Pro Tips

[nalp]

Hi all,

 

red dead redemption 2 was a game that i was eager to play on PC, RS made my day with releasing RDR2 to pc (since i just have PS2), so my question is to whom have played on console, what to do and what not to do?

 

In weapons, what is your weapon of choice and why? i like the winchester rifle a lot, im 40 and maybe i just saw to many western's in my childhood !

 

Be kind or rude, or in the middle?

 

Thanks is advance

 

Tips:

- Stay away from bears / Don't just avoid the bears! cougars are worse 

- Return to camp often!

- Explore the wilderness and do some hunting and fishing too

- Take your time!  Go everywhere, look in every building, study every animal, talk to every interesting looking NPC.  The game is the journey, not the destination
- if you're hunting for money, go for the 3 star quality you need to use the right weapon/bullets and hit it in the right (critical) zone - generally go for the neck, not the head to preserve the quality.  N
- Do all the white side-mission things first, then go on to the yellow ones.  The yellow ones are story missions and will eventually progress you into the next chapter, which can cut off access to side-quests if you've not started them yet.  
- It's good to do legendary hunts early, so you can enjoy the fruits of your labour early

- If you're a completionist, pay attention to the challenges
- The way the wanted system works is that the law will always seem to recognise you no matter what (...) so if you can get away while the law is investigating, chances are you won't be identified and won't get a bounty (...)

Edited October 22, 2019 by nalp
Update post

[Jason]

For single player? All I'd say really is go explore. You'll find all sorts of stuff through exploration including weapons.

[MVP]

Stay away from bears.

[Xerukal]

Return to camp often! There are plenty of great environmental stories that can happen at your gang's camps. Interact with people, take it slow and just soak it all in! Don't rush a single thing in this game. It's the truest meaning of "masterpiece". 

 

 

[Mustyfacecloth]

6 minutes ago, Xerukal said:

Don't rush a single thing in this game. 

This for sure.  Played through once on console and as I neared the end of the story I rushed through it, but it would be much better taken slow.  I'm excited to jump back in and take it very slow on my favourite platform.

[kreeg]

As the others have already stated take your time in Single Player. There is a lot more to do in single player than doing the main story and side quests. Explore the wilderness and do some hunting and fishing too. Take your time.

There is no need at all to rush through the story and in fact I advise against it because some of the side quests will actually disappear and become unavailable if you rush through it.

Edited October 20, 2019 by kreeg

[nalp]

10 hours ago, Jason said:

For single player? All I'd say really is go explore. You'll find all sorts of stuff through exploration including weapons.

 

Thanks, so RDR2 is diferent from other games, normally missions have specific time limit, if dont its fine with my playing style

10 hours ago, MostWantedMVP said:

Stay away from bears.

 

 

Seems a nice advice

 

10 hours ago, Xerukal said:

Return to camp often! There are plenty of great environmental stories that can happen at your gang's camps. Interact with people, take it slow and just soak it all in! Don't rush a single thing in this game. It's the truest meaning of "masterpiece". 

as i write before, that's just good, i love that style of play, with time and soak up and absorb things, not a rush up to do things, 

[RogueMango]

12 hours ago, Jason said:

For single player? All I'd say really is go explore. You'll find all sorts of stuff through exploration including weapons.

I was wondering about finding weapons through exploration - unlike in GTA (a “rotating” weapon pick up), how are weapons “found” in single player? Are they contextual to the environment? So, for example finding them where you’d expect, in a more realistic manner? 
Can you find unique weapons in free roam, or do you purchase and upgrade? 

[RyuNova]

Dont explore the map. Seriously, let the game naturally progress and take you to more areas. The game does a good job of introducing new areas each chapter but if you have seen them all its grandeur is lost.

[Jason]

3 hours ago, RogueMango said:

I was wondering about finding weapons through exploration - unlike in GTA (a “rotating” weapon pick up), how are weapons “found” in single player? Are they contextual to the environment? So, for example finding them where you’d expect, in a more realistic manner? 
Can you find unique weapons in free roam, or do you purchase and upgrade? 

