Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) is an open-world western epic that has captivated gamers worldwide with its immersive storyline, engaging characters, and vast open plains. One of the most common questions about RDR2 is its length. Is Red Dead Redemption 2 long? In this article, we’ll delve into the game’s length, exploring its main story, side missions, and additional content to provide a comprehensive answer.
Understanding the Game’s Structure
Before we dive into the game’s length, it’s essential to understand its structure. RDR2 is divided into several chapters, each representing a significant period in the game’s narrative. The main story is the core of the game, and it’s where you’ll spend most of your time. However, there are also numerous side missions, activities, and additional content that can significantly extend your playtime.
Main Story Length
The main story of RDR2 is approximately 50-60 hours long, depending on your playstyle and level of completionism. This estimate includes completing all the main missions, but it doesn’t account for any side content. The main story is divided into six chapters, each with its unique narrative and gameplay mechanics.
Chapter Breakdown
Here’s a brief overview of each chapter and their estimated completion times:
- Chapter 1: Colter (2-3 hours)
- Chapter 2: Horseshoe Overlook (5-6 hours)
- Chapter 3: Clemens Point (8-10 hours)
- Chapter 4: Saint Denis (10-12 hours)
- Chapter 5: Guarma (4-5 hours)
- Chapter 6: Beaver Hollow (6-8 hours)
Keep in mind that these estimates are approximate and can vary depending on your playstyle and level of exploration.
Side Missions and Activities
In addition to the main story, RDR2 features a wide range of side missions and activities that can significantly extend your playtime. These include:
- Stranger Missions: These are side missions that can be completed for various strangers throughout the game world. There are over 20 Stranger Missions in RDR2, each with its unique narrative and rewards.
- Side Activities: These include activities like hunting, fishing, and horse racing. While they’re not essential to the main story, they can provide valuable rewards and experience points.
- Gang Hideouts: These are optional missions that allow you to take down rival gangs and their hideouts. There are several Gang Hideouts throughout the game world, each with its unique challenges and rewards.
Completing Side Content
Completing all the side content in RDR2 can add an additional 20-30 hours to your playtime. This includes completing all the Stranger Missions, side activities, and Gang Hideouts. However, it’s worth noting that some of this content is optional, and you can choose to focus on the main story if you prefer.
Additional Content
In addition to the main story and side content, RDR2 also features several pieces of additional content, including:
- Red Dead Online: This is the game’s online multiplayer mode, which allows you to play with other players in a shared game world. Red Dead Online features its own narrative and gameplay mechanics, and it can provide hundreds of hours of additional playtime.
- DLCs: RDR2 has received several DLCs (downloadable content) since its release, including the “Moonshiners” and “Gunslingers” DLCs. These DLCs add new gameplay mechanics, missions, and content to the game.
Completing Additional Content
Completing all the additional content in RDR2 can add an additional 50-100 hours to your playtime. This includes completing all the Red Dead Online missions and activities, as well as the DLCs.
Conclusion
So, is Red Dead Redemption 2 long? The answer is a resounding yes. With a main story that’s approximately 50-60 hours long, and additional content that can add hundreds of hours to your playtime, RDR2 is a game that will keep you busy for a long time. Whether you’re a completionist who wants to experience everything the game has to offer, or a casual player who just wants to enjoy the main story, RDR2 has something for everyone.
Final Thoughts
Red Dead Redemption 2 is a game that’s all about immersion and exploration. With its vast open world, engaging narrative, and wide range of gameplay mechanics, it’s a game that will keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re a fan of westerns, open-world games, or just great storytelling, RDR2 is a game that’s definitely worth checking out.
In conclusion, if you’re looking for a game that will provide you with hundreds of hours of entertainment, look no further than Red Dead Redemption 2. With its engaging narrative, immersive gameplay, and vast open world, it’s a game that’s sure to keep you busy for a long time.
How long does it take to complete the main storyline of Red Dead Redemption 2?
The main storyline of Red Dead Redemption 2 can take around 50-60 hours to complete, depending on the player’s skill level and playing style. This is a significant amount of time, and it’s clear that the game’s developers, Rockstar Games, have put a lot of effort into creating a rich and immersive story. The game’s narrative is full of twists and turns, and players will need to invest a substantial amount of time to see it through to the end.
