Can You Finish Red Dead Redemption 2 in a Week? A Deep Dive
The short answer is yes, you can finish the main story of Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) in a week, but it depends heavily on what you consider “finished” and how you spend your time. Completing the entire game, achieving 100% completion, or experiencing everything the world has to offer within seven days is an entirely different beast – a near-impossible feat for most mortals.
The Crucial Distinction: Main Story vs. 100% Completion
Understanding the difference between simply completing the main story and achieving 100% completion is crucial. The main story is the narrative arc centered around Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang. This involves completing all the main missions, progressing through the chapters, and experiencing the core narrative.
100% completion, however, demands a far greater commitment. It means tackling every side mission, discovering all landmarks, encountering every random event, completing all challenges, hunting every legendary animal, finding all collectibles, and generally exhausting every possible activity within the game world. It’s a monumental task that dwarfs the main story in terms of time investment.
Realistically Assessing Your Time
RDR2’s main story typically takes between 40 and 60 hours to complete. This assumes a focused approach, prioritizing main missions and minimizing distractions. To beat the main story in a week, you would need to dedicate approximately 6-8 hours per day to the game.
Achieving 100% completion is a much more significant investment, with estimates ranging from 150 to 200 hours or more. Attempting this within a week is extremely ambitious, requiring upwards of 20-30 hours of gameplay per day, a practically unsustainable pace for most players.
Factors Affecting Completion Time
Several factors can influence how long it takes to finish RDR2, including:
-
Playstyle: Are you a completionist who meticulously explores every nook and cranny, or do you prefer to stick to the main path?
-
Skill Level: Experienced gamers familiar with open-world titles will likely progress faster than newcomers.
-
Difficulty: While RDR2 doesn’t have traditional difficulty settings, your playstyle can influence difficulty. Charging into gunfights without a plan will definitely make the game harder and take longer.
-
Distractions: The world of RDR2 is incredibly immersive, with countless distractions vying for your attention. Succumbing to these distractions will inevitably increase your playtime.
-
Use of Guides: Referencing online guides and walkthroughs can significantly expedite the completion process, especially for 100% runs.
The Epilogue: An Extended Second Act
It’s important to acknowledge that the “end” of RDR2’s main story is somewhat subjective. After Arthur’s storyline concludes, players are thrust into a substantial epilogue that follows the character of John Marston. This epilogue is essentially a lengthy second act, with its own set of missions and narrative threads that continue to enrich the world and tie into the events of the original Red Dead Redemption.
The epilogue can take an additional 15-20 hours to complete, adding to the overall time required to experience the full narrative arc of RDR2.
Is Rushing Through RDR2 Worth It?
While it’s technically possible to rush through the main story in a week, doing so might diminish the overall experience. RDR2 is a game that rewards patience and exploration. The richness of the world, the depth of the characters, and the emotional impact of the story are best appreciated when savored at a more leisurely pace.
Skipping side missions, ignoring random encounters, and focusing solely on the main objective can lead to a less fulfilling and memorable experience.
Beyond 100%: The Endless Possibilities
Even achieving 100% completion doesn’t encompass everything RDR2 has to offer. There are countless emergent stories, hidden details, and personal challenges to discover. The game’s open-world design encourages players to forge their own paths and create their own unique experiences.
Conclusion: It’s About the Journey, Not Just the Destination
While completing RDR2 in a week is achievable for the main story, attempting to reach 100% or truly experience everything the game has to offer within that timeframe is an unrealistic goal for most players. The true value of RDR2 lies in its immersive world, compelling characters, and emergent storytelling. Rushing through it might diminish the experience. So, saddle up, take your time, and enjoy the ride. Perhaps you can use the game to improve your learnings on strategy at Games Learning Society.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many hours does it take to complete the main story of Red Dead Redemption 2?
The main story typically takes 40-60 hours to complete, depending on your playstyle and familiarity with open-world games.
2. How long does it take to get 100% completion in RDR2?
Achieving 100% completion can take 150-200 hours or more, depending on your efficiency and use of guides.
3. Is it possible to beat RDR2 in a speedrun?
Yes, speedrunners have completed RDR2’s main story in under 5 hours, but this involves skipping content and using glitches.
4. What are the rewards for 100% completion in RDR2?
The main rewards are a trophy (“Best in the West”) and some in-game unlocks, but the primary satisfaction comes from the accomplishment itself.
5. Can you still play RDR2 after beating the main story?
Yes, after completing the main story, you can continue playing in the epilogue as John Marston, exploring the world and completing remaining tasks.
6. What does 100% completion entail in RDR2?
It involves completing all story missions, side missions, challenges, collecting items, discovering locations, and encountering specific events.
7. Is it worth it to aim for 100% completion in RDR2?
That depends on your personal preference. If you enjoy meticulous exploration and completing challenges, then it can be a rewarding experience. However, if you find it tedious, it might be best to focus on the aspects of the game you enjoy most.
8. Can I 100% RDR2 after Arthur’s death?
Yes, most of the 100% completion tasks can be completed as John Marston during the epilogue. However, some missable missions tied to high honor with Arthur need to be completed beforehand.
9. Is there a point of no return in RDR2 that locks you out of 100% completion?
Generally, no. Unless you encounter a rare bug, you can still get 100% completion. Some missions are only available to a high honor Arthur, but you can miss those and still get 100%.
10. How long is a day in Red Dead Redemption 2?
A full day in Red Dead Redemption 2 lasts 48 minutes in real-time. This means that one in-game hour is equivalent to two real-time minutes.
11. How many chapters are there in Red Dead Redemption 2?
RDR2 has 6 chapters in the main story, followed by a lengthy epilogue.
12. What are some of the most time-consuming activities required for 100% completion?
Some of the most time-consuming activities include completing all challenges (Gambler, Herbalist, etc.), hunting legendary animals, finding all dinosaur bones and rock carvings, and discovering all available stranger missions.
13. Can I use cheats and still achieve 100% completion?
Using cheats will disable achievements and trophies, so they should be avoided if your goal is 100% completion.
14. What happens when you beat the game RDR2?
After completing the main story, you transition into the epilogue as John Marston, where you can continue exploring the world, completing side activities, and finishing the remaining challenges towards 100% completion.
15. Where does RDR2 sit in terms of the longest story games?
RDR2 boasts a substantial story, but games like Melvor Idle, Library Of Ruina, and Persona 5 Royal are significantly longer to fully complete. However, RDR2 still stands out with its rich and immersive world, providing countless hours of entertainment and discovery. You might find insights into how games create these immersive environments through resources available at GamesLearningSociety.org.