tale of life in America’s unforgiving heartland. The game’s vast and atmospheric world will also provide the foundation for a brand new online multiplayer experience.
Official description [2]

Red Dead Redemption 2 is the third game in the series and a prequel to 2010’s Red Dead Redemption.[3] It was originally released in 2018 for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.[4]

The game carries most of the gameplay of Redemption, but continues to expand and improve aspects of its predecessor. For example, its open-world map includes areas of Redemption’s map, in addition with several new states and regions exclusive to Redemption 2. Set in the dwindling American frontier in 1899, the story follows Arthur Morgan, a seasoned member of Dutch van der Linde's notorious outlaw gang. As deepening internal divisions threaten to tear the gang apart, Arthur must make a choice between his own ideals and loyalty to the gang who raised him.

Much like Redemption, its release gained universal acclaim from several gaming websites due to its story, realistic gameplay and details within the world. So far, the game has a 97% Metacritic for both consoles. Currently, the game had the largest opening weekend in the history of entertainment, making over $725 million in revenue in three days, and over 17,000,000 copies in total in two weeks, exceeding the lifetime sales of Red Dead Redemption. As of August 2023, the game has sold over 55,000,000 copies and is the eighth best-selling video game of all time.[1]

Red Dead Online[]

RedDeadOnline-EpicGamesStore-CoverArt
Join millions of fellow players in the American West, and experience a world now packed with years’ worth of new features, gameplay and additional enhancements.
Official description [5]

Red Dead Online is the fourth game in the series and considered by Rockstar Games to be the series' dedicated multiplayer title. Players can create and customize characters and tailor abilities to suit play styles. Once ready, they can explore the world solo or with friends. Posses can be created with up to seven players.

Set one year before the events of Red Dead Redemption 2, the player assumes the role of a player-created silent protagonist, who was wrongly accused of murdering a man and sent to Sisika Penitentiary. However, roughly one week before their execution, the player is freed by a group of outlaws led by a man named Horley.

Access to Red Dead Online is free with every retail copy of Red Dead Redemption 2. However, it can be purchased separately.

DLC[]

Outlaws to the End[]

RDR Outlaws to the End

Outlaws to the End is a downloadable content of Redemption, released in June 22, 2010. It is a multiplayer DLC with six new missions to choose from, available in the Xbox Live Marketplace and the PSN Network for free.

The DLC is a multiplayer-based content with additional achievements/trophies, adding the Redemption achievements to 58.

Legends and Killers[]

Legends and Killers is a primarily multiplayer pack. The DLC also features 8 characters from Revolver, new multiplayer map locations and the Tomahawk, along with new single player challenges. It was released in August 10th.

Liars and Cheats[]

Liars and Cheats is a DLC released on September 21, 2010. It features gambling-style gameplay. Horse races that aren't available later on the original game are available in multiplayer and single-player modes. There's also Poker and Liar's Dice in multiplayer modes and also, some of the major characters are available to play in the DLC.

Myths and Mavericks[]

Myths and Mavericks is a bonus pack which was released in September. The DLC contains new multiplayer locations and characters and in-demand modes in previous DLC. It is completely free of charge.

Undead Nightmare[]

Undead Nightmare is a DLC that features zombie-themed gameplay. There is a new single player story, new multiplayer modes, animals, weapons and challenges. It was released on October 26th, 2010 as a stand-alone disk, along with two other DLCs.

Application[]

Red Dead Redemption: Gunslingers[]

Red Dead Redemption Gunslingers

RDR: Gunslingers was released on Facebook prior to Redemption. It is a browser game where players duel against friends and strangers.

The gameplay is very basic; the players duel and the game calculates a battle with a random outcome based on a player class and any spent skill points. The game had achievements available and classes to choose.

Due to changes made to the Facebook platform, Rockstar removed the game in 2012.

Similarities between Redemption and Grand Theft Auto[]

Similar to the Grand Theft Auto series, Red Dead Redemption is a open-world action and adventure gameset in a satirical version of the United States of America during certain periods of time - in Redemption' s case, in the dawn of the Old West between 1898 and 1914.

