Red Dead Redemption Hardcore Mode – Difficulty levels explained

After a wait of, ooh only around 15 or so years, PC players are finally getting the chance to ride out in one of the most definitive open-world RPGs of all time. Sure you may have already played Red Dead Redemption 2, but the original RDR is where it all began and now we can play this remastered version on “proper” hardware, let the fun commence.

Starting out a game of Red Dead Redemption though asks a very pertinent question – what difficulty mode should you choose? Normal or Hardcore? Let’s have a look at the differences then.

The general consensus over years of this game being played on other formats is that you should definitely undertake the scary-sounding Hardcore mode rather than just selecting Normal as you probably, ordinarily, might.

Hardcore mode, unlike difficulty levels in many games, doesn’t simply ramp up the speed in which you might die. Yes damage is multiplied when you take it, but much more is affected, right down to the game’s economy and getting reduced selling prices for all the trades you are hawking.

As you would expect your Health is dramatically reduced also and the permanent high of your health bar is slashed in half, meaning you have to be super careful about what damage you can allow yourself to take before turning and running for the hills.

Other things you may not think of are also dramatically altered. If you manage to get your poor horse killed, ordinarily you can simply respawn it. In Hardcore mode, it stays dead and you will have to purchase a new steed.

Aim Assist is also affected, but if you are playing on a PC you really should be playing on a mouse or a keyboard anyway, what are you? 13? And Aim Assist only works on controllers anyway,

In short, if you want a true challenge then you should definitely consider a playthrough with Hardcore mode engaged.

If you want a slightly less stressful gaming experience then we would suggest Normal mode, but it’s nowhere near as taxing.

Red Dead Redemption is now available on a PC game store near you.

The post Red Dead Redemption Hardcore Mode – Difficulty levels explained appeared first on ReadWrite.