Rockstar Games has been slow to release the PC port forRed Dead Redemption, seemingly to avoid repeating the disastrous launches of its past. Compared to the two years fans had to wait to get their hands on a PC version ofGTA 5, the year since the re-release ofRDR1on Switch and PS4 might not seem as bad.
While it’s still ways off from release given an official announcement hasn’t been made about it yet,there’s still reason to speculate about what features Rockstar should, or might even include in the upcoming port. With the release ofRDR1on PC beingdiscovered through a leak, there’s still more time to flesh out a PC port,ensuring a higher level of quality without as many bugs and performance issues.
10Unlimited Frame Rates
Taking Advantage Of Superior Hardware
One of the greatest advantages the PC community has over its console counterpart is the freedom to run games at any refresh rate. While lower FPS isn’t as noticeable on consoles, it makes a world of difference with a monitor close to players' faces. Going hand in hand with other aspects of visual fidelity,frame rate alone can bring an older game likeRDR1to new heights with buttery smooth gameplay.
Limiting frame rates with V-Sync or other software can help eliminate unwanted screen tearing for high fps gameplay.
Frame rates tend to be a challenge for older titles, with developers tying certain code to the refresh rate being a common practice for console-only releases. With the PC version having an extra year in the oven compared to the PS4 and Switch ports,the developers have had plenty of time to iron out any of these unwanted, butoccasionally hilarious bugs.
9Upscaled Resolution & Ultrawide Support
Compatibility For Players With Every Size Display
While the 1080x1920p resolution is still prevalent these days, many players have begun to opt for 2K, 4K, and even Ultrawide displays. Over time, the intimidating price tags of these upgrades have gotten a lot more manageable, with higher resolutions being more affordable than ever.More resolution options mean even more players can enjoy the classicRed Dead Redemptionexperience in all its glory, on top of being great for sales.
Larger monitors benefit much more from having higher resolution rates.
Larger resolutions are for more than just allowing the use of bigger monitors without losing clarity, as they can create a much more immersive experience thanks to their cinematic feel. GivenRed Dead Redemption 2already has ultrawide support, there’s hope that it could be ported over to the new PC port with relative ease.
8Customizable Keyboard Controls
Tailoring The Controls To Player Needs
With such a wide range of PC hardware and peripherals, most games need
Aiming with a mouse and keyboard is a fantastic upgrade compared to the limitations of a controller,being able to move with much more precision and speed than a simple joystick. On top of the benefits of a mouse, keyboards are also incredibly versatile in their layouts and customization options. IfRDRwants to be a successful hit on the PC, Rockstar will want to incorporate custom keybinds intoRDR’ssettings menu.
Is Red Dead Redemption Cross-Platform & Does It Have Crossplay?
Red Dead Redemption will finally be playable on all modern consoles once again, but the lingering question is, will its multiplayer modes return?
Thankfully, for players on PCs, they don’t need to rely entirely on Rockstar as much for these changes toRDR1.The Steam modding community always has plenty of controller and keyboard configurations available for players using unconventional controllers, or simply want more freedom in how they play on a keyboard. Outside of Steam and other primary apps, there are plenty of third-party software options for players looking to escape the confines of a limited control scheme.
7Full Steam Achievement Support
Being one of the more likely additions to the PC port ofRDR1, full achievement support is still a major support for any re-release. With the recent console port already having achievements with cleaned-up visuals and enhanced resolution compared to the original,it’s a fairly safe bet that achievement support will be coming in full to the PC release ofRDR1as well.
10 Hardest Achievements In Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 is a sprawling open-world game with a lot of achievements, but there are the most difficult ones to get in all of RDR2.
Not only do achievements act as an incentive for players to keep playing after having already beaten the game, but they add even more to the community aspect of a release.Completionist and achievement-hunting forums are great for developers, as they tend to keep games alive longer than normalwhile boosting community engagement.
6A Lower Price Tag
Bringing In A Wider Audience Of Players
One of the biggest sources of criticism for theRDRconsole port was its high price tag with little to no improvements to the game.The $50 entry price on release is a tough wall to get past for many players, especially given it lacks many of the critical features that made it such a success. Thankfully, the Steam storefront stands for having constant sales that provide incredible discounts for players on the lookout.
While the additional zombie DLC comes free with the port, it lacks the iconic multiplayer functionality from the original game.
Given the digital-only format of the PC,fans hoping to get a cheaper copy will have to wait for a sale from a verified seller to get a safe and significant discountinstead of getting a second-hand copy. With a lower price tag from sales and discounts, the barrier of entry for new and old fans alike becomes much smaller, causing a boost in player count and sales for this genre-defining cowboy shooter.