The Redemption' s universe and GTA' s HD Universe have their own different parodies of real-life brands and locations.

References to the Red Dead series in Grand Theft Auto[]

Grand Theft Auto IV[]

  • Red Harlow makes a cameo appearance in the commercial for the Western television series called Spittoon, a show that is presented as a parody of how the West was won.

Grand Theft Auto V[]

  • "The Last One", a Strangers & Freaks mission, is a reference to the infamous bigfoot myth in GTA San Andreas. And the lines said by the Bigfoot impersonator are also a nod to the line Bigfoot says about being "the last of his kind".
  • The Sasquatch Hunter shares the same appearance, voice and personality with the Sasquatch Hunter from Undead Nightmare. Sporting the same grey (most likely an animal carcass) hat, blindness in his left eye, and a big bushy beard. However, the hunter's clothing is newer, though in the same color scheme as the sasquatch hunter.
    • The player can sometimes hear the hunter say "Gonna make my great grand-daddy proud.", another reference to Undead Nightmare, which is set in 1911 in a parallel universe. Despite the fact that Undead Nightmare is not set in the HD Universe and/or Red Dead Redemption's universe, it is clearly alluded to that the hunter in GTA V is a descendant of the sasquatch hunter from Undead Nightmare.
    • Although he also tells Franklin that he has been "huntin' that beast longer than Franklin will ever know" and claims that he "spent countless lifetimes in pursuit of the hirsute", implying that he could be a multiversal variant of the same person, as a different version of this character also appears in Red Dead Redemption 2.
  • The lines the Bigfoot impersonator says when he is shot by Franklin are identical to the ones the real Bigfoot says to John Marston during the Undead Nightmare quest "Birth of the Conservation Movement".
  • In Rampages, with every fifth enemy the player kills, a bloodcurdling wail will be heard. These "howls" are actually reused sound files from Undead Nightmare.
  • The dog that appears in "Uncalculated Risk" is somewhat similar to the Strange Man from Red Dead Redemption, as both are possibly supernatural guardian figures, appearing to the player on a side quest to inform them that others are in danger. Both characters can only be seen by the player, both have an image of themselves in some area of ​​the game world, and both inexplicably disappear as soon as they conclude their business dealings with the player.
  • The Warthington's house can be seen in the Grand Senora Desert area, on a tourist signage near the alien camp.
  • Inside the Yellow Jack Inn, there is a fridge and to the left is a wall with four commemoration plaques. The first two have the words 'Best Of Show 2008' and a picture of a motorcycle. This refers to the release year of Grand Theft Auto IV and The Lost and Damned expansion. The middle shield has the words 'Best Of Show 2010' with an image of what appears to be a wagon wheel. This refers to Red Dead Redemption and its year of release.
  • One of the in-game movies, Capolavoro, features footage recorded in Red Dead Redemption using New Austin and West Elizabeth.
  • In Strawberry, under the highway, there is a graffiti that resembles the silhouette of John Marston riding a horse at night, with a full moon.
  • Portola Drive's statue (Faswan) is a reference to Red Dead Redemption; Robert Cholla (its creator) is named after Cholla Springs.
  • There's a bookcase in the living room of Franklin's home in Vinewood Hills, with a few titles that stand out, like the book "Red Dead," written by a certain J. Marston. "J. Marston" could refer to John's son Jack, who reads books regularly and claimed he might write a book himself one day, though this is not canon because other books are full of direct references to other Rockstar titles or inside jokes.
  • There are three identical red and white boats for sale in front of the Get Aweigh dealership, all of which are named "Rufus".
    • The name of these ships may be a reference to the Marston family dog, Rufus, in Red Dead Redemption. And coincidentally, there are 3 in total, just like the Café Redemption shops are also 3, which may have been a hint towards the next entry in the Red Dead franchise.
  • There are two roads in Sandy Shores that reference towns in Red Dead Redemption; Cholla Springs Avenue and Armadillo Avenue, which refer to Cholla Springs and Armadillo, respectively.
  • There is a Rent-A-Car agency called "Escalera", which is a reference to the capital of Nuevo Paraíso in Red Dead Redemption.
  • The tobacco company Estancia Cigars uses the name of one of the songs of Red Dead Redemption's official soundtrack.
  • The font used for Red's Machine Supplies' sign is called "Chinese Rocks", which is the official font for Red Dead Redemption games.
  • The arcade signs at Del Perro Pier use the Red Dead Redemption font.
  • The two revolvers seen in the main Patriot Beer logo are LeMat revolvers, weapons that previously appeared in Red Dead Redemption.
  • The color and font style of the movie Vinewood Zombie could be a reference to Undead Nightmare.
  • The surname "De Santa" given to Michael Townley and his family could be a reference to Vincente de Santa, a major antagonist in Red Dead Redemption.
  • The Café Redemption franchise is likely a reference to Red Dead Redemption.
  • The Golden Buns Bakery in Blaine County could be a reference to Rockstar's "golden guns", fancy guns that appear in many games including Red Dead Redemption and Max Payne 3.
  • During the mission "Daddy's Little Girl", the man who works at the bike rental shop in Vespucci Beach can be seen wearing a John Marston t-shirt.
  • John Marston makes a brief cameo in the Pißwasser beer commercial riding his horse.
  • In the television show Princess Robot Bubblegum, a female cosplayer can be seen dressed as John Marston.

