Red Dead’s PC Redemption

Red Dead Redemption never officially came to PC. So it’s unusual that the PlayStation Store is currently announcing that it will be making the jump.

Yes, you read that right. The PS4 version of Red Dead Redemption was given PC-centric copy for a while there on the store. I just wish I could say that it wasn’t a moment too late.

It would be hypocritical of me to grumble too much about the original PS3 classic getting a release on PC. After all, I seem to spend half my life advocating for older games to get modern releases. So I’ll start by saying that has taken far too long, but is an overwhelmingly good thing. Beyond that? The quality will be in the delivery.

I think we know from experience at this point not to get our hopes up. There was a time not long ago where rumour had it that the original Red Dead Redemption was getting updated within Red Dead Redemption 2. Those hopes crashed and burned when the eventual PS4 and Switch release boasted such incredible enhancements as HIGHER RESOLUTION and PLAYABLE WITHOUT A PS3.

If the PC version of this game has resolution options, then it’ll be a stronger-than-expected release. Hell, if it plays with a Dualsense it’ll be a stronger-than-expected release. And man, I’d love for it to be a stronger-than-expected release. If there’s a game that deserves it, it’s Red Dead Redemption.

Even if it releases at a steady 20fps and with shiny 320p graphics, it’ll still be fully priced. Bargain hunters will be waiting a good chunk of time before they get to pay what a near 15-year-old game usually goes for.

Red Dead – Bigger, Better, Brighter

I don’t have too many concerns about the technical side of things. It’ll release just fine, no matter what the options. I loved the Metal Gear Solid collection when it came out. I could love Red Dead Redemption too. And that’s presuming the absolutely worst. Realistically, I can see fans fixing up this release within days anyway.

The best day to release Red Dead Redemption on Steam would have been back in 2010. The next best day is today. The issue isn’t so much that it’s getting a release and that it’s taken a long time. The bigger issue, still, is that the leap between the original game and its prequel mean there are still continuity problems – especially in terms of characterisation. It’s a shame, but what are you going to do?

I’d like to say that the mess that is releasing Red Dead Redemption 2 before Red Dead Redemption on PC will have provided a stark lesson for Rockstar. That they will look at the missed cash from the original release and try to avoid making it happen again. Unless you’re a collector or a big enough fan, there’s little reason to pick the original over the sequel. Some, like me, will be happy to own it again. Many won’t even consider it.

But we already know they’re retaining that kind of tiered release for Grand Theft Auto 6, and that you’ll have to have a console to play it on day one. It’s unlikely you’ll be waiting 14 years for it, of course. But with Rockstar? Who knows?