Best Mods That Make RDR2 A Completely Different Game

Summary

• Red Dead Redemption 2 offers a wild West tale with a focus on realism, allowing players to immerse themselves in the Dutch van der Linde gang’s story.
• Mods for RDR 2 can enhance gameplay by adding realism, expanding features like bounty hunting, camp flexibility, and even the ability to play as animals.
• From photorealistic reshades to complete overhauls, mods for RDR 2 offer a variety of options to personalize and enhance the gameplay experience.

Broadly speaking, players know what they’re getting into with Red Dead Redemption 2. It’s a Wild West tale examining the dangerous and complicated lives of the Dutch van der Linde gang. Much like the original title, a great deal of realism regarding gameplay is given a major priority in the sequel. While most people love how immersive the game feels, some argue that too much realism came at the detriment of the gameplay, which felt tedious at times.

Nevertheless, mods have a natural tendency to change how a game is played. Some make a game even more realistic, while others are simply ridiculous. Exploring the rabbit hole that characterizes the Red Dead Redemption 2 modding community can take some time, so players can rest assured that this collection of RDR 2 mods is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to altered gameplay.

Updated on January 19, 2025, by Mehrdad Khayyat: On its own, Red Dead Redemption 2 has a pretty long story campaign that will entertain players for a few days at least. But the game’s world is expansive enough to provide weeks of refreshing playtime for exploration lovers.

But even if someone has explored the entire map and finished every side quest, there are still tons of creative mods to deliver a new experience from the same world. From visual improvements to impressive new quests and jobs, Red Dead Redemption 2 is heaven for mod enjoyers!

26

RDR2 Photorealistic Reshade

Downloads: 362,421

There’s no denying that Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most gorgeous video games of all time. The open world looks realistic and the cinematics boast a ton of quality that helps players connect with these characters. However, PC players would want to push this title to its very limits and see what they can get away with, with this reshade mod being a great example of the same.

Players who thought that there was no scope for the game to look better than it already is will be singing a different tune after downloading one of the best RDR2 mods they can get their hands on. If players have a good system, then there’s no better way to flex the power of their PC than to use this mod and turn this gorgeous game into something out of real life.

25

Bounty Hunting – Expanded And Enhanced

Downloads: 292,165

Bounty hunting is one of the best parts of Red Dead Redemption 2 that helps players immerse themselves in the role of a gunslinger in the West who will put his life on the line to earn a quick buck. While hunting down crooks and bringing them back dead or alive for a reward is pretty engaging, players who wish that this particular gameplay mechanic was more fleshed out can have their dreams realized with one of the best RDR2 mods around.

With this mod, players can enjoy infinite bounties, the services of a wagon that lets them turn in multiple bounties at once, and rival hunters who must be stopped if they get their hands on the same bounty poster as the player. It makes the system more dynamic and engaging than before, letting players accumulate a small fortune as they either stealth their way towards the target or take them down after a tense firefight.

24

Humidity And Temperature Overhaul

Downloads: 50,408

The survival mechanics in Red Dead Redemption 2 were a novel concept, but even the most ardent defenders of the game can’t argue against the fact that the system isn’t used to its full potential. There aren’t enough hot or cool areas to really compel players to try and experiment with their outfits, which is a huge waste of a mechanic that could’ve reached the same heights as Breath of the Wild when it came to forcing players to figure out innovative solutions to combat extreme temperatures.

With this mod, players not only have to change their outfits more frequently, but they also have to switch up their layers from time to time based on the intensity of the temperature in any given area. It’s a great way to add more importance to this mechanic and make the gameplay as dynamic as possible.

23

Camp Anywhere

Downloads: 38,812

Camping is a pretty novel mechanic in Red Dead Redemption 2, but there’s no denying that the act of setting up camp is as restrictive as it comes. Players can’t camp wherever they want, which is understandable given the errors this can cause, but there are other restrictions that make less sense.

With this mod, not only can players camp anywhere they wish, but they can also generate certain aspects of the camp without going for the full shebang every single time. As long as players don’t intentionally try to break the game with this mod, they’ll be more than impressed by its amazing capabilities.

