Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteChoose Red Dead Redemption 2 if you want a story set in 1899 about Arthur Morgan and a fracturing outlaw gang; choose Grand Theft Auto V if you prefer a contemporary crime story told through Franklin, Michael, and Trevor. Neither is objectively the better choice: the setting, story premise, platform, and edition you want matter more than a universal ranking. If you are buying mainly for online play, compare the modes separately and confirm exactly what your selected edition includes.
At a glance: the main differences
| Decision | Red Dead Redemption 2 | Grand Theft Auto V |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | America in 1899, as the West’s outlaw era is ending | Contemporary Los Santos and Blaine County |
| Story focus | Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang, pursued after a robbery goes wrong | Interwoven stories of Franklin, Michael, and Trevor |
| Online component | Red Dead Online, with roles including Bounty Hunter, Trader, Collector, Moonshiner, and Naturalist | GTA Online, an online universe built around criminal-enterprise progression |
| Notable platform check | The PS4 game is playable on PS5, though some PS4 features may be absent | The PS5 listing advertises up to 4K resolution and 60 fps |
| Edition check | PlayStation’s standard listing includes Story Mode and Red Dead Online; its Ultimate Edition lists additional content | Rockstar’s PS5 listings distinguish the edition with Story Mode and GTA Online from GTA Online standalone |
These are different kinds of open-world stories, not two versions of the same premise. The most useful first question is whether you want the end of the American West or a present-day crime setting. The next is whether you are choosing for the single-player stories, the online modes, or both. Those preferences narrow the choice more reliably than trying to declare one game universally superior.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Red Dead Redemption 2 PS4 Brand New Factory Sealed | $23.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Red Dead Redemption - PlayStation 5 | $24.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Silent Hill 2 (PS5) | $29.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Red Dead Redemption 2 - Playstation 4 (PS4) [video game]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Nt8yEvQpL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Red Dead Redemption 2 - Playstation 4 (PS4) [video game] | $25.79 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Marvel's Wolverine PS5 | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The comparison here is about the official descriptions, settings, modes, and edition checks. Those facts establish what each game is framed around; they do not prove which has the better story, more immersive world, faster pace, or more content. Those are matters of taste unless you have other comparative evidence to rely on.
Choose Red Dead Redemption 2 for Arthur Morgan’s story
Red Dead Redemption 2 is set in 1899, with the old outlaw way of life under pressure. Arthur Morgan belongs to the Van der Linde gang, which is fleeing after a robbery goes wrong. As tensions inside the group grow, Arthur’s loyalty to the gang and his own ideals come into conflict. The setting and the gang’s predicament are linked: the story begins as lawmen hunt the remaining outlaw gangs and the era they represent is drawing to a close.
#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
The official PlayStation description frames the story around those pressures: “America, 1899. The end of the wild west era has begun as lawmen hunt down the last remaining outlaw gangs.” It also says Arthur must choose between his ideals and loyalty to the gang that raised him. That makes this the clearer fit if you want the central question to be about belonging, allegiance, and change within a group.
The central character is Arthur, but the gang matters to the premise: the official description presents internal divisions as a threat to the group, not just a problem Arthur faces in isolation. If you are drawn to stories about a person’s relationship to a community and the strain placed on that relationship, this framing may appeal. If you are primarily looking for a contemporary setting or a story shared among three protagonists, GTA V is more directly aligned with that preference.
Choose it when the historical setting and Arthur’s personal conflict are the main draw. This recommendation is about the premise and setting; it is not a claim that the game has a better story, more immersion, or a particular pace than GTA V.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Choose Grand Theft Auto V for three interwoven crime stories
Grand Theft Auto V takes place in Los Santos and Blaine County in a contemporary crime-action setting. Its story is told through Franklin, Michael, and Trevor rather than a single lead. PlayStation describes their stories as interwoven and identifies the game’s sprawling open world as Los Santos and Blaine County.
That three-character framing is the key difference in story structure presented in the official listings. Instead of choosing this game for one character’s loyalty to a particular group, choose it if the prospect of following the connected stories of Franklin, Michael, and Trevor sounds more appealing. The location is also a clear deciding factor: the game is set in the contemporary world of a city and its surrounding county, rather than 1899 America.
Rank #2
- 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.
- Also included is Undead Nightmare, the iconic horror story that transforms the world of Red Dead Redemption into an apocalyptic fight for survival against a zombie horde.
That structure makes GTA V the more direct choice if you want a present-day setting and are interested in following three connected protagonists. The recommendation rests on the official story framing, not on an unsupported claim that its story moves faster or offers more content than Red Dead Redemption 2.
Consider the content descriptors as part of the decision: Rockstar’s PS5 listing includes violence, nudity, strong language, and sexual content. If those are a concern for you or someone who will play nearby, check the rating and platform listing for your region before buying. The descriptors are a practical consideration, not a comparison of the two games’ overall tone or a complete description of every scene.
