Red Dead Redemption (PS5) Review – Behind The Times

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It’s fun to revisit Red Dead Redemption, and I recently played it again on my PlayStation 5. I’ve played it on both PS4 and PC over the last few years, so I was interested to see if this new PS5 version offered anything special that would make me want to buy it again – just for the experience of it.

The first game sets the stage for Arthur’s story in the second, and seeing so much of that groundwork in the prequel makes it a fascinating lead-in to one of the most highly-regarded games of recent years. That’s why I was thrilled to finally play it on a modern console.

The valleys ahead now seem even more inviting, bathed in the warm and welcoming light of the sun.

Problems appear very early in the game, leading me to wonder if it was worth releasing this “enhanced” version at all. Rockstar is clearly focused on GTA VI and maybe even starting work on Red Dead Redemption III, but that doesn’t mean they should release a compromised version of one of their most popular games.

I might be being too critical, because the game definitely has some strong points. The updated textures and lighting, for example, really draw you into the world. Red Dead Redemption looked great when it was first released in 2010, and this current-generation update does a fantastic job of making it feel new again.

The valleys ahead now seem even more inviting, bathed in the warm glow of the sun. Sunlight also realistically reflects off your character and the people you’re talking to, a detail that wasn’t possible before due to older technology.

The game runs incredibly smoothly, making both exploring the world and fighting feel great. Loading screens are fast – you’ll be in a new area almost instantly when fast traveling. The improved frame rate also made aiming and shooting much easier; I rarely even needed to use the slow-motion targeting system because I could land headshots so consistently.

The impressive textures and lighting actually highlight how old the character models and their facial expressions look.

While the game is already fantastic and these improvements make it even better, there are still a few drawbacks. Despite the beautiful graphics the PS5 allows, it’s frustrating that you can’t customize them. Even on the PS5 Pro, you’re limited to the default settings, which is a bit annoying considering how close to perfect the game already is.

Despite the beautiful textures and lighting, the game’s character models and animations look noticeably old-fashioned. Even with realistic sunlight, it’s clear that the characters don’t measure up to modern standards and feel like relics from a much earlier generation of games.

Honestly, one of the things that really pulls me out of the experience is the lip-syncing – it’s just off a lot of the time. And the characters’ faces? They barely move when they’re talking! I get this is an older game getting a fresh coat of paint for 2025, but these things really shouldn’t have made the cut. It just feels like a missed opportunity to make the conversations feel truly alive.

Okay, so the game had a few little flaws, but nothing that ruined it for me. Honestly, I could overlook them. What really bothered me, though, was the opening cutscene – it messed with the audio balance and I ended up missing some dialogue. Throughout the game, the music and sound effects would sometimes completely overpower the conversations, pushing them into the background. It happened a lot, and always at the worst possible times, which was super frustrating!

Honestly, the game could’ve felt so much smoother if they’d just tweaked a few things in the menus and controls. It felt like it wasn’t quite taking full advantage of the power of modern consoles, and a little polish in those areas would’ve made a huge difference.

The game didn’t really utilize the features of my PlayStation controller – the vibrations and trigger feedback – which was a missed opportunity to make things feel more immersive. I also ran into some frustrating issues that felt like they belonged in an older game. For example, controlling my horse felt imprecise, and one of my companions stubbornly refused to run for cover during a battle, just standing there and taking damage.

Considering both the flaws and the improvements, I’m left wondering if Rockstar could have pushed further to deliver a more refined experience for modern consoles. Simple improvements to the menus and controls would have made the game feel truly optimized for current hardware, rather than just an upgraded version of an older title.

The enduring popularity of Red Dead Redemption speaks volumes about its quality, especially considering the success of its sequel. Few games hold up as well over time, and the fact that this is the third release in just three years is significant. It tells a compelling story with thoughtful explorations of life in the Old West, and the redemption John Marston seeks may not be the happy ending players anticipate.

Despite being well-made, this game feels like a missed opportunity. Considering its history and how beloved it is, Rockstar should have fully remade it to ensure its lasting appeal. The game’s continued popularity clearly demonstrates the potential that was left untapped.

If you’re new to this series, don’t hesitate to start – you’ll likely love it and want to play the next game!

Plus, the technology needed to revitalize older games is now readily available. Current and upcoming gaming consoles are powerful enough to create excellent remakes, offering a modern experience for classic titles.

Successful remakes of classic games like Demon’s Souls and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater demonstrate a clear demand for updated versions of older titles, making a remake of Red Dead Redemption a worthwhile possibility.

Honestly, this new version of the game feels pretty disappointing. It doesn’t feel like they actually tried to make something great for longtime fans or introduce the game to a new audience. It just feels like they’re trying to get more money out of us. Unless you really want to play it again, I’d probably skip it if I were you.

If you’re new to the Red Dead Redemption series, this is a great place to start! It’s an enjoyable game that will likely make you want to play the next one. While it could have been even better, it’s currently the best version available.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

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2025-12-05 18:49