Red Dead Redemption VS Grand Theft Auto

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VOICE OVER: Aaron Brown
WRITTEN BY: Connor Queen
Rockstar has given us two incredible, open world franchises with "Red Dead Redemption" and "Grand Theft Auto," but which one is better? For this installment of Versus, we'll be looking at several categories to compare the strengths and weaknesses of both game franchises. We'll be comparing their Characters, Music, Campaign, and more!
Welcome to WatchMojo and in this installment of Versus, we’re pitting Rockstar Games’ two most acclaimed series against each other, “Red Dead Redemption” and “Grand Theft Auto.” We'll be looking at several categories to compare the strengths and weaknesses of both game franchises. Which series do you think deserves to be crowned king? Let us know in the comments below.
Few companies hit the nail on the head when it comes to single player campaigns like Rockstar. However, there can only be one winner in this epic showdown. “Grand Theft Auto’s” campaigns typically follow the same linear path of a hungry street hustler rising through the ranks of the criminal underworld. “Grand Theft Auto’s” most recent release, “GTA V,” differed by having three main protagonists. Because of the interwoven stories, “GTA V’s” campaign allowed for diverse and unique missions that centered around three differing player experiences. It incorporated the old with the new while still sticking to familiar formulas that have brought the franchise so much success.
The story of “Red Dead Redemption,” however, is much more complex, thought out, and well written. While the series’ first installment is technically “Red Dead Revolver,” the story of the latter two releases, “Red Dead Redemption 1 and 2,” spans the length of both games and follows the Van der Linde gang and their subsequent downfall and tragic aftermath. Due to the time period and locations, mission variety can be limited when compared to “GTA.” While both “Red Dead Redemptions” offer some of the best moments in gaming, certain missions can feel like a drag. Players spend ridiculous amounts of time galloping to and from locations and similarly styled shootouts can create déjà vu. Although side missions in “RDR 2” stand out for their uniqueness, the campaign can suffer from being repetitive at times, a problem which “GTA V” handled much better.
WINNER: Red Dead Redemption 0 / Grand Theft Auto 1
With scores echoing that of famous composers such as Ennio Morricone, it’s hard for many other games to compete with the “Red Dead” franchise when it comes to music. “RDR 2” has a sprawling collection of beautiful western themed scores that not only compliment the ambience of its immersive world, but also its story and campaign. Certain scenes feel as though you are watching a movie and others as if you have traveled back to the 1890’s. The grandiose soundtrack of approaching the Braithwaite Manor or fighting Micah’s henchmen atop Mount Hagen is hard to beat.
“Grand Theft Auto” on the other hand, has always lacked a significant score that stands out amongst its real-world soundtracks. With wacky radio stations and famous songs, “GTA” satires American pop culture well, but it’s unable to grasp cinematic elements from its music that engage players as well as “Red Dead Redemption” has. “GTA V” utilized its soundtrack in promotional materials but failed to do so in-game aside from those same songs being played on radio stations. Except for “GTA’s” famous loading screen themes, almost no other score stands out and it very much looms in the shadow of “Red Dead Redemption’s” epic composition of music pieces.
WINNER: Red Dead Redemption 1 / Grand Theft Auto 1
“GTA’s” latest stab at an online mode took some flak when it first launched back in 2013 due to the game not being fully optimized. But oh, how times have changed. “GTA Online” has become one of the most successful games of all time and it’s a testament to Rockstar given how many people still play, considering it’s ten years old. While Rockstar is known for their epic single player campaigns, “GTA Online” brought the genre of online free roam to new heights with its abundance of activities. Players can own penthouses, clubs, and even complete bank heists. Not to mention the amount of street racing. “GTA V’s” multiplayer took a massive leap from “GTA IV” and firmly stuck the landing.
“Red Dead Online,” however, is nowhere near as developed. “RDR 2’s” online mode never really took off like “GTA’s” latest entry did. “GTA Online” has more than triple the number of things to do, while “Red Dead Online” nearly died out just a year after its release. Although the game does consist of exciting death matches and posse missions, it simply hasn’t been enough to keep players consistently hooked. It looks like we’ll just have to wait for the next installment of the “Red Dead” franchise to see what Rockstar can conjure up with their western multiplayer. Until then, “GTA” wins this round.
