Red Dead Redemption 2 is deservedly considered one of the most ambitious and expansive games not only within Rockstar Games but also in the entire industry. The game is set in the final days of the Wild West in the USA, and it's not just a story about shooting and bandits.

It's an incredibly detailed world where you'll want to explore every corner in search of interesting dialogues, situations, and content. Despite the game being released a while ago, many players still haven't played it, leading them to wonder: how much time does it take to complete Red Dead Redemption 2?

How long does it take to complete the main story of Red Dead Redemption 2

If you decide to focus solely on the main story of Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang, be prepared to spend between 40 to 60 hours. During this time, you'll go through all six main chapters of the game, as well as two epilogues that connect events with the first part of Red Dead Redemption. Most players who play at a leisurely pace will spend about 50 hours on the storyline.

However, if you tend to skip cutscenes, quickly move from one mission to another, and avoid side activities like hunting or playing poker, it's entirely possible to complete the game in 30-40 hours. But in doing so, you'll miss out on a huge part of the unique atmosphere and content that everyone loves about Red Dead Redemption 2.

How many chapters are in Red Dead Redemption 2

The main story of the game is divided into six chapters and two epilogues. The chapters tell the story of the rise and fall of the Van der Linde gang, while the epilogues allow players to see a logical and deeply emotional conclusion to the story, directly linking events to the original Red Dead Redemption. Here's a list of all the chapters in the game:

• Chapter 1: Colter
• Chapter 2: Horseshoe Overlook
• Chapter 3: Clemens Point
• Chapter 4: Shady Belle
• Chapter 5: Guarma
• Chapter 6: Beaver Hollow
• Epilogue 1
• Epilogue 2

How long do side missions and random encounters take in Red Dead Redemption 2

Rockstar has always been renowned for its mastery in creating additional game content, and Red Dead Redemption 2 is no exception. The game's world is filled with intriguing side storylines and random encounters with colorful characters.

Completing available side missions can add another 10-15 hours to your playthrough. And that's not counting the time spent searching for collectibles like cigarette cards or rock carvings, which can further increase the total playtime.

How long does collecting and exploring the world take in Red Dead Redemption 2

Collecting items is a separate part of the game that can consume a lot of time in any open world. The game map is scattered with a vast number of unique items, from dinosaur bones to dreamcatchers, each contributing to the immersion in this Wild West world.

Players aiming to collect everything should expect to spend an additional 15-30 hours just on collecting. Using guides or hints can significantly reduce this time, but those exploring the world independently may spend considerably more hours searching.

Completing challenges and trials

Red Dead Redemption 2 also offers players a variety of challenges: hunting, shooting, herbalism, treasure hunting, and more. Completing these challenges unlocks new gear and bonuses that can be useful during the main game or simply enjoyable to undertake. If you plan to complete all the challenges, prepare for an additional 10-25 hours of gameplay.

How long does it take to achieve 100% completion in Red Dead Redemption 2

For true gaming perfectionists, Red Dead Redemption 2 can be both a paradise and a challenge due to the significant number of interactions in the game world that require extensive exploration. Achieving 100% completion in Red Dead Redemption 2 involves completing all story and side quests, challenges, collecting all items, fully exploring the world, interacting with all possible events, and obtaining all achievements.

Those who want to see and do everything possible in the game should expect to spend between 150 to 180 hours. Some players even report that a full completion can take over 200 hours if exploring the world in maximum detail.

The impact of play style on total completion time

The total time you spend on Red Dead Redemption 2 directly depends on your play style. If you enjoy wandering the expanses of the Wild West, fishing for hours, watching sunsets, or just living the life of an adventurer, then the total game time can significantly exceed average figures. On the other hand, those who prefer to strictly follow the main tasks and avoid side activities may complete the game much faster.