Multiplayer: Red Dead Online (Persistent Open World, Co-op Missions, PvP Modes, Roles)
Setting: Fictionalized American West, 1899 (Ambarino, New Hanover, Lemoyne, West Elizabeth, New Austin)
Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia
Unique Feature: Incredible World Detail & Immersion, Deep Character Interactions, Honor System, Realistic Survival Mechanics, Dynamic Wildlife Ecosystem, Dead Eye Targeting System.
Perspective: Third-Person
Multiplayer: None (Single-Player Only)
Setting: Various Planets & Locations in the Marvel Cosmos (e.g., Seknarf Nine, Knowhere, Maklu IV, Hala's Hope, Sacrosanct)
Platforms: PC (Windows), PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch (Cloud Version)
Unique Feature: Play as Star-Lord leading the Guardians, Guardian Command System in Combat, Dialogue Choices Impacting Team Morale, Licensed 80s Mixtape Soundtrack, Strong Narrative Focus.
sports_esports
Gameplay & Mechanics
Companions/Followers
Van der Linde Gang Members (Contextual AI): While not directly commandable like 'Guns for Hire' in Far Cry, various members of the Van der Linde gang will accompany Arthur on specific story missions, providing combat support, dialogue, and unique interactions. Their presence and abilities are scripted based on the mission. Key members like Charles, Sadie, John, Lenny, Bill, and Javier frequently ride with Arthur.
Human
Your Horse (Primary Mount): Arthur's primary means of transport and a crucial companion. Bonding with a horse (by feeding, patting, brushing) increases its Health and Stamina, unlocks special maneuvers (drifting, piaffe), and makes it less likely to buck Arthur off when scared. Horses can carry pelts, carcasses, and an extra outfit. Different breeds have varying base stats (speed, acceleration, health, stamina).
Equus caballus (Various Breeds)
Temporary Dog Companions: In certain situations or with specific camp dogs (like Cain), Arthur can interact with them, and they might follow him for a short period or alert him to nearby points of interest or danger. They are not combat companions in the traditional sense.
Canis familiaris
Gamora (AI): A highly skilled assassin and the 'Deadliest Woman in the Galaxy.' In combat, Star-Lord can command Gamora to use her sword for powerful single-target attacks (e.g., 'Deadly Strike') or wide-sweeping area-of-effect slashes. She is agile and focuses on high damage output. Outside of combat, she can use her sword to cut through obstacles like thick vines or cables.
Zehoberei
Drax the Destroyer (AI): A fierce warrior driven by a desire for vengeance. Star-Lord can command Drax to use his immense strength to stagger powerful enemies ('Destroy'), break their guard, or unleash area-of-effect ground pounds ('Katathian Charge'). He can also be commanded to pull down heavy, weakened structures or throw large objects.
Kylosian (Comics - Human in MCU generally)
Rocket Raccoon (AI): A brilliant weapons expert, tactician, and pilot. Star-Lord can command Rocket to deploy various gadgets, such as his 'Cluster Flark Bomb' for area damage, a 'Gravistack Grenade' to pull enemies together, or focused fire from his custom blasters. He can also be commanded to hack terminals or squeeze into small spaces to retrieve items.
Genetically Engineered Raccoon
Groot (AI): A sentient, tree-like being with immense strength and the ability to regenerate and manipulate his wooden body. Star-Lord can command Groot to use abilities like 'Entangling Roots' to immobilize groups of enemies, 'Gift of the Florae' to revive all downed Guardians (including Star-Lord), or 'Groot Slam' for an area-of-effect attack. He can also create bridges or platforms for traversal when prompted.
Flora Colossus
Mantis (Temporary AI - Narrative): Joins the Guardians later in the story. While her primary role is narrative and using her empathic abilities to influence events or characters, she might offer minor support or unique interactions during specific sequences, though not a consistently commandable combat companion like the core four.
Celestial Madonna (Comics - various origins)
Key Collectibles
Dinosaur Bones: 30 fossilized dinosaur bones hidden across the map. Players find them and mail their coordinates to the paleontologist Deborah MacGuiness to complete a side quest chain and receive unique rewards, including a Jawbone Knife and a Jawbone Trinket.
Cigarette Cards: 144 collectible cards (12 sets of 12 cards each) found in cigarette packs throughout the world or as individual finds. Collecting full sets and mailing them to Phileas T. Ramsbottom yields monetary rewards and unique items.
Dreamcatchers: 20 dreamcatchers hanging from trees in specific locations. Finding all of them reveals a depiction of a buffalo on a cave wall and unlocks the Ancient Arrowhead perk, which doubles stamina while using the bow.
Rock Carvings: 10 intricate carvings on rock faces, part of the 'Geology for Beginners' stranger mission. Mailing their coordinates to Francis Sinclair leads to a mysterious encounter and rewards.
Legendary Fish: 13 unique, massive fish that can be caught in specific bodies of water using special lures, part of Jeremy Gill's 'A Fisher of Fish' stranger mission. Mailing them back rewards money and unique fishing gear.
Graves: 9 graves of fallen companions can be found and interacted with after certain points in the story, contributing to 100% completion and offering moments of reflection.
Points of Interest (Sketches): 50 unique locations, animals, or events that Arthur can observe and sketch in his journal, adding to its detail and contributing to completion.
Exotic Items (for Algernon Wasp): Various rare bird plumes, orchids, and alligator eggs requested by the eccentric Algernon Wasp in Saint Denis for his 'Duchesses and other Animals' stranger mission series, rewarding unique items like the Exotic Hat.
Treasure Maps & Hidden Treasures: Series of maps leading to hidden stashes of gold bars or valuable items. Some are part of stranger missions, others are found through exploration.
Guardian Collectibles (Items specific to each Guardian): 3 items specific to each of the five Guardians (Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, Groot), totaling 15. These are objects found in the environment that hold personal significance for that character. Finding one triggers a unique dialogue sequence on the Milano starship where the Guardian shares a story or memory related to the item, providing character development and backstory.
