New Hanover is the better fit if you want to explore a state new to the Red Dead series during the main story. New Austin is the choice if returning to the frontier from the original Red Dead Redemption matters more to you—but in story mode, safe exploration there comes only after Chapter 6, according to RDR2.org’s points-of-interest guide. Neither state has an official ranking as the better destination; the right choice depends on when you want to explore and what kind of connection to the series you value.
New Austin vs. New Hanover at a glance
| What matters | New Hanover | New Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Connection to the series | One of the states introduced in Red Dead Redemption 2 | A returning state from the original Red Dead Redemption |
| Story-mode timing | Fits the main-story exploration context | Safe exploration is available only after completing Chapter 6, according to RDR2.org’s guide |
| Best fit | Players who want to explore a new-to-the-series state during the story | Players drawn to revisiting the first game’s frontier as a later-game destination |
| Wildlife and environments | Part of the game’s varied world; no state-specific species total is established | Part of the same varied world; no state-specific species total is established |
| Official state-size comparison | Not stated | Not stated |
The practical difference is chiefly one of timing and series history, not a documented contest in size, wildlife totals, or overall quality. RDR2.org’s map guide identifies five states in Red Dead Redemption 2: New Hanover, Ambarino, Lemoyne, New Austin, and West Elizabeth. It describes New Hanover, Ambarino, and Lemoyne as new to the series, while New Austin and West Elizabeth return from the original game.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Red Dead Redemption 2 PS4 Brand New Factory Sealed | $23.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Red Dead Redemption 2 (XBox One) | $25.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
X1 RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 | $26.24 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Red Dead Redemption - PlayStation 4 | $24.39 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Choose based on when you want to explore
Pick New Hanover for main-story exploration
If you are playing the story for the first time and want to spend time in a state that was not part of the original Red Dead Redemption, New Hanover is the straightforward choice. Its distinction is that it is new to the series in Red Dead Redemption 2—not that an official source has declared it larger, richer, or more complete than New Austin.
This also makes New Hanover the more practical answer for a player asking which state to explore during the main story. The available guide draws a sharp timing distinction for New Austin: safe exploration there is only possible after Chapter 6. Do not treat the two states as equally available destinations throughout story mode.
#1 Best Overall
- From the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption
- The deepest and most complex world Rockstar Games has ever created
- Covers a huge range of 19th century American landscapes
- Play as Arthur Morgan, lead enforcer in the notorious Van der Linde gang
- Interact with every character in the world with more than just your gun;Engage in conversation with people you meet. Your actions influence Arthur's honour;Horses are a cowboy's best friend, both transport and personal companion;Bond with your horse as you ride together to unlock new abilities
Save New Austin for a later return
New Austin is compelling for a different reason: it gives returning players a chance to revisit a state from the original Red Dead Redemption. That connection can make it especially appealing if you want the pleasure of recognizing a familiar part of the series. For a first-time player, it can instead work as a destination to look forward to later.
In story mode, plan around the Chapter 6 restriction reported by RDR2.org. The guide’s wording concerns safe exploration; it is not a guarantee that every route or activity is available in exactly the same way at every point. If reaching New Austin is your immediate goal, do not assume the story offers ordinary, safe access before completing Chapter 6.
Rank #2
- From the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption
- The deepest and most complex world Rockstar Games has ever created. 4K Ultra HD not available on Xbox One or Xbox One S consoles
- Covers a huge range of 19th century American landscapes
- Play as Arthur Morgan, lead enforcer in the notorious Van der Linde gang
- Interact with every character in the world with more than just your gun
How the two states fit into RDR2’s world
New Austin and New Hanover are two parts of a larger map, not isolated game modes with separate ecological systems. Rockstar Games’ September 24, 2018 wildlife feature describes Red Dead Redemption 2 as having diverse habitats and climates and around 200 animal, bird, and fish species across the game world. That is a whole-game figure; Rockstar does not assign a share of those species to either state in the cited feature.
Release-era coverage from PlayStation.Blog, published October 1, 2018, describes the game’s environmental range, including plains, mountains, swamps, and towns, as well as activities such as hunting and crafting. Those examples help set expectations for the game’s broader exploration, but they do not establish a standardized comparison of activities, terrain, or area between New Austin and New Hanover.
Rank #3
- 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 the wildlife figure does—and does not—tell you
- It supports the idea that the game as a whole offers varied wildlife across varied environments.
- It does not mean either state has around 200 species, or that one state contains more species than the other.
- It is not a state-by-state tally and should not be used to decide which state is better for hunting.
Which state is better for your playthrough?
Choose New Hanover if…
- You want to explore a state new to the series rather than revisit one from the first game.
- You want a state that fits the main-story exploration context.
- You care more about seeing what Red Dead Redemption 2 adds to the map than about returning to a familiar frontier.
Choose New Austin if…
- You have a connection to the original Red Dead Redemption and want to revisit one of its states.
- You are happy to treat it as a later story-mode destination.
- The appeal of returning to a familiar region matters more to you than exploring a new-to-the-series state earlier.
These are preference recommendations, not official judgments. Rockstar has not published a direct ranking of the states, and the cited guides and features do not supply a comparable state-by-state scorecard for landscape, activities, or wildlife.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What you can compare reliably—and what remains unknown
There is no supported basis here for saying which state is larger. The cited sources do not provide an official comparative area figure, so square-mile estimates should not be treated as established fact. Similarly, the game-wide wildlife total cannot answer which state has more animals, and general descriptions of RDR2’s environments cannot prove that one state has more exploration activities.
Rank #4
- 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 adventure.
- Also included is Undead Nightmare, the ground-breaking horror story expansion that transforms the world of Red Dead Redemption into an apocalyptic fight for survival against a zombie horde.
- Experience the epic western adventures that defined a generation
For a decision grounded in the available evidence, use the distinctions that are clear: New Hanover is new to the series and suits earlier main-story exploration; New Austin returns from the original game and, in story mode, is safely explorable only after Chapter 6 according to RDR2.org. Everything beyond that—such as which state feels more memorable or enjoyable—is a matter of personal preference, not an official verdict.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Sources and scope
RDR2.org’s map guide is an unofficial fan reference for the five-state map and the returning-versus-new distinction. Its points-of-interest guide provides the Chapter 6 qualification for safe New Austin exploration. Rockstar Games’ wildlife feature supplies the around-200-species figure for the entire game world. PlayStation.Blog’s October 1, 2018 article provides release-era context about environments and activities; it is not a current platform-availability guide.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
