It isn’t easy to keep the same quality of work as the years go by. This is especially true when it comes to the topic of the gaming industry. Even legendary studios like Visceral Games, Square Enix, and such miss their mark, either due to corporate oversight or some other reasons. But there’s always an exception. In this case, it is Rockstar Games. Headquartered in New York City, the company was founded in 1998 as Take Two’s subsidiary. Since then, it has developed and published some of the most iconic video games in gaming history.
Each generation has that one game that defines their childhood. For some, it was Pokemon on Gameboy, others mention Super Mario Bros., and then there are those who say GTA. Ever since its release in 1997, the Grand Theft Auto series has remained an exemplary example of the capabilities of the studio and the creative minds behind it.
But simply producing one iconic series wasn’t enough for this company. And so they went on to create the Red Dead Redemption franchise. The rest is history itself. Released on May 2010, Red Dead Redemption saw an overwhelmingly positive reaction from both critics and fans alike. A testament to Rockstar’s skills and passion. Today, that game sits at a crisp 95 on Metacritic, one of the highest scores on the website. Yet!
Sequels are always tough to do. Be it movies, books, or in this case – Video Games. Irrespective of the art, creating sequels is hard for creators. Especially if the first one receives high praise, this acclaim generates pressure for the next one to be good so as not to shatter audiences’ expectations. Rockstar Games knew this and tried to deliver an experience that would even top the first one.
And by the gods, they delivered one of the best gaming experiences in modern gaming history to date. Red Dead Redemption 2 showed the wider video gaming sphere that Rockstar was still on their A game. A studio that promises and delivers (unlike a certain company that overpromised and underdelivered a buggy mess). A prequel to the first RDR in a story sense, Read Dead Redemption 2 received universal acclaim with a 97 Metascore on Metacritic. A score gained by few and surpassed by even fewer.
It isn’t easy to fill a void left by your favorite book, movie, or video game. But it is not impossible also to find ones that can. If you are reading this article, there must be a question on your mind, hovering day and night. What now? What game to play now that I have finished Red Dead Redemption 2? Lucky for you, we have created a list of 33 games like Red Dead Redemption 2 to help you.
33 Games Like Red Dead Redemption 2 You Will Enjoy
The story of Arthur Morgan may have ended, but yours still goes. It’s time for you to search out new tales to experience and new adventures to take part in. Let us accompany you on that search as you navigate through stories to tell to your friends and family. Here are the most amazing 33 games like Red Dead Redemption 2 to play.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild
Developed by Nintendo EPD with assistance from Monolith Soft, Breath of the Wild was Nintendo’s comeback to form. After the failure of Wii U, the company needed a one-of-a-kind game to pair well with their upcoming console – Nintendo Switch. BOTW showcased the capabilities of the Switch and that Nintendo was still capable of innovating. On Metacritic, the game sits at 97, the same as RDR 2, receiving universal acclaim based on a total of 109 critic reviews.
As always, the story of BOTW follows the struggles of Princess Zelda and Link. It also serves as a “soft” reboot of the franchise due to the ever-so-confusing Zelda timeline. The game showed what a true open world feels like, even allowing non-linear gameplay. Want to fight the ultimate boss from the start? Yes, you can! Want to just travel and see the sights? Yes, you can!! A perfect game to quench that open-world thirst. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of The Wild can be downloaded from the Nintendo E-shop, provided you have a Nintendo Switch, The sequel has been announced for next year, so it’s the perfect time to pick it up and play.
Horizon Zero Dawn
Dinosaurs are cool and all, but what about robot dinosaurs?? Releasing in the same year as Breath of The Wild, HZD was developed by Guerilla Games and published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. Featuring an open world, you play as Aloy, a hunter outcast from her tribe.
Guerilla’s second new IP after the Killzone series, Horizon Zero Dawn, proved to be a success for the studio, considering they had to cancel another game to put their entire team on this one. The game’s combat, visuals, and open-world design were highly praised by the critics, and the company would expand more on the sequel.
Horizon Forbidden West
The highly-anticipated sequel to the “robot dinosaur” game, Horizon Forbidden West, graced the PlayStation stores on 18 February of this year. Aloy continues to be the protagonist in this one as we follow her on her journey to save the planet. Guerilla Games have announced an expansion for the game, set to release in April of next year.