5Higher Quality Visuals
Making Use Of The PC’s Unlimited Capabilities
With the PC’s lack of firm hardware limitations, developers can push the fidelity of their games without worrying about how an older console will handle them. Unfortunately for fans ofRDR2’s stunning visuals, it’s going to take some time to get used to the visual style of the originalRDR1.While the PC edition won’t be a full remaster compared to the console port,there’s still room for developers to add small visual enhancements that makeRDRmore palatable.
It’s Good That Red Dead Redemption On Switch & PS4 Isn’t A Remaster
Imperfect as it is, a Red Dead Redemption rerelease on Switch and PS4 is better than a complete remaster. The game isn’t broken, so why fix it?
Higher refresh rates and resolutions are already a great start to bringing life to an older title likeRDR1, but texture upscaling and features like advanced anti-aliasing can make for a more visually appealing experience. Many fans were severely disappointed by the lack of a full remaster for theRed Dead Redemptionport given its high price tag. For players still wanting a next-gen visual experience,it’s common for dedicated members of the community to create shaders and texture packs that feel like complete overhauls with the right settings.
4Returning Cut Content
An Easy Way To Add More Value Or Future DLC
Red Dead Redemptionhas a few missions and other content that never made it into the final release way back in 2010, but it’s never too late to bring it back. While the missing details might not seem like much compared to the massive amount ofcut content inRDR2, there’s plenty of source material to carry over into the new port.Some of the unused content was actually given a second chance in theRDR2prequel, including fully equipped steamboats and strange missions involving some lively characters.
The Stranger Mission “The Smell of Grease Paint” is directly inspired by a cut mission from the first game involving a mountain giant.
Even if they don’t arrive alongside the port’s release,there’s still plenty of incentive for the developers to add back cut content,especially if it comes in the form of paid DLC. The addition of never-before-seen stranger missions or locations would give long-time fans more incentive to purchase the game again, instead of just picking up a used copy of the original or emulating it on PC.
3Easter Eggs From RDR2
Taking Advantage Of The New Timeline
Players get to explore the Van Der Linde gang during its prime inRDR2, seeing what John Marston went through leading up to the events of the firstRDRgame. After experiencing both games, players will get a better understanding of thefranchise’s full timeline.With the re-release ofRDR1,the developers can add even more details that tie the games together, including more references to Arthur Morgan and the relationships they built duringRDR2.
Not adding any additional throwbacks to the prequel would be a massively wasted opportunity.
No matter the extent, not adding any additional throwbacks to the prequel would be a massively wasted opportunity, even if it was just a couple of voice lines or tombstones scattered throughout. Similar to the hope for cut content, the developers at Rockstar Games could easily add additional missions tying back to RDR2 at launch or as DLC.
2Additional Modding Functionality
An Opportunity For Near Endless Content
One of the absolute best things to come of any PC release is the modding community and their contribution to a game’s replayability. From hilarious model swaps to content worthy of being official DLC,mods can easily pump more life into an older title likeRDR. While the absence of multiplayer is a big hit for many fans wanting to relive old memories, it means fans likely won’t need to worry about getting banned for modifying any files.
Some asset mods may be easily transferred over fromRDR2without having to wait too long for new content.
If the developers at Rockstar don’t take measures against modding, players can attempt to salvage some of the aspects fans wanted the most in a true remaster ofRed Dead Redemption. From graphical overhauls to entirely new content,an open world game likeRed Dead Redemptionis the perfect playground for modders to bring their ideas to life. Given the already prevalent modding community forRDR2, some asset mods may be easily transferred over fromRDR2without having to wait too long for new content.
1Online Multiplayer
The Biggest Missing Piece Of The Original RDR
Online multiplayer is the biggest aspect missing from the newRed Dead Redemptionport, being the biggest complaint by fans of the game.The multiplayer modes and open world freedom ofRDR1made for incredibly memorable experiences, with players engaging in Mexican standoffs, robbing banks, or starting turf wars in epic battles with friends and strangers alike. The inclusion of the Undead Nightmare expansion helps somewhat ease the absence of the mode, but it doesn’t make up for the disappointment felt by many fans at its removal.
The developers at Rockstar Games do have a track record for delaying their content releases, with the online mode forGTA 5releasing two weeks after the original game came out. While there’s no telling if the developers will give in to the fans' desire to add multiplayer toRed Dead Redemptionon PC at a later date, there’s always a slim chance a dedicated community may decide to add the functionality back themselves.
Red Dead Redemption
Red Dead Redemption is an action-adventure western game from the developers at Rockstar San Diego. A sequel to Red Dead Revolver, Redemption, takes place in 1911 and follows former outlaw John Marston, who must now track down former posse members across the old west after the government kidnaps his family.
