Red Dead Redemption 2 has a large and diverse world, but its cities, while beautiful, sometimes miss the mark when it comes to balancing good design with fun gameplay. As we look ahead Red Dead Redemption 3There are important lessons from the ups and downs of the previous game's cities. The next game needs to be able to balance the Western theme with the idea that the Wild West is ending.
Cities like Valentine get it right by being more immersive. Valentine is not just a pretty setting; it feels like a real part of the game. Its muddy streets and lively saloon give players a true taste of classic Western life, contrasting sharply with the more refined feel of other areas. This mix of life and atmosphere is crucialand for Red Dead Redemption 3It's important to create cities that are visually appealing and serve as engaging places to tell stories and interact with players.
Valentine is everything a western town should be in RDR3
Valentine is number 1
Valentine is a great example of what an Old West town should be like in Red Dead Redemption universe, and its design could serve as a model for future cities in the RDR3. The muddy streets, which show signs of recent rain or the passage of cattle, create a more realistic and lived-in atmosphere compared to cleaner, more polished environments elsewhere.
The central hall isn't just for show; is a lively place where stories unfold, characters interact, and players can enjoy classic Western activities. Valentine also has practical features such as a general store, gunsmith and doctormaking it a convenient and popular location. Its small size creates a friendly, close-knit feel, helping players feel more connected to people and the environment in a way that larger cities often can't.
General, Valentine captures the rugged, vibrant spirit of the Old Westoffering an immersive and enjoyable experience. The layout encourages exploration, with hidden alleys and locations that make it seem like there's always something new to find. It's the best way to start any Western game, but RDR3 There should be many more places like this.
Other RDR2 cities are great but flawed
These cities are world class
Although Valentine is the best designed city in the Red Dead Redemption 2other cities have their own qualities but don't compare in terms of overall feel and functionality. For example, Rhodes has a unique southern charm with its red earth, which makes it visually appealing but its plot sometimes gets in the way of the city being a practical place for players. Strawberry is beautiful with its streams and mountains, but it lacks important services like a bar and a gunsmith, making it more of a pleasant place to visit than a useful place to hang out. RDR3.
This raises an interesting point about the direction of Red Dead Redemption 3. If RDR3 It's another prequel, so the game could benefit from having one or two cities still under construction and without much to do. In this case, it makes sense that the cities don't have much going on, but there are many cities that only serve one purpose or appear for a few quests.
A prequel could delve into a time when the frontier was actively being shaped through conflict and lawlessness, or shift to a specific region that moves away from the growing influence of the East. This approach would allow cities to reflect the struggle between order and chaosemphasizing the formation of communities in a difficult world rather than disappearing, presenting a new perspective on the series.
Saint Denis and Blackwater are very industrialized
They are very modern
Although Saint Denis and Blackwater show some of the modern changes coming to the Old West, their heavy industrial climate doesn't quite match the spirit of the Old West. Red Dead Redemption series. With its big-city layout, electric lights and bustling markets, Saint Denis often feels disconnected from the cowboy worldgiving a peek into a future that feels out of place. Although realistic, the large presence of law enforcement limits the player's freedom and forces a more structured approach to gameplay, which would not work well if overdone. Red Dead Redemption 3.
Blackwater, although smaller, has a sleek, modern appearance that contrasts with the dark, lawless vibe of the setting. This creates a mismatch between its attractive design and the game's deeper themes. While these towns offer useful services and easy access to modern items, their more contemporary features detract from the authentic Old West experience. To Red Dead Redemption 3, just having one big city would be enough; the game should focus more on creating smaller, cozy towns like Valentine that feel real and are closely connected to the gameplay experience.
RDR3 needs more boyfriends and fewer armadillos
More good, less bad
To Red Dead Redemption 3 to really capture the Old West vibe and improve some problems seen in RDR2, should focus on creating more cities like Valentine, while avoiding the problems found in places like Armadillo. The goal must go beyond just looking visually accurate; the game needs to give players a reason to visit and make it feel real.
RDR3 might benefit from exploring a different time in history. Instead of the late 19th century, which shows the decline of the frontier, the game could be set in the early to mid 1800s, during the fur trade or the California Gold Rush. This would present a different perspective on the West, one centered on exploration and cultural clashes rather than the industrialization that began to take hold later.
Changing the time or location would allow the game to delve into the beginnings of frontier life rather than its decline, highlighting the freedom, danger, and possibilities of those early times. Could show how the bandits came to be, emphasizing the battle between civilization and savagery in citieswhich should be fundamental to the player's experience, and not just a beautiful setting or a place for simple tasks. In fact, it could show why the legislators came to the country and what caused it. This could mean the decline of the frontier and the emergence of bandits.
Overall, with your cities, you can tell the story and show what's happening, rather than just having locations that are there. Like Armadillo, some places aren't that fun to visit and feel like a waste. There's only one Valentine's Day in Red Dead Redemption 2which makes it less fun, so perhaps more active places to visit will help gamers Red Dead Redemption 3.