How to choose based on what you want from the story
Pick the historical outlaw story if…
- You want a setting in 1899 rather than a contemporary city and surrounding county.
- You prefer a story centered on Arthur Morgan’s relationship with one outlaw gang.
- You are interested in a conflict between personal ideals and loyalty as the gang faces internal divisions.
- The premise of a gang fleeing after a robbery goes wrong sounds more appealing than an interwoven story about three contemporary protagonists.
Pick the contemporary crime story if…
- You want Los Santos and Blaine County as the setting.
- You would rather follow Franklin, Michael, and Trevor than one central protagonist.
- You want the option of GTA Online’s criminal-enterprise progression as well as the story, provided you select an edition that includes Story Mode.
- The PS5 edition’s advertised technical features matter to you and your setup supports the version you are considering.
If both premises appeal to you, decide next by platform and edition. Those practical details can change what you actually receive, and they are more reliable buying criteria than trying to settle which game is universally “better.” Before paying, identify which mode you intend to play, confirm the platform on the product page, and read the included-content description rather than relying on the game title alone.
Online modes are separate experiences
Both games have an online component, but the modes have different descriptions and should not be treated as equivalent versions of one service. Red Dead Online’s official store description identifies roles such as Bounty Hunter, Trader, Collector, Moonshiner, and Naturalist. GTA Online is described as an ongoing online universe with criminal-enterprise progression.
These descriptions can help you identify the kind of online activity that interests you: named character roles in Red Dead Online or criminal-enterprise progression in GTA Online. They do not establish which mode has more players, receives more frequent updates, or will be supported longer. The available descriptions also do not justify treating the modes as if they have the same update cadence or long-term support. Online offerings and availability can change, so check the current platform store and service information if online play is central to your purchase.
Rank #3
- Fully Remade to terrify modern audiences
- KONAMI's intense psychological horror masterpiece SILENT HILL 2 is made exclusively for PlayStation 5
- The main protagonist James Sunderland searches for clues in the namesake town, after receiving a mysterious letter from his wife Mary… who has long been dead
- Experience the eerie monsters and other manifestations of James' consciousness reworked after 20 years
- Made with state-of-the-art technology to play on modern entertainment systems in 4K
If you are choosing primarily for the online component, do not assume that the single-player story and online mode are bundled identically across platforms or editions. First decide which online experience sounds closer to what you want, then open the exact product listing for your console or PC. Check the product name, edition, included modes, and any platform-specific requirements. A listing that says GTA Online standalone is not the same product as one that includes both Story Mode and GTA Online.
Likewise, do not infer a mode’s player population or future support from the fact that it exists. The official descriptions identify the modes and their broad themes, but they do not answer questions such as how active a particular platform’s community is today or how often a service is updated. Those details are time-sensitive, so consult current official service information before making them a deciding factor.
Do not assume that an online-only product includes the single-player game. Rockstar’s PS5 listing makes the distinction explicit for GTA V: it separates the edition with both Story Mode and GTA Online from GTA Online standalone. On PlayStation, the standard Red Dead Redemption 2 listing includes Story Mode and Red Dead Online, while the Ultimate Edition lists added content. Verify the named edition and included modes on the store page for your platform before paying.
Check your platform and edition before buying
- Choose the platform first. Store listings and features are platform-specific. Confirm that the product page is for the console or PC version you intend to play. A listing for one platform does not establish what is included in another platform’s version.
- Read the included content. For Red Dead Redemption 2, PlayStation’s standard listing includes Story Mode and Red Dead Online; the Ultimate Edition lists added content. For the PS5 version of GTA V, confirm whether the listing includes Story Mode as well as GTA Online or is for GTA Online standalone. If the story is your priority, the word “Online” in a product title is not enough to confirm Story Mode is included.
- Check cross-generation details. PlayStation says the PS4 version of Red Dead Redemption 2 is playable on PS5, but some PS4 features may be absent. Compatibility means you can play the PS4 game on PS5; it does not mean every feature is identical to playing it on its original platform. Read the platform notes if a particular feature matters to you.
- Review PC account requirements. The account requirements for GTA V on PC differ from those for console Story Mode. Check the requirements on the exact PC listing before buying; a console product description is not a substitute. Confirm the account and access requirements relevant to the product you plan to purchase rather than assuming that the console and PC terms match.
- Match the technical listing to your setup. Rockstar’s PS5 listing advertises up to 4K and 60 fps for GTA V. Treat that as a listing claim for the PS5 version, not a guarantee for other platforms, settings, or hardware. If resolution or frame rate is a deciding factor, confirm you are reading the listing for your platform and version.
- Check the current price and availability on your store. Prices, discounts, and catalog availability can change, and no fixed price comparison is established here. Compare the current platform-specific listings you are considering, making sure you are comparing products that include the same modes. A lower-priced standalone online product is not like-for-like with a full edition that includes Story Mode.