Yes, the weapons you find in the open world are found in areas where they'd make sense, I don't really wanna spoil stuff but there's some that are well hidden away. Some of these weapons are unique, some are variants of weapons you already have.

[RogueMango]

1 minute ago, Jason said:

Yes, the weapons you find in the open world are found in areas where they'd make sense, I don't really wanna spoil stuff but there's some that are well hidden away. Some of these weapons are unique, some are variants of weapons you already have.

Great, thanks - the immersion levels are strong in this one: and thank you for keeping it spoiler free!

[Obsi]

Honestly, there's so much you'll likely miss - the game is epic!  Which is why a second (and third!) playthrough is still great.

 

I didn't want any spoilers, but I didn't want to miss anything, so I had my husband look through the companion guide book as I played, so he could make sure I wasn't missing anything before moving on.  There's stuff I don't think I'd have found on my own without having that as a guide (hubs would tactfully say "I think you should go explore the map up here a bit" sort of thing  )

So my non-spoiler tips are:

* Take your time!  Go everywhere, look in every building, study every animal, talk to every interesting looking NPC.  The game is the journey, not the destination!
* Don't just avoid the bears! cougars are worse :P  (black bears are harmless though) - on that note, depending on the horse you're on, they can get spooked easily and throw you off (Arabians are USELESS!)  You can calm the horse, which will make it less likely to buck you off (higher bonding also helps).  If in doubt though, jump off - it's quicker to do that than to recover from being thrown.
* On the topic of hunting, something I didn't work out for a while (maybe I'm dumb) there are 3 quality markers for animals (stars).  Obviously 3 star is worth more, so if you're hunting for money, go for those - and to retain the 3 star quality you need to use the right weapon/bullets and hit it in the right (critical) zone - generally go for the neck, not the head to preserve the quality.  Not sure if the game explains what is best to use, I had to look it up in the guide book.
* Do all the white side-mission things first, then go on to the yellow ones.  The yellow ones are story missions and will eventually progress you into the next chapter, which can cut off access to side-quests if you've not started them yet.  
* It's good to do legendary hunts early, so you can enjoy the fruits of your labour early.  If you leave it too late, the benefits aren't as useful.

* If you're a completionist, pay attention to the challenges (in the pause menu --> progress --> challenges) and try to get those done.
* The way the wanted system works is that the law will always seem to recognise you no matter what (even with your face covered !?!), but NPCs usually won't know who you are - so if you can get away while the law is investigating, chances are you won't be identified and won't get a bounty.  I've seen people suggest having a naughty outfit and a good outfit so you can swap - as supposedly the NPCs will learn to identify you based on clothing.  (not sure if that's true, but I have 2 outfits just in case)

Slight spoiler (maybe) - not really a spoiler, but I'll spoiler it just in case....

Spoiler

* Talk to everyone in camp - often.  Some will have item collecting missions for you.

Now I'm in 2 minds about exploring........  I do agree not to explore in the first chapter - stay there for the right feel.  And I do agree that it's weird to have characters talk about places as if you've not been there if you do go there earlier.  If you're wanting to experience just the story and live it like Arthur would, then maybe stick to the more linear progression of the story.  However you'll miss out on a heap of stuff if you don't explore early, and I'd argue it's more enjoyable exploring earlier in the game when everything feels newer and more impressive....  But then that could give you something to pick up on the 2nd playthrough if you do miss things.......  So if you're wanting to get as much of the game in as possible in the first playthrough - then I'd suggest once you get to chapter 2, explore everything. Side quest things often only appear when you get close to the NPC to trigger it, so if you never go near them, you'll miss it.  Some also only appear at certain times of day - so exploring places more than once is a good idea.

Edited October 22, 2019 by Obsi

[kcole4001]

That right there /\ is why I bought the game.

Also why GTA is still fun: there is so much packed in there you'll likely never find everything.

