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

4. A "Conversation System" That Actually Feels Like Open Discourse

Rockstar stalwarts (or just good human beings) will remember San Andreas' VERY furtive attempt at an "NPC conversation system" way back in 2004.

Back then we could respond to peoples' comments by tapping a direction on the d-pad, yet the feature wasn't carried forward whatsoever. Now though, it appears Rockstar are using this almost Witcher-like HUD as a way to address literally any NPC, be they pedestrian, sheriff or anything in between.

Despite being a cool evolution of their former tech, this effectively makes Red Dead 2 the first open-world game where you can actively strike up a conversation with the world itself.

Though Bethesda's many RPGs and many titles have let us attack random people or occasionally converse with them depending on context, having a persistent HUD menu invites and encourages discourse. It should then factor into everything from mission branching to item acquisition, but only if you pick and choose the right people to talk to.