Red Dead Online Series - Your Adventure Awaits! EP-10
Red Dead Online co-crafted by talents like Rob Nelson and Imran Sarwar, released on multiple platforms, blending action-adventure with multiplayer allure
Reception
Upon its launch, Red Dead Online faced backlash for its in-game currency rewards, which players deemed insufficient for the associated costs of goods and upgrades. Complaints arose, asserting that it could take up to eight hours to earn a single gold bar in the game. Responding to player feedback, Rockstar committed to rebalancing the in-game economy. Additionally, concerns were raised about griefing in the game, prompting Rockstar to address the issue by adjusting player visibility based on proximity and behavior.
The Verge reported instances where players, particularly those controlling black characters, were targeted by griefers adopting Ku Klux Klan-inspired clans or slave catcher personas, often using racial slurs. Despite these challenges, some reviewers expressed positive sentiments about Red Dead Online. Christian Just from GameStar noted that the online version effectively captured the strengths of the single-player experience, fulfilling the nostalgic cowboy fantasies of players. Matt Martin of VG247 acknowledged some balancing issues but attributed them to the beta status, ultimately finding the game more enjoyable than Grand Theft Auto Online in terms of technical aspects and gameplay.
Andrew Webster of The Verge highlighted the tension in Red Dead Online's battle royale mode, contrasting it with faster-paced games like Fortnite due to its smaller player count and slower playstyle. OXM named King of the Castle as the best game mode. However, Heather Alexandra of Kotaku criticized Red Dead Online for being more "gamier" than its single-player counterpart, particularly in transforming realistic towns into deathmatch arenas. Luke Reilly of IGN praised the cooperative story missions but observed a skill imbalance in player versus player modes.
John Saavedra of Den of Geek criticized the simplicity of the story missions and suggested that free roam missions offered a better way to alleviate the monotony of traversing the game world. Overall, despite initial criticisms, Red Dead Online received a mix of positive and negative reviews from various perspectives.
At the 2019 Golden Joystick Awards, Red Dead Online received a nomination for Best Multiplayer Game. Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar, revealed that the game reached its highest number of players in December 2019, notably after the introduction of the Moonshiners update. However, in December 2020, the game surpassed this peak, attracting a significant influx of both new and returning players, marking the highest engagement since the game's beta launch.
