Red Dead Redemption 2 - Live play: Tips, tricks and reviews for the Xbox One and PS4 sequel

We're live, roaming the game fans have been waiting years for

Red Dead Redemption 2 Trailer

Red Dead Redemption II finally hits doormats and inboxes this morning, the latest title from Grand Theft Auto developers Rockstar Games and a prequel to 2010’s Red Dead Redemption.

The Western game has stunned critics, achieving almost unwavering five-star reviews across the board (including The Independent‘s verdict), and will be feverishly installed by millions this morning – some hardened gamers even taking time off work to play it.

We’ve had RDR2 for 10 days now, and will be roaming the plains this morning, offering up any tips, tricks and things we wished we’d known when we started, along with updates on the release, the reviews and the reaction.

The game centres on Arthur Morgan, an outlaw at the end of the age of outlaws, trying to scrape out a living in the country at a time when America is becoming increasingly urbanised.

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The Red Dead series isn’t a household name in the way Grand Theft Auto is, but a new instalment is a huge event in gaming nonetheless, and the Wild West offshoot goes for a more sedated, atmospheric effect than its largely city-based cousin.

RDR2 is available for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and you can read more about installing and pre-loading the game, and how much space it will take up on your console, here.

Key Points

• Download codes and physical copies are released today
• The game is achieving universal acclaim from critics 

[26 October 2018 07:35 · Christopher Hooton]

G'mornin' partner!

Christopher Hooton here. I've spent a fair number of hours playing the game now – certainly an amount that has been to the detriment of my social life and sleeping pattern – and will bring you anything I think is of interest and import as I wander the map. There will be no plot spoilers, don't worry.

[26 October 2018 07:36 · Christopher Hooton]

First off, here's our full review of the game:

[26 October 2018 07:37 · Christopher Hooton]

And a guide to who has provided the music this time around:

[26 October 2018 07:41 · Christopher Hooton]

Here's an explainer on 'pre-loading', which isn't going down the saloon with your gang to get a couple of jars in ahead of a train robbery:

[26 October 2018 07:47 · Christopher Hooton]

My first tip for you regards the most important matter of your hairstyle.

Think before you shave off all your head and facial hair, as it will take time to grow back. Unlike other games where you can nonsensically go from a mohawk to shoulder-length in the barbers, in RDR2 there's a period of regrowth that takes a number of days (though a hair tonic will speed this up).

[26 October 2018 07:50 · Christopher Hooton]

And the hair intricacies don't end there. At camp you'll find a shaving table, but you'll only be able to give yourself a basic trim. If you crave a more coiffured look, you'll need to head to a town and visit the barber. If you're an honourable player, he may even give you a discount.

[26 October 2018 07:59 · Christopher Hooton]

The honour system in Red Dead can be a bit fickle. There are moments where the honourable and dishonourable fork is clear, for instance when you choose to either warn train robbery victims to keep quiet and cut them loose, or just execute them by the side of the train tracks.

White hat that I am, though, I've been surprised a couple of times to return fire at an NPC who shot first, only to be given dishonour points when they wind up dead. A general rule: Killing and looting member of rival gang, fine, killing and looting random members of the public – however belligerent – not okay.

[26 October 2018 08:02 · Christopher Hooton]

Although this is not to say that you'll be penalised for a more brutal approach to the game. Having a reputation for being a force for good might get you discounts in stores and other perks, but it also might cause people to take advantage of you.

[26 October 2018 08:13 · Christopher Hooton]

Hunting food for your camp and pelts with which to craft new items isn't an absolute necessity in RDR2, but it's one of its most enjoyable and rewarding elements, so I'd highly recommend grabbing your bow and getting out there.

A couple of tips:

• At first I was compulsively picking up the carcasses of all of my kills and stowing them on the back of my horse to take back to camp. It took me a little while to realise that, while there are some benefits to retaining the carcasses, Arthur does recover meat – chops, loins, steak etc – when he skins them.
• In terms of crafting, only pelts, hides and skins in "perfect condition" will do. Once you have some money flowing, I'd consider chucking the "poor" or even "good" condition ones, as they will be of no use to your camp chef and carpenter, Pearson, and will only fetch pocket change. "Perfect" spoils can be recovered, if you're lucky, from clean kills. For small animals, use the varmint rifle, for larger ones, equip your bow and arrow.

[26 October 2018 08:19 · Christopher Hooton]

If you want to experience the game's environment unblemished by a HUD, Rockstar has released a smartphone app that talks to your console and can display your map, journal and other features.