Yesterday, Rockstar Games announced that a gameplay trailer for their forthcoming open-world western Red Dead Redemption 2 would arrive overnight. Arrive it did, and goodness, what a trailer it is.
The six minute gameplay trailer (embedded below) is actually the first in a series of videos demonstrating Red Dead Redemption 2‘s new systems, mechanics, activities and world. This first video sticks mainly to combat and the things the game’s main character, Arthur Morgan. Arthur is a senior member of the Vanderling Gang. The Vanderling Gang are among the last outlaws, clinging to the dying American west as the 20th Century approaches and the Industrial Age gets underway.
The gang is regularly forced to move on from whichever town they’ve been harassing and sets up camp in a new location each time. This will, presumably, be how the game slowly unfurls its sizeable world map to the player. The trailer presents numerous biomes within the American frontier and heartland — forests, swamps, plains, deserts, snowy mountains and cities all get a moment in the spotlight, so expect to be posting up in or near all of them. Within these camps is an opportunity for Arthur to better get to know his compatriots — doing so may get them to reveal secrets or information that will help you secure a win on any forthcoming paydays. Helping out and doing chores — like hunting animals to feed everyone or searching for supplies — will keep camp and gang morale high. Even your horse must be looked after — treat it well and it’ll behave itself better in a mounted gunfight. Treat the horse badly and it’ll make a bad situation that much worse.
There’s a new layer of interactivity on top of what was present in Rockstar’s previous title, Grand Theft Auto V. Arthur can call out to passing riders, escalate or defuse tense situations with words alone or threaten and coerce with a little physical persuasion. The point of all this is that not every problem can (or even should) be solved with your gun. That said, if you would like to use your gun, Red Dead Redemption 2 has you covered with an overhaul of the Deadeye System allowing you to more easily pull of the kind of multi kill High Noons you’d expect to see in the Overwatch League. The trailer also promises that Arthur’s actions have consequences but exactly what these consequences are and how they will manifest themselves currently remains unclear.
The next trailer will reportedly showcase missions, robberies, activities, rival gangs and more on the retooled Deadeye System.
“With Red Dead Redemption 2,” says the trailer’s voice over, “Rockstar Games aims to create a living world that’s not simply open, but deeper, more interactive and detailed than ever.” Based on this trailer, it certainly looks as though they’ve done it.
Red Dead Redemption 2 launches October 26, 2018 for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
