The makers of 'Grand Theft Auto' have a huge new game coming this October, and it looks outrageous

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The makers of 'Grand Theft Auto' have a huge new game coming this October, and it looks outrageous

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Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar Games

A massive new open-world game from the folks behind "Grand Theft Auto" is on the horizon

It's named "Red Dead Redemption 2," and it's an incredible-looking prequel to 2010 blockbuster "Red Dead Redemption."

Unlike the satirical "GTA" games set in modern times, "Red Dead Redemption 2" is a gritty tale of American outlaws facing modernization at the turn of the 20th century. 

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Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar Games/Take-Two Interactive

Easy, partner.

Rockstar Games isn't known for pumping out games. You may recall that the latest "GTA" game came out in 2013 - that's the most recent release from Rockstar Games.

Thus, the upcoming launch of "Red Dead Redemption 2" is a Pretty Big Deal. You might even call it the most-anticipated game of 2018 - it's scheduled to launch for Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on October 26.

So, what's all the fuss all about? Isn't it basically "Grand Theft Horse"? Let's dive in.

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Like the "GTA" series, "Red Dead Redemption 2" is a third-person action game set in a vast, open-world environment.

Like the "GTA" series, "Red Dead Redemption 2" is a third-person action game set in a vast, open-world environment.

In a way, "Red Dead Redemption 2" is a sequel to "GTA V" — it's the latest iteration of the same third-person action games Rockstar has been making for years.

In a way, "Red Dead Redemption 2" is a sequel to "GTA V" — it's the latest iteration of the same third-person action games Rockstar has been making for years.
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But in reality, "Red Dead Redemption 2" is a direct prequel — narratively-speaking — to 2010's "Red Dead Redemption."

But in reality, "Red Dead Redemption 2" is a direct prequel — narratively-speaking — to 2010's "Red Dead Redemption."

Instead of John Marston, you'll experience the story of Arthur Morgan — this gentleman right here:

Instead of John Marston, you'll experience the story of Arthur Morgan — this gentleman right here:
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The story of "Red Dead Redemption 2" is essentially a road story: Morgan and the Van der Linde gang are on the run after a train robbery goes wrong.

The story of "Red Dead Redemption 2" is essentially a road story: Morgan and the Van der Linde gang are on the run after a train robbery goes wrong.

In order to survive, on the run from US Marshals and bounty hunters, the gang is forced to keep moving across the American Frontier.

In order to survive, on the run from US Marshals and bounty hunters, the gang is forced to keep moving across the American Frontier.
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Along the way, the gang of outlaws does what gangs of outlaws do: They rob and steal and murder.

Along the way, the gang of outlaws does what gangs of outlaws do: They rob and steal and murder.

It looks like there's going to be a lot of robbing and stealing.

It looks like there's going to be a lot of robbing and stealing.
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In each new place the gang arrives, a home base is set up. That home base acts as a kind of pause between adventures — you can speak to other gang members, eat, find side missions, play card games, and more.

In each new place the gang arrives, a home base is set up. That home base acts as a kind of pause between adventures — you can speak to other gang members, eat, find side missions, play card games, and more.

The gang is a family to the game's main character, Arthur Morgan, and that will no doubt play a role in the game's story. How far will you go to protect the gang?

The gang is a family to the game's main character, Arthur Morgan, and that will no doubt play a role in the game's story. How far will you go to protect the gang?
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If you couldn't tell by now, "Red Dead Redemption 2" is clearly a visual stunner. It's the first game from Rockstar that's specifically built for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 generation of consoles.

If you couldn't tell by now, "Red Dead Redemption 2" is clearly a visual stunner. It's the first game from Rockstar that's specifically built for the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 generation of consoles.

And those visuals are getting demonstrated in a variety of different environments — as Morgan and the gang move across America, the landscape changes dramatically.

And those visuals are getting demonstrated in a variety of different environments — as Morgan and the gang move across America, the landscape changes dramatically.
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It looks like you'll be personally responsible for escorting the gang from place to place, as demonstrated by this wagon train.

It looks like you'll be personally responsible for escorting the gang from place to place, as demonstrated by this wagon train.

Rockstar is aiming to make the world of "Red Dead Redemption 2" feel as alive as possible, and a tentpole of that approach is multiple types of interaction. Instead of only offering hostile options, a handful of contextual interaction options are offered in the lower right corner:

Rockstar is aiming to make the world of "Red Dead Redemption 2" feel as alive as possible, and a tentpole of that approach is multiple types of interaction. Instead of only offering hostile options, a handful of contextual interaction options are offered in the lower right corner:
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A different situation is offered here, with a total stranger approaching on a horse. You could simply compliment the rider on his horse — or you could fire a shot into the air to warn him to back up. Or you could do nothing! The point is, you have choices.

A different situation is offered here, with a total stranger approaching on a horse. You could simply compliment the rider on his horse — or you could fire a shot into the air to warn him to back up. Or you could do nothing! The point is, you have choices.

Rockstar says "Red Dead Redemption 2" has the largest, most complex world of any of its previous games. What we don't know about the game far outweighs what we do.

Rockstar says "Red Dead Redemption 2" has the largest, most complex world of any of its previous games. What we don't know about the game far outweighs what we do.
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The latest trailer for "Red Dead Redemption 2" offers the first in-depth look into 2018's most-anticipated game. The game is available on October 26 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4, and the first big gameplay reveal trailer is right here:

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