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For a first playthrough that follows the story’s fictional timeline, play Red Dead Redemption 2 first and Red Dead Redemption second. Rockstar Games’ official store page describes Red Dead Redemption 2 as a prequel set in America in 1899, and describes the original as its predecessor. If you would rather play the games in the order they were released, start with the original. Both orders work; they trade a chronological story for the experience of meeting the original’s story first.
Story order: play Red Dead Redemption 2 first
This is the order we recommend for most players, and it is editorial guidance drawn from the games’ story chronology. Rockstar does not publish a required play sequence for the two games.
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- Start Red Dead Redemption 2. Its story is set in 1899, earlier than the original game’s events.
- Finish its main story before moving on, so the prequel’s events and characters are fresh when the second game begins.
- Start Red Dead Redemption, which Rockstar’s store page calls the predecessor to Red Dead Redemption 2. It follows the later Marston story, which the prequel sets up.
Rockstar’s official Red Dead Redemption store page describes the sequel as “a prequel to the 2018 blockbuster, Red Dead Redemption.” That single line is the clearest official statement of the two games’ relationship, and it is the reason the chronology points to the newer game first.
Release order: play Red Dead Redemption first
The original Red Dead Redemption came out in 2010, and the prequel followed in 2018. Playing in that sequence means the original game presents its story before the later-made prequel adds context about the characters, places and events that lead into it.
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- 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
This choice suits players who want the experience of a game’s original release, with its reveals arriving unspoiled by a later prequel. It is a reasonable alternative, not a mistake. Rockstar does not prescribe it; it is simply the order the games were released.
Where Undead Nightmare fits
Undead Nightmare is optional additional single-player content. Rockstar’s current Red Dead Redemption page confirms that it is included with the current official Red Dead Redemption offering. Our practical suggestion is to play it after you finish the main Red Dead Redemption story, but this placement is a recommendation, not a required sequence, and it does not change where the two main games fall.
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- Get exclusive access to a bank robbery mission
- A collection of exclusive story mode boosts, bonuses and discounts
- Get three weapons Free at gunsmiths
Red Dead Revolver: keep it outside the core order
Red Dead Revolver is not part of the two-game Redemption order in this guide. The official pages for Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2 establish the relationship between those two games, but they do not settle Revolver’s continuity or canon status. Treat any claim placing Revolver in this timeline with caution unless it comes from a source that addresses that question directly.
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| Preference | Suggested order | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Follow the story’s fictional chronology | Red Dead Redemption 2, then Red Dead Redemption | Starts with the earlier-set prequel (1899), then moves to the later Marston story. Based on Rockstar’s store descriptions of the two games. |
| Follow the games’ release sequence | Red Dead Redemption, then Red Dead Redemption 2 | Experiences the original game before the later-made prequel adds context. This is editorial framing of the release order, not a publisher-prescribed sequence. |
| Include the optional extra mode | Finish the main Red Dead Redemption story, then play Undead Nightmare | Keeps the optional additional content after the main story. Rockstar’s official page confirms the content is included; the placement itself is a suggestion. |
Platforms and editions to check
Rockstar’s current Red Dead Redemption page lists the following platforms:
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- 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
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- Nintendo Switch 2
- PC
- iOS
- Android
- Netflix
Which editions are sold, whether a given edition bundles Undead Nightmare, and whether the physical or digital format is available all vary by platform and region. Check the edition and platform in your own storefront before buying. A platform appearing on the list does not by itself change the play-order advice above.
Whichever order you choose, the two main games should be played as described: Red Dead Redemption 2 first for story chronology, or Red Dead Redemption first for release order.
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- Prodotto creato con attenzione ai dettagli
- I tuoi contenuti di tua scelta sono sempre in primo piano, The comprehensive package includes:; Original Red Dead Redemption game with a brand-new hardcore single-player mode
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