Ways Red Dead Redemption 2 Perfected the Wild West Genre
Once Upon a Time in the West…. and Its Cities
Thinking about Wild West films and other mediums that depict the genre, images of the open frontier, scenic vistas, and endless prairie always comes to mind. However, one thing that can sometimes get passed over is the bustling day-to-day life in the towns and cities that pop up as people migrate west.
From tiny towns like Valentine to the bustling city of Saint-Denis, every location in Red Dead Redemption 2 feels alive and lived in. The main thoroughfare in town is trodden with countless horseshoe marks and footprints, while dust kicks up from passing wagons. Citizens go about their daily lives running errands or going to work, dogs roam the streets barking as you ride by, passersby greet you and you can do the same with a simple “howdy.” Being able to interact with each and every NPC goes a long way in making Red Dead Redemption 2’s world immersive, and every single town or city in the game feels wholly unique, and not copy pasted in any way.
Finding a new town also just feels exciting, with the promise of new weapons and items, new quests, and new people to meet. It helps add to the sense that you really are exploring the Wild West, and these pockets of civilization are a relief to find in the vast openness of the game’s world. Strolling into town atop your horse after days in the wilderness feels like a scene straight out of a western.
