GTA 4 or Red Dead Redemption 2

[QuarantineLIF3]

Now I understand the hype for Red Dead 2 has calmed down and not as many people are playing it now, compared to when it launched, but it's a pretty solid rockstar game to me. For me Red Dead 2 is a return to some of the dark and gritty rockstar story telling that was lacking in games like GTA 5, and I feel like GTA 4 is also an example of this same story telling. Personally speaking without spoilers I feel like Red Dead 2 has a very story since it's not as predictable. The characters that you care about get killed in certain missions, which actually got me feeling emotional, and I only felt this same way near the end of GTA 4. So I feel like Red Dead 2 wins in story

 

Now for gameplay I feel like Red Dead 2 wins again, because in GTA 4 there isn't much customization, and also there isn't as much to do as in Red Dead 2 in free roam. Not only that, but things like the witness system really help me get immersed in the game, because in GTA 4 I can kill someone with no one looking, and I can still get cops, but in Red Dead 2 if I can kill a civilian and even a lawman for that matter, and as long as they're are no witnesses I will not recieve cops. Not only this, but it's fun as hell being able to rob trains, hunt, play blackjack, rob houses etc.. So Red Dead 2 wins

 

In terms of map, I feel like GTA 4's liberty city is the best map that rockstar have created. It feels like a big city, and I can feel like I'm actually in New York City. But due to the setting of Red Dead 2 doesnt have this, but it has a varied map with a small city. Red Dead 2 makes me feel immersed since everything feels natural, and a lot of random events make the map feel alive. But overall this is a tie for me because I like GTA 4's map due to the big city feel, and I also like Red Dead 2's map.

 

Physics is the next aspect of these games, and GTA 4's have aged like wine. While Red Dead 2 attempts to make the physics feel as realistic as possible, whereas with GTA 4's it just felt very dynamic. Like when I shoot people in the knee, they start limping, but in Red Dead 2 they dont really do that. Although despite this the gore is a huge upgrade in Red Dead 2 over any GTA game. But nothing can beat GTA 4, so it wins in this regard. 

 

I feel like that's everything I feel like comparing right now. Again I understand they're both different type of games, but I feel like comparing them anyway. What do y'all think about this ? Do you prefer GTA 4 or Red Dead 2 ? And Why ?

[Algonquin Assassin]

 

 

 

I was dreading the day someone would make this thread lol since both of them are my favourites. GTA IV for the GTA series and RDR2 for other R* titles.

 

In saying that it probably wont come as that much of a surprise, but I prefer GTA IV, but not by much.. Regarding stories I think RDR2 packs a more emotional punch in some ways, but Niko's story is more captivating to me hence why I've played through GTA IV's story so many times. Personally I think they're both great examples of well written stories and quite possibly it was because it was that GTA IV laid down a foundation to inspire the Red Dead series since GTA games never really had stories of that sort of caliber before.

 

Gameplay and physics I think GTA IV is on the upper end because its side missions interest me more and having access to cars, more modern weapons etc makes it easier to get into. Though I also love RDR2's. Urghh this is painful lol. 

 

In general while I do slightly prefer GTA IV there's no doubt RDR2 has been a powerful asset and probably the only game recently to challenge GTA IV as my overall favourite R* game. It speaks volume for how great of a game it is.

[TheSantader25]

This is a tough one. My fourth favorite game ever vs 6th. It's kinda hard to be objective when there are two games in two very different time periods so I'm mostly going with my feelings based on their release dates. 

 

Gameplay:GTA IV

Narrative:RDR2

Characters:tied

Dialogue:GTA IV

Soundtrack:RDR2

Atmosphere:tied

Map:RDR2

Mission Design:Tied

Protagonist:Arthur Morgan

 

Final Verdict: Close but RDR2. 

 

 

 

[Nooshi]

This might be controversial but i just couldnt get on with RDR2, i loved the other games in the RD series, i probably never played 2 enough, i got bored with it. So as much as IV is by no means a favourite id have to go with that

[Niobium]

while i'm glad RDR2 fixed most of the mistakes rockstar made with GTA V, they did not fix all of them. the overly linear and scripted mission design is back, failing you for the slightest deviation of the path or going slightly out of bounds, trying a more creative approach. GTA IV did not have this. plus i prefer the modern setting over the wild west.

 

it sounds like i'm trashing RDR2, but i'm really not. i'm glad rockstar has returned to more mature storytelling instead of the childish storytelling we got in GTA V. and i'm glad that things like shooting, physics, interiors and a living, breathing game world are just as good if not better than GTA IV. but GTA IV offers a sense of freedom in both missions and free roam that RDR2 kind of lacks. GTA IV is still better for me.