WINNER: Red Dead Redemption 1 / Grand Theft Auto 2
The “Grand Theft Auto” franchise stepped up their character development significantly with their latest installment of “GTA V.” Michael, Franklin, and Trevor play off one another in a fantastic way and help each other’s personalities and backstories thrive. However, some of the protagonists in older games can be very hit or miss. Not to mention many side characters throughout the “GTA” universe are goofy and can sometimes be quite annoying. Because of this, many protagonists lack the support they need to really develop into memorable antiheroes.
The “Red Dead” series, however, has spent time with many of the same characters for its last two games. The Van der Linde gang feels heavily fleshed out and realized. We get to see just how far the gang has fallen given the backstory that “RDR 2” provides. Not only do we stay with these characters for several years, but each of them have their own motivations and morals. Arthur Morgan has been considered by many as one of the best videogame characters of all time, and with good reason. While many love “GTA’s” over the top characters, there’s no denying it doesn’t come close to matching the depth and complexity of “Red Dead Redemption’s.”
WINNER: Red Dead Redemption 2 / Grand Theft Auto 2
When it comes to open world games, “Grand Theft Auto” helped set the standard for free roam environments. However, many “GTA” maps can lack variety, as they typically only encompass a mockup of a single United States city. In “GTA V,” there’s nothing quite like flying a helicopter around or scuba diving in the oceans of Los Santos, but it still doesn’t help that two thirds of the map is mountains and desert. Although still beautiful, the world can sometimes have trouble
feeling truly alive. NPCs often react to the player in goofy and unrealistic ways and the number of buildings or shops to actually enter is few and far between.
While “GTA” perhaps takes the cake in the travel department, “RDR's” worlds are more immersive, better constructed, and manage to maintain their own unique identity. From snowy mountains, to cities and swamps, “Red Dead Redemption 2” knocked its world building out of the park. Certain areas change as time passes and NPCs go about their lives in believable ways. It feels as though you are part of a living and breathing world as you trek through America’s heartlands. “GTA V” made massive improvements over its previous entries, but the franchise still has a ways to go in comparison to the variety and realism in “Red Dead Redemption.”
WINNER: Red Dead Redemption 3 / Grand Theft Auto 2
Round 1: Campaign
Few companies hit the nail on the head when it comes to single player campaigns like Rockstar. However, there can only be one winner in this epic showdown. “Grand Theft Auto’s” campaigns typically follow the same linear path of a hungry street hustler rising through the ranks of the criminal underworld. “Grand Theft Auto’s” most recent release, “GTA V,” differed by having three main protagonists. Because of the interwoven stories, “GTA V’s” campaign allowed for diverse and unique missions that centered around three differing player experiences. It incorporated the old with the new while still sticking to familiar formulas that have brought the franchise so much success.
The story of “Red Dead Redemption,” however, is much more complex, thought out, and well written. While the series’ first installment is technically “Red Dead Revolver,” the story of the latter two releases, “Red Dead Redemption 1 and 2,” spans the length of both games and follows the Van der Linde gang and their subsequent downfall and tragic aftermath. Due to the time period and locations, mission variety can be limited when compared to “GTA.” While both “Red Dead Redemptions” offer some of the best moments in gaming, certain missions can feel like a drag. Players spend ridiculous amounts of time galloping to and from locations and similarly styled shootouts can create déjà vu. Although side missions in “RDR 2” stand out for their uniqueness, the campaign can suffer from being repetitive at times, a problem which “GTA V” handled much better.
WINNER: Red Dead Redemption 0 / Grand Theft Auto 1
Round 2: Music
With scores echoing that of famous composers such as Ennio Morricone, it’s hard for many other games to compete with the “Red Dead” franchise when it comes to music. “RDR 2” has a sprawling collection of beautiful western themed scores that not only compliment the ambience of its immersive world, but also its story and campaign. Certain scenes feel as though you are watching a movie and others as if you have traveled back to the 1890’s. The grandiose soundtrack of approaching the Braithwaite Manor or fighting Micah’s henchmen atop Mount Hagen is hard to beat.
