The newest generation of video game hardware has been marked by unprecedented backward compatibility. The Xbox Series X/S has continued the brand’s tradition of including a robust library of games stretching back to the Xbox 360, and thePS5’s backward compatibilityapplies to just about every PS4 game ever made. With this compatibility has come a slew of next-gen upgrades for titles that were released not long before the transition to the current generation, and even games from years prior have received upgrades due to their lasting impact. Many major titles fit into that latter camp, but notRed Dead Redemption 2.
Rockstar’s Western epic captivated fans and critics when it was released in 2018, drawing praise for its compelling characters, vast gameplay systems, and unrelenting attention to detail. SinceRed Dead Redemption 2has released, however, it’s received very little in the way of ongoing support.Red Dead Onlinehas gotten its fair share of updates, but Rockstar has shown little interest in propping up the game as it has withGrand Theft Auto 5. The lack of a next-gen upgrade almost three years into this console cycle makes this glaringly apparent, and for now, it seemsRDR 2may never get a true next-gen upgrade.
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It’s hard to overstate justhow revolutionaryRed Dead Redemption 2was on launch, almost five years ago. As the follow-up to one of the best open-world games of all time, and Rockstar’s first major release sinceGTA 5,RDR 2had lofty expectations that it thoroughly surpassed. The game sold and was reviewed rather well, but shortly after release, many noticed a strong disparity between Rockstar’s support forRDR 2and its support forGTA 5. That disparity could be found in the lack of support and seeming abandonment ofRed Dead Online.
Red Dead Onlinehad some kinks when it was released, but this wasn’t any different from whenGTA Onlinefirst came out. The one difference between the two, however, came down to its playerbase.Red Dead Onlinenever reached the same amount of players asGTA Online, and part of that came down to how drastically different the two are in terms of tone and gameplay. While living out life as an outlaw in the vast countryside and rural towns ofRed Dead Onlineis exciting for many, it pales in comparison to thefast-paced mayhem ofGTA Online. This is where theRDR 2’s lack of next-gen support comes in.
GTA Onlineis getting more content, and it has made and continues to make Rockstar an inordinate amount of money. It’s safe to say that microtransaction sales have likely surpassed pure game sales after so many years.Red Dead Onlinehasn’t rocketed to the same heights, and therein lies the issue with its next-gen support. Rockstar can giveGTA 5a next-gen upgrade almost ten years after the game first released because it knows it will continue to make money hand over fist. Developing and publishing a next-gen upgrade forRDR 2doesn’t guarantee the same financial success, so Rockstar has no reason to take the risk.
Red Dead Redemption 2is a masterpiece of game development, making it all the more disheartening that Rockstar hasn’t given it any next-gen support. As one of the most expansive open-world games ever made, there’s no telling how gorgeousRDR 2would look on next-genhardware. Unfortunately, not all decisions in game development are made based on how great a game would look or play under ideal circumstances.Red Dead Redemption 2is also one of many games that can still be enjoyed through backward compatibility, but for many fans, it will never reach its truest potential.
Red Dead Redemption 2is available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
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