[Zello]

GTA IV

[Algonquin Assassin]

19 hours ago, Niobium said:

while i'm glad RDR2 fixed most of the mistakes rockstar made with GTA V, they did not fix all of them. the overly linear and scripted mission design is back, failing you for the slightest deviation of the path or going slightly out of bounds, trying a more creative approach. GTA IV did not have this. plus i prefer the modern setting over the wild west.

 

it sounds like i'm trashing RDR2, but i'm really not. i'm glad rockstar has returned to more mature storytelling instead of the childish storytelling we got in GTA V. and i'm glad that things like shooting, physics, interiors and a living, breathing game world are just as good if not better than GTA IV. but GTA IV offers a sense of freedom in both missions and free roam that RDR2 kind of lacks. GTA IV is still better for me.

Like GTA V I don't mind if some missions are linear and even scripted if it's to serve the narrative, but what disappoints that reared its head into RDR2 from GTA V are there moments where it takes complete control away. Like in some missions it's impossible to kill people until the game reaches a certain point before you can or you're forced into a forced walk or something. That pisses me off.

 

I'm not too fussed if every mission isn't open ended as not every mission was/is from other R* games, but what I don't like about GTA V and RDR2 is this overtly restrictive approach to mission design that makes me like I'm participating in an interactive cutscene rather playing a game. GTA IV and RDR1 feel like the last R* games of the older era before they started going overboard IMO.

 

Anyway as much as I still love RDR2 I have to admit I haven't played much of in the recent past. I still think Arthur is a great protagonist and the story is full of emotions, but I don't feel the desire to play it anymore. I finished my 14th playthrough of GTA IV only a couple of months back. Yeah I know I'm probably going to sound like a broken record, but GTA IV is easily the best game R* have ever made. It's going to a gift from God with GTA VI or whatever to knock GTA IV off its throne atleast for me.

Edited October 28, 2020 by Algonquin Assassin

[ThatBenGuy1998]

Both are great games but GTA IV.

[AkshayKumar]

Yeah both are great so can't decide. V is better than both anyway

[Algonquin Assassin]

2 hours ago, Utopianthumbs said:

V is better than both anyway

 

[AkshayKumar]

^He hated me cause I spoke the truth

 

Anyways I haven't played RDR2 tbh but as much as I think the cowboy theme is great I prefer the GTA style so unless RDR2 is mind blowingly good I think I would still prefer IV. Like RDR was amazing but I still prefer IV I suppose, the dense city, the various automobiles, the excellent radio all give IV and GTA in general an edge over RDR games at least to me

[Alexlecj]

Those are my two favorites R* games, with RDR being a close third.

 

I like them both like crazy. Strong stories supported by amazing characters and writing, spectacular open world building...

 

That said, I feel more connected to the Red Dead story and settings in general, so I'll go with RDR2.

[Ryo256]

In my opinion, GTA IV is better. By a decent amount as well and for solid reasons too such as gameplay more suited for open-world experience, reasonable narrative structure and pacing, along with better characters that are actually given focus so you can learn to care for them and less repetitive dialogue that is memorable as well. If asked to elaborate, I would end up writing too much so I will refrain from that for the time being. It also has story DLCs unlike RDR2.

I prefer RDR2 over IV right now. Since RDR2 is more polished, has pretty graphics, pretty damn good horse riding/physics and I do really like Arthur Morgan. Mainly because he is a likeable entertaining character that you will have no issue committing crimes with but with Niko there are some barriers based on his morality. Can't say I'm a fan of John Marston in RDR2 though since I haven't spend enough time with him in free roam.

Edited November 14, 2020 by Ryo256

[Guest]

In my humble opinion GTA IV, nothing else.

[NileshKumar]

I'll say GTA IV, but both are amazing

 

@Utopianthumbs So true, GTA V is better XDDD

[KingAJ032304]

On 10/27/2020 at 11:34 PM, Niobium said:

while i'm glad RDR2 fixed most of the mistakes rockstar made with GTA V, they did not fix all of them. the overly linear and scripted mission design is back, failing you for the slightest deviation of the path or going slightly out of bounds, trying a more creative approach. GTA IV did not have this. plus i prefer the modern setting over the wild west.

 

it sounds like i'm trashing RDR2, but i'm really not. i'm glad rockstar has returned to more mature storytelling instead of the childish storytelling we got in GTA V. and i'm glad that things like shooting, physics, interiors and a living, breathing game world are just as good if not better than GTA IV. but GTA IV offers a sense of freedom in both missions and free roam that RDR2 kind of lacks. GTA IV is still better for me.

actually imo interiors are actually some of he weak points in the RDR games.

[JetNormalGuy]

On 10/30/2020 at 3:02 AM, Utopianthumbs said:

Yeah both are great so can't decide. V is better than both anyway

I second that.

