Red Dead Redemption 2 is as much about taming the sprawling natural world of the Frontier to survive as it is about gun-slinging antics. Late yesterday, Rockstar released fresh info about the wildlife populating the upcoming Wild West adventure with details about species, hunting and fishing, and the all important steeds accompanying players on their journey.
We already know Red Dead Redemption 2 incorporates a rich variety of biomes and with today’s news we learn these habitats are to be populated by just shy of 200 species of fauna ranging from land animals, to river dwelling fish, and birds. In keeping with the immersive feel of the game, each and everyone one of these critters will ‘behave and respond to their environment in a unique way’.
Large land mammals like bison roam the open expanse of the prairies, while vultures always h ave an eye out for their next scavenged meal, gators trawl the shallow waters, salmon struggle to make their way up stream, and so on. The idea being to mimic the real world behaviors of these animals to create a genuine ecosystem with a food chain hierarchy and where the strong prosper, while the weak become food. As Rockstar says ‘The wilderness is at once a bountiful and perilous place, for both man and beast, and any predator can quickly turn prey’.
As we know fishing and hunting will feature heavily as a source of both sustenance and income. Selecting the correct type of bait, being aware of the shifting winds, weaponry, and even where a shot is fired all have an impact on results as well as ‘the quality of the meat and pelt, which in turn affects the price that traders will pay for them’. Each animal requires different preparation depending on their habitat and natural characteristics. Players will be able to sell their haul at butchers and trappers through the game’s many settlements.
Red Dead Redemption 2 will have 19 breeds of horse, with each sporting their own characteristics. These can be obtained at stables, tamed out in the open from a herd of wild horses, or straight up stolen from unsuspecting victims. The relationship between Arthur Morgan and his horse is of utmost importance for survival; proper grooming, feeding, and equipment are needed to make the most out of each steed, and as time progresses the bond converts into better stamina, handling, encumbrance, and other attributes.
Red Dead Redemption 2 launches on October 26th on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
