Red Dead Redemption is up there with the greatest games of all time. It feels like it’s been overshadowed by the release of its prequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, especially as the original game was pulled from PlayStation’s online service back in October of last year. The game is set in 1911 and sees outlaw John Marston kidnapped by agents from the bureau of investigation, who force him to hunt down his former gang members in exchange for the return of his family.
Fans are desperate for Rockstar Games to give the original game a new lease of life as it’s very much part of one saga alongside Red Dead Redemption 2. There have been no official announcements from Rockstar Games on the possibility of a remastered version, but if it did happen, here's what it would ideally entail.
Don't Remake It—Remaster It
The original Red Dead Redemption game blew fans away when it was released in 2010 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Gaming has come a long way since then, and as good as the game is, it could do with a lick of paint to stand alongside the quality of its prequel, Red Dead Redemption 2.
The content of the game is still very good, so Rockstar Games shouldn't do a full remake of it as that would step on the toes of the original. However, a remastered version would be just what the fans need.
Connections To Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 is widely considered to be the better game of the two in the Western franchise. It was released in 2018, compared to the original game's release in 2010. The advances in technology since then give the prequel the obvious advantage over its predecessor. However, the storyline and content of the game are also considered superior by fans and critics alike.
Any remaster of Red Dead Redemption must include connections to its prequel in order to link them more intrinsically than they already are. All it would need is a few Easter eggs and tweaks to dialogue and side quests planted throughout the story. If a remaster was to happen, gamers would likely want to play these story-heavy games back to back so extra added links are a must for any updated version.
Teaser For Red Dead Redemption 3
Many fans don't feel that a third installment of the Red Dead Redemption saga is necessary, but due to the overwhelming success of Red Dead Redemption 2, a sequel or prequel to it feels inevitable. A sequel would probably work better as the universe needs to be expanded beyond the first two games' narratives.
A remaster could make tweaks during the game to suggest there's more to the story, or it could create a brand-new epilogue to set up events in a third outing. Any future installment would technically be a sequel to the first game anyway, so there would be no need to make alterations to Red Dead Redemption 2, which fans consider to be close to perfection as it is.
Better Graphics
Red Dead Redemption 2 is a stunning visual masterpiece, so any remaster of its predecessor would have to really up its game to reach those levels. It's not that Red Dead Redemption has terrible graphics, but it doesn't stand up against the beauty of the game that followed it.
It was released in 2010, so there's been 13 years of advancement in technology. This means that the potential for a revamp is very exciting indeed.
Advanced Multiplayer Modes And Online Feature
Multiplayer gaming is a completely different experience from what it was back in 2010 when Red Dead Redemption was released. If Rockstar Games chooses to remaster this game, they need to make the multiplayer options stand out against its counterparts and competitors. Red Dead Redemption 2's multiplayer options are vast and impressive, so the remaster needs at the very least be equal to it.
The online feature for games is massive right now with Grand Theft AutoOnline being a resounding success for Rockstar Games. Red Dead Redemption 2 does have its online features but pales in comparison to that of GTA 5. Having said that, Rockstar would have to introduce an online option for a remastered version of Red Dead Redemption, otherwise it would stand no chance of competing in the current market, with fans depending so much on the online gaming experience.
Avoid Mistakes Of The GTA Trilogy Remaster
Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy -The Definitive Edition was released in 2021, and fans of the franchise were severely disappointed with it. This is an ongoing concern for fans of Red Dead Redemption as they wouldn't want similar mistakes to happen with a remaster.
However, the remaster of Grand Theft Auto was managed by Grove Street games. A potential remaster of Red Dead Redemption would likely be handled by Rockstar Games themselves, which would provide comfort to worried fans. If there's an announcement that Grove Street Games would be handling it, that is when the alarm bells should start ringing.