[Ryo256]

9 hours ago, RenegadeAngel said:

GTA V has naked boobies in strip clubs and what do these lame-ass games can offer?

Bowling and shrinking horse-balls. Checkmate!

[Algonquin Assassin]

37 minutes ago, Ryo256 said:

Bowling and shrinking horse-balls. Checkmate!

Not to mention Alex’s blogs about Niko being “large” and Arthur’s bare arse after he takes a bath.

 

All GTA V has is Trevor’s sagging balls. Eww.

[TheSantader25]

4 hours ago, Algonquin Assassin said:

Not to mention Alex’s blogs about Niko being “large” and Arthur’s bare arse after he takes a bath.

 

All GTA V has is Trevor’s sagging balls. Eww.

Nah I'd take topless chicks at the strip club and Poppy Mitchell's sex tape tbh

Edited November 23, 2020 by TheSantader25

[Booke]

Definitely rdr2 because it's way more emotional and more detailed than gta iv 

[billiejoearmstrong8]

I think it's the wrong comparison tbh. It's GTA IV and RDR1 that have the most in common. RDR2 has far more in common with GTA V. Although I'd say that GTA IV vs RDR1 is a tougher choice (with GTA IV stealing it) while RDR2 easily beats GTA V. 

[The Tracker]

1 hour ago, billiejoearmstrong8 said:

I think it's the wrong comparison tbh. It's GTA IV and RDR1 that have the most in common. RDR2 has far more in common with GTA V. Although I'd say that GTA IV vs RDR1 is a tougher choice (with GTA IV stealing it) while RDR2 easily beats GTA V. 

 

I don't remember GTA V being a grounded serious game.

 

RDR2 definitely has far more in common with GTA IV than V. Both GTA IV and RDR2 are heavily centered around immersion/simulation, more than in any other Rockstar Game. RDR1 is more of a middle ground, and GTA V is as wacky as it can get.

 

On 10/30/2020 at 6:40 AM, Wayne Kerr said:

^He hated me cause I spoke the truth

 

It's okay buddy.

 

 

Edited June 9, 2021 by The Tracker

[billiejoearmstrong8]

47 minutes ago, The Tracker said:

 

I don't remember GTA V being a grounded serious game.

 

RDR2 definitely has far more in common with GTA IV than V. Both GTA IV and RDR2 are heavily centered around immersion/simulation, more than in any other Rockstar Game. RDR1 is more of a middle ground, and GTA V is as wacky as it can get.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depends on how you compare them I guess. I associate IV and RDR1 because they both have a heavy emphasis on freedom in gameplay. The shooting and movement etc are very free/unscripted feeling and have those great physics, and you just have a lot of freedom in what you do and when and how you do it in general. V and RDR2 on the other hand both have more emphasis on good graphics and things looking good/smooth, at the expense of some of that movement and gameplay freedom. V and RDR2 also both have overly restrictive wanted systems, with RDR2 introducing the vague crime of "disturbing the peace" and getting wanted for accidently bumping someone which is very reminiscent of annoying stuff like people calling the cops on your for standing next to them in V. IV and RDR1 had none of that nonsense. 

 

Also RDR2's huge amount of activities and customisation etc reminds me more of GTA V. Whereas both RDR1 and IV were much more selective about what was included, a "less is more" approach. RDR2's selection of stuff to do and the huge and alive feeling world is much better than GTA V's. But both have that "more is more" approach.

 

RDR2 and IV are similar in that they both have great writing/story/characters. But I think V went for a big story and tried to go in depth with the characters etc as well. It just didn't do it as successfully (in most people's opinions). RDR2 does a lot of things better than V, but I don't think it's dissimilar to it. It built from V, improving some things and bringing some bad things over from it too.

Edited June 9, 2021 by billiejoearmstrong8

[The Tracker]

14 minutes ago, billiejoearmstrong8 said:

 

Depends on how you compare them I guess. I associate IV and RDR1 because they both have a heavy emphasis on freedom in gameplay. The shooting and movement etc are very free/unscripted feeling and have those great physics, and you just have a lot of freedom in what you do and when and how you do it in general. V and RDR2 on the other hand both have more emphasis on good graphics and things looking good/smooth, at the expense of some of that movement and gameplay freedom. V and RDR2 also both have overly restrictive wanted systems, with RDR2 introducing the vague crime of "disturbing the peace" and getting wanted for accidently bumping someone which is very reminiscent of annoying stuff like people calling the cops on your for standing next to them in V. IV and RDR1 had none of that nonsense. 

 

Also RDR2's huge amount of activities and customisation etc reminds me more of GTA V. Whereas both RDR1 and IV were much more selective about what was included, a "less is more" approach. RDR2's selection of stuff to do and the huge and alive feeling world is much better than GTA V's. But both have that "more is more" approach.

