Red Dead Redemption 2 is a massive game that is packed to the seams with things to do. While the game explains the majority of its gameplay systems, the sheer size of its massive world, and the many mechanics that allow players to interact with it, can be overwhelming. As a result Rockstar has made the smart decision to spread the information out. However, some of that is useful to know from the very outset, so we've put together spoiler-free guide to give you the information you need to know.
These should serve as a good primer to jumping into the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 and, once you put them to use, they'll make for smoother play sessions. We've also included some information that the game tells you, but perhaps doesn't stress upon as much as it should.
For more on the game, make sure to check out our Red Dead Redemption 2 review, in which Kallie Plagge describes it as "an excellent prequel" and also "an emotional, thought-provoking story in its own right." If you skipped the first game but are wondering whether you should play the sequel, Jess McDonell discusses that very topic this Red Dead Redemption 2 video feature.
If that hasn't satiated your thirst you can watch Quickdraw, our weekly Red Dead Redemption 2 video series. In the first episode we looked at other Rockstar games that have influenced RDR 2. Episode 2, meanwhile, is a story recap of the original Red Dead Redemption.