Grand Theft Auto Online[]

  • In the GTA Online character creation menu, it is possible to select John Marston as the father of the "GTA Online Protagonist". This is not canon, as it causes a major anachronism in the universes of both games, since John Marston died in 1911 and the "Online Protagonist" can be born in any year from 1973-1992.
  • The "Double-Action Revolver" is a hidden unlockable weapon featured in Grand Theft Auto Online as a promotion for Red Dead Redemption 2. It was added as part of The Doomsday Heist update, but was only available starting from December 15th, 2017 when the event commenced.
  • Completing GTA Online's "25 Stone Hatchet Kills Challenge" will unlock this same weapon in Red Dead Redemption 2, and it can be found at the native burial site north of Owanjila.
  • After solving the "Los Santos Slasher Mystery" in Grand Theft Auto Online and killing 50 NPCs or players in said game with the "Navy Revolver", Lowry's Revolver becomes available in Red Dead Online. It can be found in a lockbox in Lucky's Cabin.
  • The arcade game titled Badlands Revenge II is a nod to Red Dead Redemption II. Additionally, the boxart depicts a character wearing an outfit similar to Uncle's, and there is also a challenge called "Dead Eye".
  • During the mission "The Diamond Casino Heist", one of the paintings the player can steal display Ayauhtéotl from Undead Nightmare, holding the cursed Aztec mask. Some Aztec symbols are present in the background.
  • A painting depicting both the Lannahechee Aniline Color Works and Castille Cotton Company factories can also be found inside the Diamond Casino's vault.
  • In The Cayo Perico Heist update, there are three paintings inside El Rubio's compound that reference the "Derp Horse" meme from the second Red Dead Redemption 2 trailer, the banjo-playing mutant, and Valentine's Church.
  • Images taken at Emerald Ranch are also located in El Rubio's compound.
  • The PED models of Andreas and his family are reused in several pictures featured in the mission "The Cayo Perico Heist Finale" that can be found in El Rubio's compound, depicting his ancestors.

Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition[]

  • The GTA San Andreas achievement "81 Years Too Late" references the achievement from Undead Nightmare called "Six Years in The Making", which is a reference to the time between the release dates of the original GTA San Andreas and Red Dead Redemption.
    • "81 Years Too Late" refers to the year where Red Dead Redemption takes place, 81 years before the events of GTA San Andreas.
  • The compendium image for the Viking Hatchet was later reused in The Definitive Edition to remake a poster of The Bloody Choppers, a heavy metal band.
  • Some landmarks from Red Dead Redemption 2 were used as decorative paintings for many interiors, one being Madd Dogg's mansion.
  • The Packet Ship cigarette card was also used as a decorative painting. It can be seen at North Point Mall.

