Gameplay

   

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a western action-adventure game set in an open world environment and played from a third-person perspective, featuring single-player and online multiplayer components.[7]The game has new features absent from the previous game. For example, new mechanics such as using a bow and arrow, dual-wielding revolvers, wading in water and using a canoe have all been introduced. Wildlife and hunting in the game have also improved.

The game focuses heavily on player choice for the story and missions. During IGN's First Look preview on the topic of how player choices can affect interactions and missions, Rob Nelson, Co-Studio Head at Rockstar North said: “We try to give you options within a lot of these missions to choose how you approach it, whether you'll send your buddies in first or 

whether you'll go in first.”

Players can communicate with any NPC in ways much different from previous Rockstar games. They can choose options such as having a friendly chat, having a threatening chat in order to steal money from the NPC, or they can simply take out that character and loot the corpse.

In a further expansion of immersion, players need to take care of their equipment, such as their weapons, by cleaning them. In terms of character customization, players have the option of visiting a barber for a cut and style; however, the styles available to players depends on how much they have let their character's hair naturally grow over the course of the game.[8] Characters will have different sets of clothes for different weather conditions, have to regularly eat and bathe, and actions that were once more automatic have been greatly expanded upon in detail, including skinning a kill and examining objects.[9]

Hunting and fishing

Hunting and fishing are essential skills for survival in the wilderness, providing food, materials, and a source of income. A huge variety of fish swim the many rivers, lakes, and streams, and selecting the right bait or lure is key to a successful day's haul. Tracking an animal takes focus and patience; move carefully and watch the wind direction or players will alert their prey. The choice of weapon and shot placement is also very important and will affect the quality of the meat and pelt, which in turn affects the price that traders will pay for them. Players need to make sure to pick the right gauge of rifle for the size of the animal that they are hunting, or master the use of the bow for a quiet and clean kill. If prey is injured, they will try to escape, forcing players to continue pursuing them.

After a successful hunt, players can either skin and butcher the animal on the spot or take it with them whole. Animal skins and carcasses will rot over time if not properly tended to, and this both decreases their value while making them stink, and makes the character a target for wild animals when out of town.[10] Skins, parts, meat, and entire carcasses can all be loaded onto horses to be sold to the butchers or at the general store in town, taken back to camp for the stew pot, or crafted into clothing or other items. Trappers can craft more exotic goods for players.

Maintaining Arthur

Unlike previous Rockstar games, Red Dead Redemption 2 features hair that grows. Over time, Arthur's hair and beard will grow longer. Should the player wish to remove Arthur's beard, his beard can be either trimmed or completely shaved off at camp. If players decide they want to cut off his hair, they'll have to visit a barbershop, where the barber will cut their hair/facial hair, or style it professionally in ways Arthur can't do at camp. No hair can be "added" at barbershops in the same way as in previous games, or in real life. For example, if the player decides to shave off Arthur's beard, he will not be able to select a styled beard with a curled mustache.

In addition, Arthur can also bathe. This isn't necessary, but if the player is covered in mud or blood, NPCs will comment on Arthur's smell or appearance. If Arthur doesn’t bathe for an extended amount of time, Susan Grimshaw will forcibly make him wash at camp. Furthermore, Arthur needs to sleep and keep himself healthy, otherwise, he'll feel tired and drained of energy. If Arthur is underweight, his stamina will diminish more slowly, but his health will drain more quickly. If overweight, his health will deplete more slowly while his stamina will diminish at a faster rate. Arthur's weight is best when it's at a perfect or moderate level.

While Arthur is sick, his cores will be reduced by a fixed percentage and he will only be able to eat a limited amount of food. Arthur will only get the benefits he needs by sleeping. If Arthur eats too much while he is sick, he will start coughing immediately afterward.

Maintaining John

After completing the mission "Red Dead Redemption" the player will be able to play as John.

Over time, John's hair and beard will also grow longer. Should the player wish to remove John's beard, it can be either trimmed or completely shaved off in the bathroom at Pronghorn Ranch (Epilogue - Part One) or Beecher's Hope (Epilogue - Part Two). If the player wants his hair styled professionally, they must go to a barbershop. If the player wishes to style long hair, they must grow out John's hair/beard. Players may find John's scars to be visible if his facial hair is short.

John can also bathe. This may be just something the player can do, or serve as a function. If John is dirty and has not bathed in a while, other civilians will make comments on his smell. John needs to sleep and keep himself healthy, otherwise, he will feel tired and drained of energy.

John's weight is also a big part of maintaining his health. If his weight is average his stamina and health will not be affected. If John is underweight, he will have less health but more stamina; while if he is overweight he will have more health but less stamina.