I hate the feeling that you've done everything and there are no more surprises.

 

Pro tip I've stole from a youtuber (the Professional): mutlitask.

If you're doing a mission, you can hunt, fish, collect, stock up, tick off those daily challenges, hit achievements.

You can get a lot more done if you get used to keeping your eyes open for the opportunities when they arise.

Also note where certain wildlife spawns, as they're not common to all areas, so keep mental notes about where you see things even if you don't need to bag them at the time.

[nalp]

8 hours ago, Obsi said:

Honestly, there's so much you'll likely miss - the game is epic!  Which is why a second (and third!) playthrough is still great.

 

I didn't want any spoilers, but I didn't want to miss anything, so I had my husband look through the companion guide book as I played, so he could make sure I wasn't missing anything before moving on.  There's stuff I don't think I'd have found on my own without having that as a guide (hubs would tactfully say "I think you should go explore the map up here a bit" sort of thing  )

So my non-spoiler tips are:
(...)

Slight spoiler (maybe) - not really a spoiler, but I'll spoiler it just in case....

  Reveal hidden contents

* Talk to everyone in camp - often.  Some will have item collecting missions for you.

Now I'm in 2 minds about exploring........  (...)

Great thanks for the tips, i love to explore in AC odyssey i made a lot of secundary missions and explore the map (and i love greece, so it's a win-win), it´s not a spoiler, its a great tip  

8 hours ago, kcole4001 said:

That right there /\ is why I bought the game.

Also why GTA is still fun: there is so much packed in there you'll likely never find everything.

I hate the feeling that you've done everything and there are no more surprises.

 

Pro tip I've stole from a youtuber (the Professional): mutlitask.

If you're doing a mission, you can hunt, fish, collect, stock up, tick off those daily challenges, hit achievements.

You can get a lot more done if you get used to keeping your eyes open for the opportunities when they arise.

Also note where certain wildlife spawns, as they're not common to all areas, so keep mental notes about where you see things even if you don't need to bag them at the time.

yeah, for who bought the game, maybe they feel a little diferent and enjoy that little things

[RyuNova]

On 10/21/2019 at 11:29 AM, RyuNova said:

Dont explore the map. Seriously, let the game naturally progress and take you to more areas. The game does a good job of introducing new areas each chapter but if you have seen them all its grandeur is lost.

 

To follow on from this. Explore the areas the game leads you to thoroughly but don't go off far and wide.

[seldo]

27 minutes ago, RyuNova said:

 

To follow on from this. Explore the areas the game leads you to thoroughly but don't go off far and wide.

The game tries to deter you as well, with making you wanted if you go to some regions too

[RyuNova]

3 minutes ago, seldo said:

The game tries to deter you as well, with making you wanted if you go to some regions too

 

Yea, half the map is locked off but you are free to explore the top half, I am just saying that exploring the entire map quickly instead of letting to come naturally is just spoiling yourself.

[Xerukal]

I don't think it's spoiling anything, as long as the discovery is yours and yours alone. It'll feel a bit weird when the game tries to imply that it's Arthur's first time visiting somewhere, but I don't think that should completely discourage people from exploring. 

 

[RyuNova]

2 minutes ago, Xerukal said:

I don't think it's spoiling anything, as long as the discovery is yours and yours alone. It'll feel a bit weird when the game tries to imply that it's Arthur's first time visiting somewhere, but I don't think that should completely discourage people from exploring. 

 

 

Well seeing as places like Saint Denis have missions dedicated to them with beautiful fly over shots I think the intention was for you to see them the first rime then.

[Xerukal]

2 minutes ago, RyuNova said:

 

Well seeing as places like Saint Denis have missions dedicated to them with beautiful fly over shots I think the intention was for you to see them the first rime then.

I'm sure it was, and players who want to explore in a lore/story-friendly way are absolutely free to restrain themselves from seeing too much before the story takes them there. But if you're playing this game for the first time ever on PC, and just want to see all it has to offer in your own time without going through with the story, then I think you can't go wrong with exploring wherever the game lets you. 

