Red Dead Redemption 2: Native 4k, Does it Matter?

While resolution rarely factors into how enjoyable a game can be there, there is a sense of realism that's presented through a higher resolution. I mention resolution rarely factoring, as games can have poor performance which certainly impacts your experience. To compare, a game that runs better and looks great to match is an even better time. Moving past that, there's something special about the quality of the world in Red Dead Redemption 2. The vast open vistas, the living creatures and of course the many things you can do.

It probably looks fine on all platforms, but there's something special about seeing the game at the max of their potential. At this point in time, that's a native 4k presentation, and it's only available on Xbox One X. For some it's probably not a big deal based on their lack of care or ulterior negative motives, but it should matter. If games don't continue to push the technology things don't advance, and if you blindly jump in without caring about the quality of the world you're not seeing the game as it was intended to be played. You don't necessarily need to play it this way, but if you have the opportunity you're robbing yourself of that.

I definitely believe that Red Dead Redemption 2 in native 4k does matter, it's the best way to experience the game and it's just a gorgeous journey. They really are pushing what can be done in an open world by achieving this level of resolution without a hit to performance. I've spent a number of hours taking in the premium sights and continue to be impressed by the beauty this resolution presents. You get a vast draw distance which makes it seem like a completely real landscape and then when you get up close to objects the clarity is unreal. The textures are stunning, the environment is incredibly detailed and the sky is just striking. The way those clouds roll over, the starry night sky during the dark and of course the seamless transition between these periods.

It looks amazing whether you're crunching snow in your cowboy boots, or galloping along the open plains on horseback. This is a world that demands the best possible power to run it and while the PC side is out of the race for the time being that lands clearly on the premium Xbox console. I'm sure it's fine to enjoy on all the platforms as Rockstar always delivers, yet there's something about this higher level of detail that does make quite a difference here. Whatever the case, play games where you want to and just keep in mind the opportunity for this world to look extremely better is in native 4k. Check out our game hub for the title for further coverage, or read about the Xbox One X details on it.

Read our Red Dead Redemption 2 Xbox One X Details
View our Red Dead Redemption Hub