Is Red Dead Redemption worth playing in 2024?
While Red Dead Redemption was originally released back in 2010 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Rockstar created a port for the game in 2023 for PlayStation 4 (can be played on PlayStation 5 via backward compatibility) and Nintendo Switch. Rockstar Games announced that the game will soon be available for PC gamers as well. But is it actually worth playing a 14-year-old game in today's day and age? Let's find out.
Even though the graphics of Red Dead Redemption might not be comparable to modern video games, this doesn't necessarily mean that you won't be able to enjoy the game. Mentioned below are a few points on why we think playing Red Dead Redemption in 2024 might still be a good idea.
NOTE: This article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinion.
Playing Red Dead Redemption in 2024 will make you appreciate the story even more
Better understanding of the timeline
One of the most important reasons to play Red Dead Redemption in 2024 is the fact that the game's storyline takes place after Red Dead Redemption 2. While this might sound like a terrible idea to those who haven't tried out the Red Dead franchise yet, this surprisingly turned out just fine for Rockstar Games. While RDR2 is based in 1899, the contents of RDR1 take place in 1911.
1911 marked the beginning of the end of the Wild West Era in America. If you enjoyed Red Dead 2 and are itching to play more games like it, playing Red Dead will scratch the itch. As you delve into the story, you can instantly identify the changes in the environment. Red Dead Redemption features more modernized vehicles and weapons compared to RDR2.
Even though the gameplay is much shorter than Red Dead Redemption 2, the game still feels solid even 14 years later.
What the new port offers
RDR1 ran on 640p resolution on PlayStation 3 and a 720p resolution on Xbox 360 back in the day, with a stable 30 FPS on both of these consoles. However, with the 2023 port mentioned above, as well as the upcoming PC port, it is possible to play the game on 1080p resolution which makes the game look better.
Moreover, with Red Dead Redemption coming out on next-gen consoles and PCs, it is possible to play the game at 4K as well. Even if you can't get yourself to play the game on a PlayStation 3, or an Xbox 360, playing Red Dead Redemption on a 1080p or a 4K resolution is a big upgrade.
As far as FPS is concerned, the 2023 port allows you to play the game on 60 FPS if you own a PS4 Pro or a PS5 (still runs on 30 FPS on PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series X/S.) However, with the upcoming PC port, there is a huge chance that gamers will finally be able to play the game on 60+ FPS as well.
All-in-all, the game performs and looks incredibly well considering how old the game actually is.
Free expansion pack
If all this didn't convince you to purchase and play RDR1, the free expansion pack that comes with the game might sway your decision. After all, who doesn't like a few extra hours of content? People who bought the game back in 2010 within the first few weeks of its launch had to pay an additional amount to get access to the Undead Nightmare expansion pack.
However, the upcoming PC port and the 2023 port by Rockstar Games will let you play the Undead Nightmare expansion pack for free. With this DLC, after you have completed the entire story as well as the side quests of the game, you can choose to kill zombies and explore the city a little more.
Overall, if you don't mind a graphic drop, Red Dead Redemption is still an awesome title to play in 2024. The game will launch on Steam on October 29, 2024, and is already available for pre-purchase. If you have already played RDR1, let us know your views regarding the game in the comments.