Red Dead Redemption 2 At E3 2018: What We Know And Want

Rockstar Games doesn't usually have a large presence at E3; it tends to announce details about its latest games on its own schedule. But seeing as Red Dead Redemption II is only a few months away, it's possible we'll hear more about the upcoming open-world Western at this year's big event. To prepare for what's ahead, let's break down what we already know about Red Dead Redemption II, and what we're hoping to see at E3 2018.

What We Know So Far

Red Dead Redemption II was revealed on October 20, 2016. Developer Rockstar Games had initially teased the project on social media two days prior with images in the color and theme of Red Dead Redemption, but eventually confirmed its development with a trailer. While Red Dead Redemption II is a sequel in name, it's actually a prequel to the original's story.

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Set 12 years before the events of Red Dead Redemption, the prequel focuses on the exploits of the infamous Van der Linde gang--who fans should already be familiar with. After a robbery in the town of Blackwater goes wrong, the gang is forced to flee. You play as outlaw Arthur Morgan, who must help keep the gang in-check in the midst of its desperate attempts to avoid the pursuit of government agents and rival gangs. It's also worth noting the gang includes a younger, less-experienced version of the original's protagonist, John Marston.

Red Dead Redemption II is expected to play much like its predecessor, focusing on exploration, hunting, shoot-outs, heists, and other side-activities where you'll interact with a number of unique characters. However, it also features a far more expansive map to explore. Based on what we've learned from trailers and early previews, your impact on the world is a bigger focus. As Morgan, you'll have to handle various responsibilities, such as resource gathering, earning money, and making sure everyone in the community is happy. Average citizens and members of your gang will react to how well or how poorly you treat them from day to day. This also impacts the honor system, which makes a return from the original, but now with more complex tracking.

What's Confirmed For E3?

Red Dead Redemption II is not confirmed to appear at E3 2018. However, Rockstar Games has a habit of debuting new trailers for its latest games at E3 press conferences. For example, Rockstar released a trailer for Grand Theft Auto V during E3 2013. Given the sequel's upcoming release, there's potential for at least another brief look at the game at this year's show.

What We Hope To See At E3

There are still unexplored mysteries about how Red Dead Redemption II actually plays. We're hoping E3 can be a place where such details are divulged. While Rockstar has typically been fine showing off trailers, a full-on gameplay demonstration could serve as a nice way of showcasing what Red Dead Redemption II's combat and exploration looks like.

Customization was an underutilized aspect in Red Dead Redemption. While you could craft a few new outfits, you couldn't really alter the cosmetics of anything else. We're hoping Rockstar confirms more customization options for clothing, weapons, and even your horse.

Multiplayer has been an important pillar for Rockstar's most recent games, so it would be great to get a better idea of what's in store. There's still so much we don't know about Red Dead Redemption II's multiplayer. Will the mode have heists like Grand Theft Auto Online? Will there be co-op? Hopefully, this year's show yields answers.

Lastly, we're still eager to hear more details about Red Dead Redemption II's story. From the synopsis, Arthur Morgan is a conflicted individual; his loyalty to the Van der Linde gang is slowly faltering due to the extreme circumstances they're embroiled in. It would be fantastic to learn about how these elements affect Morgan's relationships with his fellow gang members and those he cares about.