 

I think this one is more of an alternative Suggestion than a Pro Tip.  

Edited October 22, 2019 by Xerukal

[nalp]

12 minutes ago, Xerukal said:

I'm sure it was, and players who want to explore in a lore/story-friendly way are absolutely free to restrain themselves from seeing too much before the story takes them there. But if you're playing this game for the first time ever on PC, and just want to see all it has to offer in your own time without going through with the story, then I think you can't go wrong with exploring wherever the game lets you. 

 

I think this one is more of an alternative Suggestion than a Pro Tip.  

Xerukal, in Pathfinder: Kingmaker you have a some sort of map control, and i agree with that, because in the same i have the bad habbit of saving on top of another and in one mission i was too low level, or few healing potion's, i f*ked the game and 3 weeks lost, im good with some map control...

[RyuNova]

26 minutes ago, Xerukal said:

I'm sure it was, and players who want to explore in a lore/story-friendly way are absolutely free to restrain themselves from seeing too much before the story takes them there. But if you're playing this game for the first time ever on PC, and just want to see all it has to offer in your own time without going through with the story, then I think you can't go wrong with exploring wherever the game lets you. 

 

You make it sound like I am forcing you. I am not, I am just saying that R* went to alot of detail to introduce new places organically and with big fanfare. This way also keeps exploring fresh, it takes less than ten minutes to ride from one end of the map to the other.

[Obsi]

The only problem with the advice on not to explore until the story takes you there, is that there are places that you don't get taken to in the story (or not close enough to) - so you may miss out on stuff if you don't explore independently. 

 

6 hours ago, nalp said:

Xerukal, in Pathfinder: Kingmaker you have a some sort of map control, and i agree with that, because in the same i have the bad habbit of saving on top of another and in one mission i was too low level, or few healing potion's, i f*ked the game and 3 weeks lost, im good with some map control...

 

Nothing in RDR2 is really hard/challenging. It'll take you a long time to play through (particularly if you explore ;)), but it's not something where you find yourself unprepared for what you go into (unless you've run into a gunfight when you've left your guns on your horse - that then becomes a challenge :D).  It's not like you'll have boss fights with enemies that have higher health or whatever.  It's more a case of more enemies = harder.   If you have enough ammo and food/tonics and a bit of strategy (dare I say, a plan!) you should be good regardless of what weapons you have or how early in the game it is.   So the map doesn't really need to be controlled for that sort of aspect - you won't stumble upon something you can't handle if you explore, so long as you're prepared.  

 

Story missions are like a flowchart (that's exactly how the guidebook shows them) - the next one only unlocks after you've met certain requirements, and while there are side-missions/stranger missions that are unlocked when you get close to them - those also mostly only appear when you've met certain timeline criteria too, and those are unrelated to the main story -  So you can't really do something you're not supposed to.  The game is really designed to let you have as much freedom to explore as you want  (with a few exceptions)

I can think of a few places/situations where I'd explored and found something that later on was part of a mission and it would have been a bit more of a surprise had I not already seen it.  But I honestly think that those minor things didn't make any difference overall, and I'd much prefer having had my time exploring.  It was more a case of "Ohh, so that explains it" - rather than "damn, I've spoiled that surprise".  Yes sometimes the characters I was with then explained a place I already knew about as if I didn't - but when you think of it, the character wouldn't necessarily have known I'd already been there - so I figured it still kept the immersion.

-- I guess it also depends on whether you're the sort of person who wants to draw the story out as long as possible so you can enjoy just being in the world.  Or if you want to finish the story as quickly as possible and then mess about exploring at the end.   I personally am glad I spent as much time as possible drawing the story out.  I could set my own pace then.  When I got bored of hunting and exploring, I'd do a mission.  Camp life and story is fun, but I enjoyed being able to play Arthur as I wanted to play him.   But each to their own.