Horizon Forbidden West features a bigger open world this time, along with an improved combat experience for the players. In simpler words, the game is an appropriate upgrade to the Horizon franchise. HFW is guaranteed fun, and with a Netflix show in the works, the IP is bound to rake in more fans.
Ghost of Tsushima
Do you want to feel the cool breeze on your brow as you get ready to strike the enemy using your katana? And do you want to do it as a lone Samurai?? Well, Ghost of Tsushima allows you to do all that and much more. Published by Sony Interactive Entertainment, the game was developed by the guys behind Infamous and Sly Cooper series – Sucker Punch Productions.
The story follows Jin Sakai as he goes on a path to save the island of Tsushima from the clutches of deadly Mongols. A love letter to samurai cinema and Japanese culture, Ghost of Tsushima is Sucker Punch’s chef-d’œuvre. The detailed environments, along with the smooth gameplay, especially the melee combat, make this one a recommended play. And if you happen to be an Akira Kurosawa lover, Ghost of Tsushima features a mode inspired by him called – Kurosawa Mode and a legends mode. So, if you like what you have heard so far, go over to the PlayStation store and download it right now.
Cyberpunk 2077
A polarising choice, to say the least. CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077 was a topic of much controversy during its release, deservedly so. It once again proved why pre-ordering games is always a bad idea. It further demonstrated that hyping a game too much is always detrimental to both the staff and the game. However, since then, the studio has apologized, along with putting out updates to fix the bug show that was Cyberpunk 2077.
Initially released on 10 December 2020 on Windows, PlayStation, and Xbox, the game was CD Projekt Red’s most anticipated game since Witcher 3. As the updates have rolled by, the game has got most of its bugs and issues fixed. Right now, it sits at a good 86 on Metacritic. Cyberpunk’s story follows our protagonist V as he or she( dependent on your choice ) struggles to keep his sanity in check following an implant installed into his/her body. If you like a dark, mature story, Cyberpunk 2077 is right up your alley. Plus, the release of Edgerunners has generated a lot of interest in the game, so checking it out wouldn’t hurt.
God of War (2018)
Another Sony Interactive Entertainment published game, God of War (2018), was Santa Monica Studio’s comeback in the industry. Granted, they didn’t go anywhere, but after an eight-year-long silence from the studio, it was nice to see them back. And what a marvelous comeback it was! Cory Barlog and team gave a masterpiece to the loyal fans of the God of War series. With great combat, intriguing stories, and outstanding voice acting from the cast, GoW deserved every bit of praise it got.
Receiving universal acclaim with a 94 Metascore on Metacritic, based on 118 critic reviews, God of War was Santa Monica’s greatest game yet. A major part of the praise goes to the story Barlog and the team said to the players. Seeing a more mature Greek God of War, Kratos tries to connect with his son as they go on a quest to scatter the ashes of Faye, Kratos’s wife, and Atreus’s mother, from the highest peak in the nine realms. It’s a gritting story about love and family. The connections we create and the trials and tribulations we encounter trying to keep them away from shattering. You will not be disappointed by this game.
God of War Ragnarok
It isn’t every day that we see a sequel triumph over the first. But God of War Ragnarök did exactly that. Released in November of this year, Ragnarök shattered everybody’s expectations of it. A masterpiece through and through, Santa Monica did not disappoint. Ragnarok received universal acclaim for its amazing story, along with the cast’s acting and soundtrack. As its predecessor, it stands at a great 94 on Metacritic based on 140 critic reviews.
For now, the story of Kratos and Atreus concludes here. The Norse saga of the franchise has seen its conclusion, too, with the release of Ragnarok, literally. If you have played the first one, this one is an easy recommendation. If you are still not satisfied so far, check out our review of the game.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
The “latest” installment in the Assassin’s Creed franchise, Valhalla, takes on the Viking culture this time. It’s a Ubisoft game so expect a chock-full of side quests and beautiful graphics. Aside from that, the story is serviceable. Not amazing or anything. But then again, Ubisoft isn’t known for its deep stories.
