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Red Dead Revolver
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Red Dead Revolver
Released 2004 · PlayStation 2 · Xbox
Red Dead Revolver is the 2004 game that started the Red Dead series, and it is not an open world. It is a level based arcade western following bounty hunter Red Harlow as he hunts the men who murdered his parents.
The project began at Capcom, was cancelled, and was finished by Rockstar San Diego, which is how a western ended up in the Rockstar catalogue at all.
Trailer
Video uploaded by RockstarWatch on YouTube, not an official Rockstar Games channel.
An Arcade Western, Not an Open World
You move through discrete stages rather than a map you roam. Each one is a shooting gallery with a set piece at the end, usually a duel. Understanding this is the difference between enjoying it and being disappointed: Revolver has almost nothing structurally in common with Red Dead Redemption six years later.
Dead Eye, First Version
The slow motion targeting the series is known for debuts here. Draw, tag targets on screen, then release to fire in sequence. It is simpler than the later versions and tied mostly to duels, but it is recognisably the same idea that Red Dead Redemption built a whole combat system around.
From Capcom Cancellation to Rockstar Release
Capcom started the game with Angel Studios, then dropped it. Rockstar had already bought Angel Studios, renamed it Rockstar San Diego, and chose to finish the project. Without that decision there is no Red Dead Redemption and no Arthur Morgan, which makes Revolver more historically important than its reviews suggest.
Frequently Asked Questions about Red Dead Revolver
Is Red Dead Revolver an open world game?
No. It is a level based arcade shooter with linear stages and duels, unlike Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2, which are open worlds.
Is Red Dead Revolver connected to Red Dead Redemption?
Only loosely. They share a setting and the Dead Eye mechanic, but not a continuous story. Revolver stars Red Harlow, Redemption stars John Marston.
Can you play Red Dead Revolver today?
Yes. Beyond the original PS2 and Xbox discs, it was re-released digitally on PlayStation 4 as a PS2 classic.