Red Dead Redemption 2 vs. GTA V: Which is Better?
Gameplay
Unless you live under a rock, you know that RDR2 and GTA V were both made by Rockstar Games. As such, they both feature very similar gameplay mechanics. The differentiating factor among the two revolves around their setting and other gameplay features.
Grand Theft Auto V starts out with the advantage due to a certain lack of restriction brought due to the time period each game is set in. Los Santos’ modern-day setting allows for more guns and traversal options (planes, cars, bikes, etc.) than presented in Red Dead Redemption 2’s old west setting. While traveling on trains and horseback adds a certain ambiance to RDR2, it can’t beat driving a car 100 MPH down a freeway, weaving in and out of traffic in GTA V.
Just because GTA V features more guns and travel options doesn’t mean that its gameplay is outright better though. Despite the time period restrictions the Red Dead prequel faces, combat is much more satisfying in it, albeit sometimes stiff. The returning Dead Eye mechanic trumps Michael’s version of the skill in GTA V easily, allowing Arthur to select multiple targets and specific body parts, instead of just slowing down time.
When it comes to actual story-driven gameplay, the random encounters and side missions in GTA V are equally as fun as RDR2’s Stranger missions and side quests. Leisure activities, on the other hand, are much different in the two Rockstar titles. While tennis and darts may be interesting, they don’t hold a candle to the wealth of mini-games laced throughout Red Dead Redemption 2. Fishing, hunting, poker, train robbing, and duels are simply a taste of all the extra things you can do in RDR2.
While Grand Theft Auto V has its setting to thank for gameplay variation, it still fails to hold up to the crazy amount of things to do in Red Dead Redemption 2, and the fun you’ll have doing it. Time has also allowed Rockstar to fine-tune aspects shooting mechanics for RDR2, making gunfights even more fluid and enjoyable.
Winner: Red Dead Redemption 2