22

MiniNPCs

Downloads: 1,773

Arthur is already a rather large and intimidating fellow. He can hold his own in a fight, whether it’s with guns or his fists. However, those who want to see Arthur truly dominate a fight may want to consider the MiniNPCs mod.

There are a few customization options in this mod, one of which makes NPCs ridiculously puny. Arthur, who remains the same size, now appears massive. If players ever wanted to feel like the Jolly Green Giant in a game, this mod should be at the top of their download list.

21

Telekinesis

Downloads: 5,954

Gamers don’t always have to settle for realism. For those who get tired of dispatching enemies the normal way, there’s no shortage of wacky death-dealing mods available to download for Red Dead Redemption 2. One of the more interesting choices is assuredly the Telekinesis mod.

Arthur doesn’t need traditional firearms with this mod. Instead, he utilizes the power of his mind. Objects and NPCs can be grasped and flung across the map with humorous effect. With this mod, enemies won’t know what hit them.

20

Smoking Complete

Downloads: 166,600

The fact that Arthur Morgan can smoke in Red Dead Redemption 2 is great, but the smoking process just ends pretty quickly. This mod is made for those who want to have fun smoking cigarettes in the beautiful landscapes of the game while chilling.

The Smoking Complete mod, as the name implies, extends the smoking process and allows players to hold that cigarette in hand a lot longer. The mod even allows the player to put the cigarette between their lips and just do their normal activities, which gives Arthur a pretty nice look!

19

No Honor System

Downloads: 11,988

The Honor system in Red Dead Redemption 2 may get the job done in the majority of instances, but there are times when players might feel like this system restricts them a bit too much for their own good. Some people go so far as to call this system dated, which is a pretty sound argument given how the concept of morality being black and white isn’t as prevalent in video games as it once was.

With this mod, the protagonist doesn’t gain or lose honor based on their actions, which allows players to go completely berserk. They can kill and rob as much as they want without having to worry about their morals being judged by the game. That said, players should use cheats to set their honor at an acceptable level before downloading this mod if they don’t want Arthur’s character to remain static throughout the game.

18

Riot Mode

Downloads: 8,159

Although the setting of Red Dead Redemption 2 is quite dangerous, there does exist some semblance of order. People can’t just do anything they want. There are consequences to one’s actions in that law enforcement officers will pursue the player when the rules are broken.

However, with the Riot Mode mod activated, everyone in the game world is transformed into a raving lunatic. NPCs will constantly attack each other as well as the player. It can almost be treated as a sort of survival mode, allowing fans to see how long they last while everyone is out to kill them.

17

Ride With Gang

Downloads: 23,973

Being part of an outlaw gang is a pretty interesting concept. Red Dead Redemption 2 does a very good job of making players feel as if they are part of a functioning organization. Much of this is achieved through story content, however. While free-roaming, Arthur must often travel alone.

The Ride With Gang mod fixes that problem. Now, instead of being a solo act while exploring, Arthur can rely on the support of his fellow gang members. They effectively act as followers, assisting the player as allies in a fight. It’s a nice touch that changes how one approaches free roaming.

16

Dynamic Seasons

Downloads: 241,400

Not that Red Dead Redemption 2 doesn’t have snow, but it’s limited to the northern parts of the map where the mountains are located. This mod, however, brings snow to every part of the map in a dynamic period. And it’s not just snow.

Installing Dynamic Seasons will allow the players to have a refreshing experience with the landscapes of Red Dead Redemption 2 in four distinct seasons. Each season lasts for 10 hours (real-life, not in-game), and it features a unique color palette, unique temperatures, and even different sunset and sunrise times.

15

Complete Horse Overhaul

Downloads: 31,033

Horses in Red Dead Redemption 2 are important since players need the trust of their loyal steed to traverse the open world without too many problems. After all, the map of this game is gigantic, and trying to explore the world on foot will prove to be one of the most painful things that players can ever attempt.

However, some players may get bored of the vanilla horses in the game, and this mod can prove to be a lifesaver in this regard. With it, players can check out entirely new horse breeds with reworked stats and looks. It increases the variety of the many steeds players can tame in Red Dead Redemption 2, and horse enthusiasts are sure to love it.

