9 Ways Red Dead Redemption 2 Has Already Revolutionised Open-World Gaming

1. It's Not REALLY An "Open-World Game"

The biggest reason Red Dead will revolutionise the open world genre? By detonating the very genre foundations and walls that confine it.

Basically, at this stage we're seeing every other video game attempt to take place in an open-world. Even The Evil Within 2 had similar aspirations, and why? Because it's fast-becoming the ultimate endpoint of coding digital immersion.

It's less a "genre", and more the base staple that every triple-A game aspires to be. Open worlds are quickly becoming to gaming what basic framing techniques are to film.

Why design levels when you can make worlds? Why script sequences when you can write ambient dialogue that makes a character feel like a living entity amongst an entire populace? Both Hideo Kojima and Nintendo have since commented that open world design is the future, and you need only look to Metal Gear Solid V, Death Stranding and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as proof.

By combining storytelling segments with missions that trigger around you, a deep combat system and all sorts of minigames to take in, Rockstar aren't being confined to "the open world genre" as we know it. They're making something altogether far more impressive.

A constantly interactive, forever iterative series of dynamic encounters and worthwhile rewards, a "cowboy simulator" it may be, but Red Dead Redemption 2 will only be remotely comparable to the likes of GTA III - the game that pioneered the genre in the first place.