gaming
Loveleen Kaur / ONE37pm
By: Akaash Sharma
Updated Mar 3, 2023
8:08pm
There's an argument that Red Dead Redemption 2 is the best game ever made. Of course, that’s the highest praise you can give in this industry and many have their own opinions, but the Rockstar Games classic makes an incredible case. With that being said, it's difficult to say that any game out there is at all "like" RDR2. Some might share certain elements – the vast open world, the compelling story – but nothing truly parallels it. That didn't stop us from trying though. Below is a list of the 30 best games like Red Dead Redemption 2.
Games Like 'Red Dead Redemption 2'
Rockstar Games
1. 'Assassin’s Creed Odyssey'
Set in Ancient Greece, Assassin's Creed Odyssey is a great game that helped bring more value back to the franchise after Origins. The game features more RPG elements than ever and if you’re a fan of RDR2, that level of detail in customization is something you should be able to appreciate.
2. 'Assassin’s Creed Valhalla'
Assassin's Creed Valhalla has a setting that's fairly different from the second Red Dead Redemption game, but that doesn't mean that fans of the latter can’t enjoy the former. The world is rich with a lot of fun things to do, like fishing, taking a boat out in the water, or playing games with friends.
3. 'Borderlands 2'
Developed by Gearbox Software and released during the PS3/Xbox 360 era, Borderlands 2 is a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously with its characters and dialogue. Its script is incredible and although the story is somewhat linear and cliché, the side missions make up for it.
4. 'Call of Juarez: Gunslinger'
This game is set in 1910, just over a decade after when Red Dead Redemption 2 is set. You play as Silas Greaves, a bar patron who relives his old days through you. Not only is there a story mode, but you can also play an arcade mode and duel mode too. The strong Wild West vibes are extremely prevalent here, which makes it an extra viable pick for games like Red Dead Redemption 2.
5. 'Cyberpunk 2077'
One of the many things that Red Dead Redemption 2 does incredibly well is creating a world that really feels lived in and has its own unique atmosphere. That’s something that Cyberpunk 2077 can make a claim to too. Its launch was somewhat messy due to bugs, but don’t let that take away from how great of a game this is.
6. 'Days Gone'
Days Gone is a game set in a post-apocalyptic world that is infested with zombie-like creatures. It isn’t the most original concept for a game, but it’s pulled off incredibly well here. Traversing the world feels dangerous and the twists in the story are more than enough to keep you captivated.
7. 'Dying Light 2 Stay Human'
This is a zombie game and a parkour game all in one. If, for some reason that isn't enough to make you want to play it, Dying Light 2 Stay Human has a similar thing to RDR2 where even once the story's done, the gameplay is so engaging that you’ll not want to put it down.
8. 'Elden Ring'
The RPG game that took the world by storm. Elden Ring, like many RPGs, doesn’t hold your hand throughout the game and while the gameplay style is very different here, that’s something that Red Dead Redemption 2 fans might be able to appreciate.
9. 'Fallout: New Vegas'
Released in 2010, Fallout: New Vegas is a bit of a spinoff from the series, but it retains some of the magic that made fans fall in love with the series at the same time. If what you love the most about RDR2 is being stopped by a compelling character on your way back to camp, then this cast of characters and storytelling will definitely satisfy you.
10. 'Far Cry 5'
The fifth game in the Far Cry series pits you as somewhat of an outlaw, although in a different setting to the late-19th century Wild West. There are multiple ways for the story to play out and as usual with this series, the dynamic characters are what propels it to that next level.
11. 'Ghost of Tsushima'
Ghost of Tsushima puts you in Japan during the first Mongol invasion and it does that incredibly well. You'll genuinely feel like a samurai living vicariously through Jin Sakai and the beautiful environment captures you like nothing else.
12. 'God of War'
For a game that gives you an immersive experience with interesting characters and rich environments, you can’t go wrong with 2018’s God of War. Kratos and Atreus' relationship is one of the best between a parent and child in gaming. With the sequel coming out later this year, now’s the perfect time to give this a try.
13. 'Grand Theft Auto V'
Of course, Rockstar Games' other gaming giant needs to make an appearance here. Red Dead Redemption 2 certainly took itself more seriously than GTA historically has, but that doesn’t mean that if you liked the former you won’t be able to appreciate the latter. For games like Red Dead Redemption 2, this Rockstar Games staple is most definitely worth adding to your playlist if you still haven't given it any attention since its 2013 launch.
14. 'GUN'
This game doesn't exactly boast the graphical power of Red Dead Redemption 2, but its style of gameplay will still scratch the same itch. It's a Western game where you can hunt animals, kill people, and must escape law enforcement if you do so. This throwback pick on our list provides a proper cowboy-themed experience that's great for those on the lookout for quality games like Red Dead Redemption 2.