Archives (Lore Entries): Data logs, messages, historical records, and other readable/listenable lore items found by scanning objects with Star-Lord's visor or interacting with terminals. These provide extensive backstory on the game's universe, factions (Universal Church of Truth, Nova Corps, Chitauri), planets, characters, and the galactic war. Collected in Star-Lord's journal.
Outfits (Cosmetic Skins): Hidden in distinctive pink chests found throughout every level. Each chest contains a new cosmetic outfit for one of the five Guardians (Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, or Groot). These outfits are often references to their comic book appearances or other Marvel media.
Components (Basic & Advanced): Scattered throughout levels in small piles or containers, and dropped by defeated enemies. Used at workbenches by Rocket to craft Perks for Star-Lord.
Compendium Entries (Scannable Objects, Enemies, Characters): Star-Lord can use his visor to scan various elements in the environment, including new enemy types, notable characters, flora, fauna, and technology. This adds entries to the in-game Compendium, providing lore and sometimes gameplay tips (like enemy weaknesses).
Key Themes
The End of the Wild West
Loyalty vs. Morality
Redemption
Betrayal
Outlaw Life
Civilization vs. Wilderness
Honor
Family (Found & Blood)
Consequences of Actions
Nature & Survival
Industrialization
Found Family & Teamwork
Leadership & Responsibility
Dealing with Past Trauma
Humor & Banter
Space Opera Adventure
Cosmic Threats
Redemption
Choice & Consequence (Dialogue)
80s Music & Pop Culture
colorize
Combat & Gear
Weapons Overview
Revolvers: Sidearm (Single/Double Action)
Iconic Western sidearms like the Cattleman Revolver, Schofield Revolver, Double-Action Revolver. Customizable with grips, barrel lengths, metals, and engravings. Can be dual-wielded.
Pistols: Sidearm (Semi-Automatic)
Early semi-automatic pistols such as the Mauser Pistol, Semi-Automatic Pistol, Volcanic Pistol. Offer faster fire rates than revolvers. Customizable and dual-wieldable.
Repeaters: Rifle (Lever/Bolt Action, Medium Range)
Versatile rifles like the Lancaster Repeater, Litchfield Repeater, Carbine Repeater. Good balance of damage, range, and fire rate. Mainstays for combat.
Rifles: Rifle (Bolt/Single Shot, Long Range)
Includes the Bolt Action Rifle, Springfield Rifle, Rolling Block Rifle (Sniper). Powerful and accurate for long-range engagements and big game hunting.
Shotguns: Close Quarters (High Damage)
Pump-Action Shotgun, Semi-Auto Shotgun, Double-Barreled Shotgun, Sawed-Off Shotgun. Devastating at close range, with different ammo types (slugs, incendiary).
Sniper Rifles: Very Long Range (Scoped)
Specialized long-range rifles like the Carcano Rifle and Rolling Block Rifle (when scoped). Used for precision kills from extreme distances.
Bows: Silent Ranged
A versatile weapon for silent hunting and stealth combat. Can use standard, improved, small game, poison, fire, and dynamite arrows.
Melee Weapons: Close Quarters (Silent/Brutal)
Includes various knives (Hunting Knife, Jawbone Knife), hatchets, cleavers, and the Machete. Used for stealth takedowns and brutal close combat.
Used to hogtie enemies or animals, drag people, or pull objects. Essential for bounty hunting.
Star-Lord's Element Guns (Kree Submachine Guns): Dual Pistols (Elemental Damage)
Peter Quill's signature dual blasters. Can be imbued with four different elemental powers unlocked through story progression: Ice (freezes enemies, creates platforms), Lightning (stuns, powers conduits), Wind (pulls enemies, interacts with vents), and Plasma (deals damage over time, melts specific materials). Standard rapid fire is also available.
Star-Lord's Melee Attacks: Close Quarters Combat
Star-Lord can perform basic punches and kicks, often integrated with his jet boot assisted dodges and slides. Primarily used for staggering weaker enemies or as part of combo finishers.
When commanded, Gamora uses her sword for powerful single-target attacks, area-of-effect slashes, or to quickly dispatch specific enemy types. Her abilities focus on high damage output.
When commanded, Drax uses his knives for brutal attacks that can stagger powerful enemies, break guards, or deal significant damage to single targets. His abilities often focus on crowd control or stunning.
When commanded, Rocket uses various custom-built guns and explosives, such as his Cluster Flark Bomb (AoE damage), Gravistack Grenade (pulls enemies together), or focused blaster fire. He can target multiple enemies or specific weak points.
When commanded, Groot uses his ability to manipulate his wooden body for attacks (e.g., slamming branches, creating AoE spikes), defense (e.g., creating a protective barrier), or utility (e.g., creating bridges, lifting platforms). His 'Gift of the Florae' ability can revive downed Guardians.
Call to Action / Guardian Abilities (Command Wheel): Team-Based Special Attacks
Star-Lord can direct each Guardian to use one of their specific, powerful abilities via a radial command wheel. These abilities have cooldowns and are crucial for controlling the battlefield, exploiting enemy weaknesses, and dealing burst damage.
Players can shoot explosive objects in the environment or use Guardian abilities (like Drax throwing an explosive barrel) to damage enemies or alter the battlefield.
Armor / Gear Sets
Clothing Outfits & Individual Pieces: Arthur Morgan can wear a vast array of clothing items (hats, coats, shirts, vests, pants, boots, gloves, neckwear, suspenders, chaps, spurs). While primarily cosmetic and for role-playing, some outfits or pieces provide minor benefits like temperature resistance (e.g., warmer clothes for cold weather). There isn't a traditional 'armor' system for damage reduction through clothing. Players can save custom outfits.
Reinforced Equipment (Crafted by Pearson): Using perfect animal pelts and other materials, Pearson at the gang camp can craft reinforced equipment: Bandoliers (increase ammo capacity), Satchels (increase carrying capacity for provisions, tonics, ingredients, materials, valuables, kits), Gun Belts, and Holsters (cosmetic and potentially minor stat boosts like weapon degradation speed). These are crucial for practical upgrades.
