Red Dead Redemption 2: everything you need to know about 2018's biggest game

Red Dead Redemption 2, the sequel to 2010's open-world Wild West epic from the makers of Grand Theft Auto, is set to release later this year.

It's arguably more exciting than a new entry in the GTA series too, as fans can't wait to head back to the Old West and tame the lands to their liking.

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With the latest trailer for Red Dead Redemption 2 releasing yesterday, here's everything you need to know about 2018's biggest video game release.

It's actually the third game in the series

Despite being called Red Dead Redemption 2, the game is the third installment in the 'Red Dead' series that began with Red Dead Revolver in 2004 for the PlayStation 2 and original Xbox.

2010's Red Dead Redemption was when the series really took off though, moving from a more traditional, linear level structure to the open-world format we see today.

That game - set in the early 1900s - saw you play as John Marston, a former outlaw taken from his family and told he will only be granted amnesty when he brings the remaining members of his old gang to justice.

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It was critically revered, not just as one of the best games of that year, but one of the best ever made.

You'll be playing as a different character

Those hoping for a return to the gruff outlook of John Marston might be disappointed to learn that Rockstar have done away with one gruff anti-hero in favour of another for their sequel; players will now fill the boots of outlaw Arthur Morgan.

Previous trailers have seen this shady character threatening people and robbing banks - but Rockstar will have no doubt created a more nuanced character than first impressions would have you believe.

Players will be stepping into the dusty boots of outlaw Arthur Morgan in RDR2 (Image: Rockstar Games)

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Those clips also place Morgan in the employ of Dutch van der Linde, notable for ostensibly being the main villain of the original Red Dead Redemption. He was also Marston's former boss.

It seems as if you'll start your story as a member of the 'Sons of Dutch', a band of outlaws intent on bringing disrepute to a Wild West that has just about found its feet.

The game has been confirmed to be a prequel to Marston's story, beginning in 1899, with Morgan - at least to begin with - is on the wrong side of the law.

There'll be a lot to do

Much like the previous outing, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an open-world, action-adventure game, played from a third-person perspective.

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Players will be free to travel the world - an area of the Western US and Mexico - on horseback and foot at their leisure, embarking on missions to progress the story further, or just soaking up the atmosphere with side-quests and exploration.

And there'll certainly be a lot to keep players entertained.

Leaked information suggests that herding, fishing, poker, gold mining, and shooting challenges will be only a handful of the activities vying for your attention.

Red Dead Redemption 2's online multiplayer may once again allow you to saddle up as a posse with your friends (Image: Rockstar Games)

Multiplayer will play a big part

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As the games industry shifts in favour of 'games as a service' - always-online games that are continuously updating to keep players engaged - multiplayer modes play bigger and bigger roles in new titles.

Red Dead Redemption 2 will be no different, and after the success of GTA Online - the online component of GTA V that still receives regular free updates nearly five years after the original game's launch - Rockstar are looking to do the same for their latest release.

It's been delayed before

The current release date of October 26 seems pretty concrete, but it's worth remembering that Red Dead Redemption 2 was initially intended to come out in the Autumn of last year, before being pushed back to spring 2018, and finally to its current date.

Strauss Zelnick, CEO of the game's publisher Take-Two, said the delay was to ensure Rockstar can "deliver the most extraordinary [experience] we’re capable of providing".

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Trains are expected to allow you to move around the game's massive open world with ease (Image: Rockstar Games)

And all the rumours...

Rockstar are never ones to give away to many details about their upcoming games ahead of launch, and there is still plenty for fans to speculate on.

Rumours are rife that the game will feature a 'Battle Royale' mode as part of its online multiplayer.

Recent successes of games like PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and Fortnite - where players are dropped into a free-for-all, with the last surviving combatant declared the winner - have seen developers rush to adopt the game mode into their own titles. Both this year's upcoming Call of Duty and Battlefield shooters are expected to include such a mode.

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Finally, it's been suggested a first-person mode could be implemented - much like it was when GTAV came to current-generation consoles in 2014 - which would allow players to experience the game from an even more immersive perspective.

Red Dead Redemption will be released for Xbox One and PS4 on October 26, 2018

[Main image: Rockstar Games]