Summary
Red Dead Redemption 2features five distinct fictional states, each with unique features that help them stand out in the game. Each state adds something special that breathes life into the game’s world. From breathtaking landscapesto bustling towns, every state has something to offer for the players to enjoy during their exploration.
However, certain states surpass their peers in terms of quality, size, and the availability of content. This naturally makes visiting some states more worthwhile than others. Therefore, this list ranks every state inRed Dead Redemption 2from worst to best in terms of scenic beauty, content, and significance to the story.
5New Austin
The Wild West
New Austinhas the unfortunate honor of placing last on this list. Players can only access this state after completing the mission “Red Dead Redemption” and starting the epilogue as John Marston. TheRed Dead Redemption 2version of New Austinshows the barren lands and the lack of sprawling settlements.
Tumbleweed and Armadillo portray the Wild West excellently, but there aren’t a lot of things to do in New Austin apart from stumbling upon gang hideouts. It is a nice trip down memory lane for players who have playedRed Dead Redemption,but it lacks a lot of the content that makes the other states more enjoyable.
4Ambarino
Where The Snow Falls
Ambarinosuffers the same problem as New Austin inRed Dead Redemption 2. It is probably the most visually stunning area in the game. However, there simply isn’t enough content to warrant exploring Ambarino other than taking in the natural beauty of the state.
The picturesque sight of Mount Hagen, and the juxtaposition of snow and greenery, give Ambarino a vibrant ambiance. The lack of content and minimal involvement in the main story makes Ambarino a spot worth visiting only for mindless exploration or forhunting Legendary Animals.
3Lemoyne
The Heart Of Civilization
Lemoyneis the smallest yet most populated state in the game. It contains some of the most popular settlements on the map,such as Saint Denis and Rhodes. The distinct landscape of Lemoyne is the abundance of swamps filled withdangers such as alligatorsand Night Folk.
Lemoyne is one of the few areas where the game can give players the creeps. Exploring through areas such as Lagras and Bayou Nwa during the night is quite unsettling. Lemoyne is also home to the turning point of the story, and the gradual disintegration ofthe Van der Linde gang. Some of the most important moments in the campaign, such as Arthur’s diagnosis, Hosea, Sean, and Lenny’s death, and the gang’s eventual retreat to Guarma take place in Lemoyne.
2West Elizabeth
A Blend Of Nature and Modernity
West Elizabethfeatures beautiful areas such as Big Valley, Tall Trees, and the Great Plains. It perfectly mixes the rapid growth of modernization, in the form of Blackwater, and the natural beauty of the frontier. West Elizabeth has plenty of content for players to explore. This state is also aprime spot for hunting, as a variety of species can be found here.
West Elizabeth serves a crucial role in the Van der Linde Gang’s story, as the failed ferry heist in Blackwater sets the events ofRed Dead Redemption 2in motion. Players can eventually return to West Elizabeth and explore the remaining areas of the state upon starting the epilogue. West Elizabeth is a prime example of seamlessly blending the imminent rise of a new age with the remnants of the past.
1New Hanover
The Biggest Of Them All
New Hanoveris the biggest and most recognizable state inRed Dead Redemption 2.The pure size of this state should satisfy any player’s exploration needs. There are plenty of beautiful areas, such as The Heartlands, Emerald Ranch, and Roanoke Ridge. New Hanover is always brimming with content for players to experience.
Similar to Lemoyne, a lot of important story events take place in New Hanover as well, as it directly follows the prologue and features some of the story’s biggest early moments. New Hanover is truly the peak ofRed Dead Redemption 2’sworld design as it perfectly fulfills everything it aims to deliver.
