Rockstar’s July 1, 2025 Strange Tales of the West update added four supernatural and science-fiction Telegram missions to Red Dead Online, the multiplayer mode of Red Dead Redemption II. Players investigate a plague in Armadillo, artificial-life robots near Braithwaite Manor, a creature in Lagras and a missing scientist in Tall Trees. It is an update within Red Dead Online, not a separate game.
What is the Strange Tales of the West update?
Rockstar announced Strange Tales of the West on July 1, 2025, as a set of four Telegram missions for Red Dead Online. The missions bring eerie, unusual threats to familiar parts of the game world. Rockstar’s Newswire index lists the announcement; mission details and launch-era instructions were reported by GameSpot.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Red Dead Redemption 2 Xbox One | $15.43 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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X1 RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 | $26.24 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Red Dead Online Standard - Xbox [Digital Code] | $9.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Red Dead Redemption: Game of the Year Edition - Xbox One and Xbox 360 | $71.15 | Buy on Amazon |
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Rockstar Games Red Dead Redemption 2 Steelbook Edition Xbox One | $87.99 | Buy on Amazon |
What happens in each mission?
| Mission | Setting | Premise |
|---|---|---|
| Strange Tales of the Plague | Armadillo | Retrieve corpses in a town overrun by zombies. |
| Strange Tales of Modern Science | Near Braithwaite Manor | Confront artificial-life robots. |
| Strange Tales of the Bayou | Lagras | Investigate a creature lurking in the swamp. |
| Strange Tales of the Wilderness | Tall Trees | Search for a missing scientist. |
The missions offer different flavors of trouble rather than four versions of the same zombie encounter: one is a corpse-retrieval job amid the plague, while the others turn to strange technology, a swamp creature and an investigation in the wilderness.
How to start the Telegram missions
GameSpot’s 2025 launch guide reported that players could collect the “Strange Tales of the West Vol. 1” letter at a Post Office or Camp Lockbox, then open the Telegram and select a mission. These are launch-era instructions, so check the in-game Telegram and current menus for any changes.
#1 Best Overall
- From the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic tale of life in America at the dawn of the modern age.
- America, 1899. The end of the wild west era has begun as lawmen hunt down the last remaining outlaw gangs
- Winner of over 175 Game of the Year Awards
The same guide reported a 20-minute cooldown after completing a mission before another could be started, and said missions paired players with another player. Treat both details as reported behavior in 2025, not a guarantee of how matchmaking or cooldowns work now.
Are the triple rewards still available?
No. GameSpot reported that the launch promotion paid triple gold, RDO$ and XP through August 4, 2025. That period has ended; the current reward multipliers are not established here.
Rank #2
- Get exclusive access to a bank robbery mission
- A collection of exclusive story mode boosts, bonuses and discounts
- Get three weapons Free at gunsmiths
What do you need to play?
The missions are content for Red Dead Online, which GameSpot describes as the multiplayer mode of Red Dead Redemption II. They are not a standalone release. If you do not own the game, look for a copy of Red Dead Redemption II for your platform and confirm the listing includes access to Red Dead Online in your region and edition.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- The Dead Eye targeting mechanic, allowing the player to slow down time for shot accuracy
- Expansive open-world gameplay set in the final years of the American Wild West.
- Massive play area filled with NPCs, made up 3 unique regions composed of towns and outposts filled with varying characters
- Morality system based on honor and fame generated by the players actions throughout the game.
- Western themed mini-games including showdowns, gambling, hunting bounties, cattle herding and five finger fillet
Rank #3
- Step into the vibrant, ever-evolving world of Red Dead Online and experience life across frontier America.
- Join millions of fellow players in the American West, and experience a world now packed with years’ worth of new features, gameplay and additional enhancements.
- Includes Red Dead Online. Red Dead Redemption 2: Story Mode must be purchased separately.
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