Things That RDR Did Better Than RDR2
When Red Dead Redemption 2 was released in 2018, it was hailed as a masterpiece—a sprawling, cinematic open-world game that pushed the boundaries of storytelling and immersion. And rightfully so; its breathtaking visuals, emotional depth, and attention to detail set a new standard for gaming. But for all its achievements, there’s something undeniably special about the first Red Dead Redemption that still resonates with fans over a decade later.
While RDR 2 expanded on its predecessor in countless ways, there are certain aspects where the 2010 classic still shines brighter. the original game did some things so well that even its groundbreaking sequel couldn’t quite match them. In this blog, we’ll dive into the elements that made Red Dead Redemption a timeless gem and explore things that this old gem did better than its more polished successor.
Table Of Contents
Fame System
One thing missing in Red Dead Redemption 2 was the Fame system from the first game. In the original, John Marston’s actions didn’t just change his Honor (how good or bad he was)—they also built his Fame, showing how famous or infamous he became in the Wild West. Doing big things like finishing story missions, winning duels, hunting rare animals, or causing trouble would make John more well-known. This could lead to cool perks, like lower prices in stores, special outfits, or even people in the game treating him like a legend.
It made you feel like you were really building a reputation, whether as a hero or a villain. RDR2 replaced this with just the Honor system and local bounties, which took away that fun sense of becoming a larger-than-life figure. For a lot of fans, the Fame system made John’s journey feel more personal and exciting—something Arthur Morgan’s story, while deeper in other ways, didn’t quite capture.
Better Ambient Soundtracks
The background music in Red Dead Redemption had this classic Spaghetti Western style that just felt perfect. It was full of twangy guitars, eerie whistles, and simple, tense tunes that made the desert feel dangerous and mysterious. It wasn’t just music—it added to the mood, making every moment, whether it was a gunfight or a quiet ride, feel like something out of an old Western movie. Red Dead Redemption 2’s music is still great—it’s emotional and fits the game’s serious tone—but it doesn’t have that same iconic Western vibe. RDR’s soundtrack was special, making you feel like you were really in a classic cowboy film. It’s something you don’t forget.
More Challenging Duels
One thing that made the classic RDR game stand out was how often you could get into duels, and how intense they felt. In the first game, random strangers could challenge you to a duel almost anywhere—walk into a town, and suddenly someone’s calling you out in the street. These duels were fast, tense, and required real skill to win, especially since you had to time your draw and aim carefully without relying too much on Dead Eye. It made the world feel alive and dangerous like the Wild West was full of gunslingers ready to test you.
In RDR2, duels are mostly tied to story missions, and they don’t happen as often in the open world. Even when they do, they feel less challenging because they’re more about using Dead Eye than quick reflexes or precision. While RDR2’s duels are still cool, they don’t capture the same thrill or unpredictability as the ones in the first game, where you never knew when you’d have to prove yourself in a quick-draw showdown.
For a live comparison check this vid.
Mexico’s inclusion
One of the most memorable parts of Red Dead Redemption was Mexico. Crossing the river into this new region felt like stepping into a whole different world. The music changed to these beautiful, haunting Spanish guitar tracks that perfectly captured the vibe of the place. Mexico brought a fresh culture, with its own towns, people, and architecture, making the game feel even more alive and diverse. It wasn’t just a new area—it was a new experience, full of unique stories and challenges.
Red Dead Redemption 2 has an incredible map that is way bigger and more detailed than the first game, but it doesn’t include Mexico. While the world of RDR2 is stunning, with its snowy mountains, dense forests, and sprawling plains, it doesn’t have that same sense of variety and surprise that Mexico brought to the original. For many players, Mexico was a highlight of RDR, and its absence in RDR2, while understandable, left a bit of a void
Buying Properties
In RDR, one of the coolest features was the ability to buy properties in various towns and regions. It gave players a sense of ownership and stability, with safe houses scattered across the map where you could save, rest, and even fast travel. This added a layer of immersion and made the world feel more alive and connected.
In RDR2, this feature is largely absent. For Arthur Morgan, it makes sense—he’s a wanted outlaw always on the run, so buying a property wouldn’t fit his lifestyle. However, after the epilogue, when you play as John Marston—a man trying to settle down and build a new life—it feels like a missed opportunity. While John gets his ranch at Beecher’s Hope, that’s pretty much it. There’s no option to buy other properties. Instead, players are limited to camps, renting hotel rooms, and the ranch.
It’s a small but noticeable step back from the original game, where buying properties added depth and a sense of progression to the experience.
More Bounty Hunting
One thing that made Red Dead Redemption stand out was its bounty-hunting system. The game had over 50 bounty hunt quests, and each one felt unique. You could track down outlaws in different ways—sometimes they’d try to flee on horseback, other times they’d ambush you, and a few even had interesting backstories that made them memorable. The variety kept things fresh and exciting, making you feel like a real gunslinger cleaning up the frontier.
In RDR2 the bounty hunts are well-written and a lot of fun, with more detailed characters and scenarios, but there just aren’t enough of them—less than 15 in total. While the quality is there, the lack of quantity makes it feel like a missed opportunity, especially compared to the original game’s bounty hunting, which kept players busy for hours with its sheer variety and unpredictability.
Better Dodging Mechanics
One area where Red Dead Redemption outshines its sequel is in the dodging mechanics. In the original—game, dodging felt smooth and responsive, especially with the ability to roll backward, sideways, or forward to avoid gunfire or melee attacks. This rolling mechanic made combat feel dynamic and gave players a sense of agility, fitting perfectly with the fast-paced, gunslinger vibe of the Wild West.
In Red Dead Redemption 2, dodging was replaced with a heavier, less fluid system where Arthur or John— simply jumped to the side or forward. While this change aligns with RDR 2’s emphasis on realism and weightier movement, it lacks the same level of control and finesse.
The rolling mechanic in RDR made combat more engaging and cinematic, while the jumping in RDR2 often feels clunky and less effective, especially in intense shootouts. For players who enjoyed the smoother, more acrobatic dodging of the first game, this was a noticeable downgrade.
RDR Undead Nightmare DLC
One of the coolest things about RDR was its DLC, Undead Nightmare. After finishing the main game, players got to dive into a completely new story where zombies overran the Wild West. It was wild, funny, and totally different from the main game, giving players a fresh experience with new missions, weapons, and even mythical creatures to hunt. Fans loved it because it was unexpected and added so much replay value.
Fast forward to RDR2, and it’s been over seven years since its release, but there’s still no sign of any story DLC or expansions. Despite players begging for something—whether it’s a new storyline, more content for Arthur or John, or even a zombie apocalypse like Undead Nightmare—Rockstar has stayed quiet. It’s frustrating for fans who see so much potential in RDR2’s world but feel like Rockstar isn’t listening. While the game is already massive, a DLC could’ve taken it to another level, just like Undead Nightmare did for the original.
While Red Dead Redemption 2 is a stunning achievement, the original Red Dead Redemption still holds a special place for its simplicity and charm. RDR2 is better overall, but the RDR spirit remains unmatched. Both games are masterpieces, but Red Dead Redemption reminds us that sometimes, less is more. Its legacy as a classic Western adventure will always endure and hold a special place in our hearts just like the second.
What do you think? Are there other things you think RDR did better than RDR2? Let’s discuss—because in the end, both games remind us why we fell in love with the Wild West in the first place.
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