Is Red Dead Redemption 2 Still Worth Playing, and How Long Does It Take to Beat?

Red Dead Redemption 2 has been called one of the greatest games ever made. It has also been called slow, overwhelming, and intimidating for players who are late to it. If you missed it at launch or bounced off it early, you are not alone.

For many players in their 30s and 40s, the question is not whether Red Dead Redemption 2 is good. The real question is whether it is still worth starting now, and whether you realistically have the time to finish it.

This article is not about hype or legacy. It is about whether Red Dead Redemption 2 fits into a modern, busy gaming life and what kind of time commitment it actually demands.

What Kind of Game Is Red Dead Redemption 2, Really?

At its core, Red Dead Redemption 2 is a slow burn, narrative driven open world game. It is not built around constant upgrades, rapid fast travel, or short gameplay loops. The game wants you to live in its world, not rush through it.

You play as Arthur Morgan, a member of a fading outlaw gang at the end of the Wild West era. Much of the game revolves around camp life, relationships within the gang, and the gradual collapse of their way of living. The story is deliberate, character focused, and often quiet.

This is not an action game first. Combat exists, and there are plenty of shootouts, but they are not the main attraction. Exploration, atmosphere, and storytelling do most of the heavy lifting.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is best suited for players who enjoy immersion, world building, and character driven stories. If you enjoy games that reward patience and attention, this is very much your kind of experience.

If you prefer fast progression, constant objectives, or games that respect very short sessions, this game can feel frustrating at times.

How Long Does It Take to Beat Red Dead Redemption 2?

This is where many players hesitate. Red Dead Redemption 2 has a reputation for being long, and that reputation is deserved. The important thing is understanding what kind of long it is.

Main Story Only

If you focus primarily on the main story and avoid most side activities, Red Dead Redemption 2 takes around 45 to 50 hours to complete.

This still assumes that you engage with the world at least a little. The game does not lend itself to pure objective hopping. Travel time, conversations, and slower mission pacing are built in.

Main Story Plus Some Side Content

This is how most people actually play. You do some side missions, explore occasionally, and interact with camp activities.

In this case, expect 60 to 70 hours.

This is also where the game shines the most. Many of the side missions are some of the best written content in the game, and skipping them entirely undercuts the experience.

Completionist Playthrough

If you aim to do most side missions, hunting challenges, collectibles, and optional systems, you can easily exceed 90 to 100 hours.

For most players with limited time, this is not realistic and not necessary to enjoy the game.

Can You Play Red Dead Redemption 2 in Short Sessions?

This is one of the most important questions for Delayed Respawnse readers.

The honest answer is that Red Dead Redemption 2 does not always respect short sessions. Missions can be long, and some story sequences take time to resolve. Saving mid mission is not always possible, and cutscenes can run longer than expected.

That said, the open world itself is very friendly to shorter play windows. You can log in, ride for a bit, hunt an animal, complete a small side task, or simply explore and log off.

The key is mindset. This is not a game you rush. If you treat it as something to slowly live in rather than something to finish quickly, it works much better alongside adult life.

Players who struggle most are those trying to push through story missions in limited windows while feeling pressure to make progress.

Does Red Dead Redemption 2 Still Hold Up Today?

Visually, Red Dead Redemption 2 still holds up extremely well. In many ways, it surpasses newer open world games in terms of detail, animation quality, and environmental realism.

Character animations are weighty and deliberate. Facial expressions and body language do a lot of storytelling without words. Weather systems, lighting, and landscapes remain impressive even years later.

Mechanically, the game can feel dated in places. Movement is heavy by design, but it can feel unresponsive if you are coming from more modern, fluid action games. Looting animations are slow. Menus can be clunky. The game often prioritizes realism over convenience.

Quality of life features are limited compared to newer open world titles. Fast travel exists but is intentionally restricted. Inventory management is more manual than many players are used to now.

Whether this bothers you depends on your tolerance for friction. Some players find it immersive. Others find it exhausting.

How Punishing Is It If You Take Long Breaks?

This is a surprisingly important consideration.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is forgiving when it comes to taking breaks. Controls are consistent throughout the game, and mechanics do not radically change over time. You can step away for weeks and return without feeling lost mechanically.

Story wise, the game does rely heavily on character relationships and emotional buildup. Long breaks can dull some of that impact. The game does a reasonable job reminding you of objectives, but it does not recap emotional context.

If you expect long gaps between sessions, it helps to slow down and not rush major story moments. Treat it like a long novel rather than a TV series you binge.

Is the Game Still Fun If You Ignore Large Portions of It?

Yes, and this is an underrated strength.

You do not need to engage deeply with hunting systems, crafting, gambling, or collectibles to enjoy Red Dead Redemption 2. Many of these systems are optional and exist to enrich the world rather than gate progress.

You can focus on the main story, do select side missions that interest you, and ignore the rest without penalty.

The game never feels like it is forcing you to complete a checklist. It simply offers possibilities.

What About Difficulty and Accessibility?

Combat difficulty in Red Dead Redemption 2 is generally forgiving. The Dead Eye system gives you a strong advantage, and most encounters are manageable even for players who are not reflex focused.

Enemy AI is not particularly aggressive, and checkpoints are generous.

Accessibility options are limited compared to modern standards, but the core gameplay is not mechanically demanding.

This makes it approachable for players who are not hardcore or who prefer narrative over challenge.

Is Red Dead Online Required?

No.

Red Dead Online is a separate experience and not required to enjoy the main game. Many players never touch it at all.

For late players, it is easy to ignore entirely without missing anything essential.

Where Red Dead Redemption 2 Fits in a Busy Life

This is the deciding factor for many players.

Red Dead Redemption 2 works best as a long term, low pressure game. It is ideal if you are playing one game at a time and are not in a rush to move on.

It works poorly if you want fast gratification, quick progression, or a game that fits neatly into rigid schedules.

Think of it as a game you live alongside your life rather than one you squeeze into it.

If you only have time for short, infrequent sessions and feel stressed when progress is slow, this may not be the right choice.

If you enjoy unwinding, exploring, and letting a story take its time, it can be incredibly rewarding.

So, Is Red Dead Redemption 2 Still Worth Playing?

Yes, with conditions.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is still absolutely worth playing if you want a rich, character driven story and are willing to let the game move at its own pace. Its world, writing, and atmosphere remain among the best in gaming.

It is worth playing if you are comfortable with a 50 to 70 hour commitment spread over time, and if you enjoy immersion more than efficiency.

It may not be worth starting if you are looking for something quick, mechanically tight, or easy to jump in and out of without mental overhead.

For the right player, especially one who missed it the first time, Red Dead Redemption 2 can still be a deeply memorable experience. It does not ask you to keep up with trends. It asks you to slow down and stay a while.

That is not for everyone. But for those it clicks with, it remains one of the most rewarding games you can play late.