Talismans & Trinkets (Crafted by Fence): Crafted at a Fence using parts from Legendary Animals and unique collectible items. These provide permanent passive buffs to Arthur's core stats (Health, Stamina, Dead Eye), experience gain, weapon degradation, money earned, or other gameplay aspects. They are equipped and offer significant, though often subtle, advantages.
Tonics (Consumable Buffs): Various craftable or purchasable tonics provide temporary boosts or full restoration to Health, Stamina, and Dead Eye cores and bars. Potent versions offer stronger effects or fortification (slowing core drain). These act as temporary 'armor' or performance enhancers.
Star-Lord's Outfits (Default, Sun-Lord, City-Lord, Throwback, etc.): Peter Quill (Star-Lord) can unlock and equip various cosmetic outfits. These are primarily visual and do not provide direct stat bonuses for Star-Lord himself. Outfits are found in hidden chests, earned as pre-order/deluxe edition bonuses, or unlocked via game progression. His health and shields are universal stats.
Guardian Outfits (Gamora, Drax, Rocket, Groot): Similarly, each of the other four Guardians (Gamora, Drax, Rocket, Groot) has multiple unlockable cosmetic outfits inspired by their comic book appearances or original designs for the game. These are found in hidden chests and are purely visual, not affecting their combat performance or stats, which improve via Star-Lord's ability point allocation.
Perks (Craftable/Unlockable): Star-Lord can craft and equip a limited number of Perks at workbenches using components found in the environment. These Perks provide passive bonuses, such as increased shield regeneration, more health from pickups, faster ability cooldowns for Guardians, increased elemental damage, or improved chances of staggering enemies. This is the primary way to 'armor' or enhance Star-Lord's and the team's capabilities beyond direct ability unlocks.
Outfits/Customization
Full Outfits: Players can purchase or unlock numerous pre-designed outfits (e.g., 'The Gunslinger', 'The Valentine', 'The Saint Denis'). Arthur also starts with several outfits. Outfits can be stored on his horse.
Individual Clothing Pieces: Extensive customization is possible by mixing and matching individual items: Hats, Coats (various lengths and materials), Shirts, Vests, Pants, Boots, Gloves, Neckwear (bandanas, ties, neckerchiefs), Suspenders, Chaps, Spurs. Items have different styles, colors, and can be purchased from general stores or tailors, or crafted by the Trapper from Legendary Animal pelts.
Weapon Equipment: Gun Belts, Off-Hand Holsters, and Bandoliers can be equipped and upgraded. While some offer stat benefits (ammo capacity from bandoliers), many are also cosmetic choices.
Grooming: Arthur's hair and beard grow dynamically over time. Players can visit barbers to get haircuts, shaves, or style their hair and beard in various ways. Pomade can be applied for a slicked look.
Temperature System: Clothing choices impact Arthur's resistance to cold and hot weather. Wearing appropriate attire (e.g., heavy coats in snowy mountains, lighter shirts in hot swamps) prevents negative effects on Health Core drain. Outfits can be saved with specific temperature ratings.
Guardian Outfits (Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, Groot): Each of the five playable Guardians (Star-Lord is primary, others are AI controlled but their appearance changes) has multiple unlockable cosmetic outfits. These are found in hidden pink chests throughout the game's levels or are given as pre-order/Deluxe Edition bonuses. Outfits are often inspired by their various comic book appearances (e.g., Star-Lord's Annihilation Conquest suit, Gamora's classic green attire, Drax's various comic looks, Rocket's different uniforms, Groot's different 'growth' stages/designs). These outfits are purely cosmetic and do not affect stats or abilities.
Star-Lord's Walkman & Headphones: While not clothing, Star-Lord's iconic Walkman and headphones are a constant part of his visual design and the source of the game's licensed 80s music. The appearance of the Walkman itself is not customizable.
trending_up
Progression & Upgrades
Skills & Progression
Arthur Morgan's core attributes (Health, Stamina, Dead Eye) level up through gameplay actions (e.g., running increases stamina, headshots increase Dead Eye). Gear upgrades (bandoliers, satchels, holsters) are crafted by Pearson at the gang camp using animal pelts and other materials, increasing carrying capacity. Weapons can be customized extensively (barrels, sights, stocks, wraps, engravings) and cleaned to maintain performance. Tonics and provisions provide temporary buffs. Horse bonding is crucial, unlocking new maneuvers and increasing horse stats. Camp upgrades provide benefits like better provisions and fast travel.
N/A
public
World & Exploration
World & Level Design
The game world is exceptionally large, detailed, and diverse. Regions include the snowy mountains of Ambarino, the heartland plains and forests of New Hanover, the swampy bayous and antebellum towns of Lemoyne, the developing plains and forests of West Elizabeth, and the arid deserts and canyons of New Austin (largely based on the map from the first Red Dead Redemption). Each region has unique ecosystems, wildlife, towns, and points of interest.
N/A
Playable Vehicles
Horses (Various Breeds): Primary Mount / Living Vehicle
The main mode of transportation. Over 19 breeds available, each with different stats (Health, Stamina, Speed, Acceleration) and handling. Can be bought, stolen, or tamed from the wild. Bonding with a horse improves its stats and unlocks maneuvers. Horses can carry pelts and carcasses.
Wagons & Coaches: Horse-Drawn Vehicle
Various types of wagons (small carts, supply wagons, oil tankers) and passenger coaches (stagecoaches, buggies). Can be driven by the player, stolen, or used in missions. Some are armored or have specific functions.
Trains: Rail Vehicle
Fully operational steam trains run on a schedule across the map. Players can ride trains as passengers (a form of fast travel), rob them, or even drive them for a short period if hijacked.
Boats (Canoes, Rowboats, Small Steamboats): Watercraft
Used for navigating rivers, lakes, and swamps. Includes simple canoes and rowboats for personal transport or fishing, and occasionally small, armed steamboats in specific missions or locations.
Handcar: Manual Rail Vehicle
A manually operated rail vehicle found on certain railway lines, can be used for short-distance travel along tracks.
