Rumors about a fresh release have circled online for a while. Red Dead Redemption. On August 7, 2023, Rockstar Games confirmed plans for a port of the original title to Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 4, slated for August 17. The reaction from the gaming community was swift and sharp, mirroring the mixed feelings evident in the official announcement itself. Many players understood the reasoning behind the decision even if they didn’t fully agree with the approach.
First rumours
Whispers of a Red Dead Redemption remaster began surfacing toward the end of June. The trail heated up when an age rating appeared in South Korea, hinting at a console-focused project and signaling a departure from the PC-facing version. This early signal suggested the project might be scoped differently across platforms, a detail that set off alarm bells among fans awaiting a true upgrade for all formats.
A few days later, Colin Moriarty, editor of a major Western gaming publication, stated during a Sacred Symbols episode that the remaster was real. He observed that development hadn’t been scrapped but stretched out, allowing more time for polishing the porting work.
In late July, Rockstar Games refreshed the game logo on its site, upgrading it to HD quality by adding the Rockstar Games Presents suffix. With Take-Two Interactive preparing for an investor meeting on August 8, speculation about an official reveal intensified among fans eager for confirmation.
Why are players so excited about a Red Dead Redemption re-release?
If you missed the original, you might wonder what all the fuss is about. For many players, Red Dead Redemption stands as a cornerstone alongside GTA V, RDR2, and other Rockstar titles. The game isn’t just a memory; it’s a benchmark in storytelling, atmosphere, and design that many fans hold dear.
Throughout its development, the studio aimed to surpass its own limits, raising quality standards and crafting an experience that would linger in the minds of players. Red Dead Redemption did just that, delivering a world that felt alive and utterly immersive.
The Wild West setting, the gripping plot, memorable characters, the music, the sunsets, and, of course, the dramatic ending—these elements, from the opening notes to the closing credits, created a lasting impression on many players who awarded the game near perfection.
Rockstar Games didn’t merely provide gameplay; it told a story in a way many studios hadn’t mastered at the time. Players stepped into a rich, sprawling adventure with a mood and detail that felt almost tangible.
This wasn’t a one-off project; it was a whole world, evolving in design and mechanics to sustain the atmosphere from start to finish. In many eyes, the first Red Dead Redemption holds its own against the sequel and, for some, becomes the game people return to across generations.
That enduring appeal has kept fans hoping for a modernized version—something that would let newcomers and veterans alike relive the Wild West in a form that matches today’s hardware and expectations.
Do you love the first Red Dead Redemption?
Long-awaited announcement and disappointment
Finally, on August 7, the company publicly announced the re-release. The plan was for a release on August 17, but, as fans feared, the move was limited to PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. In short, the headlines were partly true and partly missing the mark.
The re-release didn’t constitute a proper remaster—there were no significant graphical upgrades, and Rockstar Games wasn’t directly steering the development. Take-Two hired the Double Eleven studio, known for porting work on other titles, to handle the porting tasks.
A standalone campaign, the Undead Nightmare add-on, and the Game of the Year edition’s bonus content would cost $50 (about 4,800 rubles). The package would include Russian language support, with a handful of other languages added as well for broader accessibility.
Languages listed for the eShop version appeared in an accompanying language display, signaling accessibility for a wider audience despite the absence of a full remaster.
A wave of criticism from the players
The decision to offer a straightforward port on older consoles rather than a true remaster drew sharp criticism from the gaming community. PC players, in particular, had waited for years for a version that could take advantage of modern graphics and smoother frame rates.
Many were unhappy with the $50 price tag for what felt like a basic port, not a current-gen upgrade. Concerns extended to frame rates, with some arguing that 60 frames per second would still be a stretch even on PS4 and Nintendo Switch.
Quick quotes from players reflected that sentiment. One noted that PC players had waited 13 years and still couldn’t access the game. Another criticized the PS4 version for not delivering a true remaster that would support 60fps. Others called the overall approach a series of teases rather than a meaningful update. A well-known executive from the publisher-addressed strategy, emphasizing that remasters often involve not just porting but substantial upgrades to technology, graphics, and performance, was cited as a reminder of past commitments.
In summary, the response centered on frustration with the perceived strategy and a sense that the company was prioritizing quick money over substantial innovation. As of this writing, the port trailer boasted thousands of likes and dislikes, underscoring a wider conversation about what fans expect from a modernized classic.
What was shown in the trailer?
The trailer for the port highlighted key narrative moments with limited gameplay demonstrations. Fans compared the Switch trailer against footage from Xbox 360, while the PS4 footage included elements from Xbox One via backward compatibility. Screenshots showed only minor graphical adjustments rather than a true visual overhaul. In some moments, the original visuals appeared sharper thanks to lighting and atmosphere. The situation echoed past discussions around previous remaster attempts and raised questions about how studios balance nostalgia with practical development costs. From a wider business lens, it’s easy to see the appeal but harder to defend the approach for a franchise with a dedicated fanbase.
Analysts and fans alike debated what Rockstar Games should prioritize next: a comprehensive remaster of the first entry or an ambitious remake that reimagines its world for modern hardware. What do you think about the port of Red Dead Redemption? Which projects deserve a true, high-quality remaster or even a full remake?
What do you expect from Rockstar Games?
Source: VG Times