Red Dead Redemption or Red Dead Redemption 2: Which Should You Play First?
RDR2 is a prequel to the 2010 original. Here is how Arthur Morgan's and John Marston's stories connect, and the pros and cons of each play order.
Rockstar’s western series has an awkward numbering problem. Red Dead Redemption 2 is the newer game, but its story takes place before the original Red Dead Redemption. That leaves newcomers with a real dilemma: should you play in release order, starting with the 2010 game, or in story order, starting with the 2018 prequel? Both choices are reasonable, and the right answer depends on what you value.
This guide explains how the games connect, where the older Red Dead Revolver fits, which platforms each game is on, and the pros and cons of each order. Major plot points are not spoiled; the one section that touches on the endings is clearly flagged.
The Red Dead games at a glance
| Game | Original release | Story set in | Protagonist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Dead Revolver | 2004 | The American frontier, in its own continuity | Red Harlow |
| Red Dead Redemption | 2010 | 1911 | John Marston |
| Undead Nightmare (expansion) | 2010 | A non-canon zombie tale in RDR’s world | John Marston |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 2018 | 1899, with an epilogue set in 1907 | Arthur Morgan |
Where Red Dead Revolver fits
Red Dead Revolver (2004) is the series’ ancestor, but not part of the Redemption story. It began development at Angel Studios with Capcom as publisher, and was completed and released by Rockstar after Rockstar acquired the studio, which became Rockstar San Diego. It is a more linear, arcade-style shooter inspired by spaghetti westerns and follows bounty hunter Red Harlow.
Red Dead Redemption borrowed the name, the setting and some ideas such as Dead Eye, a slow-motion aiming ability. But its characters and story are separate. You can skip Revolver entirely without missing anything in the Redemption games. It is mostly of interest to series historians and fans of the genre.
How the two Redemption stories connect
Both Redemption games revolve around the Van der Linde gang, a band of outlaws led by the charismatic Dutch van der Linde.
Red Dead Redemption 2 follows Arthur Morgan, a senior gang member, in 1899. The gang is on the run after a robbery gone wrong, trying to survive as the frontier closes in around them. It is a story about loyalty and the end of an era. John Marston is part of the gang and appears throughout, but he is a secondary character.
Red Dead Redemption takes place in 1911. The gang has long since broken up, and John Marston, now trying to live as a rancher with his family, is forced by government agents to hunt down former members. Characters from the gang reappear, and their fates are central to the plot.
In other words, RDR2 shows the gang at its height and how it began to fall apart. The original shows the aftermath years later. Each game stands on its own, but each also gives the other more emotional weight.
Option 1: Release order (RDR first)
Playing Red Dead Redemption first means experiencing the series as fans did at the time.
Pros:
- The original is written as a mystery about John’s past. You learn about the gang through his conversations and confrontations, which works best when you do not already know the full story.
- Playing RDR2 afterwards turns many scenes into rich dramatic irony. Characters you met as older, changed people appear in their prime, and you understand where their story is headed.
- Gameplay progresses naturally. Going from the 2010 game to the 2018 one feels like an upgrade, while going backwards can make the older game feel stiff.
- The original is considerably shorter, so it is a smaller commitment if you are unsure about the series.
Cons:
- Red Dead Redemption shows its age in places, particularly in controls and mission design compared with the sequel.
- Some players find the 2010 game’s characters less fleshed out until RDR2 fills in their history.
Option 2: Story order (RDR2 first)
Starting with Red Dead Redemption 2 means following events chronologically.
Pros:
- You meet the gang as a group of people before encountering what becomes of them. Many players find the original’s story more powerful after knowing these characters well.
- RDR2 is the more modern and polished game, which can be a more welcoming introduction.
- The epilogue of RDR2 leads naturally into the original’s setup.
Cons:
- RDR2 reveals the outcome of several mysteries that the original game builds around. Some of the original’s dramatic reveals lose their surprise.
- Going from RDR2’s detailed systems back to the 2010 game can feel like a step down in controls, animation and world simulation.
