Red Dead Redemption 2 is a game that has become notorious for its depth and complexity, with the sheer variety of hidden secrets making it difficult for many players to reach 100% completion. One Red Dead Redemption 2 player had so much trouble they decided to make a physical map of the game's world to help them out.
The map of Red Dead Redemption 2 is not only absolutely enormous, it starts out covered with fog. Players can use a cheat code in the game's menu to unlock the full map early, or they can gradually unlock it as they progress through the game. But while this in-game map is serviceable, it doesn't include the locations of many of the secrets tucked away in hidden places--like a rare conversation between Arthur Morgan and Dutch--so players who want to recall those may need to find another solution.
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Redditor u/SlowHandDono created a physical map that doesn't just cover the five American states showcased in the game--it also contains the dreamcatcher, rock carvings, dinosaur bones, and legendary animals locations. While there are other maps of Red Dead Redemption 2 that show this information, those alternatives aren't nearly as immersive as a player slowly piecing together a physical record of Arthur's travels. Red Dead Redemption 2 fans have previously recreated the game's world in Cities: Skylines as well, though that version probably didn't feature the hidden secrets, either.
The map was warmly received on Reddit, with many users congratulating u/SlowHandDono for their craftsmanship. One comment even claims this fan-created map is more detailed and looks better than the official map that comes with some editions of the game. Fans of the Red Dead Redemption games have been working hard on many tributes to the franchise over the last several years, including a fan cast for a theoretical Red Dead Redemption movie.
One user did question whether physical maps like this one count as cheats and thus diminish the accomplishment of reaching 100% completion. The general sentiment on the post appears to be that creating a hand-made map actually adds to the accomplishment of completing Red Dead Redemption 2. It certainly requires a lot more effort and care than just following a digital map laid out by another fan and the results are stunning. Besides, a hand-made map would allow fans to note down specific glitches or rare events, like that time Red Dead Redemption 2's Arthur was attacked by a bear mid-cutscene.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is available now on PC, PlayStation 4, Stadia, and Xbox One.
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