Rockstar Games has long been considered one of the largest and most successful game developers in the industry, particularly for its innovative approach to open worlds as seen in the Grand Theft Auto series. GTA has consistently stood out, both in terms of sales and its pioneering role in the genre. In fact, for many, GTA III was the first game that really successfully popularized the genre. However, among the numerous GTA installments, a completely different game was released: Red Dead Redemption, which takes place in the Wild West. It was a sequel to the lesser-known PlayStation 2 game Red Dead Revolver. Red Dead Redemption was released for consoles in 2010, and while many expected the PC version to follow shortly after, it took a while for the game to arrive. Rumors circulated for years and it became almost a myth among fans, but it wasn’t until fourteen years after the original release that PC gamers were finally able to share the experience. The sequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, had already been released on PC, but its predecessor finally appeared in October. After such a long wait, I now have the opportunity to review this legendary title and it is an experience that I never thought possible on the PC platform.
While the PC version is sadly missing multiplayer, which many might consider a negative, we do get the full single-player campaign, including the Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare expansion. For those who like a strong narrative, this single-player entry lives up to the hype and more. The game remains John Marston’s epic story, and if you enjoyed the campaign on console, you won’t be disappointed with this latest addition to the Red Dead family.
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The PC version of Red Dead Redemption features a number of platform-specific technical improvements. Graphically, the game supports modern technologies such as DLSS, FSR and Frame Generation for users of newer graphics cards. Although the game is not particularly demanding and only requires 4 GB of video memory, you can significantly improve the graphics experience with the appropriate settings. One advantage of the PC version is the ability to disable some of the more controversial effects such as motion blur and depth of field. They tend to impact performance without adding much visually. Many players will therefore appreciate being able to optimize the image to their liking. On the other hand, Rockstar hasn’t significantly updated the textures themselves; In particular, the characters’ faces appear blurry and low resolution, which is clearly visible on a 4K monitor. Compared to the detailed textures of Red Dead Redemption 2, it’s a shame that the previous title didn’t receive the same graphical love, but thankfully the game’s overall performance makes up for it.
On a technical level, the game runs smoothly even on older computers, although you can enjoy a stable 60 fps and almost no loading times when the game is running on an SSD. Rockstar has certainly heard players’ frustration with some of its previous releases, where technical issues could be a hindrance. This time everything runs smoothly and feels silky smooth for the most part.
As far as history goes, it has retained its timeless charm. We continue to follow John Marston’s hunt for his former gang, and for those who have already played Red Dead Redemption 2, the story seems even more cohesive and well-rounded. Rockstar has impressively brought the two titles together, making John Marston’s story stronger than ever. However, Red Dead Redemption differs from its sequel in that it is faster paced; because we’re introduced to the action more quickly, without the lengthy introduction of Red Dead Redemption 2, which can be a breath of fresh air for players looking to quickly dive into the heat of battle. Marston meets his first opponents almost immediately, which makes the narrative seem more direct and dynamic. It’s a different but refreshing take on the Rockstar universe, and while the level of detail is lower than in the sequel, this only works in the game’s favor as the experience is more immediate and focused.
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The controls are another major improvement over the PC. The keyboard and mouse allow for much more precise control in gunfights and taking down enemy cowboys has never been easier. Every shot feels precise and satisfying, and the PC version offers an intensity and precision that can be difficult to achieve with a controller. For the first time, even riding a horse and throwing a lasso feels like a natural part of the game, and Rockstar has really managed to tweak the controls so that they no longer feel awkward or illogical like many on them experienced on the original consoles. The only downside is that at high speeds you often have to use the shift key to hold the horse, which can be a bit tiring on the little finger over time. Luckily, you can change the button settings, but that doesn’t change the fact that you have to press them repeatedly to keep up with the horse.
The sound in Red Dead Redemption is still top notch and really helps immerse the player in the wild, dusty world. The music takes you straight to the barren, desolate frontier, and with the graphical upgrade of the PC version, you can almost feel the scorching sun and cold prairie nights. The soundtrack is just as magical as the release and makes the entire experience more authentic.
The package also includes the Undead Nightmare expansion, which takes the game to a completely new and comedic twist. Here you fight against hordes of zombies, and using a mouse and keyboard makes this part a much more enjoyable experience as you can more easily hit the zombies in the head with precision. On the Xbox 360, where the expansion was first released, the undead were often difficult to hit, but with PC controls this expansion takes on new life. It’s a delightfully silly and different experience to the main game, and in this time of Halloween, Undead Nightmare is a perfect, whimsical and spooky experience that offers the player a humorous contrast to the otherwise serious main story.
All in all, Red Dead Redemption on PC remains an unforgettable game that both new players and fans of the series should experience. Despite its age and visual limitations, it still offers legendary entertainment value, making it undoubtedly one of the most unforgettable Western experiences imaginable.
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