However, it’s worth noting that completing the main storyline is just the tip of the iceberg. Red Dead Redemption 2 has a vast open world to explore, complete with side missions, optional activities, and a plethora of secrets to uncover. Players who want to experience everything the game has to offer will need to budget significantly more time.
What factors can affect the game’s length?
Several factors can affect the length of Red Dead Redemption 2, including the player’s skill level, playing style, and level of exploration. Players who are new to the series or are not familiar with open-world games may take longer to complete the game, as they will need to learn the mechanics and get used to the game’s world. On the other hand, experienced players who know what they’re doing may be able to complete the game more quickly.
Additionally, the game’s difficulty level can also impact its length. Players who choose to play on higher difficulty levels will need to be more careful and strategic in their approach, which can lead to a longer gameplay experience. Furthermore, players who want to complete all the side missions, collectibles, and other optional content will need to budget more time, as these activities can add tens of hours to the game’s length.
How does Red Dead Redemption 2’s length compare to other open-world games?
Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the longest open-world games available, but its length is comparable to other games in the same genre. For example, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and Grand Theft Auto V are also known for their lengthy gameplay experiences, with completion times ranging from 50-100 hours or more. However, Red Dead Redemption 2’s length is still impressive, and it’s clear that the game’s developers have put a lot of effort into creating a rich and immersive world.
That being said, some players may find that Red Dead Redemption 2’s length is excessive, particularly if they are not used to playing open-world games. However, for fans of the genre, the game’s length is likely to be a major selling point, as it offers a huge amount of value and replayability. Ultimately, whether or not the game’s length is a good thing will depend on the individual player’s preferences and playing style.
Can I play Red Dead Redemption 2 in short sessions?
While Red Dead Redemption 2 is a long game, it is possible to play it in short sessions. The game has a save system that allows players to save their progress at any time, making it easy to pick up where they left off. Additionally, the game’s missions and activities are often designed to be completed in short sessions, making it easy to fit in a quick play session during a lunch break or other short period of time.
That being said, players who want to get the most out of Red Dead Redemption 2 may find that playing in short sessions is not the best approach. The game’s story is complex and nuanced, and playing in short sessions may make it harder to follow the plot and become invested in the characters. Additionally, some of the game’s activities, such as hunting and fishing, may require longer play sessions to be enjoyable.
Are there any ways to speed up the gameplay experience?
While Red Dead Redemption 2 is a long game, there are some ways to speed up the gameplay experience. For example, players can choose to play on lower difficulty levels, which can make the game easier and faster to complete. Additionally, players can focus on completing the main storyline and ignore the side missions and optional activities, which can save a significant amount of time.
However, it’s worth noting that speeding up the gameplay experience may not be the best approach. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a game that rewards exploration and experimentation, and rushing through the game may cause players to miss out on some of its best content. Additionally, the game’s story is complex and nuanced, and rushing through it may make it harder to follow the plot and become invested in the characters.
How much time is required to 100% complete Red Dead Redemption 2?
100% completing Red Dead Redemption 2 requires a significant amount of time and effort. According to HowLongToBeat, a website that estimates the completion time of video games, 100% completing Red Dead Redemption 2 can take around 150-200 hours or more. This includes completing the main storyline, all side missions, and optional activities, as well as collecting all the game’s collectibles and achievements.
However, it’s worth noting that 100% completing Red Dead Redemption 2 is not necessary to enjoy the game. Players who want to experience the game’s story and main content can do so in significantly less time, and still have a great experience. Additionally, the game’s replay value is high, and players can replay the game multiple times to try different approaches and explore different parts of the game’s world.
Is Red Dead Redemption 2’s length worth it?
Whether or not Red Dead Redemption 2’s length is worth it will depend on the individual player’s preferences and playing style. For fans of open-world games and the western genre, the game’s length is likely to be a major selling point, as it offers a huge amount of value and replayability. However, for players who are not used to playing long games or prefer shorter experiences, the game’s length may be overwhelming.
Ultimately, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a game that rewards investment and patience. Players who are willing to put in the time and effort to explore the game’s world, complete its missions, and engage with its characters will be rewarded with a rich and immersive experience that is well worth the time. However, players who are looking for a quick or casual experience may want to look elsewhere.