Should I Play Red Dead 1 Before 2?
If you have a compatible console and want the story as originally released, playing Red Dead Redemption before Red Dead Redemption 2 makes sense. It preserves the original reveals and lets the prequel deepen characters you already know. However, RDR1’s older mechanics and lack of a native PC release can make it a poor starting point for players who prioritize modern polish or only game on PC. Your best order depends on hardware access and whether you value release-order storytelling over gameplay refinement.