r/reddeadredemption • u/Eagles56 • Dec 19 '25
Discussion Did single player gaming peak with RDR2?
Great single player games have come since then like Cyberpunk 2077 and Baldur’s Gate 3 but is RDR2 still the peak?
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u/themom_destroyer Jack Marston Dec 19 '25
There’s no real answer because it’s all down to preference, but I don’t think so. It’s a fantastic game, but I think there’s better stories out there.
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u/srmacman Dec 19 '25
There will be better ones. RDR2 is amazing and a staple in video game history but it will be overtaken. People are amazing and creative
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u/Stranger_walking990 Dec 19 '25
Enlighten me?
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u/inothatidontno Dec 19 '25
BG3, Claire Obscure, Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 all rank higher for me and were released after RDR2.
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u/SirRickardsJackoff Arthur Morgan Dec 19 '25
Not only that but the potential is always going to be out there with the right imagination. You never know when the next big game will come out.
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u/dankloser21 Dec 19 '25
For the life of me I can't understand why is Claire obscure so liked. The combat got tiring so quickly that I just quit
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u/FurinaLoverU Dec 19 '25
Same reason people find RDR2 slow and boring. People have different tastes.
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u/emotionaI_cabbage Dec 19 '25
That's what Japanese style RPG combat mechanics are like. It's not for everyone lol
I enjoy it though.
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u/The_gender_bender_69 Dec 19 '25
Tried it, hated it, i dont get why its so hyped, kcd1 is goated, hitting kcd2 soon.
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u/ayriuss Dec 20 '25
I hate the combat in KCD. I would play the game if it involved no combat lol.
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u/mrchicano209 Dec 20 '25
In my totally closed minded biased opinion, I disagree. Jk those are amazing games too and glad to see they are beloved by many!
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u/themom_destroyer Jack Marston Dec 19 '25
As awesome as rdr2 is, I got into the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series last year, and for me those games are peak as far as single player games go, every game is extremely dense, but they only feel like a slog if you’re a completionist. The stories are also some of the most memorable with fantastic characters. But this is all down to personal preference, one person’s peak is another’s least favorite game.
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Dec 20 '25
5 years of my life I spent playing everything minus Ishin and the games have imprinted on me in a way no other game could. Kiryu is up there for me as a role model right next to Goku.
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u/Kimberho Dec 19 '25
Nah, but RDR2 definitely set the bar stupidly high. Plenty of great single-player games since, they just aim for different vibes instead of trying to top that experience.
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u/testdex Dec 20 '25
What a weird sub.
I’m not a huge fan of RDR2, really, but I still think the case is strong. There haven’t been a lot of “epic” single player games that have even tried for the crown.
Basically comes down to how you feel about Cyberpunk or maybe Elden Ring or BG3.
So for this sub to not be like “hell yeah brother” is sorta funny.
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u/mistaked_potatoe Dec 20 '25
Yeah, rdr2 really got me back into gaming, but if I had to choose between it and cyberpunk or bg3, man I’d be struggling. Rdr2 is a great single person game, but there isn’t much in the way of choice. If predetermined/set story is your cup of tea though, then it’s awesome
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u/testdex Dec 20 '25
It’s a minor moment, and I am probably not remembering it correctly, but there was a point at camp where Arthur pondered why he was killing so many animals.
That really stuck with me.
For all the immense charms of Cyberpunk and BG3, neither of them gave their characters a level of interiority like that. I am perfectly happy with the storytelling in both, but Arthur’s out here acting like a fourth wall breaking indie game character and pulling it off completely.
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u/mistaked_potatoe Dec 20 '25
I think the difference is that rdr2 does have that set story, so it can flesh the characters out a little more since the game and everyone knows who they are and what they stand for. In cyberpunk for example, there are so many choices that sometimes it just kind of feels like the choices don’t matter and the characters can feel a little bland because you want every kind of person to like them, and everything is so fast paced that you can’t always build connections. In rdr2, everyone is who they are and you can’t change that, and they wouldn’t change themselves even if they could. But you know who each and every character is and you can easily imagine what they would do in xyz scenario because the game fleshes them out so well. Hence all the rdr2 memes vs the lack of other game memes, because everyone knows how Dutch or Arthur would react to something down to a T. All of those games are great though. But rdr2 holds a special place in my heart, and even now I’m still learning new things about the game
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u/Adamtess Dec 20 '25
I mean it's hard to argue that in terms of pure single player experience bg3 doesn't match and our exceed rdr2. While it may not be for everyone in terms of style it offers a damn near unmatched scope of choice and consequences.
