Is Red Dead Redemption 2 a prequel? RDR vs RDR2
Yes. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) is a prequel: it is set in 1899, twelve years before the first game, and its epilogue leads straight into it. Red Dead Redemption (2010) follows former outlaw John Marston in 1911 as the government forces him to hunt down his old gang. RDR2 follows Arthur Morgan, another member of the Van der Linde gang, during the gang's collapse.
How the stories connect
RDR2 shows events that the first game only mentions: the failed Blackwater robbery, the gang's flight across the country and why its members split up. John Marston is a key character in RDR2, and its epilogue leads directly into the start of the first game. Playing RDR2 first means you meet characters before you hunt them in RDR.
Main differences
| Red Dead Redemption | Red Dead Redemption 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Release | 2010 | 2018 |
| Hero | John Marston | Arthur Morgan |
| Setting | 1911, end of the Old West | 1899, the gang's final years |
| World | Southwest US and Mexico | Larger map; includes much of the RDR1 area |
| Online | Older multiplayer mode | Red Dead Online |
RDR2 also has more detailed systems: camp life, honor, horse bonding and survival needs.
Which to play first
Either order works. Release order (RDR first) keeps some revelations from RDR2's perspective intact. Story order (RDR2 first) shows the gang's history before John's story. Most new players start with RDR2 because it's more modern and easier to find on current platforms.
FAQ
Can I play RDR2 without playing RDR1?
Yes. RDR2 is a prequel and explains everything you need.
Is Red Dead Redemption the first Red Dead game?
No. The series started with Red Dead Revolver (2004). Red Dead Redemption (2010) is the second game and RDR2 (2018) the third, even though its story comes first.
Should I play RDR or RDR2 first?
Either works. Story order starts with RDR2; release order starts with RDR.
Is the original Red Dead Redemption available on modern consoles?
Yes. It was re-released on PS4 and Switch in 2023 and on PC in 2024, and on December 2, 2025 native versions with Undead Nightmare came out for PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2 and mobile (via Netflix).