Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) is an action-adventure game developed by Rockstar Games. Set in the Wild West, you play as Arthur Morgan, a member of the notorious Van der Linde gang. This guide will cover the control layouts, major mechanics, and gameplay tips to help new and returning players.
Control Layouts
Basic Controls
- Move: Left Stick
- Look Around: Right Stick
- Sprint: Tap X/A while moving
- Jump: Square/X
- Crouch: Press L3
- Interact: Triangle/Y
- Aim: L2/LT
- Shoot: R2/RT
- Reload: Circle/B
- Change Camera: Press the Touchpad/View button
- Pause Menu: Options/Menu button
Horse Controls
- Mount/Dismount: Triangle/Y
- Move: Left Stick
- Sprint: Tap X/A
- Slow Down: R1/RB
- Rear: R1/RB + X/A
- Calm Horse: L3
- Horse Inventory: Hold L1/LB
Combat Controls
- Aim: L2/LT
- Shoot: R2/RT
- Cover: R1/RB
- Melee: Circle/B
- Dead Eye: Press R3 + L3
- Weapon Wheel: Hold L1/LB
- Select Weapon: Right Stick
Major Mechanics
Health, Stamina, and Dead Eye Cores
There are three cores in RDR2: Health, Stamina, and Dead Eye. Health represents your character’s overall vitality, Stamina affects your ability to perform physical tasks, and Dead Eye allows you to slow down time and mark targets in combat.
- Health Core: Regenerates health over time. Drain rate is affected by your weight, weather, and clothing.
- Stamina Core: Regenerates stamina over time. Drain rate is affected by your weight, weather, and clothing.
- Dead Eye Core: Regenerates Dead Eye over time. Drain rate is affected by your weight, weather, and clothing.
To maintain these cores, you’ll need to eat, sleep, and consume tonics.
Honor System
Your actions in the game affect your Honor level, which ranges from -8 (lowest) to +8 (highest). Positive actions like helping strangers and donating to camp will increase your Honor, while negative actions like robbing and killing innocents will decrease it. Your Honor level affects the game’s story, NPC interactions, and can unlock special outfits and discounts.
Horse Bonding
Bonding with your horse improves its stats and unlocks new abilities. You can bond with your horse by riding, grooming, and feeding it. There are four bonding levels, each with its own benefits:
- Level 1: Basic commands and stats.
- Level 2: Rear ability and improved health and stamina.
- Level 3: Skid turns, skid stops, and further improved health and stamina.
- Level 4: Drift ability, faster response to commands, and maximum health and stamina.
Hunting and Fishing
Hunting and fishing are essential activities in RDR2 that provide food, materials, and income. You can hunt animals using weapons or lures, and fish using a fishing rod and bait. The quality of the animal carcass or fish caught depends on your hunting/fishing technique and the weapon used.
Crafting and Cooking
Crafting and cooking allow you to create items like tonics, ammunition, and meals that provide temporary or permanent stat boosts. You can craft items at campfires or the gang’s camp using recipes and materials collected from hunting, fishing, and looting.
Camp Management
As a member of the Van der Linde gang, you’ll need to maintain and upgrade your camp. The camp’s overall condition affects your gang members’ morale, which in turn affects their willingness to contribute to the camp’s funds. You can upgrade the camp by donating money and materials to the camp’s ledger.
Tips for New and Returning Players
- Save often and maintain multiple save files to avoid losing progress due to unforeseen events or decisions.
- Take care of your horse, as losing it can be costly and time-consuming.
- Explore the world and engage with strangers, as they often provide valuable side missions and rewards.
- Loot bodies and houses for valuable items, ammunition, and crafting materials.
- Pay attention to your cores and maintain them to ensure optimal performance in combat and exploration.
- Practice using Dead Eye in combat, as it can be a game-changer in difficult situations.
- Experiment with different weapons and outfits to find the best combination for your playstyle.
With these controls, mechanics, and tips in mind, you’ll be well-prepared to dive into the world of Red Dead Redemption 2. Enjoy the immersive gameplay, engaging story, and vast open world as you experience life in the Wild West.
