Red Dead Redemption 2 is rated M for Mature 17+ by the ESRB in the United States. A 2023 UK Games Rating Authority report records a PEGI 18 rating for Europe. These labels make the game intended for adults or older teens at the relevant rating threshold—not a general recommendation for younger teens. Its realistic gun violence, gore, disturbing scenes, sexual content, strong language, and depictions of drugs and alcohol are central considerations for caregivers.
What age is Red Dead Redemption 2 rated for?
Ratings depend on region. The ESRB says its Mature 17+ category is generally suitable for ages 17 and up; PEGI 18 is an adults-only classification. Neither number should be treated as a universal legal age. Check the rating shown for the edition and country where the game is being played.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Red Dead Redemption 2 PS4 Brand New Factory Sealed | $23.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Red Dead Redemption 2 (XBox One) | $25.16 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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X1 RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 | $26.24 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Red Dead Redemption - PlayStation 4 | $24.39 | Buy on Amazon |
| Rating system and scope | Age guidance | Stated content grounds |
|---|---|---|
| ESRB, United States | M for Mature 17+; ESRB says this category is generally suitable for ages 17 and up. | Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, and Use of Drugs and Alcohol. The ESRB also flags Users Interact and In-Game Purchases. |
| PEGI, Europe, as recorded in a 2023 UK Games Rating Authority report | PEGI 18; the report describes it as not suitable for people under 18. | Violence, bad language, and gambling; the report also notes an in-game purchases notice. |
The ESRB provides a detailed game-specific content summary. The UK authority report is a brief PEGI entry; its shorter list should not be taken to mean that content absent from that entry is absent from the game. See the ESRB rating, ESRB ratings guide, and 2023 Games Rating Authority report.
What content should caregivers know about?
Graphic violence and disturbing scenes
The ESRB describes frequent gunfights with close-up, slow-motion shots, large blood splashes, decapitation and dismemberment, severed body parts, and exposed viscera. Its summary also identifies disturbing cutscenes, including a gallows execution, suicide by gunshot, repeated electrocution, and a bound man being set on fire.
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- 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
Nudity and sexual content
Examples in the ESRB summary include exposed breasts in a brothel, a distant spanking scene with fleeting male genitalia, sexual sounds, and male nudity in non-sexual contexts.
Language, drugs, and alcohol
Dialogue includes strong profanity and a racial slur. The game depicts a drinking mini-game and intoxication that distorts the screen and impairs controls, a stimulant called Cocaine Gum, and a brief opium-pipe scene.
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
Online interaction and purchases
The ESRB flags online interaction and in-game purchases. The PlayStation Store listing describes online play as optional and says PS Plus is required for online play. The Xbox listing says console online multiplayer requires a qualifying Game Pass subscription. Check the current listing for the platform and edition you use, since requirements and availability can change: PlayStation Store and Xbox.
Is RDR2 appropriate for a 13- or 14-year-old?
The regional ratings point against suitability for a 13- or 14-year-old: the ESRB rating is 17+, and PEGI 18 is adults-only. The strongest reasons to take that guidance seriously are realistic gun violence, visible gore and dismemberment, disturbing scripted scenes, strong profanity including a racial slur, and depictions of sex, nudity, drugs, and alcohol. Some material appears in cutscenes or optional interactions, not only during combat.
Recommended Free Tools
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
How should parents decide for an older teen?
For a teen near the applicable rating threshold, use the rating and specific content descriptions as a starting point, then consider the young person’s sensitivity to those subjects and your household’s boundaries. The ratings describe content; they cannot determine how a particular teen will respond. If the teen plans to play Red Dead Online, consider online interaction, platform requirements, and family controls separately from the single-player story.
Quick Recap
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
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.
