Red Dead Redemption 2 is slated for release this fall, but what can we expect when it hits on PS4, Xbox One and (hopefully?) PC? I recently replayed Red Dead Redemption on Xbox One to try and remember what, exactly, made this game so incredible. What struck me immediately was how well it’s aged, or at least how well the backwards compatibility was handled. The lighting in particular was impressive, and the large open world remains one of the most well-defined in all of gaming.
But we can expect the Red Dead Redemption 2 release to deliver a gorgeous game that makes the most of the current generation of consoles. But I think there are a few features from the original that still haven’t been duplicated to the same degree by anything contemporary. And when I wishlist the features I’d want in RDR2 I’d have to put one above all else: gambling.
Red Dead Redemption featured an amazing gambling system. There were several different game types, and the stakes changed from town to town in a way that mirrored your current skill level. In most cases gambling wasn’t the most efficient way to make money, earning a $100 purse could take several intense rounds of Texas Hold ‘Em and that time would’ve been better spent running down bounties. But there was a lot of character in your fellow players, although it had limits. Better consoles will mean better AI, so tougher opponents will likely have deeper personalities too.
Like a lot of other open world games, Red Dead Redemption featured a fame and reputation system. Your deeds had consequences that changed the way the world reacted to you. In the Wild West, a lot of reputation could be had as a gambler. Moreso than what the first Red Dead Redemption dishes out. The Red Dead Redemption 2 release could fix this and give players incentive to chase glory without violence and build a rep that could rival any gunslinger. Especially if Rockstar incorporates a cheating system similar to the first game. Getting caught meant it was time to draw guns in the street. There should be room for more of the same in Red Dead Redemption 2 .
And, assuming we do get gambling in Red Dead Redemption 2 , we better get a lot of it. I’d love to see more games than just blackjack, Texas Hold ‘Em and Liar’s Dice. Let’s work in casino type settings, like riverboat gambling, that serve as a vehicle for rotating house games. They could double as targets for high-profile heists too.
Do you want to see gambling in Red Dead Redemption 2 ? Or should it have a focus on sidequests and buried treasure? Let us know in the comments!