The Milano (Starship): Primary Interplanetary Transport / Mobile Hub
The Guardians' signature starship, captained by Peter Quill (with Rocket often co-piloting). Used for traveling between different planets and star systems in the galaxy via a warp drive. Serves as a central hub between missions where players can interact with the crew, listen to music, craft perks, review collectibles, and initiate new chapters. Players do not directly pilot the Milano in free-flight combat; travel is generally menu-based or cinematic.
Star-Lord's Jet Boots: Personal Traversal Gear
Peter Quill is equipped with jet boots that allow him to perform short aerial dashes, double jumps, and hover for a limited time. Essential for platforming, evading attacks, and navigating vertical environments.
Environmental Traversal Aids (e.g., Groot's Bridges, Rocket's Hacking for Platforms): Contextual / Companion-Assisted
While not vehicles, certain traversal challenges are overcome by commanding companions: Groot can extend his branches to form bridges, and Rocket can hack terminals to activate moving platforms or open new pathways. These are scripted interactions within levels.
Sliding Sections: Scripted Traversal Sequence
Certain levels feature long, often high-speed, sliding sections down slopes or through tunnels, requiring player input to steer Star-Lord and avoid obstacles. These are cinematic, on-rails style traversal moments.
Notable Fauna/Mounts
Deer (Whitetail Deer, Mule Deer, Buck): Cervidae
Prey, Hunting Resource (Meat, Pelts, Antlers)
Bison (American Bison): Bovinae
Large Herbivore, Herd Animal, Hunting Resource (Meat, Pelts, Horns)
Ambient Wildlife, Hunting Resource (Pelts, Meat, other parts for crafting, provisions, or sale)
N/A
book
Story & Characters
Main Characters
Arthur Morgan: Protagonist / Van der Linde Gang Enforcer
The player-controlled character. A loyal, highly capable senior member of the Van der Linde gang since he was a boy. He is Dutch's right-hand man and enforcer, but begins to question Dutch's leadership and his own morality as the gang's situation becomes more desperate. Known for his rugged pragmatism and internal conflict.
Dutch van der Linde: Antagonist / Leader of the Van der Linde Gang
The charismatic, intelligent, and idealistic leader of the gang. He preaches a philosophy of freedom and anti-establishment, but his methods become increasingly violent and his judgment erratic as pressures mount, leading to his descent into paranoia and tyranny.
John Marston: Supporting Character / Van der Linde Gang Member (Protagonist of RDR1)
A fellow gang member, younger than Arthur, with a wife (Abigail) and son (Jack). His desire to leave the outlaw life for his family creates tension within the gang. His story in RDR2 serves as a prequel to his role in the original Red Dead Redemption.
Sadie Adler: Supporting Character / Van der Linde Gang Member (Later Bounty Hunter)
A widow whose ranch is attacked by the O'Driscoll Boys. She is rescued by the Van der Linde gang and evolves from a grieving victim into a fierce, independent gunslinger and bounty hunter, becoming one of Arthur's most trusted allies.
Micah Bell: Antagonist / Van der Linde Gang Member
A volatile, violent, and self-serving newer member of the gang. He encourages Dutch's worst impulses and is a source of internal conflict and distrust, ultimately playing a major antagonistic role.
Hosea Matthews: Supporting Character / Van der Linde Gang Consigliere
Dutch's oldest friend, co-founder of the gang, and its seasoned con artist and strategist. He often serves as a voice of reason and moderation, trying to temper Dutch's recklessness.
Charles Smith: Supporting Character / Van der Linde Gang Member
A quiet, highly skilled hunter and fighter of mixed African American and Native American heritage. He is honorable, principled, and one of Arthur's most dependable allies.
Lenny Summers: Supporting Character / Van der Linde Gang Member
A young, educated, and relatively idealistic member of the gang. Provides some lighter moments and represents a younger generation of outlaws.
Abigail Roberts (Marston): Supporting Character / Van der Linde Gang Member
John Marston's wife and mother of Jack. A strong-willed woman who desires a normal life for her family away from the gang.
Bill Williamson, Javier Escuella, Uncle, Leopold Strauss, Susan Grimshaw, Molly O'Shea, Karen Jones, Mary-Beth Gaskill, Tilly Jackson, Simon Pearson, Josiah Trelawny, Kieran Duffy, Reverend Swanson, Sean MacGuire: Supporting Characters / Van der Linde Gang Members & Associates
The diverse ensemble cast making up the rest of the Van der Linde gang, each with their own personalities, backstories, and roles within the camp and story.
Agent Andrew Milton & Agent Edgar Ross: Antagonists / Pinkerton Detectives
Senior Pinkerton National Detective Agency agents relentlessly pursuing the Van der Linde gang. Milton is the primary pursuer in RDR2, with Ross (antagonist of RDR1) playing a supporting role.
Colm O'Driscoll: Antagonist / Leader of the O'Driscoll Boys Gang
The leader of a rival gang and a long-standing nemesis of Dutch van der Linde.
Peter Quill / Star-Lord: Protagonist / Leader of the Guardians
The main playable character. The charismatic (if sometimes bumbling) leader of the Guardians of theGalaxy. Wields his signature Element Guns and uses his jet boots for mobility. Player choices in dialogue often reflect his leadership style.
Gamora: Companion / Deadliest Woman in the Galaxy
A highly skilled assassin and member of the Guardians. Known for her deadly swordplay and agility. Star-Lord can command her to perform powerful single-target attacks or AoE slashes.
Drax the Destroyer: Companion / The Destroyer
A fierce warrior driven by the loss of his family, known for his literal-mindedness and immense strength. Star-Lord can command him to stagger enemies, break guards, or unleash powerful AoE attacks.
Rocket Raccoon: Companion / Weapons & Tech Expert
A genetically engineered raccoon, a master tactician, and explosives expert. Star-Lord can command him to deploy various gadgets like cluster bombs or gravity grenades, and to target multiple enemies.
Groot: Companion / Flora Colossus
A sentient, tree-like being and Rocket's best friend. Capable of immense strength and regeneration. Star-Lord can command him to use abilities like entangling roots to immobilize enemies, create protective barriers, or create platforms for traversal. He can also revive downed Guardians.