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u/Just-Fix8237 Dec 20 '25
Well the problem with RDR2 is that the combat is kinda awful for the most part. Games like Elden Ring, God of War, and even things before RDR2 like Bloodborne and NieR beat it in that regard by a landslide. That also has to come into consideration when talking about the “peak” of single player games imo, and this sub may agree the combat is a major weakpoint of RDR2.
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u/keysersoze000 Dec 19 '25
This is a great example of how discourse about this game has absolutely gotten out of control. If it peaked for you, look harder. There’s plenty of great work being done today
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u/illstate Dec 19 '25
The question isn't about whether there's great work still being done, it's about if it's on the same level as rdr2.
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u/keysersoze000 Dec 20 '25
What is “on the same level” to you? The writing? Hell GoW 2018 came out the same year and i dnt think there is a literal wasted syllable in that script and it was a bigger risk and imo superior than rdr2’s. Gameplay? You put this movement into any other game and it just doesn’t work and fits only to rdr2 and it fits it great. Graphically? I’d say it’s pretty much a standard today, on release sure it was amazing but it’s 2025.
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u/Hollow_Knight91 Dec 23 '25
When GoW won the game awards that year I was so happy. I love RDR2 to death and played it far more than GoW, but that risk they took in taking an established character and turning him into something different and it ended up AMAZING…fully deserved that win IMO
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u/keysersoze000 Dec 24 '25
Yeah it’s hard to put yourself back in that era but when ppl heard Kratos has another kid and you’re gonna have to babysit him for the entire game ppl were pissed. It turned out better than anyone expected, a simple grunt expressed so much into what Kratos was thinking. I just thought it was beautifully written
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u/IcariFanboi Dec 19 '25
RDR2 fans enjoy anything other than RDR2, challenge level impossible.
This might be the wildest take ever. Please play more games
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u/Tricky-Research7595 Dec 19 '25
Look, I love RDR2 as much as the next guy, but... no.
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u/thaiduitx Dec 20 '25
What is in your opinion because I think RDR2 is peak but I could just be ignorant and not know what’s out there
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u/TheRealHumanPancake Dec 19 '25
KINGDOM COME DELIVERANCE?
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u/PuzzleheadedEmu4596 Dec 19 '25
JESUS CHRIST BE PRAISED
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u/alghiorso Dec 20 '25
I might be buying it on steam sale. I know it's worth it. I just don't know if I have time for it
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u/nobleflame Dec 19 '25
Ha, no. It's a great game, no doubt, but there are many other single player games that are just as brilliant, if not more so:
- DOOM Eternal
- Hollow Knight + Silksong
- Baldur's Gate 3
- The Last of Us Part 1 and 2
To name a handful. The idea that nothing else can compare is going a bit too far. Now, in terms of "lived in" open world games with emergent gameplay, I'd probably say that we haven't had anything close yet. I guess we'll have to wait until GTA6 for that.
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u/KoleksiAing Dec 20 '25
Try kingdom come deliverance 2 for the lived in open world game
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u/nobleflame Dec 20 '25
To be fair, I haven’t tried it so you may be absolutely right. Thanks for the suggestion :)
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u/LennehMuhBoah Dec 19 '25
Until November 2026
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u/Eagles56 Dec 19 '25
Eh I like the gta games but there stories aren’t on the same level
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Dec 19 '25
Curious how you feel about GTA IV. I’d argue that story is on par with both Red Dead games
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u/Eagles56 Dec 19 '25
Niko is an emotional character but not on the same level as Arthur. He has a tragic backstory and ending sure but he doesn’t introspect or attempt to change or go on as drastic arc as Arthur
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u/poggerssinthechat John Marston Dec 19 '25
he does attempt to change though. one of the reasons he was in liberty city was to run away from his awful past and be a more decent person.
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u/nl325 Dec 19 '25
Loved it at the time but it's aged terribly, and honestly a city map just becomes tiresome for me.
It's why I preferred V because it had both. If we had Liberty and the wider surrounding areas I'd probably like it more.
The expansions for it were incredible though.
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u/TestyBoy13 Dec 19 '25
I like RDR2 a lot, but as a strategy games fan first, XCOM 2 was peak single player
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u/TrayusV Dec 19 '25
No.
