Red Dead Online Vs Grand Theft Auto Online

Rockstar Games, one of the most successful game development studios of all time, has set the industry standard with titles such as Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto 5. From start to finish, both games go to great lengths to provide their players with the most immersive and detailed story and environment possible. It's a major reason for each game's longevity and success, but it's not the only one. Both games online multiplayer is another huge reason why they are still relevant in 2023. As a result, we thought it was finally time to compare Red Dead Online vs GTA Online.

With both games being nearly identical in nature and primarily differing in setting, we wanted to know which atmosphere makes for a better online experience. Is it the wild wild west, where cowboys and outlaws clash from town to town? Or is it the corrupt streets of Los Santos, where chaos and calamity reign from dawn to dusk? Now is the time to find out.

What is Red Dead Online?

Red Dead Online is an online multiplayer mode of Rockstars' popular game, Red Dead Redemption 2. Known colloquially as Red Dead Online, this multiplayer experience allows you to roam the open world as a trusty ranger or masked bandit alongside other players. From forming you're own gang to dueling in the streets and robbing banks, there is a lot to do in Red Dead Online. Furthermore, there are also story missions and multiple game modes to choose from.

What is Grand Theft Auto Online?

Just like Red Dead Online, GTA Online is an open-world online experience separate from the game's main story. Set in the city-state of San Andreas, players can buy cars, penthouses, form businesses, undergo criminal missions, and more. On top of that, there is an abundance of game modes up for grabs. From racing supercars to playing team deathmatch, it feels like there isn't really anything GTA Online doesn't offer. However, it's time to really see what's behind each game's curtain as we compare the story and gameplay aspects of Red Dead Online vs GTA Online.

Story Missions & Open World Events

Both online games provide story missions that branch out from the main game's story. These can either be done solo or in a group with friends and sometimes consists of multi-part missions. Nonetheless, they provide an excellent narrative-based incentive for players to grind online with their friends, complete missions, and amass money together.

Following that are free-roam missions and open-world events. Random icons representing live world events will appear on your map while you're happily trotting or drifting around in Red Dead or GTA Online. These are primarily a variety of player-versus-player challenges in GTA Online. However, in Red Dead Online, there are also small live-world events that you can complete on your own, such as assisting a troubled old lady for a small reward or an NPC who has been robbed. Simultaneously, Red Dead has Free Roam events, which are player-versus-player challenges that consist of a variety of activities.

Gameplay

Frankly, there's a lot to cover in terms of gameplay differences between Red Dead Online vs GTA Online, which is why we're breaking it down into sections so we can digest everything without becoming overwhelmed.

Game Modes

Both Red Dead Online and GTA Online have a variety of game modes to choose from. In Red Dead, there are Race Series events where you race horses, as well as Showdown Series events that consist of games such as TDM, capture the Zone, free-for-all, and more.

GTA Online, on the other hand, has a lot more thanks to custom game modes. Racing modes alone GTA Online has more game modes. However, there are hundreds more to choose from, such as Gun Game, Snipers vs. Stunters, Demolition Derby, Parkour Maps, and so on – we really could go on and on about the number of game modes in GTA Online.

Aspects of Life

Because you are not the main character in these online modes, but rather your own, we must compare the different aspects of life of in Red Dead Online vs GTA Online. For example, in Red Dead Online, you can form a posse or gang, as well as buy and customize houses, clothes, weapons, and even your horse. At the same time, you could simply set up a camp in the woods and use it as a bandit hideout.

In GTA Online, however, there is a lot more to do. To begin with, you can purchase any mode of transportation you desire, from cars and bikes to yachts and airplanes, and even tanks. You can also buy apartments, houses, and even businesses. Yes, you can start your own business in GTA Online, from printing money to manufacturing vehicles and more. Furthermore, similar to Red Dead Online, you can form gangs and customize your character, weapons, and so on. Overall, just like the game modes, we could go on and on about the various aspects of life that are available in GTA Online.

Verdict

We have finally arrived at our verdict between Red Dead Online vs GTA Online. First, let us preface by saying both games are amazing online experiences in their own right. That being said, we believe GTA Online has more to offer players than Red Dead Online. It has more game modes to play, items you can buy, and missions to go on, and that's not even counting GTA RP which makes up a huge portion of GTA Online's player base.

Red Dead Online, on the other hand, offers a more immersive, atmospheric, and gripping online experience. Players practically role-play in Red Dead Online, and taking missions from NPCs, hunting down a bounty, or robbing a train or bank, makes you feel like you're in your own wild west movie. And GTA Online can't compete with that immersive experience because, to be honest, its player base is far more toxic.

As a result, you have GTA Online, which, while entertaining and fruitful, is built on corruption and anarchy, and its online presence reflects that. Red Dead Online, on the other hand, may not have as much in store, but it is a much more immersive online experience that you can sink your teeth into.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our verdict? Which do you prefer — Red Dead vs GTA Online? Let us know your thoughts on our socials here!