Red Dead Redemption 2 has earned critical acclaim for its stunning open world, superb story, and fantastic gameplay. But not everybody is going to be able to play it right away, so if you’re looking for games similar to Red Dead Redemption 2, here’s a list that should help you out.
If you enjoyed reading this list and you’re looking for similar content, check out our games like The Witcher 3, or games like Shadow of the Tomb Raider.
If you’d prefer to just read our Red Dead Redemption 2 review and hold out for your chance to play the game, that’s cool too!
Games Like Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption & Revolver
Let’s get the obvious out the way. It goes without saying that if you’re new to Red Dead Redemption you should start with the first two games. Revolver is somewhat less important in the context of the overall series story since it isn’t really linked, but it’s still worth playing if you’re in a Wild West mood.
Red Dead Redemption, on the other hand, is a must-play. It isn’t technically required reading for Red Dead Redemption 2 as the latest game is actually a sequel. It will, however, give you plenty of context to the characters you’ll meet once you eventually do get around the second game
It doesn’t take a genius to appreciate this is as close as you’re going to come to play Red Dead Redemption 2 without actually playing it. Available on Xbox One via backward compatibility, it still looks and plays fantastically well. buy it here.
Games Like Red Dead Redemption 2: Grand Theft Auto V
Ok, so we’ve got one more obvious one here. But honestly, although the setting isn’t anything like the wild west, the world design and writing are obviously typically Rockstar. From the spectacular sandbox design to the game’s fantastic characters, this is right up there with best games of all time.
If you’re looking for an open world that rivals the quality of Red Dead Redemption 2, you can’t go wrong with GTAV. The best part about it is that since the game’s 2013 launch there’s been a wealth of content added to its online mode. There’s practically a GTA VI within all the new heist content you can now play in online, and there’s obviously thriving community playing the game.
Games Like Red Dead Redemption 2: Call of Juarez: Gunslinger
The wild west genre really isn’t as big in videos games as you’d think. Outside of Red Dead Redemption, at least in terms of contemporary offerings, there isn’t a great deal. But thankfully there is one series that’s held the baton in the absence of Rockstar Games.
Call of Juarez is an excellent FPS, and Gunslinger is series’ latest offering that’s absolutely worth playing. Circa 2013, the shooter tells the story of a legendary old bounty hunter named Silas Greaves. The narrative plays out in comic book-like flashbacks, while the gameplay revolves around gunslinger duels that play out in slow motion. Think Dead Eye but even more intense!
There are three unique game modes (story, arcade, and duel), so you can pick and chose your favorite parts of the game. You don’t, for example, have to engage in the story to just have fun with the duel mode.
Games Like Red Dead Redemption 2: The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
We can’t possibly talk about genre-defining open world games without mentioning The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Rockstar Games might be pushing the design forward with its incredible detail and world-building, but it’s not the only game to do that this generation. The Witcher 3 really is a sublime RPG, and much of what we find spectacular about Red Dead Redemption can be found in CD Projekt Red’s own masterpiece.
From the beauty of its medieval vistas to its story and characters, The Witcher 3 is a stunning experience. In fact, it’s perhaps the only open world game that can rival Red Dead Redemption 2 for narrative quality and excellent writing.
Is it a wild west game? Certainly not. But if you’re looking for a standout open world experience to rival what is likely going to go down in history as one the greatest open games ever made in Red Dead Redemption 2, this is it. There will be a conversation that pits these two against each other at some point, so now is the time to do your research.
Games Like Red Dead Redemption 2: Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West
If the notion of frantic western gunslinging is what excites you about Red Dead Redemption 2, Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West might just be the hot ticket to tide you over until you’re able to play Rockstar’s latest game.
This online third person shooter delivers a fast paced, team-based multiplayer experience in a western setting. The various character classes and game modes are firmly grounded in the period. There’s no constant progression here — you’ll pick your class and gear at the start of each game. But your performance in-game boosts your character accordingly, so it’s all skill-based.
Gameplay is split between different modes — most of them all the conventional multiplayer modes you’d expect: deathmatch, conquest, and various objective-based assault modes.
This 2010 shooter still has a community of players behind it, albeit not a very big one.
Games Like Red Dead Redemption 2: Gun
From the developers that brought us Tony Hawk Skateboarding, Neversoft’s Gun is a surprisingly great Wild West action game. Even after over a decade since its original release, Gun’s solid combat and truly excellent story still offer plenty of enjoyable gameplay for those looking for something set in the Wild West.