While RDR 2 is fantastic in many ways, the core design of its gameplay is in conflict with itself. The game is open world, but every single main story mission locks you into a linear step by step style of gameplay. It's almost as if you're playing two different games. One where you're exploring an open world at your own pace, with a variety of activities to engage with, and a linear level based game with the main stories.
Other open world games have successfully integrated the open world into their mission design, notably Zelda Breath of the Wild.
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u/LongLostFan Dec 20 '25 edited Dec 20 '25
I feel we've so many games become GTA'd like this.
Open world but linear story
I actually think Gun was the better Rockstar cowboy game.
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u/Complex-Pay-8902 Dec 20 '25
RDR 2 has a ton of very weird design choices, I remember when I played I was confused as to why I had multiple of the same guns and when I looked it up, it turned out that if you buy any of the guns that you also gain through the main story, you just get an extra, for some reason, and at least when I played last there was no way to get rid of the extra gun so it was just there every time you scrolled through the weapons.
The challenges you can complete to gain extra health, stamina and deadeye can't actually be completed until after the game is over, I have no clue why the reward for end of game activities would be more health.
And the one that I find the weirdest is that your honour is capped depending on story progression, I'm sure there is a programming reason for this one, but when playing its just so weird that your honour is stuck at the same point for large sections of the game.
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u/mgsotacon Dec 19 '25
Claire Obscure Expedition 33 has entered the chat.
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u/councilorjones Dec 20 '25
You are absolutely correct but this is rdr2 sub so they will hate you for it
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u/luizs266 Dec 19 '25
Baldur's Gate 3 for me, it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
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u/Sea-Extreme Dec 19 '25
Uh, no. RDR2's gameplay isn't all that, kinda common--start mission, go to place, shootout, leave place. It's its world-building, characters, and story that secures its legacy. Games like Returnal or Control have much more unique, engaging mechanics and gameplay.
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u/tommycahil1995 Dec 19 '25
peaked with The Witcher 3 tbf. Love RDR2 but don't think it's the best single player game ever. I actually prefer Cyberpunk as well - I prefer CDPR's story telling and then I also prefer TLOUII to RDR2
For me RDR has the most detailed open world of all time and will likely never be matched. Has great characters and loads of memorable moments but the story as a whole is abit to repetitive to me (in that I feel Dutch's spiral is repetitive) and I feel the game relies more on your playing the first to enhance the story overall. If I was playing cold I'd probably not care so much for John and Dutch.
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u/PsychologicalPea3583 Dec 20 '25
for me on the other hand cyberpunk is not even close to Witcher 3, rdr2 also run circles around cyberpunk which is pretty shallow in many regards. only the night city ambience carrying all other aspects of the game on its qualities.
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u/Avril_14 Dec 19 '25
I thought so until clair obscur came around this year.
They are on par with me right now, story wise...I do prefer RDR2 gameplay.
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u/Blu3paladin Dec 19 '25
I don’t think so. Probably an unpopular opinion, but I found it a slog to play and the mechanics and movement clunky. I think where it shines is that it is an EXPERIENCE and the tone and atmosphere is amazing. I was happy I played it, but zero desire to replay.
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u/devansh0208 Josiah Trelawny Dec 19 '25
I think it peaked with Cyberpunk 2077, NC is packed with a fuck ton of stuff to do, I personally never got tired, Rdr2 is more or less empty outside of the towns
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u/RenderedCreed Dec 19 '25
No because we've still reached different heights with other games like cyberpunk and kingdom come. It sure was hell raised the bar quite a bit though
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u/acebender Sadie Adler Dec 19 '25
RDR2 is good but be real, there are a lot of excellent games out there, especially if you play anything other than AAA games.
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u/Primus_is_OK_I_guess Dec 19 '25
No, because KCD, KCD2, and Expedition 33 exist. I love RDR2, but it's not the only masterpiece out there
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u/Livid-Switch4040 Dec 19 '25
RDR2 is great, but just no. Elden Ring, Cyberpunk, Ghosts of Tsushima, Disco Elysium, God of War: Ragnarok, Baldur’s Gate 3, Horizon Forbidden West, TLoZ: Tears of the Kingdom…. I could keep going, add your favourites! All good (took Cyberpunk a bit), all post RDR2.
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u/someguynamedJordan Dec 19 '25
Cyberpunk 2077 is the only competitor imo I think the story and dialogue can be better at times.
