Red Dead Redemption 2has been a smash hit for Rockstar Games. The follow-up to the 2010 title has been extremely successful, both critically and commercially. Unlike the originalRed Dead Redemptiongame, however, the acclaimed sequel hasn’t featured any singleplayer downloadable content. Instead, Rockstar Games has chosen to focus its efforts onRed Dead Online.The developer has confirmed that there will be no singleplayer DLC forRed Dead Redemption 2. Despite this, there is a case to be made that the game should get a solo expansion, and specifically, a sequel toRed Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare.
Undead Nightmarewas a zombie-themed expansion for the originalRed Dead Redemptiongame. Rockstar Games took the formula established in the core game, and turned it on its head by introducing a zombie plague. John Marston is tasked with curing it and defeating the undead hordes along the way. It was acclaimed by critics and fans alike, who praised its storytelling in this alternate timeline.Fans still long for a sequel toUndead Nightmare,and while it’s unlikely to ever happen, Rockstar Games could accomplish a lot with it. Rockstar could have an opportunity to craft something memorable from the baseRed Dead Redemptiongame once again.
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Theworld ofRed Dead Redemption 2is huge and extremely detailed. Besides the main missions and side content, players have a chance of encountering random events at seemingly every turn. The open world ofRed Dead Redemption 2has been considered by critics and gamers alike to be a great example of what can be done with an open environment in modern gaming. Using this detailed world as its base, Rockstar could be able to turn its detailed world of strange and random encounters into a zombie-killing shooter.
Red Dead Redemption 2has one foot in the supernaturalalready. Of all the random situations players can find themselves in, some outright otherworldly events can occur. Players may find themselves spotting UFOs, seeing a variety of ghosts, or even stumbling upon vampires in Saint Denis. Rockstar has already included some supernatural elements, and anUndead Nightmarefollow-up could double down on these eerie encounters. Chance encounters with zombies and getting spooked by the creatures when it’s least expected could add a horror flavor toRed Dead Redemption 2,much like theUndead Nightmareexpansion of the previous game.
Rockstar Has Already Tested the Waters
Rockstar Games has already flirted with bringing zombies back with its Halloween event in 2020. This update forRed Dead Onlinedid bring zombies to the game, butfans were disappointed with how littleRed Dead’s Halloween event truly offered. Some gamers were expecting a more significant update, and while many were pleased with the addition of zombies, other gamers were displeased with how little else Halloween-themed there was. In holding this event, however, Rockstar may have gauged interest for anUndead Nightmarefollow-up, inadvertently or not.
Fans were enthusiastic when theHalloween mode was announced forRed Dead Redemption 2, but what the event brought was considered underwhelming by most gamers.Red Deadfans were vocal about their disappointment online, with some specifically mentioning how lazy they felt the event was. Other fans chose to express their desire for a fully-fledgedUndead Nightmaresequel. Some of those gamers who yearned to see a newUndead Nightmareeven pointed how successful it likely would be, based on demand in the community. Though it might not ever happen, fans would love to see a sequel to the expansion, especially after the Halloween event.
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Rockstar Could Capitalize On the Popularity of Zombie Games
WhenUndead Nightmarewas released in 2010,zombie games were very popular.Undead Nightmare, Dead Rising 2,andCall of Duty: Black Opswith its zombies mode all launched in 2010. Much like 2010, zombie games are still very popular in 2021.Days Goneand a rejuvenatedResident Evilseries has proven to be successful both critically and commercially. With such a large audience for these types of games still intact, there is every chance that anUndead Nightmarefollow-up could be successful.
There has been an outcry for singleplayer DLC thatfans have been petitioning forRed Dead Redemption 2solo expansions. Gamers seem to love the singleplayer portion of the game and are disappointed that Rockstar Games won’t consider adding more solo content to it. A newUndead Nightmareexpansion could be a perfect remedy for several player complaints. Those who were underwhelmed with the Halloween event, and those who want more single-player missions, could be satisfied with it. Coupled with the enduring popularity of zombie games, Rockstar and fans ofRed Deadcould all win with a newUndead Nightmarecampaign.
It’s no secret thatRed Dead Redemption 2took years to make. Through this arduous process, however, Rockstar advanced its RAGE game engine and was able to craft an impressively detailed open world. Seeing a newUndead Nightmaretitle using this kind of technology could be just what fans have been looking for. Not only would textures and models be more detailed than that of the original, but the scope for what Rockstar could do would also be larger. Larger hordes of zombies, more varieties of them, and a large variety of encounters could be possible with the modern iteration of the RAGE engine.
ThoughRockstar has pretty much ruled out single-player DLC, it’s easy to see that there is some fan demand for it. Though unlikely, anUndead Nightmaresequel could make a lot of fans happy and bring back some fond memories of the original. The Halloween event in 2020 didn’t live up to fan expectations, especially those looking for a more significant update. A modernUndead Nightmarecould take advantage of Rockstar’s new technology andRed Dead 2’s open-world to craft something memorable.
Red Dead Redemption 2is available now on PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Stadia.
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