- Review regional content information. If content descriptors matter to you, consult the rating and product details for your region and platform. Rockstar’s PS5 listing includes violence, nudity, strong language, and sexual content among its descriptors; do not assume another region’s page uses identical wording.
For a physical or retailer purchase, apply the same checks: platform, edition, and included modes. A product title or search result may be abbreviated, so read the item details before ordering. Make sure it is the platform and edition you want rather than relying on a generic phrase such as “GTA V” or “Red Dead Redemption 2.”
What the sales figure does—and does not—tell you
Rockstar stated on January 28, 2020, that Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 had sold more than 150 million units combined worldwide. That is a historical combined sell-in total for the two games, not a current figure, an individual total for either game, or evidence that one is a better fit for you.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Rank #4
- 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
- Please note that although this game is Region Free or Region Unlocked and will work on all systems, this is the international version and may differ from the local version in age rating, labeling or instructions.
The figure can provide context for the pair’s commercial reach, but it cannot tell you which setting you will prefer, whether you want one protagonist or three, or which online mode suits you. It is also not a current sales update: the date and combined nature of the total matter. Use the story premise and the exact product listing, rather than an undated or misread sales number, to make your purchase decision.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Make the decision
For a story about Arthur Morgan, a divided outlaw gang, and the close of the American West, choose Red Dead Redemption 2. For a contemporary crime story connecting Franklin, Michael, and Trevor in Los Santos and Blaine County, choose Grand Theft Auto V. If online play is your priority, decide whether the named roles of Red Dead Online or GTA Online’s criminal-enterprise progression sounds more appealing, while keeping in mind that the official descriptions do not establish relative player counts or support longevity.
If you are undecided, use the edition and platform checks to make sure the product includes the story or online mode you actually want. In particular, distinguish GTA V’s Story Mode-plus-GTA Online edition from GTA Online standalone, check Red Dead Redemption 2’s listed edition and added content, and verify the relevant platform’s requirements. That is the most reliable way to turn a preference between two open-world games into the right purchase for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which should I play first: Red Dead Redemption 2 or Grand Theft Auto V?
Choose based on the setting and story structure you want. Red Dead Redemption 2 follows Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang in 1899; GTA V interweaves the stories of Franklin, Michael, and Trevor in contemporary Los Santos and Blaine County. The official descriptions do not establish that either is objectively better.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Does the PS5 version of GTA V include Story Mode?
Rockstar’s PS5 listings distinguish an edition with both Story Mode and GTA Online from GTA Online standalone. Check the exact product listing and included-content details before buying; an online-only listing should not be assumed to include the single-player story.
Best Value
- Marvel’s Wolverine is a new action-packed adventure from Insomniac Games
- Play as Wolverine and Ravage enemies with explosive brutality and unleash razor-sharp adamantium claws to deploy fast, fluid attacks and overcome impossible odds
- An Original, Emotionally Charged Story. Beneath Wolverine’s gruff exterior and violent temperament is a man fighting for a cause greater than himself
- A Global, Adrenaline-Fueled Journey where you slice into enemies across detailed locales such as the frosted Canadian Wilderness, the narrow streets of Tokyo, and the high and low districts of the island nation of Madripoor
Can I play the PS4 version of Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS5?
PlayStation says the PS4 game is playable on PS5, though some PS4 features may be absent. Compatibility does not mean every feature is identical, so check the platform notes if a specific feature matters.
Are Red Dead Online and GTA Online the same kind of experience?
Their official descriptions emphasize different things. Red Dead Online lists roles such as Bounty Hunter, Trader, Collector, Moonshiner, and Naturalist; GTA Online is described as an ongoing online universe with criminal-enterprise progression. These descriptions do not establish relative player counts, update frequency, or long-term support.
What content does GTA V include that I should consider before buying?
Rockstar’s PS5 listing includes violence, nudity, strong language, and sexual content among its content descriptors. Check the rating and platform listing for your region if those details matter to you or someone nearby.
How much did the two games sell?
Rockstar stated on January 28, 2020, that Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 had sold more than 150 million units combined worldwide. This is a historical combined sell-in figure, not a current total or an individual sales figure for either game.
Are the prices or PC requirements the same across platforms?
No fixed current prices are established here, and prices and availability can change by platform and retailer. The account requirements for GTA V on PC differ from those for console Story Mode, so check the exact PC listing and compare products that include the modes you want.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Pick Red Dead Redemption 2 for Arthur Morgan’s 1899 outlaw story, or Grand Theft Auto V for the interwoven contemporary crime stories of Franklin, Michael, and Trevor. Before buying, verify platform, edition, included modes, and any PC or cross-generation requirements—especially whether a GTA V listing includes Story Mode or is GTA Online standalone.
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.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