Mantis: Supporting Character / Empath
A celestial Madonna with empathic abilities, capable of sensing and influencing emotions. She joins the Guardians later in the story and plays a crucial role in understanding and countering the game's main threat.
Grand Unifier Raker: Main Antagonist / Leader of the Universal Church of Truth
The charismatic and fanatical leader of the Universal Church of Truth, dedicated to spreading 'The Promise' across the galaxy under the direction of Magus.
Magus (Adam Warlock's Dark Persona): Main Antagonist / Cosmic Entity
The powerful and malevolent entity behind the Universal Church of Truth and 'The Promise.' The ultimate threat the Guardians must face.
Lady Hellbender: Antagonist (Initially) / Monster Collector
The formidable ruler of Seknarf Nine, a collector of rare and dangerous monsters. The Guardians attempt a con on her, leading to a chaotic encounter.
Nikki Gold: Supporting Character / Potential Future Guardian
A young girl with a mysterious past encountered by the Guardians. She is revealed to be Ko-Rel's daughter and plays a significant role in the latter half of the story, potentially joining the Guardians in the future.
Ko-Rel: Supporting Character / Nova Corps Centurion
A high-ranking Nova Corps officer and Peter Quill's former romantic partner. She is Nikki's mother and becomes involved when the Guardians' actions attract Nova Corps attention.
Cosmo the Spacedog: Ally / Chief of Security on Knowhere
A telepathic Soviet space dog who is the head of security on Knowhere. He assists the Guardians with information and guidance. Has a litter of puppies.
Adam Warlock (Mentioned/Post-Credits): Cosmic Being / Potential Future Character
A powerful, artificially created cosmic being whose cocoon is seen, and who is intrinsically linked to Magus. His full appearance is teased for potential future stories.
Example Missions
Main Story Chapters (I-VI & Epilogue I-II)
A series of interconnected story missions that form the main narrative arc, chronicling the Van der Linde gang's struggles, heists, internal conflicts, and Arthur Morgan's personal journey. Each chapter is typically set in a new region or marks a significant shift in the gang's circumstances.
Stranger Missions (Side Storylines)
Optional multi-part questlines initiated by unique 'Stranger' characters encountered throughout the world. These often feature distinct stories, memorable characters, and unique rewards (e.g., missions for Hamish Sinclair, Charlotte Balfour, Albert Mason, Francis Sinclair).
Bounty Hunting Missions
Pick up bounty posters from sheriff's offices in various towns. Track down and capture (alive for a higher reward) or kill wanted criminals. Some bounties involve unique encounters or storylines.
Chance Encounters (Random Events)
Dynamic, unscripted events that occur as Arthur explores the world. These can include ambushes, people needing help (e.g., snake bite victims, stranded travelers), animal attacks, duels, or interactions with other outlaws. Choices made in these encounters can affect Honor.
Companion Activities & Camp Requests
Engage in optional activities with gang members at camp, such as playing poker or five finger fillet, going fishing or hunting with them, or fulfilling their item requests (e.g., finding a specific book or herb). These build camaraderie and provide small rewards or insights into characters.
Debt Collection (Leopold Strauss Missions)
Missions given by the gang's moneylender, Leopold Strauss, where Arthur must collect outstanding debts from vulnerable individuals, often through intimidation or force. These missions highlight the darker aspects of the gang's activities and impact Arthur's Honor.
Legendary Animal & Fish Hunts
Track and hunt unique Legendary Animals or catch Legendary Fish. These are challenging encounters requiring specific approaches. Their pelts/parts are used to craft unique outfits, gear, talismans, and trinkets at the Trapper or Fence.
Home Robberies, Stagecoach Robberies, Train Robberies (Incidental & Mission-based)
Opportunities to rob homesteads, stagecoaches, or trains for money and valuables. Some are specific missions, while others can be initiated by the player in the open world. These actions typically result in a bounty and decreased Honor.
Story Chapters (Approximately 16 Chapters + Prologue)
A series of linear, narrative-driven chapters that take the Guardians across various planets and locations. Each chapter involves exploration, environmental puzzle-solving (often requiring teamwork with other Guardians' abilities), combat encounters, dialogue choices, and cinematic cutscenes that advance the main plot of stopping the Universal Church of Truth and Magus.
Finding Guardian Collectibles
Explore levels to find hidden items specific to each Guardian (Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket, Groot). Picking these up triggers unique conversations aboard the Milano starship, revealing more about their backstories, personalities, and relationships.
Locating Outfits (Cosmetic Skins)
Discover hidden pink chests throughout the game's levels. Each chest contains a new cosmetic outfit for one of the five Guardians, often inspired by their comic book appearances.
Crafting Perks at Workbenches
Gather Basic and Advanced Components from the environment and defeated enemies. Use these components at workbenches (found on the Milano or in levels) to craft and equip Perks for Star-Lord, providing passive bonuses to his combat, survival, or utility skills.
Scanning for Archives & Compendium Entries
Use Star-Lord's visor to scan various objects, enemies, characters, and points of interest in the environment. This adds lore entries to the Archives (for world-building) and data to the Compendium (for enemy weaknesses and character bios).
Navigating Environmental Puzzles
Solve puzzles that require using Star-Lord's elemental blasters (ice to freeze water, lightning to power conduits, wind to move objects, plasma to melt) and commanding other Guardians to use their unique abilities (e.g., Groot to create bridges, Rocket to hack terminals or enter small spaces, Gamora to cut cables, Drax to move heavy objects).
Boss Battles (e.g., Dweller-in-Darkness, Blood Brothers, Grand Unifier Raker, Magus)
Confront and defeat powerful, often multi-phase, boss enemies that serve as climactic encounters at the end of chapters or major story arcs. These require utilizing all Guardian abilities, exploiting weak points, and understanding boss attack patterns.
people
Multiplayer
Multiplayer Details
N/A
Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is a purely single-player experience. There are no multiplayer modes.
extension
Editions & DLC
Available Editions
Available in Standard Edition, Special Edition (included extra story mode content like a bank robbery mission, gang hideout, gameplay boosts, an outfit, and a thoroughbred horse), and Ultimate Edition (included Special Edition content plus bonus Red Dead Online content like outfits, rank bonuses, a black chestnut thoroughbred, and free access to additional weapons). A Collector's Box (no game included) was also sold with physical collectibles.