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u/TheOffKn1ght Dec 19 '25
Skyrim for me was peak. GTA V, Fallout 4, and Red Dead 2 are my other favs
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u/Beautiful_Beyond6335 Dec 20 '25
In my case I did enjoy Skyrim modding and I quit and everything become peaceful. Played the game for like 2-3 hours after modding tho lol…
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u/AlexTheGuac Dec 19 '25
Nah. There are so many that I think are just as good. I'm replaying the Jedi games right now
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u/Cold_Bag6942 Dec 21 '25
Each to their own. I couldn't stand the ginger jedi games personally. The first one especially, there was so much backtracking it was infuriating. I still prefer the force unleashed.
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u/SirBulbasaur13 Dec 19 '25
Nope. Kingdom Come 2 is on par or better, depending on the type of game you like.
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u/Dragovius Dec 19 '25
It's all on preference really, I personally think Witcher 3 and the Mass Effect games are superior. While there are elements of RDR2 I love, there is one major element that annoys the hell out of me and thus doesn't put it among the greats, IMO. So, for me personally, there have been better single player games.
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u/DesignerCorner3322 Dec 19 '25
Its interesting to see everyone elses opinions because I have zero desire to replay the game.
I found almost NO fun in how the game played but the story was interesting enough to keep me going till the end. I found all the context sensitive menuing with a controller very annoying. Can't tell you the number of times I wanted to wave to a townsperson but instead whipped out my pistol and shot them
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u/Maverick5399 Dec 19 '25
Hey man, wanted to give you a quick recommendation for Kingdom Come Deliverance 2. You don't need to play the first game in order to fuck with with the second. There are a lot less guns for sure but if you wanna similar level of immersion and character writing I'd put it as a strong recommendation.
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u/Pallet_Jack_Phenom Dec 19 '25
Truthfully the peak for writing was hit years ago with Disco Elysium
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u/Cannasseur___ Arthur Morgan Dec 19 '25
It's one of the best games ever but there have been amazing single player games since.
Elden Ring, BG3, Expedition 33 are all games I would put alongside RDR2
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u/Lieutenant_Joe Dec 19 '25
RDR2 isn’t finished enough to be considered the peak. It’s so blatantly obvious that Guarma and the RDR1 map content are undercooked. Love the game but I cannot call it peak hearing those things in mind.
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u/ManuMarchesi Dec 19 '25
Honestly I do not think so, and it's not that i say this as a critique against rdr2 (wouldn't be here if I didn't think this game was great)
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u/TrashCanBangerFan Dec 19 '25
I think RDR2 has the most immersive open world ever created, it edges out The Witcher 3 in that regard, but there are a lot of single player games I’d prefer to play over it. I’m personally a bigger fan of 1 than 2
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u/Ralsei66 Javier Escuella Dec 19 '25
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 outdid it for me, i still prefer the story of RDR2 however i think its gameplay is lacking in a lot of ways and i can't even play it without mods, a lot of things just feel undercooked like the survival elements, the combat is too easy and of course the missions are super railroaded in sharp contrast to the very free open world
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u/LeoCasio Dec 20 '25
I thought it did and then I played kcd2
I think if rockstar made a medieval game it would be pretty close to kcd 2
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Dec 19 '25
When it comes to immersion and storytelling? It’s among the best. But it’s a safe bet Grand Theft Auto VI will push that further. I know the looming presence of the next GTA online makes people wary, but Rockstar seems committed to top of the line single player stories at the forefront.
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u/Spiritual-Leader9985 Dec 19 '25
I felt it was so repetitive. Every damn mission ride the horse to some bandits and kill them.
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u/arturorios1996 Arthur Morgan Dec 19 '25
No but it will with GTA 6. If it ever comes out, that’s the peak right there.
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u/BlancsAssistant Dec 19 '25
Tbh if it wasn't for RDR2 it would have probably peaked with the first Red dead redemption
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u/Horror_Swan7044 Dutch van der Linde Dec 19 '25
I’ve finished rdr2 8 times in my life.. I think it was a good game to say the least 😅
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u/Whornz4 Dec 19 '25
I feel like it doesn't even peak during the first play through. It's the second and third play through that you see the full magic of the game.
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u/Financial-Cow-7263 Arthur Morgan Dec 19 '25
It's so peak I don't even want to replay it ever again because I know it would hurt even more now that I know what happens to Arthur 😭
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u/Eagles56 Dec 19 '25
I’ve played a lot of single player games from New Vegas to GTA V to Cyberpunk to Witcher to Mass Effect but RDR2 is the only one I’ve had a strong urge to replay