“Grand Theft Auto” on the other hand, has always lacked a significant score that stands out amongst its real-world soundtracks. With wacky radio stations and famous songs, “GTA” satires American pop culture well, but it’s unable to grasp cinematic elements from its music that engage players as well as “Red Dead Redemption” has. “GTA V” utilized its soundtrack in promotional materials but failed to do so in-game aside from those same songs being played on radio stations. Except for “GTA’s” famous loading screen themes, almost no other score stands out and it very much looms in the shadow of “Red Dead Redemption’s” epic composition of music pieces.
WINNER: Red Dead Redemption 1 / Grand Theft Auto 1
Round 3: Multiplayer
“GTA’s” latest stab at an online mode took some flak when it first launched back in 2013 due to the game not being fully optimized. But oh, how times have changed. “GTA Online” has become one of the most successful games of all time and it’s a testament to Rockstar given how many people still play, considering it’s ten years old. While Rockstar is known for their epic single player campaigns, “GTA Online” brought the genre of online free roam to new heights with its abundance of activities. Players can own penthouses, clubs, and even complete bank heists. Not to mention the amount of street racing. “GTA V’s” multiplayer took a massive leap from “GTA IV” and firmly stuck the landing.
“Red Dead Online,” however, is nowhere near as developed. “RDR 2’s” online mode never really took off like “GTA’s” latest entry did. “GTA Online” has more than triple the number of things to do, while “Red Dead Online” nearly died out just a year after its release. Although the game does consist of exciting death matches and posse missions, it simply hasn’t been enough to keep players consistently hooked. It looks like we’ll just have to wait for the next installment of the “Red Dead” franchise to see what Rockstar can conjure up with their western multiplayer. Until then, “GTA” wins this round.
WINNER: Red Dead Redemption 1 / Grand Theft Auto 2
Round 4: Characters
The “Grand Theft Auto” franchise stepped up their character development significantly with their latest installment of “GTA V.” Michael, Franklin, and Trevor play off one another in a fantastic way and help each other’s personalities and backstories thrive. However, some of the protagonists in older games can be very hit or miss. Not to mention many side characters throughout the “GTA” universe are goofy and can sometimes be quite annoying. Because of this, many protagonists lack the support they need to really develop into memorable antiheroes.
The “Red Dead” series, however, has spent time with many of the same characters for its last two games. The Van der Linde gang feels heavily fleshed out and realized. We get to see just how far the gang has fallen given the backstory that “RDR 2” provides. Not only do we stay with these characters for several years, but each of them have their own motivations and morals. Arthur Morgan has been considered by many as one of the best videogame characters of all time, and with good reason. While many love “GTA’s” over the top characters, there’s no denying it doesn’t come close to matching the depth and complexity of “Red Dead Redemption’s.”
WINNER: Red Dead Redemption 2 / Grand Theft Auto 2
Round 5: Open World
When it comes to open world games, “Grand Theft Auto” helped set the standard for free roam environments. However, many “GTA” maps can lack variety, as they typically only encompass a mockup of a single United States city. In “GTA V,” there’s nothing quite like flying a helicopter around or scuba diving in the oceans of Los Santos, but it still doesn’t help that two thirds of the map is mountains and desert. Although still beautiful, the world can sometimes have trouble
feeling truly alive. NPCs often react to the player in goofy and unrealistic ways and the number of buildings or shops to actually enter is few and far between.
While “GTA” perhaps takes the cake in the travel department, “RDR's” worlds are more immersive, better constructed, and manage to maintain their own unique identity. From snowy mountains, to cities and swamps, “Red Dead Redemption 2” knocked its world building out of the park. Certain areas change as time passes and NPCs go about their lives in believable ways. It feels as though you are part of a living and breathing world as you trek through America’s heartlands. “GTA V” made massive improvements over its previous entries, but the franchise still has a ways to go in comparison to the variety and realism in “Red Dead Redemption.”
WINNER: Red Dead Redemption 3 / Grand Theft Auto 2