Available in Standard Edition and Cosmic Deluxe Edition. The Cosmic Deluxe Edition included the Sun-Lord Outfit for Star-Lord, City-Lord Outfit for Star-Lord, digital artbook, and digital original game soundtrack. Pre-order bonuses often included throwback Guardian outfits.
Post-Launch Content / DLC
The primary post-launch support has been for Red Dead Online, which has received numerous updates adding new roles (Bounty Hunter, Trader, Collector, Moonshiner, Naturalist), missions, cosmetic items, gameplay mechanics, and seasonal events. No single-player story DLC has been released for Red Dead Redemption 2.
No major story DLC or expansions were released for Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy. Post-launch support primarily consisted of patches for bug fixes, performance improvements, and adding features like ray tracing on supported platforms. Some cosmetic outfits were available through deluxe editions or pre-orders.
help_outline
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Red Dead Redemption 2 a prequel or sequel to Red Dead Redemption? A: Red Dead Redemption 2 is a prequel to the original Red Dead Redemption. It tells the story of the Van der Linde gang, including a younger John Marston (protagonist of RDR1), before the events of the first game.
Q: Can I play as John Marston in Red Dead Redemption 2? A: You primarily play as Arthur Morgan for most of the main story. However, John Marston becomes playable during the game's extensive epilogue chapters, which bridge the gap to the original Red Dead Redemption.
Q: How long is Red Dead Redemption 2's story? A: The main story campaign is exceptionally long, typically taking players 50-60 hours to complete. Exploring all side content, collectibles, and aiming for 100% completion can easily extend playtime to 150-200+ hours.
Q: What is the Honor System? A: The Honor system tracks Arthur's moral choices and actions throughout the game. Positive actions (helping strangers, sparing enemies) increase honor, while negative actions (killing innocents, robbing) decrease it. Honor level affects dialogue, store discounts, outfit unlocks, how NPCs react to Arthur, and has minor impacts on the story's ending.
Q: Is Red Dead Online still active? A: Yes, Red Dead Online is still active and receives periodic updates, though major content additions have slowed compared to its initial years. It offers a persistent multiplayer world with various activities, roles, and missions.
Q: Can you play RDR2 in first-person? A: Yes, Red Dead Redemption 2 offers a fully implemented first-person mode, allowing players to experience the entire game from Arthur's perspective. This can be toggled on and off at any time.
Q: Is Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy connected to the MCU movies or comics? A: The game features its own original story and unique interpretations of the characters, distinct from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films or specific comic book storylines. However, it draws heavy inspiration from various comic book runs of Guardians of the Galaxy for character designs, personalities, and lore elements.
Q: Can I play as other Guardians besides Star-Lord? A: No, players exclusively control Peter Quill / Star-Lord throughout the game. However, a core gameplay mechanic involves issuing commands to the other four Guardians (Gamora, Drax, Rocket, Groot) in combat, making teamwork essential.
Q: How do dialogue choices affect the game? A: Dialogue choices primarily affect team morale, the banter between characters, and can lead to slightly different short-term outcomes in conversations or minor gameplay sequences. While they add flavor and depth to relationships, they do not drastically alter the main plot trajectory or lead to multiple major endings for the core story.
Q: What is the 'Huddle Up' mechanic? A: During combat, Star-Lord can initiate a 'Huddle Up.' The other Guardians will share their thoughts on how the fight is going. Star-Lord must then choose a dialogue option to give a pep talk. If successful (based on matching the team's sentiment), a licensed 80s song from his Walkman will play, and the entire team (including Star-Lord) will receive a temporary combat buff (e.g., faster ability cooldowns, damage boost, or reviving downed members).
Q: Is Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy an open-world game? A: No, it is a linear, narrative-driven action-adventure game. While levels are often large and offer some room for exploration to find collectibles and resources, players progress through a defined series of chapters and locations rather than a fully open world.
Q: Are there microtransactions in the game? A: No, Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy is a single-player game with no microtransactions or online service elements. All outfits and content are unlockable through gameplay or included in deluxe/pre-order editions.
build
Technical Details
Graphics & Visual Fidelity
Powered by an advanced version of the RAGE engine, RDR2 is renowned for its groundbreaking graphics and attention to detail. It features stunningly realistic environments, lifelike character and animal animations, advanced lighting (volumetric lighting, global illumination), dynamic weather systems (rain, snow, fog), and incredible texture quality. The level of environmental detail and interaction is exceptionally high.
Developed on Eidos-Montréal's Dawn Engine (a modified version of IO Interactive's Glacier Engine), the game showcases stunning visuals with highly detailed character models (especially facial animations), vibrant and diverse alien worlds, and spectacular cosmic environments. It features advanced lighting, particle effects for abilities and explosions, and impressive cinematic presentation. Ray-traced reflections and transparent reflections are available on PC and current-gen consoles.
Audio & Soundtrack
Original score composed by Woody Jackson, with contributions from various artists. The music is dynamic, reacting to gameplay and location, featuring sweeping orchestral pieces, folk tunes, and atmospheric tracks that perfectly capture the Western setting and emotional tone. Features over 100 anachronistically appropriate licensed songs. Sound design is incredibly detailed, from weapon sounds and horse hooves to ambient wildlife and environmental effects.
Original score composed by Richard Jacques, featuring epic orchestral themes and character motifs fitting a cosmic adventure. A significant feature is the licensed 80s pop and rock soundtrack (e.g., Starship, KISS, Wham!, Blondie, Mötley Crüe), which Star-Lord plays on his Walkman and is integrated into gameplay via the 'Huddle Up' mechanic. Sound design includes distinct blaster effects, alien creature sounds, and ship ambience. The game is also lauded for its excellent voice acting and witty team banter.
