Video Games You Should Play If You Like Red Dead Redemption 2

So, you've finished Red Dead Redemption 2. Maybe you've even played it all the way through more than once, discovering all of the game's Easter eggs (and its funniest bugs), and now you need something new to play. Although Rockstar Games' western action game was released two years ago, it's hard to step away from a title that arguably changed gaming as we know it. It's also difficult to figure out what to play next, especially when you've been consumed by the vast world of RDR2 and Red Dead Online for so long.

Even though Arthur Morgan would make a terrible friend, he made for a compelling protagonist that is not easily topped. In much the same way, Red Dead Redemption 2 as a whole is a difficult act to follow. Here are a few games that might help to scratch that itch — especially since it's starting to look like Rockstar won't ever release Red Dead Redemption 3.

At the very least, the games on this list should keep you busy until Rockstar inevitably ports Red Dead Redemption 2 over to next-gen consoles.

The Call of Juarez series has been dormant for a while, with the most recent installment being 2013's Call of Juarez: Gunslinger. Luckily for fans of western action, a decent port of Gunslinger was released for the Nintendo Switch in 2019. If you've never given this series a chance, this newest release is the perfect opportunity. 

Aside from the obvious fact that both games have similar settings, Call of Juarez: Gunslinger has quite a few things in common with the Red Dead franchise. Gunslinger's story adds interesting wrinkles to the classic Old West formula. While there's plenty of gunplay in the game, it's ultimately up to the player to decide whether or not the main character truly is the violent outlaw he claims to be. 

Gunslinger features multiple gameplay modes that allow players to enjoy different aspects of the game's setting. Arcade Mode pits players against multiple waves of enemies, while the Duel Mode makes for some classic Wild West showdowns. The game's alternate endings ensure some replay value as well, making Call of Juarez: Gunslinger a game that ought to keep you hootin' and hollerin' for quite some time.

L.A. Noire may not seem like the most obvious choice for fans of Red Dead Redemption 2, but there are reasons to recommend it. Firstly, L.A. Noire was published by Rockstar Games, the same company that created the Red Dead Redemption series. Beyond that, L.A. Noire's unflinching look at morality and violence bring to mind the ways in which RDR2 explored similar themes.

Set in a recreation of 1940s Los Angeles, L.A. Noire follows the efforts of Det. Cole Phelps as he solves a series of crimes, uncovering a massive conspiracy along the way. While the open world of the game isn't as vast as the Red Dead games', the amount of exploration and attention to detail will be appreciated by fans. Cole Phelps' journey also oddly mirrors that of Red Dead Redemption 2's Arthur Morgan. Both men find themselves unsure of whom to trust, with their quests leading them both down dangerous paths.

The various cases and side missions will also feel familiar for gamers who enjoyed bringing in Red Dead 2's numerous bounties. For a more streamlined and intimate experience, the VR version of L.A. Noire is also worth a look.