Red Dead Redemption PC Review – Better Late Than Never

After a 14-year wait, PC gamers can finally experience Rockstar’s acclaimed Western epic, Red Dead Redemption. In this review, we’ll explore how this classic title performs on modern hardware, examine the new PC-specific features, and evaluate whether this port delivers the experience fans have been anticipating for over a decade. While it may not be the remake or remaster many hoped for, this release brings notable enhancements that make it worth considering for both newcomers and series veterans.

A Tale of Redemption and Change

Released on October 29, 2024, this PC port includes both the base game and the Undead Nightmare DLC, priced at USD 49.9. The narrative follows John Marston, a former outlaw compelled by Federal Agents to hunt down his old gang members. Set in 1911, during the twilight of the Wild West, the story explores themes of redemption, loyalty, and adaptation in a rapidly modernizing world. Throughout the journey, players encounter a diverse cast of characters that bring the game’s world to life, while navigating dangerous territories and hostile groups to ensure John’s family’s safety.

The game’s acclaim stems from its compelling storytelling, rich dialogue, and immersive world-building, with even side quests offering depth through unique characters and engaging narratives. For PC players who experienced Red Dead Redemption 2, this release finally allows them to complete the saga and witness the continuation of the epic Western tale they began in the prequel.

The game also included the Undead Nightmare DLC which offers an alternate timeline where John Marston faces a zombie outbreak. While the premise might seem unusual for a Western setting, Undead Nightmare delivers an entertaining narrative that provides additional value for those seeking more content in the Red Dead universe.

Players must uncover the truth behind the zombie outbreak while helping to clear towns of the undead menace. Despite its departure from the main game’s serious tone, the DLC maintains the quality of writing and character interactions that fans have come to expect, offering a uniquely entertaining perspective on the Red Dead world.

Technical Performance and System Requirements

The PC version offers significant improvements over its console counterparts. While the original PS3 and Xbox 360 versions were limited to 720p and 30FPS, this port supports resolutions up to 4K and framerates up to 144FPS. Modern features include NVIDIA DLSS 3.7 upscaling, Frame Generation, and NVIDIA Reflex Low Latency. AMD users aren’t left behind, with FSR 3.0 support included, though without Frame Generation capabilities. The port also supports ultrawide (21:9) and super ultrawide (32:9) monitor ratios, along with HDR10 support for enhanced visual fidelity.

Testing on high-end hardware (Intel Core i5 13500, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Super, 32GB RAM) showed consistently smooth performance at 144FPS, even in crowded towns or during intense combat sequences. The improved draw distance allows for better visibility of environmental details, including trees, grass, and buildings, while shadow quality shows noticeable improvements compared to the PS4/5 version.

The system requirements remain relatively modest, making the game accessible to a wide range of PC configurations. Minimum specs call for an Intel Core i5-4670 or AMD FX-9590, 8GB RAM, and a GTX 960 or Radeon R7 360. Recommended specifications suggest an i5-8500 or Ryzen 5 3500X, paired with an RTX 2070 or RX 5700 XT. The game requires only 12GB of storage space, though an SSD is recommended for optimal performance. These reasonable requirements, combined with good optimization, ensure that even users with older hardware can enjoy the game comfortably.

Controls and Interface

Rockstar has done commendable work with the mouse and keyboard controls, addressing one of the common concerns with console-to-PC ports. The default control scheme feels intuitive and natural, while full key remapping capabilities allow players to customize their experience. The implementation is so well-executed that a controller becomes optional rather than necessary, contrary to what some might expect from a console port. The interface has been appropriately adjusted for PC usage, making navigation and gameplay feel native to the platform.

Visual Fidelity: A Mixed Bag

While the port features improved draw distances and smoother shadows compared to the PS4/PS5 version, the underlying graphics remain representative of its 2010 origins. When compared to the PS4 version running on PS5 through backward compatibility, the visual differences are minimal beyond the improved resolution and performance features. Given the USD 49.9 price point, some players might find the lack of substantial visual upgrades disappointing, as this is strictly a port rather than a remake or remaster.

The absence of more significant graphical improvements is particularly noticeable for players coming from Red Dead Redemption 2, as the visual gap between the two games is considerable. While this doesn’t detract from the game’s strong narrative and gameplay elements, it’s worth noting for those expecting a more modernized presentation.

Verdict

Despite its visual limitations, the PC version stands as the definitive way to experience Red Dead Redemption, offering superior performance, modern display support, and comfortable controls. The inclusion of Undead Nightmare adds value to the package, though the pricing might be a point of contention for some given the game’s age.

Available through Steam, Epic Games Store, and Rockstar Store, it provides PC players the opportunity to finally complete the Red Dead saga, particularly for those who experienced the prequel, Red Dead Redemption 2, on PC in 2019. While a full remake would have been welcome, this port successfully brings a beloved classic to modern PC hardware with enough enhancements to make it worth experiencing.

Red Dead Redemption

Publisher: Rockstar

Developer: Rockstar Games

Release Date: 2010-05-18

Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360

When federal agents threaten his family, former outlaw John Marston is forced to hunt down the gang of criminals he once called friends.

Experience Marston’s journey across the sprawling expanses of the American West and Mexico as he fights to bury his blood-stained past in the critically acclaimed predecessor to the 2018 blockbuster, Red Dead Redemption 2.

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