Highlights

  • Red Dead Redemption 2's immersive mechanics, such as hair growth and weapon maintenance, contribute to its overall immersion and realism.
  • The GTA 6 trailer hints at a similar level of immersion, with detailed environments and realistic NPCs, suggesting the game may double down on simulator mechanics.
  • GTA 6 could potentially incorporate elements from RDR 2, such as character health and weapon cleanliness impacting gameplay, as well as building on RDR 2's weapon customization systems.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is Rockstar Game's most ambitious title to date. It was a massive step up from Grand Theft Auto 5 and its predecessor in terms of immersion and presentation. Many of the mechanics in RDR 2 are simulator-esque. Arthur's hair and beard grow slowly, and the player must keep him and his horse clean. The player's character is also impacted by their health, what they eat, and several other factors. Now that Grand Theft Auto 6 has been announced for 2025, fans are left to wonder how the lessons learned in making Red Dead Redemption 2 will impact its gameplay.

Grand Theft Auto 6 is the most anticipated game right now. Its reveal broke many records, and even though it's at least a year away, fans are already extremely excited. This is for good reason too. The GTA 6 trailer shows a version of Vice City that is rendered in incredible detail. The wide variety of NPCs, the level of detail in the world, and the sense of realism achieved in the trailer are a step above any game on the market right now. With all the immersive elements shown in the trailer, it would seem that GTA 6 is likely to double down on many of the simulator mechanics introduced in RDR 2.

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Red Dead Redemption 2: 14 Powerful Quotes By Dutch Van Der Linde

Dutch van der Linde always has powerful words to say across Red Dead Redemption 2, whether that's to show his descent or his pride.

Guns Helped to Make Red Dead Redemption 2 Immersive

Most people would point to Red Dead Redemption 2's huge map, detailed characters, or lifelike animals when citing the elements that make it immersive, but its gunplay is also a big part of it. Arthur gets worn out at different paces depending on the status of his health and whether he is well-fed or not. When Arthur tires out, his aim gets shaky, which makes combat more difficult. All of Red Dead Redemption 2's systems work in tandem, impacting one another in subtle and mostly unseen ways. On top of taking care of Arthur, the player also has to maintain his weapons.

How Does Weapon Maintenance Work in RDR 2?

Weapons in Red Dead Redemption2 get dirty over time as they are used. The player can go to the gunsmith to have them cleaned or carry gun oil with them to manually clean weapons on the go. RDR 2's guns function differently depending on their cleanliness. Dirty guns do less damage and are more likely to jam. The accumulated grime is also visible in each weapon's appearance, which is especially noticeable in first-person view. In combination with how Arthur's self-care impacts his ability to fight, Red Dead Redemption 2's weapon maintenance makes the game's gunplay some of the more immersive in any modern title.

What Could GTA 6 Learn From RDR 2?

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While Grand Theft Auto 6 probably won't feature any of Red Dead Redemption 2's best guns, it will almost certainly carry over and build on many of its immersive features, including its gunplay. Having things like the character's health, fitness, and the cleanliness of their weapons impact the way the gun's function all seem like a logical inclusion. It would also make a lot of sense for Grand Theft Auto 6 to build on RDR2's weapon customization systems. RDR 2 is set in the late 1800s, and weapon technology has come a long way since then. GTA 6 could allow players to pick from different scopes, and various other accessories for their weapons as well as different cosmetics. This would let every player cater their arsenal to their own needs.

Grand Theft Auto 6 will likely borrow many of RDR 2's gameplay systems. The game's trailer indicates that it is also trying to provide an immersive experience, so it would only make sense for it to iterate on what Rockstar started in their previous game. Immersive elements would also help to make the new online mode more engaging and long-lasting, which will surely be a priority for Rockstar, considering the success of GTA Online. GTA and RDR have been building on one another for over a decade now, so, in the future, it seems likely that Grand Theft Auto 6 will influence Red Dead Redemption 3 in similar ways, too.