The narrative is a particular highlight. Written by Randall Jahnson, the brains behind The Mask of Zorro and The Doors, this is movie-grade storytelling. The score and general atmosphere of the world really nail the genre, too, and strong acting performances from the characters make this super immersive even if the graphics are dated.
There’s even a dueling mechanic to rival Red Dead’s Dead Eye. Called QuickDraw, the slow-motion aiming mechanic is super fun to use.
Games Like Red Dead Redemption 2: Hard West
Even if you’re not big into tactical strategy games, you’ll have heard of Xcom. Well, before developer Creative Forge worked on that iconic franchise they released a mechanically similar game with a very different theme. Called Hard West, the gameplay is very similar to Xcom.
The campaign is spread across eight different characters, all bound together by a mysterious baddy that’s sort of like the devil. Basically, each character has been offered a chance to avenge the deaths of their families, helped by the use of special powers. And so they do.
Players traverse a Wild West setting visiting various towns and mining for resources, as well as engaging in the developers’ signature tactical combat. There are a few interesting mechanics peppered in here that won’t find in Xcom, too.
Red Dead Redemption & Revolver
Red Dead Redemption, on the other hand, is a must-play. It isn't technically required reading for Red Dead Redemption 2 as the latest game is actually a prequel. It will, however, give you plenty of context to the characters you'll meet once you eventually do get around the second game.
It doesn't take a genius to appreciate this is as close as you're going to come to play Red Dead Redemption 2 without actually playing it. Available on Xbox One via backward compatibility, it still looks and plays fantastically well.
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger
Call of Juarez is an excellent FPS, and Gunslinger is series' latest offering that's absolutely worth playing. Circa 2013, the shooter tells the story of a legendary old bounty hunter named Silas Greaves. The narrative plays out in comic book-like flashbacks, while the gameplay revolves around gunslinger duels that play out in slow motion. Think Dead Eye but even more intense.
There are three unique game modes (story, arcade, and duel), so you can pick and chose your favorite parts of the game. You don't, for example, have to engage in the story to just have fun with the duel mode.
Grand Theft Auto V
If you're looking for an open world that rivals the quality of Red Dead Redemption 2, you can't go wrong with GTA V. The best part about it is that since the game's 2013 launch there's been a wealth of content added to its online mode. There's practically a GTA VI within all the new heist content you can now play in online, and there's a thriving community playing the game.
Gun
The narrative is a particular highlight. Written by Randall Jahnson, the brains behind The Mask of Zorro and The Doors, this is movie-grade storytelling. The score and general atmosphere of the world really nail the genre, too, and strong acting performances from the characters make this super immersive even if the graphics are dated.
There's even a dueling mechanic to rival Red Dead's Dead Eye. Called QuickDraw, the slow-motion aiming mechanic is super fun to use.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
From the beauty of its medieval vistas to its story and characters, The Witcher 3 is a stunning experience. In fact, it's perhaps the only open world game that can rival Red Dead Redemption 2 for narrative quality and excellent writing.
Is it a wild west game? Certainly not. But if you're looking for a standout open world experience to rival what is likely going to go down in history as one the greatest open games ever made in Red Dead Redemption 2, this is it. There will be a conversation that pits these two against each other at some point, so now is the time to do your research.
Lead and Gold: Gangs of the Wild West
This online third person shooter delivers a fast paced, team-based multiplayer experience in a western setting. The various character classes and game modes are firmly grounded in the period. There's no constant progression here -- you'll pick your class and gear at the start of each game. But your performance in-game boosts your character accordingly, so it's all skill-based.
Gameplay is split between different modes -- most of them all the conventional multiplayer modes you'd expect: deathmatch, conquest, and various objective-based assault modes.
This 2010 shooter still has a community of players behind it, albeit not a very big one.
Hard West
The campaign is spread across eight different characters, all bound together by a mysterious baddy that's sort of like the devil. Basically, each character has been offered a chance to avenge the deaths of their families, helped by the use of special powers. And so they do.
Players traverse a Wild West setting visiting various towns and mining for resources, as well as engaging in the developers' signature tactical combat. There are a few interesting mechanics peppered in here that won't find in XCOM, too.
About the author
Alex Gibson
Alex was a Senior Editor at Twinfinite and worked on the site between January 2017 and March 2023. He covered the ins and outs of Valorant extensively, and frequently provided expert insight into the esports scene and wider video games industry. He was a self-proclaimed history & meteorological expert, and knew about games too. Playing Games Since: 1991, Favorite Genres: RPG, Action