20 INSANE Little Details in Red Dead Redemption II

Flashy Holstering

This ones a perfect way to kick things off because before doing research for this video, I had no idea this was even possible. One of the most iconic Western tropes is the classic cowboy move of spinning the revolver and blowing off the smoke before slickly holstering it in style. Sure, you cant blow smoke, but you can still do some fun tricky spins with your loaded gun. Be careful. Try tapping L1 twice in quick succession. If you do it right, Arthur will give his pistol a flashy spin and snap it into the holster with a super satisfying whock. It dont get much cooler than that.

Horse Shrinkage

This one's basically a meme at this point. But seriously, how wild is this level of detail? In the colder regions of the game, your horses anatomy actually shrinks due to the temperature. Its such a tiny, easily overlooked detail that its become infamous. But thats what makes it brilliant. Its so unnecessary, so weirdly specific, that it becomes hilarious, but also a testament to Rockstars commitment to realism. If you are setting up your dev team to work on horse c**k, youre hilarious.

The End Is At The Start

This is one of those tiny details that almost 100% of players have missed during every playthrough. During Chapter One, when the gang is riding out for their first train robbery, there's a brief moment in a cutscene where you can actually spot Micahs hideout from the games finale. Its subtle and only visible for a second, but its a clever little nod to the ending that doesnt spoil anything. Easter Eggs are so fun! And this full circle nod is as fun as it gets.

This Is Someones Roman Empire

American history is a subject of interest for a huge chunk of the world. Whether its patriotism, or wild stories, something about it sucks us in. With a huge chunk of history buffs enjoying your game just to live through the often romanticized American West, you have to have a keen eye and attention to detail. And one dope little detail is that the American Flag has the correct amount of stars for the time! I wouldnt blame Rockstar for unconsciously forgetting this, because I would, but obviously someone caught this detail, which is as wild as the detail itself.

Arthurs Artsy Side

Arthur carries a journal with him and regularly jots down entries after major events or when he stumbles upon new places. Ill admit, I dont think I looked at it once, and NOW I regret it because while he sees his life as an outlaw as something unavoidable, the journal offers a glimpse of a different side. His elegant cursive writing and intricate sketches reveal a more thoughtful, artistic soul beneath the hardened exterior. Turns out, Arthur is actually a very well rounded and deep thinker, which is surprising considering how easily he can cave in a mans skull.

NPCs Eat

One of the most well developed immersive elements of RDR2 is the NPCs, who all seem to live a full and realised life of their own. But wanna see something super cool? Head into a saloon and keep an eye out for an NPC having a meal. Youll notice they actually eat their food piece by piece, with each bite gradually making the food disappear from the plate. Once theyre done, they casually get up and continue on with their day. It. Is. Too. Immersive.

Mud

RDR2 is literally the only game that I could make a video on, and say guys, how cool is the mud? Since most paths are unpaved, mud is practically everywhere, and it behaves realistically, too. Arthur and his horse leave behind footprints, and if Arthur falls or gets shoved into the mud, his body leaves a detailed imprint. His clothes also get completely covered in it, meaning youll need to wash up or swap outfits. This level of muddy detail was so unnecessary, but actually dealing with dirt adds a surprisingly unconscious level of immersion.

Townfolks Notice You Tapping X

If you lived in a small town, and there was always one dude who just went into a dead sprint every time they went from one place to another, youd notice. Thats why its smart to slow things down in more populated areas. Sprint at a door, and Arthur wont just walk in, hell slam into it with his shoulder, busting it open like he owns the place. People inside will jump, sometimes curse, and definitely take notice. Its rude, sure, but not quite enough to get the law involved. Try it, its hilarious. People will also comment on your sprinting out in the streets, which I think is worthy of getting shot... But thats just me.

Store Catalogues

The thick catalogues found in general stores and gunsmith shops arent just glorified item lists, theyre fully fleshed-out advertisements, complete with blurbs on craftsmanship and customer satisfaction. It couldve been a basic buy/sell menu, but the game takes the opportunity and pulls you deeper into its world. One detail that really stands out is how the catalog behaves physically. In most games, books are stiff, lifeless props. But here, when you flip through the pages or hand it back to the shopkeeper, it moves with weight and a satisfying floppiness that feels incredibly real. I DONT KNOW WHY IM EVEN TALKING ABOUT IT! BUT THIS GAME RULES SO SHUT UP.

