How does Red Dead Redemption 1 hold up in 2025? Does it manage to give us an experience similar to Red Dead Redemption 2? Read our Red Dead Redemption 1 review to know more.
-Robin Bhuyan
(Mild Spoilers)
Released in May 2010 by Rockstar Games, Red Dead Redemption 1 quickly became a landmark title in open-world gaming. Set against the backdrop of the dying American Wild West in the year 1911, the game captures the end of the frontier and the rise of modern civilization. In Red Dead Redemption 1, we play as John Marston, a former outlaw seeking redemption by hunting down his former gang members. The game offers us with an immersive world filled with rich narrative depth, unique characters, and a vivid representation of a transitioning period in American history.
The game’s successful formula of combining open-world exploration with a compelling story has solidified it as one of the greatest video games of all time. Originally launched for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Red Dead Redemption 1 was ported to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows in 2024, making it accessible to newer generations of gamers. Yeah, it took them over 14 years for just a port, six years after the release of RDR 2!
Continue reading our Red Dead Redemption 1 review to know more about it and if you want to know if it is still worth playing in 2025.
The Impactful Story of John Marston
At the heart of Red Dead Redemption 1 lies the story of John Marston. As an outlaw turned reluctant hero, Marston’s character is interesting and multi-dimensional. Despite being a former outlaw, he is seen to try to work with the law and try to help others, although he is mostly seen with a frown on his face. Unlike other protagonists in Western games, Marston’s journey is one of redemption, making it a personal and emotional experience for us. The game doesn’t waste any time in explaining what’s going on: Marston is forced by the government to track down his former gang members to secure the safety of his family, whom they have apparently kidnapped. This quest brings Marston face-to-face with the lawlessness of the old West, the turmoil of his past, and the changing landscape of America.
Interestingly, while Red Dead Redemption 1 serves as a prequel to Red Dead Redemption 2, the story is best experienced after the latter. Given that RDR 2 takes place several years before the events of RDR 1, playing the first installment after the second provides the best experience. It’s worth noting that the story of RDR 1 can spoil RDR 2, as certain character arcs and plot points are already shown, including the death and downfall of certain important characters of the game.
Exploring the Dying Old West
One of the game’s most striking features is its setting. The world of Red Dead Redemption 1 is vast and filled with diverse landscapes. From desolate deserts to lush forests, the game effectively conveys the feeling of a dying Old West as World War I looms on the horizon. The game is set in the early 1900s, a time when the Wild West was rapidly becoming a thing of the past, replaced by law and order and the expansion of civilization. This transition is illustrated not just through the environment but also in the storyline, where players witness the clash between the old world of outlaws and the modernizing world of industry and government.
Though the graphics and gameplay in Red Dead Redemption 1 may appear dated by 2025 standards, for a 2010 game, they were quite good. The game’s vast open world is filled with details, and in many cases, the environment reacts to your actions. The visuals, while obviously not half as polished as Red Dead Redemption 2, still hold up well enough to maintain a high level of immersion. One thing they did brilliantly is how the maps of certain areas such as Black Water are quite same in RDR 1 and RDR 2. As you journey through the game, you get a tangible sense of the rugged beauty and desolation of the Old West. The game’s environments have an almost haunting quality, especially when exploring the frontier’s more remote corners.
A World of Immersion and Interaction
While not as immersive as Red Dead Redemption 2, Red Dead Redemption 1 still offers an impressive level of detail that makes its world feel alive. Characters react dynamically to your actions, whether it’s pointing a gun at them or shooting into thin year. This system, although primitive compared to modern standards, was innovative for its time. The characters themselves are well-written, with distinct personalities and motivations.
Unfortunately, one noticeable absence is Arthur Morgan and Micah Bell, two characters central to Red Dead Redemption 2. This is likely because they were developed much later, after the release of RDR 1, even though Rockstar had already set the basic premise for the series in mind. Still, Rockstar could have considered making some changes in the 2024 PC port. Because John owes his life to Arthur as shown in the end of RDR 2, and was one of his closest friends. He talks to multiple characters about his past with Bill, Javier and Dutch, but not mentioning Arthur feels strange, when you play the game after alreadying experiencing RDR 2.
Despite such minor drawbacks, Red Dead Redemption 1 delivers an emotionally impactful story. As someone who played both RDR 1 and RDR 2, the story of John Marston hits especially hard. Knowing the fates of several characters from RDR 2 adds an emotional layer to RDR 1. The game can break you mentally and emotionally, particularly in its final moments, making it an unforgettable experience for fans of the series.
The Legacy of Red Dead Redemption 1
When Red Dead Redemption 1 was released, it garnered widespread praise from critics and players alike. It was a major milestone in the evolution of open-world games, offering a vast world filled with things to do and explore. It also set a new standard for storytelling in video games, with its richly developed characters, intricate plotlines, and powerful emotional moments.
The game’s success paved the way for its highly anticipated sequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, which expanded on the ideas introduced in the first game and introduced more improved gameplay mechanics, better graphics, and a larger world. However, Red Dead Redemption 1 remains a classic, praised for its original contribution to the Western games genre and its portrayal of the Old West.
Final Thoughts on Red Dead Redemption 1
While Red Dead Redemption 1 might have outdated graphics by modern standards, it’s still a game worth playing, especially if you want to experience Western games and enjoyed Red Dead Redemption 2. The story of John Marston’s redemption is not only a compelling story but also a reflection of the end of an era. Due to the game’s immersive world, emotional impact, and well-written characters, it stands apart from other Western games, making it a must-play for fans of the genre.
So that’s all we have to say in our Red Dead Redemption 1 review. It remains a monumental achievement in the world of video games. While the graphics may not hold up as well in 2025, the storytelling, world-building, and emotional depth of the game make it a timeless classic that every gamer should experience. If you are diving into the RDR franchise, our only advice is that play RDR 2 before RDR 1, like we did, otherwise you will not get the best experience.
Rating; 8 out of 10 stars
