The story of Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde Gang
America, 1899. Arthur Morgan rides with the Van der Linde Gang, outlaws on the run while federal agents and the best bounty hunters in the nation close in. The gang has to rob, steal, and fight its way across the rugged heartland of America just to stay alive. Internal divisions are pulling the group apart, and Arthur is caught between his own ideals and loyalty to the gang that raised him. It is a long, slow-burning tale of honor and loyalty set at the dawn of the modern age, told through a single-player campaign. Expect a grounded western with realistic detail, horses, and a wide open frontier to travel.
Playing together in Red Dead Online
Red Dead Online is the multiplayer side, set in the same living world as the story. You can ride solo or form a posse with friends and take on the frontier together. Activities include running moonshine and fighting lawmen, outlaw gangs, and ferocious wild animals, alongside PvP and co-op play. The Steam version lists PvP, online PvP, co-op, online co-op, Steam Achievements, and partial controller support, so there is room for both cooperative sessions and competitive ones. Remote Play on Phone and Remote Play on Tablet are also listed, which gives your group another way to join in.
What to know before you start
The game carries tags for gore and sexual content, so keep that in mind before a mixed group jumps in. The Ultimate Edition bundles the Story Mode content from the Special Edition plus extra online content: bonus outfits for your online character, rank bonuses, a Black Chestnut Thoroughbred, free access to the Survivor Camp Theme, and free access to additional weapons online. In-App Purchases are listed for the game, so online extras may involve purchases. Controller support is partial rather than complete, which is worth checking if you plan to play from the couch.