RDR1 Callback

This. Is. Wild. In RDR2, you can find a dying man who uses his last breath to say Tell her I never stopped The man is carrying a letter addressed to Bonnie MacFarlane. Part of the letter reads: Im heading off to make my fortune, and when I come back a rich man, youll see what a fine husband Ill make you, and a father to our children. Bonnie, of course, is the rancher who saved John Marstons life in the original Red Dead Redemption. This small discovery adds a bit of tragic context to her story, and tells you why (maybe) she is unwed in RDR1.

Thomas Downes Appears More Than You Think

If you dont know, Thomas Downes is the man who ultimately infects Arthur with TB, though the game never explicitly spells this out, so its easy to miss. During the debt collection scene, Arthur confronts him aggressively, and thats when the infection LIKELY happens. But on a second playthrough, you might catch that this isn't actually Downes first appearance. Earlier in the game, hes seen asking for charity donations, and he even steps in to break up Arthurs brawl with Tommy in Valentine. In both scenes, hes noticeably coughing, subtly hinting that hes already ill at the time. Its a cleverly planted detail that hits harder once you know the full story.

Snow Will Melt

In RDR2, as you walk or ride your horse through snowy terrain, you'll leave behind deep, realistic footprints that can be followed later. Fallen animals also leave noticeable indentations where their bodies hit the ground. But the most mind-blowing detail? When you transition into a warmer area, you can actually see the snow melting off Arthurs clothes. Its a subtle touch, but it shows just how much care went into crafting this world. Also, Arthurs b**s shrink in the cold... I assume.

Losing Your Hat

I know this is the point of the whole video, but goddamn RDR2 pushed the small details to the next level. Over the course of your adventure, youre bound to lose your hat, whether its blasted off in a shootout, or sent flying by a stray punch. When that happens, youll usually spot it lying on the ground nearby. While your default and saved hats will go back to camp, any hats youve picked up randomly from NPCs and forgot to save will be lost for good if you dont retrieve them. So, much like real life, you gotta keep an eye on your possessions, because if you drop them, they dont just reappear in your pocket.

The Blood Stays On You

If you haul a bloody animal over your shoulder, youll notice a shiny, blood-stained patch left behind. Stow that same animal on your horse, and its hindquarters will end up smeared with blood, too. Get splattered during a brawl, and the blood doesnt just disappear, it dries and stays. If you dont want to suffer remarks from townsfolk, then youre gonna want to jump in the lake. This level of details makes it so your character's history stays with them, remember that fight you had an hour ago? Of course you do, because you still have the dudes blood on your boots.

Animal Corpses Will Decompose

In most games, dead bodies vanish after a while, especially if you wander away. But not in Red Dead Redemption 2. Here, human corpses are actually collected by the law, and animal bodies are left to decay naturally over time, eventually decomposing into nothing but bones. You can literally keep a dead body if you want to I dont know why you would. But live your best life, King.

Self Esteem

In Red Dead Redemption II, theres a LOT of things you should avoid. Bears, gangs, law enforcement, and mirrors... Yep, mirrors. If you do come across a mirror in the game, and if you take a moment to look into it, Arthur will make remarks about his reflection. Lets just say hes not exactly kind to himself. Keep antagonizing folks too much, and you might just hear the regret in his voice.

Struck by Lightning

Weather is a regular occurrence in open world games now. And having the weather effect the game is immersion 101. In GTAV, rain makes roads slippery. In Metal Gear Solid V, the sand storms reduce visibility and cover noise. And during a lightning storm in RDR2, watch your head. Lightning in the game isnt just for dramatic effect, it can actually strike and kill you instantly. So if you ever find yourself galloping across an open field during a storm, be aware that youre literally gambling with your life. That being said, its AS rare as it is in real life.

NPCs Retain Their Injuries

Did you know that in Red Dead Redemption II, if you rough up the shopkeepers in the local towns, they'll remember it? When you return to their store later in the game, theyll be visibly upset and try to kick you out (though theyll still do business with you). Youll also notice physical signs of your previous encounter, like a bandaged head or a swollen black eye. Just to be real clear, dead people dont sell your products with an open skull.

The Animals Hunt Each Other

This game features a dynamic ecosystem, and it functions beautifully. If you pause your own hunting adventure to observe nature instead, you might witness a cougar take down a deer or an alligator attack a boar. You could even see a grizzly bear fend off a pack of wolves and come out on top. There are so many events to catch that if you just sit and watch, youll be shocked.

Constructions Happens Over Time

Red Dead Redemption II is a MASSIVE game spanning months and then years. So youd expect the game to change from beginning to end. Early in the game, you might come across scaffolding for houses or unfinished train tracks. If you revisit these areas periodically, you'll notice the builders gradually completing their work, piece by piece. It makes the world feel alive, as it grows with you. Hair and beard growth is cool, but so is town growth.