Games Like Red Dead Redemption 2: 8 Open Worlds to Live In

After Red Dead Redemption 2, go for Ghost of Tsushima for a gorgeous open world and a torn hero, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for quests that are just as well written, or Kingdom Come: Deliverance for slow, realistic immersion. And if you've never played the first Red Dead Redemption, that's where to start.

What makes Red Dead Redemption 2 special

Rockstar's game follows Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang on the run across a changing America. What hits you is how slow it dares to be. You ride for minutes on end, set up camp, hunt, chat with the gang. Every detail makes the world feel like it goes on without you.

Then there's the story, long and heartbreaking. According to players on IGDB, it takes about 49 hours to finish, and well over 200 hours to do everything. Few games reach that level, so the picks below each take one piece of it: the writing, the immersion, the Old West or the open world.

How to choose after Arthur Morgan

If the story and characters stuck with you, go for The Witcher 3, The Last of Us Part II or Ghost of Tsushima. If it's the immersion and slow pace, Kingdom Come: Deliverance and Death Stranding are made for you. And if you just want more Rockstar, Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto V are safe bets. Wondering how long RDR2 takes? It's all in our guide to its length.

1. 

   1. Red Dead Redemption

   2010 · Main story 25.5 h

   The first game, set after the events of RDR2. You play John Marston, someone you already know, in a drier, more twilight Old West. It's shorter and less detailed, but the story is superb and it gives even more weight to everything you went through with Arthur.

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2. 

   2. Ghost of Tsushima

   2020 · Main story 40 h

   A samurai, a stunning island invaded by the Mongols, and an open world built for wandering: the wind guides you and the views are unreal. Like Arthur, Jin is torn between his code and what he has to do. Sword fights, stealth and standoffs, it's beautiful and gripping.

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3. 

   3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

   2015 · Main story 37.5 h

   If RDR2's side quests hit you as hard as the main story, The Witcher 3 is your game. Geralt of Rivia travels a dark fantasy world where every contract hides a real story, often gray and cruel. The writing is on the same level. See also games like The Witcher 3.

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4. 

   4. Kingdom Come: Deliverance

   2018 · Main story 32.5 h

   A realistic medieval RPG set in Bohemia, with no magic or dragons. You eat, sleep, learn to fight and even learn to read. The pace is slow and the immersion huge, just like RDR2. If you enjoyed taking your time on horseback and feeling the weight of every action, it's for you.

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5. 

   5. The Last of Us Part II

   2020 · Main story 23.5 h

   No open world here, but a story as tough and ambitious as Arthur's. Naughty Dog's game follows Ellie on a quest for revenge that leaves no one unscathed. Direction, performances and environmental detail make it one of the few experiences that hits as hard.

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6. 

   6. Death Stranding

   2019 · Main story 36.5 h

   You deliver packages across a ruined America on foot, managing your balance and your load. It sounds odd, but the slowness, the loneliness and the gorgeous landscapes echo RDR2's long rides. A one-of-a-kind game for players who love contemplative journeys.

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7. 

   7. Horizon Zero Dawn

   2017 · Main story 23 h

   A post-apocalyptic open world where nature has taken over and animal-shaped machines roam. You hunt, explore and uncover what happened to the world through Aloy's eyes. It's more action-focused than RDR2, but the story genuinely pulls you in.

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8. 

   8. Grand Theft Auto V

   2013

   Rockstar's other huge open world, this time a satirical take on Los Angeles. Three playable characters, spectacular heists and biting humor. The tone is a world away from RDR2, much wilder, but you get the same obsessive detail and a city teeming with life.

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FAQ

What game is most like Red Dead Redemption 2?

The first Red Dead Redemption is the closest, with the same Old West and a story tied to Arthur's. Outside the series, Ghost of Tsushima and Kingdom Come: Deliverance best capture that mix of immersive open world and powerful storytelling.

Are there other western games like RDR2?

Big open-world westerns are rare. The first Red Dead Redemption is still the best choice. If you want the spirit more than the setting, Ghost of Tsushima delivers the same lone hero and tense standoffs, just in feudal Japan.

How long is Red Dead Redemption 2?

According to players on IGDB, the main story takes about 49 hours, and about 89.5 hours with side content. To do everything at 100 %, expect more than 200 hours. We break it all down in our article on the game's length.