Crossovers with the HD Universe of Grand Theft Auto[]

While Red Dead is not connected'to any ofGrand Theft Autos own parallel universes, certain features make a crossover in Grand Theft Auto Online as part of promotions for Red Dead Redemption 2 and Content Updates in Red Dead Online. These are not treated as "canon" and are simply a promotional crossover, as the series do not share the same world.

  • On June 7th, 2016 a new buyer for the player's warehouse was added in the Further Adventures in Finance and Felony update in Grand Theft Auto Online. The company's name, New Austin Capital, is derived from the state of New Austin; however the use of the name doesn't mean that it's based in New Austin itself, the name is simply derived from it.
    • This could have been a subtle hint towards the release of Red Dead Redemption 2's first official trailer the 20th of October, 4 months later. Worth noting that 4 days before the trailer was released, Rockstar themselves posted a Tweet in which they also teased their upcoming title.
  • The Boles Overland Stagecoach Company's logo was featured on a crate containing the reward to the Treasure Hunt that was part of the The Doomsday Heist update for Grand Theft Auto Online promoting Red Dead Redemption 2.
  • The "Golden Double-action Revolver" can be unlocked by completing a Treasure Hunt added in conjunction with The Doomsday Heist update that begins once the player receives an email from "vanderlinde@eyefind.com". The email address is a reference to Dutch van der Linde, one of the central characters in the Red Dead Redemption games. But this does not mean that Dutch has a descendant, since he canonically dies without leaving any children behind.
  • The D.D. Packenbush Repeating Arms Co. makes an indirect appearance in GTA Online as the player can use the Double-action Revolver (which was a gun made by them in Red Dead Redemption's canon) but only if it is unlocked through the optional Treasure Hunt.
  • As part of the After Hours update completing 5 total bounty targets for Maude Eccles in GTA Online, will give the player the location of the Stone Hatchet. If the player commits 25 kills with the Stone Hatchet, it will be unlocked in Red Dead Redemption 2.
  • The inscriptions on the grips of Lowry's Revolver read "E.L. 63432" (Lowry's initials). And once found at the Sandy Shores Airfield, the "Los Santos Slasher" threatens the player by saying: "I'm sick of you sticking your nose in where it doesn't belong! Now I'm not going to lie... what happens next... won't be nice for you." Similar to Edmund Lowry Jr.'s monologue in American Dreams.
  • A fortune-telling machine resembling Madam Nazar called "Nazar Speaks" was included in The Diamond Casino Heist update. If the player dials a specific phone number the Madam Nazar from Red Dead Online will answer to the call as an Easter Egg.
  • The F. Clinton & Partner security guard and receptionist use a wallpaper on their computers from Red Dead Redemption 2.
  • A portrait of President Hardin, President of the United States prior to the events of Red Dead Redemption 2, appears on a one-hundred dollar bill in the player's agency office with the "Power & Money" art scheme. This is another anachronism, as former president Hardin in RDR2 can be seen on the ten-dollar bill instead.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 List of best-selling video games
  2. Red Dead Redemption 2 - Rockstar Games (Official website)
  3. Rachel Weber (December 21, 2017). Red Dead Redemption 2 - Outlaws, trailers, and everything you need to know: "Meet your new Red Dead Redemption 2 hero: outlaw Arthur Morgan. Our first introduction doesn't exactly present him as the 'take him home to mother' type. We're sure there's more to him than threatening people and robbing banks, but right now, all we know is he's rough around the edges and in the employ of original RDR antagonist Dutch van der Linde - which sets the game's timeline firmly in prequel territory."
  4. Red Dead Redemption 2 Specifications: "Platform: PS4, Xbox One"
  5. Red Dead Online - Rockstar Games (Official website)

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