The PC port of Red Dead Redemption offers the opportunity to play a classic

After 14 years of console exclusivity, Red Dead Redemption is finally coming to PC, if the leaks are to be believed. Rockstar’s classic cowboy adventure is widely regarded as one of the greatest games of all time, a claim that its sequel, the imaginatively titled Red Dead Redemption 2, lived up to and even exceeded. I’ve never played either, and that needs to change.

I’m not the biggest fan of cinematic games. I wanted more gameplay from The Last of Us to thrill me between the big, bold hits of emotional storytelling. Despite the action, I found God of War boring. Detroit: Become Human is terrible in every way. I like my games to be playful, what can I say?

During my brief time as a PS5 owner when the console was first released, I avoided Red Dead Redemption. I played The Last of Us, I tried God of War, I brutally fought my way through Bloodborne, I lapped up Spider-Man, but Red Dead Redemption fell by the wayside. There are too many games!

Red Dead Redemption felt like a gamble. It’s a big game, a long game, and a game that doesn’t seem to fit the genres I like. I knew it was a classic, but I chose other classics that I might be more comfortable with. I regret that I never tried it, but now I finally have the chance.

The PC port of Red Dead Redemption follows in the footsteps of Sony triple-A exclusives like Horizon: Zero Dawn, God of War and Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart. These ports are of exceptional quality, even when using ultrawide monitors and other niche setups taken into account when transferring to the Master race. This will be the best opportunity to play one of the best games of all time and I don’t think I can pass up this opportunity.

The problem is that I already have too many games to play. I’m desperately trying to keep up with 2024 releases, but the indies are coming through and I’m falling behind. In addition to everything from this year, I’m playing through Yakuza: Like A Dragon to try and play Infinite Wealth before the year is over, and I need to finally finish Dragon Age: Inquisition before Dreadwolf comes out. I don’t need any more games to play.

I’ll be buying Red Dead Redemption as soon as John Marston’s Cowboy Mug shows up on Steam (please be on Steam). By the time you read this, I may have already bought it. My controller is locked and loaded. I bought a holster for it so I could really recreate a cowboy shootout. My trigger finger itches. But other duties call.

I don’t know when I’ll play Red Dead Redemption, but I’m glad the option will be available soon. I’m glad my SSD will be a bit heavier given the total weight of the Rockstar files and my own expectations.

Cross-platform publishing is good for the industry – it allows developers to make more money – and for gamers – it means we don’t have to buy every expensive console just to play the latest games. Life is becoming more expensive, the cost of living crisis continues and millions can’t afford to put food on the table, let alone put consoles under the Christmas tree. What if a young child lives and breathes Cowboys in a household with a PC, but his parents can’t afford to spend half a grand on a PS5 or Xbox?

Obviously selling exclusive games on rival consoles (the PC is clearly seen as separate from the Sony/Microsoft rivalry) is another big step that Sony hasn’t taken yet, but moving major console games to the PC is progress, and that we can’t deny. To play any game, there shouldn’t be a thousand pounds of machines under your TV.

We are moving towards a freer ecosystem where players are the winners. Red Dead Redemption should be available on as many systems as possible, especially PC. Most people need computers to work, so a mid-range PC kills two birds with one stone – work and play.

I’m also selfishly hoping for Steam Deck compatibility so I can take old Johnny Marston with me on the road. Even if that’s impossible, if Rockstar manages to get this classic running on the Nintendo Switch, it may not be too difficult to dive back into the code and join it to its successor on PC. Now, where did I put these spores?

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