A Strong PC Port Demonstrates Red Dead’s Enduring Appeal in 2024

After fourteen years, Red Dead Redemption has finally made its debut on PC, and it’s truly the ultimate way to experience Rockstar’s celebrated open-world Western. Working alongside co-developer Double Eleven, Rockstar has introduced several graphical enhancements and upgrades that make this version the most stunning and fluid of Red Dead Redemption to date. These visual enhancements only serve to highlight a remarkable story that has clearly stood the test of time.

I’ve immersed myself in around 20 hours of gameplay, traversing the game’s main regions with all settings set to maximum on an ultrawide monitor. It’s nothing short of breathtaking. When Red Dead Redemption hit the scene back in 2010, its atmospheric depth was widely praised, and that immersive quality hasn’t diminished in the least. The rhythmic sound of hooves echoing across the open plains as dawn breaks through the morning clouds is as mesmerizing now as it was back then. Such moments are frequent, and the enhanced visuals and performance elevate these experiences even further.

The most noticeable improvement has to be the extended draw distances. Back when the game was confined to the Xbox 360 and PS3, anything beyond John Marston’s immediate surroundings seemed to have a blurry haze over it. Now, the PC port uses its superior capabilities to sharpen those details, giving a much clearer image. With the additional support for native 4K resolution, the game hardly shows its age. Sure, a few side characters and some of the collectible herbs scattered throughout the frontier might still appear a bit rough around the edges, but those are easy to overlook when you’re galloping through the golden fields of West Elizabeth.

The true standout, however, is the support for ultrawide displays. Viewing this expansive world through a 21:9 aspect ratio feels like a natural extension of Red Dead Redemption’s cinematic vision and themes. As you approach Fort Mercer during the game’s opening, the scene seems right out of a classic film by Sam Peckinpah or Clint Eastwood. The broader perspective delivers a sense of isolation and emptiness that aligns perfectly with the game’s atmosphere.

That said, the ultrawide format does come with one drawback: the cutscenes remain fixed at a 16:9 aspect ratio. Understandably, altering them to a wider format could disrupt the composition of some scenes, but it’s unfortunate that players aren’t given the option to choose, especially when mods have already resolved this issue. Experiencing those iconic cutscenes in full cinematic ultrawide, without the need for mods, would have been a fantastic addition.

Despite all the positives, the PC port does feel a bit basic. Notably, it excludes the original multiplayer and cooperative elements of the game, similar to the 2023 Switch and PS5 versions. While the cost and effort of reviving multiplayer might have deterred Rockstar and Double Eleven, it’s still a loss, given how those multiplayer aspects paved the way for the success of GTA Online. Back in the day, Red Dead’s multiplayer modes attempted something ambitious by integrating social elements, and it’s a shame that aspect is absent here. Another missed opportunity is the lack of a photo mode, especially considering the visual enhancements that a photo mode could have highlighted beautifully.

What struck me the most, however, revisiting Red Dead Redemption wasn’t so much the polished graphics or smoother performance, but the outstanding storytelling. The game tackles complex themes with an authenticity that remains compelling. The characters, though some are short-lived, are rich, witty, and full of life. Many cleverly reflect the vices, virtues, and legends of the American Dream and the wild frontier. From Nigel West Dickens, embodying the archetypal snake-oil salesman masquerading as a noble capitalist, to Landon Ricketts, the washed-up gunslinger tangled in his own savior complex, each character enriches the narrative. Although John’s bloody journey for redemption is essentially a series of errands, the vibrant characters and sharp dialogues keep it engaging throughout.

The Mexico chapter, in particular, stands out because of its tangled politics and shifting loyalties. Marston is the epitome of American interventionism, bouncing between factions to track down his former gang member Bill Williamson, a mission that feels trivial compared to the surrounding chaos and strife. It’s a sobering experience watching John assist both sides of a violent revolution, but this tension underpins the game’s themes and its impactful conclusion. Marston’s journey is filled with simplistic yet endearing philosophical musings about freedom, war, morality, human nature, fatherhood, and masculinity.

Red Dead Redemption truly is an epic that holds its own among the greatest Westerns ever created. If you’ve never experienced it, the PC edition is a fantastic opportunity to dive in. However, for those who have already played through it or picked up the 2023 PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch version, there’s little new beyond the visual enhancements.