User Interface (UI/UX)
Immersive UI with options for a dynamic HUD. Health/Stamina/Dead Eye cores are displayed, along with a radar/mini-map. Weapon wheel for selection. Interaction prompts are contextual. The game features a detailed journal kept by Arthur, cataloging his thoughts, sketches, and discoveries. First-person mode offers a different UI perspective.
Features a third-person HUD displaying Star-Lord's health, shield, elemental blaster charge, and Guardian ability cooldowns. Enemy health bars and stagger meters are shown. A compass and objective markers guide players. The Guardian command wheel is a key UI element for directing teammates in combat. Dialogue choices are presented clearly. Star-Lord's visor can be used to scan the environment for points of interest, collectibles, and enemy weaknesses.
Accessibility Options
Includes options for customizable controls (including sensitivity and dead zones), subtitle customization (size, background, speaker names), aim assist levels, options to tap or hold for interactions, colorblind modes, audio balancing, and a cinematic camera mode. First-person mode can also be considered an accessibility option for some.
Offers a good range of accessibility options, including customizable controls (PC), extensive subtitle and caption customization (size, background, speaker names), options to change QTEs to holds or auto-complete, aim assist options, adjustable difficulty levels (including a story mode), colorblind modes, and options to reduce camera motion/head bob.
laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 Mobile (6GB) / RTX 3050 Ti Mobile (4GB, High TGP). **An RTX 3060 Mobile or RTX 4060 Mobile (High TGP) is a good target for 1080p High.**
laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Mobile (6GB) / RTX 2060 Mobile (6GB) / RTX 3060 Mobile (6GB, High TGP) or AMD Radeon RX 5600M/5700M. **An RTX 3060 Mobile (High TGP) or RTX 4060 Mobile is a good target for 1080p High 60FPS.**
layersRAM: 12 GB
saveStorage (Tier): 150 GB SSD
—
1080p (Full HD) - Minimum (1080p ~30-60 FPS, Low Preset, No Ray Tracing)(Low Preset, Ray Tracing OFF)
CPU: Minimum desktop CPU for lower settings.
CPU (Laptop): Estimated laptop CPU equivalent. Newer i5/Ryzen 5 H-series recommended.
GPU: Minimum desktop GPU for lower settings.
GPU (Laptop): Estimated laptop GPUs. 4GB VRAM is a tight minimum, 6GB preferred.
RAM: 8GB minimum, but 16GB strongly recommended for a smoother experience.
Storage: HDD absolute minimum, SSD highly recommended.
laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile (4GB) / GTX 1650 Mobile (4GB). **An RTX 3050 Mobile would be a much better entry point for stable 1080p Low/Medium.**
1080p (Full HD) - Minimum (1080p ~30 FPS, Low/Medium Preset)(Low to Medium Preset)
CPU: Minimum desktop CPU for 1080p at lower settings.
CPU (Laptop): Estimated laptop CPU equivalent. Newer i5/Ryzen 5 H-series or better recommended.
GPU: Minimum desktop GPU for 1080p at lower settings.
GPU (Laptop): Estimated laptop GPUs. Game is very VRAM intensive.
RAM: Minimum RAM requirement.
Storage: HDD is absolute minimum, expect long load times.
laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Mobile (4GB) / GTX 1650 Mobile (4GB) or AMD Radeon RX 560X Mobile. **An RTX 3050 Mobile or RTX 4050 Mobile would be a more comfortable entry point for 1080p Medium settings.**
layersRAM: 8 GB
saveStorage (Tier): 150 GB HDD
—
1440p (QHD/2K) - High Performance (1440p ~60 FPS High No RT / 1080p ~60 FPS High RT On, DLSS Quality)(High Preset, Ray Tracing OFF (for 1440p) or ON (for 1080p with DLSS Quality))
CPU: CPU for 1440p High No RT / 1080p High RT.
CPU (Laptop): High-end laptop CPU.
GPU: Desktop GPU for these targets. DLSS essential for RT.
GPU (Laptop): High-end RT capable laptop GPUs. 8GB+ VRAM crucial.
RAM: 16GB RAM essential.
Storage: NVMe SSD required.
—
memoryCPU: Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 7 2700X
developer_boardGPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 (8GB) / RTX 3060 Ti (8GB) or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT (12GB)
laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (8GB, High TGP) / RTX 4060 Mobile (8GB, High TGP). **An RTX 3070 Ti Mobile or RTX 4070 Mobile would provide better consistency.**
layersRAM: 16 GB
saveStorage (Tier): 80 GB NVMe SSD
1440p (QHD/2K) - High (1440p ~60 FPS, High/Ultra Preset with DLSS/Optimized Settings)(High/Ultra Preset (Optimized, DLSS Quality/Balanced potentially needed))
CPU: Desktop CPU for 1440p at 60 FPS.
CPU (Laptop): Estimated high-end laptop CPUs.
GPU: Desktop GPU for 1440p at 60 FPS.
GPU (Laptop): Estimated high-performance laptop GPUs. 8GB+ VRAM essential, 10GB+ preferable.
RAM: 16GB RAM required, 32GB recommended for smoother experience.
Storage: NVMe SSD strongly recommended.
memoryCPU: Intel Core i7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 7 3700X/5600X
laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Mobile (8GB, High TGP) / RTX 4070 Mobile (8GB, High TGP) or AMD Radeon RX 6800M. **An RTX 3080 Mobile or RTX 4080 Mobile provides a more consistent 1440p High/Ultra experience.**
layersRAM: 16 GB
saveStorage (Tier): 150 GB NVMe SSD
—
2160p (UHD/4K) - Ultimate RT (Estimated 2160p/4K ~60 FPS, Ultra Preset, RT On, DLSS Performance + Frame Gen)(Ultra Preset, Ray Tracing ON, DLSS Performance + Frame Generation (if game/drivers support))
CPU: Flagship CPU for attempting 4K Ultra RT.
CPU (Laptop): Absolute top-tier laptop CPUs.
GPU: Flagship desktop GPU for 4K Ultra RT, heavily reliant on DLSS/FSR with Frame Generation.
