Choose Red Dead Redemption 2 if you want a deliberately paced western story, an outlaw-gang drama and frontier activities to enjoy between major missions. Choose Cyberpunk 2077 if you would rather explore a futuristic city, shape a character build and lean into more action-oriented combat. Neither is the better open world for everyone: the choice turns on setting, pace and the kind of immersion you want.
How the two open worlds feel different
| What matters | Red Dead Redemption 2 | Cyberpunk 2077 |
|---|---|---|
| Setting and story | 1899 American frontier, following Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang. PlayStation’s US listing describes the story and identifies its PS4 release date as October 26, 2018. | Futuristic Night City, where the player follows V. The optional Phantom Liberty expansion adds a spy-thriller story in Dogtown. CD PROJEKT RED’s expansion page describes its setting and premise. |
| What to do away from the main plot | Ride, hunt, fish, explore and spend time with the gang. Rockstar’s official listing describes hunting, gang life and the American West. | Explore a dense futuristic city and pursue a character-led journey. The feel of that exploration depends on what you enjoy about Night City and V’s story. |
| Progression and combat | The game puts more emphasis on its directed story and frontier experience than on build-centered progression. That is a difference in emphasis, not an absence of combat or player choices. | Build flexibility is more prominent. CD PROJEKT RED’s Update 2.0 announcement documents changes to perk trees and cyberware, as well as vehicle combat, enemy AI, police behavior and traffic. |
| Pace | A better fit if you are happy to settle into a slower western journey. Some players may find that pace too drawn out; that response is subjective, not a measured comparison. | A better fit if you want an action-oriented loop and build experimentation. How fast it feels depends on your play style and character build. |
Choose Red Dead Redemption 2 for frontier immersion
Red Dead Redemption 2 is the pick if the appeal is not simply having a large map, but spending time in a western world and caring about the people travelling through it. Rockstar and PlayStation describe Arthur Morgan’s story with the Van der Linde gang, while Rockstar’s product listing highlights hunting and gang life.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Red Dead Redemption 2 PS4 Brand New Factory Sealed | $23.80 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Red Dead Redemption - PlayStation 5 | $24.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Silent Hill 2 (PS5) | $29.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Red Dead Redemption 2 - Playstation 4 (PS4) [video game]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Nt8yEvQpL._SL160_.jpg)
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Red Dead Redemption 2 - Playstation 4 (PS4) [video game] | $25.79 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Marvel's Wolverine PS5 | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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PlayStation’s pre-launch guide also described camp conversations, hunting, camp upgrades and fast travel as an upgrade. Those details help explain the game’s emphasis on routine and place, though the guide predates release and should not be read as a statement about later patches.
The PlayStation Store page, accessed in 2026, says Red Dead Redemption 2 has received “over 175 Game of the Year Awards and recipient of over 250 perfect scores.” Those are the storefront’s published claims, not an independently reconciled count.
#1 Best Overall
- From the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption
- The deepest and most complex world Rockstar Games has ever created
- Covers a huge range of 19th century American landscapes
- Play as Arthur Morgan, lead enforcer in the notorious Van der Linde gang
- Interact with every character in the world with more than just your gun;Engage in conversation with people you meet. Your actions influence Arthur's honour;Horses are a cowboy's best friend, both transport and personal companion;Bond with your horse as you ride together to unlock new abilities
Choose Cyberpunk 2077 for builds and city action
Pick Cyberpunk 2077 if Night City’s science-fiction setting interests you more than the frontier, or if shaping how your character handles combat is a major part of the fun. The game’s systems have changed since launch: CD PROJEKT RED’s Update 2.0 announcement, dated September 21, 2023, documents a perk-tree overhaul, cyberware changes, vehicle combat, enemy AI, police behavior and traffic updates. The company said that free update rolled out for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Update 2.0 is evidence of a substantial post-launch change, not a claim that it is the latest update. Its announcement also said PC system requirements changed and an SSD became a requirement at that time; check the current requirements for your platform rather than relying on that 2023 notice.
Rank #2
- When federal agents threaten his family, former outlaw John Marston is forced to hunt down the gang of criminals he once called friends.
- Experience Marston’s journey across the sprawling expanses of the American West and Mexico as he fights to bury his blood-stained past in the critically acclaimed predecessor to the 2018 blockbuster, Red Dead Redemption 2.
- Also included is Undead Nightmare, the iconic horror story that transforms the world of Red Dead Redemption into an apocalyptic fight for survival against a zombie horde.
Should you add Phantom Liberty?
Phantom Liberty is an optional Cyberpunk 2077 expansion, not a replacement for the base game. CD PROJEKT RED describes it as a spy thriller starring V and set around Dogtown. The official purchase page states, “Cyberpunk 2077 is required to play Phantom Liberty.” Check the exact edition before buying: a listing may include the expansion or sell it separately.
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- Choose Red Dead Redemption 2 if you want to live in a western story for a while, care about the outlaw gang and enjoy small frontier activities between major missions.
- Choose Cyberpunk 2077 if Night City, science fiction and build-driven action sound more appealing, and you want more room to shape combat progression.
- If you are split, decide by setting and pace first. Then consider whether build flexibility or frontier immersion matters more to you.
Check the edition and platform before buying
Store listings and platform support can vary by region and change over time. The US PlayStation listing identifies Red Dead Redemption 2 as a PS4 product and says it can be played on PS5 subject to PlayStation compatibility conditions. Rockstar’s listing also exposes a PC version. CD PROJEKT RED’s US purchase page displayed PC, Xbox and PS4 selections alongside legacy wording, so the pages cited here do not establish a complete current platform matrix.
Rank #3
- Fully Remade to terrify modern audiences
- KONAMI's intense psychological horror masterpiece SILENT HILL 2 is made exclusively for PlayStation 5
- The main protagonist James Sunderland searches for clues in the namesake town, after receiving a mysterious letter from his wife Mary… who has long been dead
- Experience the eerie monsters and other manifestations of James' consciousness reworked after 20 years
- Made with state-of-the-art technology to play on modern entertainment systems in 4K
Check your platform’s current store for the game, edition, included modes and any expansion before checkout. Rockstar’s listing describes Red Dead Redemption 2 as including Story Mode and Red Dead Online; PlayStation’s US page likewise says Red Dead Online is included. For Cyberpunk 2077, verify whether Phantom Liberty is bundled if you want it. No comparable same-region, same-date prices or controlled completion-time and frame-rate comparisons are established here, so those are best checked for your particular store and hardware.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Marvel’s Wolverine is a new action-packed adventure from Insomniac Games
- Play as Wolverine and Ravage enemies with explosive brutality and unleash razor-sharp adamantium claws to deploy fast, fluid attacks and overcome impossible odds
- An Original, Emotionally Charged Story. Beneath Wolverine’s gruff exterior and violent temperament is a man fighting for a cause greater than himself
- A Global, Adrenaline-Fueled Journey where you slice into enemies across detailed locales such as the frosted Canadian Wilderness, the narrow streets of Tokyo, and the high and low districts of the island nation of Madripoor
Rank #4
- From the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption
- The deepest and most complex world Rockstar Games has ever created
- Covers a huge range of 19th century American landscapes
- Play as Arthur Morgan, lead enforcer in the notorious Van der Linde gang
- Please note that although this game is Region Free or Region Unlocked and will work on all systems, this is the international version and may differ from the local version in age rating, labeling or instructions.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