 

I spent so much time off hunting and exploring that Dutch sent someone after me to check I was ok  LOL  (I'd left camp clean shaven and came back with a beard ZZ Top would have been impressed with :P)

[steeljacket488]

Pro Tips lets see here.

 

1.Hog tie and feed strangers to the bears they are very friendly after all.

2. Don't leave out the gators they need feeding too.

3. Piss off everyone, if you like fist fights antagonize is your friend.

4. If your horse bucks you off to be eaten by some animal and you survive give it a smack for its effort, you get a kick out of it. 

5. Forget about bears and mountain lions its the deer that will kill you. Antlers hurt more then teeth.

6. If it moves skin it, if it doesn't move try to kill it anyway and see if it does. If it screams anything in English your in trouble and need to kill it anyway.

7. Never leave your horse on the train tracks, its special and cant hear the train coming.

8. Loot everyone, gold, silver , and platinum watches and rings where common things back then. Bounty hunters coming after me are good money, kill and take whats on them.

 

9. In short have fun.

[nalp]

2 hours ago, steeljacket488 said:

Pro Tips lets see here.

 

1.Hog tie and feed strangers to the bears they are very friendly after all.

2. Don't leave out the gators they need feeding too.

3. Piss off everyone, if you like fist fights antagonize is your friend.

4. If your horse bucks you off to be eaten by some animal and you survive give it a smack for its effort, you get a kick out of it. 

5. Forget about bears and mountain lions its the deer that will kill you. Antlers hurt more then teeth.

6. If it moves skin it, if it doesn't move try to kill it anyway and see if it does. If it screams anything in English your in trouble and need to kill it anyway.

7. Never leave your horse on the train tracks, its special and cant hear the train coming.

8. Loot everyone, gold, silver , and platinum watches and rings where common things back then. Bounty hunters coming after me are good money, kill and take whats on them.

 

9. In short have fun.

 thanks i guess

[kcole4001]

2 hours ago, steeljacket488 said:

....

 

9. In short have fun.

This is the only one that really matters.

This is recreational time, we shouldn't lose sight of that.

Open world = shenanigans (not necessarily at other's expense). Just do whatever entertains you.

[nalp]

11 hours ago, kcole4001 said:

This is the only one that really matters.

This is recreational time, we shouldn't lose sight of that.

Open world = shenanigans (not necessarily at other's expense). Just do whatever entertains you.

the feeling that i had with AC Odyssey

[kcole4001]

For anyone having a hard time collecting, GTA Series has guides for all collectibles for each game day (Day 1, Day 2, Day 3).

Very useful vids, no BS, highly recommended.

They deserve a like and a sub for being all content and no crap.

They also have all the GTA collectible guides you'd want.

 

Also, I have a very bad habit of making a cup of tea and going back into the game only to realize later that the tea is now getting cold after about 30 minutes, so now I use a kitchen timer set to 10-12 minutes for a decent strength cuppa.

It's handy for a reminder if you're awaiting freeroam events to spawn, cooldown timers to expire, anything like that.

It's far too easy to forget when you're engrossed in the game or hunting something particularly elusive (like collectibles).

 

Being old and not generally a shooter player, this took me a while to get sorted out: I bought a gaming headset for RDO, but couldn't get anything to play through it, the software is running, the surround sound test works fine, I can hear the mic, and it shows up in RDO settings as recognized, but everything still comes through the speakers, not the headset.

Enter a little (free) program called SetSoundDevice (SSD) that enables the user to switch default sound (and recording) devices with either 2 or 1 double click, saved as icons on your desktop.

Now, of course you can go into Control Panel, then Device Manager, and change it that way, but it's extremely tedious to have to do this over and over.

I've set the SSD shortcut to switch both with the double click of one icon, conversely you can have an icon labelled for each individual sound device on your desktop and double click the appropriate one to activate (handy if you use more than two).

There are other programs that do the same function, just thought that might help out others who may be doing this the hard way. It's all new to me, but probably old news to many.