Red Dead Redemption 2: Unmissable Adventures After Completing the Main Campaign

Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) isn't just about the compelling, nearly 50-hour story of Arthur Morgan; it also offers a vast open world filled with countless activities that breathe life into its Wild West setting. Even after the credits roll, players can embark on numerous adventures to explore every nook and cranny the game has to offer. Here are ten of the best activities to undertake after completing the main story.

Explore New Austin

New Austin is a region within RDR2 that becomes accessible only after completing the main storyline. This area is a treasure trove for those who love exploring, hunting, and uncovering secrets. Wander through familiar towns like Armadillo and Tumbleweed, which you've seen from the original Red Dead Redemption, but with significant new details.

The region boasts various new animal species to track and numerous mysteries waiting to be solved. From hidden caves to abandoned structures, New Austin is a perfect playground for any post-completion explorer aiming to immerse themselves fully in RDR2's rich environment.

Visit Old Friends

Sadly, not all members of the Van der Linde gang survive the journey. However, those who do can be sought out, and their resting places can be visited to pay respects. Visiting the nine graves of your former friends earns you the "Paying Respects" achievement or trophy and evokes memories of your time spent with each character.

On a brighter note, reconnecting with surviving members of the gang can be profoundly rewarding. From visiting Pearson in Rhodes to finding Tilly living a happy life in Saint-Denis, revisiting these characters provides closure and insights into their lives post-gang.

Complete Stranger Missions

John Marston can conclude that Arthur Morgan started many of the Stranger Missions but never finished. These missions often reveal how the lives of various characters have changed and provide a sense of continuity and progression within the game's world.

Some missions hinge significantly on how Arthur treated these NPCs, making it fascinating to see the long-term consequences of your choices unfold. Whether you engaged with these characters amiably or with indifference, your past interactions will shape their narratives in the epilogue.

Solve All Treasure Maps

For those drawn to the lure of hidden riches, RDR2 includes five intricate treasure maps, each leading to substantial rewards. These maps contain drawings and clues depicting landmarks scattered across the vast open world, demanding keen observation and memory to decode.

Successfully solving these puzzles can net you up to $7,000, significantly enhancing your ability to purchase upgrades and more. Remember to note hints and details from characters you encounter and landmarks you pass by to piece together the path to these hidden treasures.

Hunt Legendary Animals

Crafting unique outfits and gear requires materials from legendary animals, which Arthur might not have fully collected. John Marston can step in to finish this quest, tracking down these rare creatures to complete your collection of extraordinary apparel and accessories.

Hunting legendary animals involves a combination of patience and skill, with each hunt offering the chance to create distinctive items exclusive to these rare species. Personalizing John's appearance with these unique elements adds a satisfying layer of customization and achievement.

Buy Every Available Upgrade

With newfound wealth from treasure hunts and missions, fully upgrading items you might have missed during the main campaign can be both rewarding and practical. Enhancing your satchel for more storage space ensures you're always prepared for any adventure.

Weapon upgrades also prove invaluable, allowing you to tackle RDR2's challenges with greater efficacy. Maximize your arsenal's potential to take on tougher enemies and complete more difficult tasks, enhancing the overall gameplay experience.

Complete Challenges

For those who thrive on structured goals, RDR2 offers a myriad of challenges spanning various activities. These range from improving your combat skills to mastering survival techniques, providing engaging mini-games within the larger game world.

Tackling these challenges not only adds diversity to your playthrough but also brings a sense of accomplishment as you refine your skills. Checking off these objectives from your stats menu offers a rewarding way to measure your in-game growth.

Discover Easter Eggs

RDR2 is rich with historical references and quirky Easter eggs, inviting players to explore and learn more about the period the game portrays. One notable example includes finding the last Carolina Parakeet, an intriguing piece of in-game history.

Discovering these rare occurrences is often a delightful surprise, providing both educational insights and immersive fun.

Collect All Horses

Adding to your stable by collecting every available horse breed is another rewarding post-completion activity. Some horses can be tamed in the wild, while others are available for purchase at a high price in stables.

In particular, rare horses like the White Arabian and Bay Mustang offer significant advantages in terms of speed and stamina. Building a diverse and impressive collection of horses adds another layer of satisfaction and practical benefit to your adventures.

Just Relax

Amid all the goals and adventures, sometimes the best thing to do is simply to relax at the Marston ranch. Engage in daily chores, enjoy scenic views, and immerse yourself in the serene moments this game offers.

Taking time to unwind can be a rewarding change of pace, providing an appreciation for the quieter aspects of John Marston's life. The game's world remains rich and inviting, ensuring plenty of simple pleasures and relaxing activities to enjoy.