15. 'Horizon Forbidden West'
Horizon Zero Dawn got acclaim from both fans and critics for how great all of its individual elements were and how well it brought everything together. If your favorite part about Red Dead Redemption 2 is feeling like you’re escaping to a different world, you’ll get the same benefit from both Zero Dawn and Forbidden West.
16. 'Hunt: Showdown'
Hunt: Showdown is a unique entry on this list because it's solely a multiplayer game. You are a bounty hunter who must hunt bounties to win. The game, just like RDR2, is set in the 1890s, so the environment and tone of it will feel somewhat familiar to you. Since RDR2's online multiplayer suite leaves a lot to be desired, this unique multiplayer shooter is perfect for those needing to get their fix via other games like Red Dead Redemption 2.
17. 'Kingdom Come: Deliverance'
Where Red Dead Redemption 2 is a captivating look at life as an outlaw in the 1890s, Kingdom Come: Deliverance does the same thing for medieval times. You’re tasked with finding food and shelter, plus fighting for survival if need be.
18. 'L.A. Noire'
Like the aforementioned GTA V, L.A. Noire is another game also made by Rockstar. As the name suggests, you take control of an LAPD officer who investigates various mysteries. Depending on how well you do this, the story will unfold in one of many different ways.
19. 'Mad Max'
Mad Max sees you playing as Max Rocketansky, a former police officer in a post-apocalyptic wasteland who is trying to build the Magnum Opus so he can reach the Plains of Silence where he can find peace. The game isn’t as confusing as that made it sound and battling with gangs might give you RDR2 flashbacks.
20. 'Mafia II'
Mafia II has some similarities to Red Dead Redemption 2 in that it’s played from a third-person perspective in an open world. There are also consequences for your crimes in the same way that RDR2 has its honor system. But it also gives a different feel as you're trying to ascend the ranks amongst crime families.
21. 'Marvel’s Spider-Man'
Before the release of Marvel's Spider-Man, the title of best superhero game likely went to one of the Batman games for most. This game took what made something like Arkham Asylum so great and refreshed it for our friendly neighborhood "Avenger." Swinging around New York is just as fun as riding on horseback through the West.
22. 'Mass Effect 3'
Mass Effect 3, and really the entire trilogy, is similar to Red Dead Redemption 2 in only a few ways, but they're key. Its ensemble of characters is incredibly fun to interact with and makes the game feel more full than your average one. Play this one via the Mass Effect Legendary Edition!
23. 'Max Payne 3'
Aside from being developed by Rockstar, Max Payne 3 shares some other key similarities with Red Dead Redemption 2. They both feature incredibly layered central protagonists that you feel honored to step into the shoes of. They also both feature slow-motion bullet-time mechanics.
24. 'Red Dead Redemption'
This may seem like the obvious choice, but you’d be surprised how many people have played RDR2 and never touched its predecessor. This is the game that RDR2 is a prequel to and there's a great payoff with some moments that we won’t spoil for you.
25. 'The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim'
What many like about Red Dead Redemption 2 is the amount of time you’re able to invest in the game with it still rewarding you back and the same goes for Skyrim. The world is even more vast and the side quests can feel just as fulfilling as any other game’s main missions.
26. 'The Last of Us Part II'
This game's story split fans straight down the middle, but that's what makes it so incredible. No game has ever made players feel quite like this one had, with its conflicting characters that made gamers question themselves throughout. Like RDR2, this is a gaming experience like no other. Of course, check out Part I before you try this out.
27. 'The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild'
Breath of the Wild is credited with being not only the best Zelda game but one of the better open-world games out there. While there’s a story to play, you can complete it in a nonlinear order and you essentially get rewarded for exploring the world.
28. 'The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt'
In this article's introductory paragraphs, we acknowledged that it could be argued that RDR2 is the greatest game of all time…well, here's another candidate. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is another game where there is a vast open world to experience and you can travel from one end to another on horseback.
29. 'theHunter: Call of the Wild'
As its name suggests, theHunter: Call of the Wild is the perfect game to play if you specifically liked the hunting portions of Red Dead Redemption 2. It takes those kinds of mechanics to the next level and you can even bring some friends in to enjoy the fun with you here.
30. 'Weird West'
You can think of Weird West as an indie development studio's version of Red Dead Redemption 2 that doesn't take itself anywhere near as seriously. Perhaps after the turbulent story featuring Arthur Morgan, this Western game is something that will still feel familiar but take the edge off too.
Slide 1 of 3
- The 22 Best Games Like ‘Terraria’
- The 19 Best Games Like ‘Among Us’
- The 25 Best Games Like ‘God of War’