Valhalla got its release on November 10, 2020, and was primarily handled by Ubisoft Montreal. It’s a good open-world game that is further aided by, as said earlier, pretty graphics. And it is quite an upgrade in quality from the previous Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. A sequel to the game has been announced for 2023, so it’s the right time to pick up the game.
Marvel’s Spider-Man
Out of all the top three consoles, it seems that Sony has quite the monopoly in great open-world games. The web-swinging sweetheart of New York City came swinging his way onto the PlayStation consoles on September 7, 2018. Activision, who previously held the title, was let go by Marvel and gave the game’s rights to Sony and Insomniac. A wise move, to be honest.
Marvel’s Spider-Man was highly praised for its gameplay and main story. The game on Opencritic received an amazing 95% Critics Recommended based upon 177 critic reviews. A Parasite Movie Ending Explained: What Happened To The Kim Family? version is also available on PC, so if you are in the mood for some web-swinging action, swing right over to your app stores and buy the game. This one, too, has a sequel coming out sometime next year.
Days Gone
Another Sony title, Days Gone, presents the story of Deacon St. John, an outlaw biker, as he and his wife and friend try to survive a mysterious virus ravaging the world while turning people into zombies. It was created by Bend Studio, a first-party developer for Sony PlayStation.
Days Gone wasn’t exactly highly praised by the critics. It got mixed reviews on Metacritic with a Metascore of 71, based on 109 critic reviews. A large part of the criticism was focused on repetitive missions that the game had. However, if you enjoy riding motorcycles and killing zombies, give Days Gone a try.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CD Projekt Red’s breakout title, Witcher 3, cemented the Polish studio as a gaming icon in modern gaming history. While the previous two games were just kind of ok, it was the release of Witcher 3 in 2015 that allowed them to sit on the “big guy” table. Inspired by Andrzej Sapkowski’s novels of the same name, the franchise generated a massive and loyal fanbase after the release of Witcher 3.
TW3 tells the story of Geralt of Rivia, a witcher, and his adopted daughter, Ciri. It is a great action RPG, the likes of which are seldom found in the ever-increasing gaming market. Scoring a mighty rating on Opencritc, this is a game you wouldn’t be disappointed with. Plus, CD Projekt has announced a remake of the series, along with a myriad of Witcher projects. And with Henry Cavill leaving the Netflix show later, it will be exciting to see what the future holds for the IP.
Death Stranding
One of a kind, literally. Death Stranding, born from the mind of the enigma that is Kojima, is a game that, still to this day, has very polarizing views. Even Cyberpunk, to a degree, has managed to steer towards the “good” side of the discussion but not this one. Birthing a new genre known as Strand or Strand Type Death Stranding is Kojima’s creativity incarnated.
After parting ways with Konami, Kojima created his game studio – Kojima Productions. Death Stranding was the first game to come out of the studio. Released in 2019 and published by Sony, the game received a strong critic rating on Opencritic with an 83 top critic average based on 199 reviews. In DS, you play Sam Porter Bridges, played by Norman Reedus, who is a courier deliverer on his journey to connect the isolated colonies of the United States. A stunning game in terms of graphics and story, Death Stranding is a game worth trying.
Metal Gear Solid 5: The Phantom Pain
Kojima’s last game with Konami before he severed ties with them, MGS 5 is the last “true” Metal Gear game in the series. The game had its web of controversies, including the biggest one about the Kojima – Konami dispute. It even led to Kojima’s name being erased from a future release of the game content and promotional material. Aside from all this, MGS 5 is a great game on its own. One that gave a last hurrah to the series before Konami decided to ruin its legacy, unintentionally or not.
Kojima’s Metal Gear Solid 5 received high praise for its narrative and gameplay. It redefined the stealth genre, which to this day is hanging on life support, aided only by the Hitman franchise. The game allows you to tinker with its open world, do innovative and goofy things with your gadgets, and so much more. A masterpiece at all levels, MGS 5 is one game you should try before you die.
Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
If Todd Howard could, he would even sell Skyrim on your phones. It would be a cardinal sin not to mention Skyrim on this list. Like Minecraft, Tetris, Super Mario Bros., and such, Skyrim has turned into a classic title that will be forever etched into the annals of gaming history. And it also happens to be one of the best-selling games of all time.
Sequel to the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Skyrim was released on November 2011 on PC, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3. Developed by Bethesda Games Studios with Todd “16 times the details” Howard serving as its director, Skyrim’s philosophy of allowing the player to do whatever they want to make it such a successful game. And who can forget the impeccable voice acting in the game? Even Todd said, “Yes, I was in the chess club” Howard lent his voice to it. Now, if you happen to be in the mood for some good-old action RPG with voice acting to die for, go download the game right now.
Genshin Impact
With its ever-expanding world and the cast of characters, Genshin Impact is at its prime right now. The story has never been so good in the game. And the soundtrack is just on another level with each new content drop. A little different from the games in this list so far, Genshin offers its own features.
Mihoyo’s favorite child right now, Genshin Impact, continues to dominate the live-service open-world genre. Now we know that the anime aesthetic is not everybody’s cup of tea; it has so much love and passion put into it that it’s honestly admirable. The game has faced criticism around the gacha model along with its endgame problems. But if you are willing to overlook these issues, give Genshin Impact a try.
Red Dead Redemption
What better way to enjoy a sequel than playing the first one? Released eight years before RDR2, Rockstar San Diego served as the developer behind it, with Rockstar Games publishing the game. A sequel to the events of Red Dead Redemption 2 narrative-wise, you play as John Marston. Tied to a cycle of killing, John has to hunt down his former crew to save his family.
A mature story that shows the brutality of the “American Dream,” Red Dead Redemption was Rockstar’s warming up to the big show. Hitting a great 95 on Metacritic, based on 73 critic reviews, Red Dead Redemption got rave appreciation for the world crafted by the devs and solid yet challenging gameplay. Fans of western epics wouldn’t be disappointed with this one.
Grand Theft Auto 5
The second-best-selling video game of all time, behind Minecraft, Grand Theft Auto 5, knows no introduction. It is “the” series that made Rockstar what it is today. A cultural phenomenon, to say the least, the GTA franchise continues to be a juggernaut in the modern gaming industry.
Taking place in the Rockstar’s fictional state of San Andreas, GTA V deals with three protagonists – Michael De Santa, Franklin Clinton, and Trevor Philips, and the aftermath of a failed robbery. A funny and satirical story, GTA V is indeed the best game of all time (few exceptions aside). Do whatever you want in the massive open world of San Andreas. GTA V will not let you down. And until GTA VI comes out, which Rockstar has confirmed is in development, you would need to be content with this one.
Sleeping Dogs
As confusing as the name may sound, Sleeping Dogs is not in any way related to the Watch Dog franchise or is about dogs sleeping. Far from it, it is about Wei Shen, a tough martial artist who is on a mission to destroy the Sun On Yee Triad.
Developed by now-defunct United Front Games, Sleeping Dogs is a third-person action RPG. It had a difficult development cycle but finally saw a release in 2012 on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360. A great package with thrilling combat and an impressive narrative, you will definitely not be sleeping while you play Sleeping Dogs.
Mass Effect
One of the greatest sci-fi games ever made, the Mass Effect franchise is easily Bioware’s best to date. Released on Xbox 360 in 2007, Bioware tells the story of Commander Shepherd, who must stop a galactic invasion from happening. The first game in a trilogy, this was an excellent entry into the world of Mass Effect. And the trilogy still holds good to this day.
Mass Effect stands at a great 91 on Metacritic based on 74 critic reviews. It is a testament to Bioware’s ability to produce top-notch RPGs unless corporate starts are shoehorning in unnecessary demands. Resulting in a game with potential, dying a slow and painful death, i.e., Anthem. Praised for its interactive storytelling and dialogue, Mass Effect is a space opera you will never forget.
Fallout: New Vegas
You may have been disheartened by the disaster that was Fallout 76, but you will not be with this one. Developed just over eighteen months by Obsidian Entertainment, New Vegas perfected the Fallout RPG formula even better. It has even been regarded as the best RPG of all time by critics, which says a lot about its gameplay style and the overall work done by the devs.
Coming out in 2010, two years after the release of Fallout 3, New Vegas was a major hit among players and critics. It even went on to become a commercial success for Bethesda and Obsidian. If you want to experience a true RPG as you get engrossed in its story, Fallout: New Vegas is the game you need.
Shadow of The Colossus (2018)
Sadness incarnated, as some would say to describe the game. Shadow of the Colossus(2018) is a remake of the original of the same name, developed by Team Ico. The remake was handled by Bluepoint Games after Sony announced the remake during 2017’s E3 conference. This version retains the original’s vision and story, so players that played the 2005 one don’t need to worry about anything.
If you haven’t already guessed by now, the game is about hunting down the sixteen giant creatures known as colossi. You play as Wanderer, who wants to resurrect Mono, a maiden with a mysterious past. Shadow of the Colossus is a type of game that makes you so immersed in its setting that when you finish it, you will be left to wonder if such a game can be made today. If you like what you have read, go download the game right now. Just remember to have your comfort pillow by your side.
Nier: Automata
If Shadow of The Colossus is sadness incarnated, then Nier: Automata is depression incarnated. Kojima is nothing when compared to the unhinged man that is Yoko Taro. Created by Platinum Games, Automata was published by Square Enix, seeing its release in 2017. It revived Platinum Games’ reputation in the industry, saving them from eventual death.
Yoko Taro’s Automata is as complex in storytelling as its predecessor, Nier, and the franchise it spawned from – Drakengard. You play as 2B, an android robot who journeys to Earth with her accomplice, 9B, a male scanner. Automata require you to complete multiple playthroughs of the game if you want to understand its story completely. A hack-and-slash with an open world to complement it, Nier: Automata will leave you wanting more. And aside from that comfort pillow, bring lots of tissues this time. An anime adaption is also in the works related to the game.
Bloodborne
FormSoft’s Bloodborne may not be an open-world game as RDR2, but it more than makes up for It through its story and gameplay. Made for the PlayStation 4, it saw its launch in 2015. Taking the design approach of the Dark Souls series, Bloodborne is fast and engaging. Also, bat-shit insane.
Featuring a 99% Critics Recommended along with a “mighty” Opencritic rating based on 109 critic reviews, Bloodborne deserves at least one playthrough to understand why it is so highly regarded. The game takes very heavy inspiration from the works of H.P. Lovecraft and Bram Stroker, so you can guess what to expect from it. If you are ever in the mood for some Lovecraftian and abstract horror, download Bloodborne.
The Last of Us
If there is one game that surpasses Red Dead Redemption 2 in terms of story and dialogue, it would be The Last of Us. Made by the team behind the Uncharted series Naughty Dog, TLOU became an instant hit. And it didn’t take long for it to become Sony one of the most valuable IPs to come out in recent years.
TLOU is a story-focused game first and a “zombie” game second. It heavily focuses on the relationship between Joel and Ellie as they try to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. It’s beautiful, it’s heavy, and it’s a masterpiece. If by any chance you want more of that emotional gut punch, HBO will air an adaption of the game next year.
The Last of Us 2
Naughty Dog came back to develop the game after finishing the remastered version of the first game for the PS4. Troy Baker, who voiced Joel in the first game, came back to reprise his role along with Ashley Johnson as Ellie in the sequel.
Due to the pandemic and other developmental factors, the game faced several delays, finally released on June 19, 2020, for the PS4. It garnered positive reviews for its graphics, gameplay, and character performance. However, there was a huge divide between the narrative choices of the game from the fans and critics. Nevertheless, it went on to become a huge commercial success while winning the Game of the Year Award for the year 2020.
Yakuza Kiwami
The Yakuza series started in 2005 with the launch of Yakuza by Sega. Since then, it has spawned many spin-offs and sequel titles. Yakuza Kiwami is the remake of the first game in the franchise, retelling the story of Kazuma Kiryu after he is released on parole.
The remake was handled by Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, part of Sega itself, and saw its initial release on January 21, 2016. Yakuza Kiwami received much appreciation for its smooth gameplay and combat while facing criticism for its short length and melodramatic narrative of the game. Regardless, the game was a highly successful one for Sega, allowing the studio to greenlight a remake for the original sequel, too (pun intended).
Fallout 4
Bethesda’s fourth entry into the Fallout series, Fallout 4, like its predecessors, was a major hit upon its release in 2015. Set ten years after Fallout 3, the fourth installment in the series follows the story of “Sole Survivor.” After witnessing the murder of his wife in front of his eyes, the main character embarks on a journey to search for his missing child.
On Opencritic, the game received a “mighty” Opencritic rating, with a 88 Top Critic Average based on 146 critic reviews. It garnered much praise for its open-world environment, along with player freedom and the soundtrack of the game. Fallout 4 is a great installment in the series, one that you will not forget.
Dying Light 2
Do you want zombies? Do you want parkour? Dying Light 2 will give you all that and more. Developed and published by Polish studio Techland, this one serves as the sequel to their 2015 title of the same name, Dying Light. It happens to be a recent release, as it was made available on Windows, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on February 4 of this year.
Played from a first-person perspective, DL2’s open world looks gorgeous with equally amazing parkour mechanics. The story for the game is a hit-or-miss, especially for a character-driven game. However, it manages to outweigh those issues with its gameplay and combat.
Mafia II
Developed by 2K Czech and published by 2k Games, Mafia 2 launched on 24 August 2010 for the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. As you may have already guessed by the name, Mafia 2 centers around gangs and other criminal activities. You play as Vito Scaletta, a mobster embroiled in a gang war, trying to survive and pay back his father’s debt.
A good game when it comes to story and characters, Mafia 2 is a recommended play if you like that crime family aesthetic. It isn’t particularly a revolutionary game, by the standards in the list here, but it still can give you bang for your buck.
Assassin Creed Origins
The Assassin Creed franchise has taken quite a dip in quality over the years. Mostly due to Ubisoft’s design choice and corporate meddling. But somehow, it has been able to survive all through that, thanks to the loyal fans the series has generated since its inception.
Origins take place in Egypt and tell the story of Bayek of Siwa, a Medjay who wants nothing but retribution for his son’s killers. Reception for this tenth installment of the series was great compared to the previous title, Assassin’s Creed Syndicate. It was especially lauded for its visuals, along with the setting feeling authentic and unique.
Assassin’s Creed Odyssey
Following up on the 2017’s Origins, AC: Odyssey was made by Ubisoft Quebec with assistance from other Ubisoft worldwide studios. Origins, along with Odyssey, started their development at the same time, but Montreal was able to ship Origins early. This aided the Quebec team in incorporating more features and learning from its predecessors’ mistakes.
As Origins marked the shift from stealth to a more action-oriented RPG, Odyssey expanded that even further. And if you want one of the best Assassin’s Creed games in terms of open world, Odyssey is the game to play. A worthy successor, this is a Greek odyssey you need to embark on.
Far Cry 6
The Far Cry franchise has always been known for its villains. Far Cry 6 stays true to that formula and gives us Anton Castillo, dictator of Yara. Played by the ever-so-charismatic Giancarlo Esposito, the game was released in October of last year on Windows, PS, Xbox, Stadia, and Amazon Luna.
Ubisoft Toronto handled the development of this sixth volume of Far Cry since 2016. In FC6, you play Dani Rojas, a guerrilla fighter who wants to rid the island nation of Yara to be freed from Castillo’s tyranny. Following the footsteps of the previous titles, Far Cry 6 is played in first person perspective with an open-world design choice. A good continuation of the series; it is worth a try.
Elden Ring
Saving the best for the last, Elden Ring is the GOAT, literally and figuratively. After sharpening its skills from the launch of titles like Dark Souls and Sekiro, the studio has produced a game that will be forever remembered as a classic masterpiece.
Sporting a deserved 96 on Metacritic based on 84 critic reviews, Elden Ring sits atop the Soulsborne genre. The world-building of the game was done in collaboration with A Song of Ice and Fire author George R.R. Martin. Playing as a Tarnished, you go on a journey through Lands Between to become an Elden Lord and repair the Elden Ring. The world of Elden Ring is filled with vicious creatures and mysterious characters, all of whom you will either meet or face as you traverse the open world. This one is more than recommended.