GPU (Laptop): The absolute best laptop GPUs, will be pushed to its limits with 4K Ultra RT. Upscaling + Frame Gen mandatory.
RAM: 32GB RAM highly recommended for 4K Ultra RT.
Storage: NVMe SSD required.
—
memoryCPU: Intel Core i9-12900K or AMD Ryzen 9 5900X/7900X
laptop_macCPU (L): Intel Core i9-12900HX / AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX or better. **Modern flagship Intel/AMD HX series (e.g., 13980HX, 7945HX).**
laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Mobile (16GB, Max TGP). **Even this will require aggressive DLSS settings including Frame Generation for playable 4K Ultra RT. A hypothetical next-gen flagship (e.g., RTX 5090 Mobile or AMD equivalent) would be targeted for a more robust experience. (Highly Speculative)**
laptop_windowsGPU (L): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti Mobile (16GB, Max TGP) / RTX 4080 Mobile (12GB, Max TGP) / RTX 4090 Mobile (16GB, Max TGP). **Even the RTX 4090 Mobile will heavily rely on DLSS (Performance/Ultra Performance) for 4K High/Ultra at 60FPS. A hypothetical next-gen flagship (RTX 50-series) would aim for better native 4K capabilities.**
layersRAM: 16 GB
saveStorage (Tier): 150 GB NVMe SSD
—
save Overall Storage
Spec: 150 GB available space (SSD Strongly Recommended). Note: An NVMe SSD is highly recommended for the best experience due to the vast world and high-resolution assets. Type: SSD
Spec: Approx. 80 GB available space (SSD Recommended). Some sources state up to 150GB due to initial install footprint and patches. Note: An SSD is highly recommended for faster loading times between chapters and for smoother asset streaming. Type: SSD
desktop_windows Operating System
Spec: Windows 7 (SP1), Windows 10 (Version 1803 or newer) Explanation: 64-bit Windows 7 or newer. Windows 10/11 64-bit recommended for best compatibility and performance.
Spec: Windows 10 64-bit (Build 1803 or newer) Explanation: 64-bit Windows 10 (specified version or newer) or Windows 11 is required.
gamepad DirectX Version
Spec: DirectX 12 (Vulkan also supported and often preferred for performance on AMD GPUs) Explanation: DirectX 12 or Vulkan API. Players can often choose between them.
Spec: DirectX 12 Explanation: DirectX 12 API is required.
info_outline Other Game Notes
Official system requirements from Rockstar Games (PC version). Performance can vary depending on specific hardware, settings, and background applications. An SSD is strongly recommended for optimal performance due to the game's massive world and detailed textures.
Laptop Performance Note: Laptop models of listed desktop GPUs may work if their performance is comparable, but TGP (Total Graphics Power) and cooling are extremely critical for this demanding title. **This is one of the most graphically intensive games available, and high-end laptop hardware is required for enjoyable experiences at higher settings.**
Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP is crucial for performance.
Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Excellent cooling is essential to prevent severe thermal throttling.
Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: Laptops with sustained high CPU power limits will perform better.
Laptop Consideration: R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM significantly benefits performance.
Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is highly recommended for optimal framerates.
Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: Supports NVIDIA DLSS. AMD FSR support may vary or require mods depending on game version/updates.
Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Texture Quality, MSAA (very demanding), Reflection Quality, Water Quality, Volumetric Quality, Shadow Quality, TAA Sharpening, and advanced graphics settings like Tree Tessellation and Grass Shadows heavily impact performance. Finding a balance is key.
Game Name: Red Dead Redemption 2
Official PC system requirements from Eidos-Montréal/Square Enix. Performance can vary depending on specific hardware, settings, areas in-game (especially those with many particle effects or complex environments), and background applications. An SSD is strongly recommended.
Laptop Performance Note: Laptop models of listed desktop GPUs will require comparable performance, high TGP (Total Graphics Power), and good cooling. **Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy can be demanding at higher settings, particularly with ray tracing enabled.**
Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Good TGP is important for consistent framerates, especially with RT.
Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Robust cooling is essential for sustained performance.
Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A decent CPU is needed for managing AI companions and environmental interactions.
Laptop Consideration: R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM benefits performance.
Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended.
Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: Supports NVIDIA DLSS. AMD FSR support may vary or require specific game versions/patches/mods.
Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Ray Traced Reflections, Ray Traced Transparent Reflections, Shadow Quality, Texture Quality, Level of Detail, Volumetric Lighting, and Screen Space Reflections heavily impact performance. Using DLSS is recommended for higher settings/resolutions, especially with ray tracing.
Game Name: Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy
build Optimization Details
Upscaling Tech: Supports NVIDIA DLSS. AMD FSR support may vary or require mods depending on game version/updates.
Key Settings Impact: Texture Quality, MSAA (very demanding), Reflection Quality, Water Quality, Volumetric Quality, Shadow Quality, TAA Sharpening, and advanced graphics settings like Tree Tessellation and Grass Shadows heavily impact performance. Finding a balance is key.
Upscaling Tech: Supports NVIDIA DLSS. AMD FSR support may vary or require specific game versions/patches/mods.
Key Settings Impact: Ray Traced Reflections, Ray Traced Transparent Reflections, Shadow Quality, Texture Quality, Level of Detail, Volumetric Lighting, and Screen Space Reflections heavily impact performance. Using DLSS is recommended for higher settings/resolutions, especially with ray tracing.
laptop Laptop Considerations
G P U T G P: Maximum TGP is crucial for performance.
Cooling Thermals: Excellent cooling is essential to prevent severe thermal throttling.
C P U Power Limits: Laptops with sustained high CPU power limits will perform better.
R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM significantly benefits performance.
M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is highly recommended for optimal framerates.
G P U T G P: Good TGP is important for consistent framerates, especially with RT.
Cooling Thermals: Robust cooling is essential for sustained performance.
C P U Power Limits: A decent CPU is needed for managing AI companions and environmental interactions.
R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM benefits performance.
M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended.
info_outline
Laptop recommendations are estimates based on available component benchmarks and game requirements.
Actual performance may vary depending on settings, drivers, cooling, power limits, etc.
Prices and availability subject to change. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.