Red Dead Redemption 2 Completionist Guide: How long does it take to beat the game?

Red Dead Redemption 2 is widely regarded as one of the most ambitious and expansive games ever made in the entire gaming industry.

Whether you’re tackling the main narrative, wandering off on side quests, or exploring the vast open world, there’s plenty to keep you busy, thanks to its powerful storytelling, detailed world, and unforgettable lead, Arthur Morgan. 

Here’s how long it takes to beat the game, and a quick completionist guide for you to prepare for what you’re about to jump into.

1. Red Dead Redemption 2 Completion Time

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a massive, immersive experience where you’ll spend hours riding, hunting, and living the outlaw life as Arthur Morgan.

If you plan on sticking to the main storyline, you’ll be able to finish the game in about 50 hours. But if you’re sticking around for the full experience and 100% completion, you’ll have to prepare yourself for a whopping 175 to 182 hours of gameplay.

Your total playtime depends on your approach:

• Main Story Only: approx. 50 hours
  Stick to the main story and you’re looking at around 50 hours of gameplay—a substantial journey filled with gripping narrative and character moments.
• Main Story + Some Side Content: approx. 80 hours
  Taking time to explore, complete side quests, hunt, fish, or enjoy the world will bring your playtime closer to 80 hours.
• Completionist Run: approx. 175-182 hours
  For those wanting to see and do everything—from catching every fish to completing every challenge—it’ll take about 175 hours. And that’s not even counting the online mode.
• Stranger Missions: approx. 10–15 hours
• Collectibles: approx. 15–30 hours (less with a guide)
• Challenges: approx. 10–25 hours

While the main story takes around 50 hours, reaching 100% completion can easily push your playtime well beyond that, and there’s still plenty more to explore beyond the checklist.

2. How many chapters are there in RDR2?

The game’s story is split into 6 main chapters and 2 epilogues:

• Chapter 1: Colter
• Chapter 2: Horseshoe Overlook
• Chapter 3: Clemens Point
• Chapter 4: Shady Belle
• Chapter 5: Guarma
• Chapter 6: Beaver Hollow
• Epilogue Part 1
• Epilogue Part 2

3. How long does it take to finish the main story in RDR2?

• Focusing solely on the main journey and the Van der Linde gang’s saga, the main story takes around 40 to 60 hours to complete.
• Most players will spend about 50 hours progressing through all six main chapters and the two epilogues.

If you choose to rush through the story by skipping cutscenes and avoiding optional activities like hunting, fishing, or playing poker, you could finish it in 30 to 40 hours.

However, doing so means missing much of the rich atmosphere and depth that make RDR2 such a beloved experience.

4. How long do side missions and exploration take in RDR2?

Red Dead Redemption 2 is packed with side content that can greatly extend your playtime and improve your experience:

• Side Missions & Random Encounters: Add around 10–15 hours, as these include engaging subplots and colorful characters that enrich the world.
• Collecting & Exploring: Gathering items like cigarette cards, dinosaur bones, and dreamcatchers can take 15–30 hours. Using guides can reduce this time, but exploring by yourself may take longer.
• Challenges & Trials: Completing all hunting, shooting, survival, and other challenges adds another 10–25 hours, but helps you in unlocking gear and in-game rewards.

5. How Long Does It Take for 100% Completion?

Achieving full completion: covering the main story, all side content, collectibles, challenges, and interactions, typically takes 150–180 hours, though some players report spending over 200 hours when exploring thoroughly.

Your total playtime depends heavily on how you approach the game. Explorers and completionists will spend far more time than those who stick to the main path and skip side content.

That being said, there’s nothing wrong with taking your time to enjoy everything the game has to offer to get the full, authentic RDR2 experience.

6. About Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2, prequel to 2010’s Red Dead Redemption, is an action-adventure game produced and released by Rockstar Games in 2018. The story, set in 1899, follows outlaw Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang.

Red Dead Redemption 2 portrays the Wild West, while being set in the fictional Western and Southern United States.