 

RDR2 and IV are similar in that they both have great writing/story/characters. But I think V also went for a big story and tried to go in depth with the characters etc as well. It just didn't do it as successfully (in most people's opinions - for me the writing in V is its strongest suit). RDR2 does a lot of things better than V, but I don't think it's dissimilar to it. It built from V, improving some things and bringing some bad things over from it too.

 

 

I think you got everything right except for the movement. GTA IV and RDR2 had way more emphasis on detailed animations at the expense of the smoother movement, whereas RDR1 and GTA V had more balance between the two, while the animations are detailed as well, your movements trigger faster.

Edited June 9, 2021 by The Tracker

[billiejoearmstrong8]

49 minutes ago, The Tracker said:

 

 

I think you got everything right except for the movement. GTA IV and RDR2 had way more emphasis on detailed animations at the expense of the smoother movement, whereas RDR1 and GTA V had more balance between the two, while the animations are detailed as well, your movements trigger faster.

 

I think IV's movement can be clunky at times but it's more just because it's older and some of the features were new (eg cover). In general things are quite free, for example shooting and NPC reactions and being able to move how you want (not being restricted to walking inside or being "guided" through dooes etc) and the crazily free physics when falling or being in an explosion etc. V made certain things smoother but I don't think that's necessarily the same as free. I definitely feel more in control of what I'm doing and less like things are scripted when playing IV and RDR1.

 

But yeah, it does depend on what you compare but overall I see more similarity with IV/RDR1 and V/RDR2. To answer OP's question I'd have to say GTA IV over RDR2 though, IV is the best ever for me and GTA always has a slight advantage over RDR just because the type of game it is and the time it's set means it has a bigger scope/more to it.

Edited June 9, 2021 by billiejoearmstrong8

[KingAJ032304]

On 6/9/2021 at 5:56 AM, billiejoearmstrong8 said:

I think it's the wrong comparison tbh. It's GTA IV and RDR1 that have the most in common. RDR2 has far more in common with GTA V. Although I'd say that GTA IV vs RDR1 is a tougher choice (with GTA IV stealing it) while RDR2 easily beats GTA V. 

for?? I think GTA IV to RDR 1 to GTA V is the perfect transistion in just about everyway.

[billiejoearmstrong8]

2 hours ago, KingAJ032304 said:

for?? I think GTA IV to RDR 1 to GTA V is the perfect transistion in just about everyway.

 

Not sure what you mean? I think GTA IV > RDR1 > RDR2 > GTA V. But I like them all. I just think IV is the GTA game RDR1 is most similar to, and V is the GTA game RDR2 is most similar to.

Edited June 11, 2021 by billiejoearmstrong8

[HCM-FIVE-0]

why not both?

 

[BabaFamilias]

RDR2 is a masterpiece. It is a work of art. There isn't any GTA or any other game who can match it. You are asking this question in a GTA IV fan forum, go ask it anywhere else and you will get the general consensus: RDR2 is the best R* game ever created. They got everything right: the cast, the script, the acting, the world and the gameplay. 

 

In GTA IV you have a map, in RDR2 you have a world. That world doesn't only exist for you to roam around. You will see NPCs working and then going for beer in the saloon and finally going to sleep. Animals make the world more alive, they hunt other animals or even attack NPCs. The transition between snowy mountains, grassland and dessert is smooth. If a NPC accidentally bumps into your crew mate, your crew mate will deal with him on his own. You can interact with pets and NPCs. Liberty City is a classical "game map" where everything is divided in "sections" which you need to unlock. You got your classic "starting island", then you unlock "the bigger cooler island" and finally you unlock "the third hard island". There aren't any animals and the NPCs just roam around. 

 

The story in GTA IV is very cliché and very GTA like: You do jobs for the bad guy => bad guy betrays you => you kill the bad guy. Niko lacks facial emotions which probably has to do with hardware limitations they had back then. Niko's character development doesn't compete with Arthur's. Arthur is a strong evil bad ass but becomes a weak sad old man by the end of the game. Micah is a way better villain than Dimitri, Faustin, Vlad or the other couple throwaway villains. The actor who portrayed him did a very good job in making you hate him. Arthur, John and Dutch don't get the Hollywood happy end that Niko gets.

 

The physics and details are a HUGE improvement to GTA IV. Arthur's clothes get dirty over time, blood stains taint his clothes, his clothes get ripped apart in a bear attack, etc. His hair and beard grows and you actually got barbers, making the world more immersive. Corpses decay over the time, you can even feed them to crocs or pigs. The rag dolls aren't over exaggerated. They feel just right. Arthur can get fat or become skinny, he reacts to the weather accordingly etc. I can go on and on.

 

Now come at me GTA IV fans