- RDR2 is a very long game with a slow start, so it is a big commitment for a first taste.
Which order do we recommend?
For most people, either order works. A useful rule of thumb:
- Play Red Dead Redemption first if you enjoy mysteries and dramatic irony, if you plan to play both games, and if older mechanics do not bother you.
- Play Red Dead Redemption 2 first if you want the best possible first impression, if you might only play one game, or if you strongly prefer modern controls.
If you only ever play one, Red Dead Redemption 2 is the bigger and more complete experience. But if you think you will play both, starting with the original preserves surprises that RDR2 cannot unsee. There is no wrong answer here, only different kinds of satisfaction.
What each game feels like to play
Both games share the same core: a large open frontier, horse riding, shootouts with Dead Eye targeting, a story told through missions alongside random encounters and side stories, and an Honor system that responds to your behavior. But they feel quite different.
Red Dead Redemption moves faster. Its world is large but less dense, travel is quicker, and missions get to the action promptly. It is a classic example of Rockstar’s late-2000s design, comparable in structure to Grand Theft Auto IV.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is deliberate and immersive. You maintain your horse, eat, bathe, contribute to the gang’s camp, and many actions have detailed animations. The world is densely packed with handcrafted encounters. Some players love this slower rhythm; others find it demanding. It is a strong example of the systemic, detail-heavy approach described in our explainer on open-world action-adventure games.
Platforms: where you can play each game
Platform availability has changed over the years, so it is worth checking before you buy.
Red Dead Redemption (2010) launched on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. It later became playable on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S through backward compatibility. A port of Red Dead Redemption and Undead Nightmare came to PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch in August 2023, and a PC version followed in October 2024. On December 2, 2025, Rockstar released versions for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2, along with mobile versions for iOS and Android available through Netflix. Rockstar said the new console versions target 60 frames per second, and owners of certain previous versions were offered free upgrades.
Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) launched on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, followed by PC in November 2019. It can be played on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S through backward compatibility. Rockstar had not announced a native current-generation version when this guide was written, so check Rockstar’s site for the latest.
Spoiler section: how the endings connect
Skip this section if you want to go in completely fresh.
Red Dead Redemption 2’s main story ends with Arthur’s arc reaching its conclusion, followed by a lengthy epilogue in which the player controls John Marston. The epilogue shows John trying to build a legitimate life, buying land and constructing the ranch that appears in the original game. It also ties up threads that lead directly into the 1911 events of Red Dead Redemption.
That is why story-order players often say the epilogue is the perfect bridge: it hands you the controls as John just before the original begins. Release-order players, meanwhile, recognize the ranch and its inhabitants immediately, which is part of the epilogue’s appeal.
Is Undead Nightmare worth playing?
Undead Nightmare is a standalone expansion for Red Dead Redemption that reimagines its world during a zombie outbreak. It is non-canon, more humorous and pulpy, and it is often praised as one of Rockstar’s most creative expansions. It is included in the modern re-releases of the original game. It makes the most sense after you have played the main story of Red Dead Redemption, because it reuses its characters and map.
Tips for your first hours in either game
- Be patient with the opening. Both games ease you in. RDR2’s snowy first chapter in particular is slow and tightly guided, and the world opens up properly afterwards.
- Do not rush the main story. Much of the series’ best writing is in side characters and chance encounters on the road. Taking detours is part of the experience.
- Watch your Honor. In both games, how you treat strangers, lawmen and witnesses affects how the world responds to you. Robbing everyone in sight has consequences.
- Bond with your horse. Especially in RDR2, a trusted horse is calmer under fire and easier to manage on long rides.
- Use Dead Eye in tough fights. The slow-motion targeting mode is there to help, not just to look cinematic.
Quick answers
Do I need to play Red Dead Revolver? No. It is a separate story.
Can I understand RDR2 without the first game? Yes. It was designed to work for newcomers.
Can I understand RDR without RDR2? Yes. It was released eight years earlier and stands on its own.
Is Red Dead Online required? No. It is a separate online mode and plays no part in the story order discussed here.
