Red Dead Redemption 2 Review: 40 Hours in the Wild West on Xbox Series X

Updated October 2026 · Played on Xbox Series X · Story completed

Red Dead Redemption 2 came out in October 2018. I finished the story on Xbox Series X in about 40 hours, and it still holds up as one of the best open-world games you can play. Here is what stood out, how it runs on current consoles, and who should pick it up now.

My verdict in short

The story: Arthur Morgan and the end of an era

You play Arthur Morgan, an outlaw in Dutch van der Linde’s gang in 1899. The gang is on the run after a robbery gone wrong, and the Wild West around them is disappearing. The story runs over six chapters and an epilogue.

For me, the story was the highlight. It takes its time, and that pays off: by the end you know the gang members well, and Arthur’s path hits harder because of it. I won’t spoil anything here. If you only play one Rockstar game for the story, make it this one.

The open world: freedom that doesn’t feel empty

The second highlight is the freedom. Between missions you can ride, hunt, fish, play poker, help strangers or rob a train. Random encounters on the road keep the world alive, and the honor system tracks whether you play Arthur as a decent man or a bandit.

What I liked most: the missions and activities rarely repeat. One evening you are herding cattle, the next you are in a shootout in a swamp town. That variety kept me going for 40 hours without it feeling like a checklist.

A note on pace

Red Dead Redemption 2 is slow on purpose. Arthur moves deliberately, looting is animated, and riding from A to B takes real time. This never bothered me, but if you want fast action, GTA V is the better fit.

How it runs on Xbox Series X and PS5 in 2026

There is still no native version for Xbox Series X|S or PS5. Both consoles run the last-generation version through backward compatibility, which means 30 frames per second. On Xbox Series X it runs in 4K and looked great to me; on PS5 it is also locked to 30 fps. If you want 60 fps or more, the PC version (since November 2019) is the only option today.

A current-gen upgrade has been rumored for a long time. Rockstar has not announced anything, and recent reports say it will come after GTA VI, which is due on November 19, 2026. I wouldn’t wait for it: the game looks and plays well as it is.

Red Dead Online

The online mode is included and still running, but Rockstar stopped major content updates in 2022. On console you also need Game Pass Essential or higher (Xbox) or PlayStation Plus to play online. I haven’t played it myself; I only watched other players on Twitch. If you only want the story on Xbox, the cheaper Story Mode edition is enough – though while the sale runs, the full game costs less. On PC (Steam), Story Mode is part of the standard version.

Who should play it

• Yes: You like story-driven games and big open worlds, and you don’t mind a slower pace.
• Yes: You enjoyed GTA V’s world but want a more serious story.
• Maybe not: You only have short sessions and want quick action.

FAQ

How long is Red Dead Redemption 2?

It took me about 40 hours to finish the story, with some side activities along the way. If you do everything, plan on a lot more.

Is there a PS5 or Xbox Series X version?

Not yet. Both consoles play the older version at 30 fps.

Is Red Dead Online still worth it?

It still runs, but without major updates since 2022.

Sources: Xbox Store (price and sale, October 14, 2026) · Steam (sale, October 13, 2026) · Softonic (current-gen upgrade, updated September 30, 2026)

Cover image – Photo: Ken Questa, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons