Below you find everything you need to know to get you started in the huge landscape of Red Dead Redemption 2, with information about the primary game features and some tips to help guide you in the wild west.
Story Chapters & Missions
When a mission is available for you to start, you'll see a mission blip on your map and radar. The initials marked within the blip will be linked to the person you need to see. Make your way to the place marked and talk to that person to begin the mission.
After successfully completing a mission in Red Dead Redemption 2, you will receive a Gold, Silver or Bronze Medal. To check your Medals or replay any missions, navigate to the Progress section in the Pause menu, then Story.
The Chapters panel will show all the story chapters you have completed and the option to replay the mission.
Strangers Missions
As you travel around the world of Red Dead Redemption 2, you will also encounter Strangers who have questions or tasks for you. The “?” blip will be displayed when a Stranger wants to talk to you.
Honor
Your Honor in Red Dead Redemption 2 will change as you perform both good and bad deeds.
Actions that are considered as honorable (such as rescuing townsfolk from danger or turning in criminals to the law) will add to your honor score; conversely, activities that are considered dishonorable (such as killing innocent civilians and larceny) will impact your honor negatively.
As you become more Honorable or Dishonorable, your game experience will change.
Get around and see the world - How to Fast Travel
In Red Dead Redemption 2 you can travel between towns using Stagecoaches or the Railroad. Train tickets can be purchased from the Post Office
Also, you can upgrade your Gang Camp tent to acquire a map. You can then use this to Fast Travel from camp to any towns you have discovered.
You can quickly open the Pause Map by holding OPTIONS. Place a waypoint with X, or add a Marker with L3. Zoom in on a town to see which amenities it offers. Your Gang Camp location is marked on the map with a Tent Icon.
Health, Stamina and Dead Eye Cores
Your Health, Stamina and Dead Eye Cores drain over time. If your Health or Stamina Cores are low, the corresponding bar for each attribute will refill at a slower rate. Cores can be Fortified to stop them draining for a short period of time.
To refill a Core, you must eat or consume an appropriate Provision.
Your Health Core will drain quickly if you are exposed to conditions such as extreme temperature, or are poisoned by a snake bite. More information about these conditions can be found in the Player section of the Pause menu.
Cores also act as an extension of their related attribute bar. If a bar is emptied while using an ability, then the Core will begin to drain rapidly, allowing you to use the ability for a few additional seconds. Keep your Cores full to guarantee the maximum amount of reserve energy available, should you need it.
Satchel & Crafting
Provisions, Kit, Valuables, Documents, and other items that you find or purchase are stored in your Satchel. To access the Satchel, hold the right directional arrow. You can also choose to store Provisions on your horse as long as it is near you.
You can craft or cook items whilst in the wilderness by selecting Camp in the Item Wheel. This allows you to cook Meat and craft Ammo, Tonics, and Hunting supplies. You can find Pamphlets in the wilderness to learn new crafting recipes.
Items you can craft include meals, ammo, health cures and remedies for yourself and your horse, lures for fishing, and improved weapons and equipment.
Sleeping
Sleeping at a camp or bedroom will restore your health and save your game. You can sleep at the gang's current camp or hideout, set up an individual camp in the wilderness, or rent a hotel room.
Temperature and Outfits
You need to select the right outfit for the weather; being too hot or too cold for long will cause your Health Core to drain faster. You can change your clothes at a camp, a hotel room, a Tailor's store or when facing your horse.
Challenges
You can earn special weapons, equipment and upgrades by completing various challenges.
There are nine categories of challenges:
- Bandit: Theft and robbery
- Explorer: Treasure hunting
- Gambler: Winning table games
- Herbalist: Crafting and herb-picking
- Horseman: Horse-riding feats
- Master Hunter: Hunting and skinning animals
- Sharpshooter: Shooting feats
- Survivalist: Crafting and fishing
- Weapons Expert: Knife and thrown weapon feats
Each Challenge is made of 10 levels / objectives to complete, for a total of 90 challenges.
Saving the Game
Red Dead Redemption 2 uses an automatic save system, and your progress will be saved when you complete story chapters, saving within your Camp and whilst progressing through certain actions. Don't switch off your system while the saving icon is displayed.
For more Red Dead Redemption 2 Guides check out the complete Guides Section, including Wildlife Database, Weapons Database, and more!