14

Fight Club

Downloads: 27,566

Everybody knows the first rule of Fight Club. What players of Red Dead Redemption 2 may not know, however, is that a Fight Club mod exists. Similar to other games, such as The Witcher 3, this mod adds a brawling mini-game.

Players can duke it out with any NPC in the game by spawning them instantly. Fights can be fought in rounds, with each successive one getting harder. Fight Club can take place anywhere, wherever the player chooses.

13

Jobs Mod

Downloads: 125,000

The campaign in Red Dead Redemption 2 is already action-packed enough, but what if someone wants to live a peaceful life? That’s why the Jobs Mod exists. It brings together a series of peaceful jobs that the player can sign up for and earn good cash.

The list of available jobs in this mod includes miner, bartender, delivery man, hunter, train conductor, lumberjack, and dockworker. Some of these jobs are only offered in certain locations, like mining which can only be done inside the Annesburg mine. Each job comes with a unique map icon.

12

Bandit Hideouts

Downloads: 105,980

Players who want to make the open-world exploration of Red Dead Redemption 2 more action-packed and engaging than ever before should check out the Bandit Hideouts mod, which does a great job of introducing camps with bandits who are relentless in their pursuit of the player. They’ll even go so far as to chase Arthur on horseback if he tries to escape.

On top of this addition, the mod adds bandit encounters all over the map, forcing the player to adapt to the situation whenever they get dragged into combat. To make things easier for themselves, players can hire gunmen at saloons to ensure their safety when traversing the open world while also being able to tackle a bandit hideout with a group of pistol-wielding cowboys if they wish.

11

Injuries Overhaul

Downloads: 58,312

Red Dead Redemption 2 already incorporates a satisfying level of realism and immersion. The great thing about mods is that those features can often be expanded even further, offering a more hardcore experience for gamers who want to embrace a challenge.

The Injuries Overhaul mod makes combat much deadlier than it is in the base game. The mod adds four injury types (hand, head, legs, and wounds) that can have a drastic impact on how players approach a fight. Hand injuries, for example, affect Arthur’s ability to aim. It’s a cool mod that adds an extra layer of complexity to gunfights.

10

Immersive Scenarios

Downloads: 77,107

Many people feel like Red Dead Redemption 2 leans a little too much into realism for its own good. However, some may argue that the game isn’t realistic enough, especially when they see NPCs engaging in cool interactions that Arthur isn’t able to replicate. With this mod, this issue is a thing of the past.

The Immersive Scenarios mod allows players to trigger instances where Arthur can engage in complicated interactions when a prompt appears, making it a nifty way for players to immerse themselves in the game. The wealth of animations is immense, even if initiating some of these scenarios can feel a little strange.

9

Instant Travel

Downloads: 67,173

Fast traveling isn’t as straightforward in Red Dead Redemption 2 as it is in other open-world sandboxes. Players have to make upgrades to their camp before the ability to fast travel is unlocked. In the meantime, fans will inevitably do a great deal of traveling the old-fashioned way by horse or foot.

However, for players who don’t mind breaking some of the immersion, the Instant Travel mod can make arriving at one’s destination a speedier process. Fans can instantly travel anywhere with their horse, cutting out quite a bit of the game’s filler.

8

Banking: The Old American Art

Downloads: 72,386

Perhaps players don’t want to stop at just robbing banks? They do perform a useful function, after all. Another somewhat surprising omission in the vanilla game is the inability to store one’s money in a bank. Dying in Red Dead Redemption 2 results in one’s wallet taking a hit.

That potential loss of money can be avoided with the Banking: The Old American Art mod. It adds yet another feature to banks by making it possible to deposit money into vaults. Fans can sleep more soundly knowing their money is safe from unexpected setbacks. Players should just make sure to refrain from robbing that bank.

7

Gunsmith Business

Downloads: 81,613

Arthur Morgan is a man of many talents, but owning a successful business isn’t something he can boast about. Granted, players can rob plenty of businesses, but that’s about it. Unsurprisingly, the ability to own a shop is made possible through the use of mods.

One of the more interesting (albeit unfinished) examples of this feature is the Gunsmith Business mod. As its name suggests, this mod allows Arthur to purchase one of the gun shops in the game world and manage it like his own business. Players can set their prices, acquire inventory, establish a reputation, and much more.