Red Dead Redemption 2 Deserves Its Own Undead Nightmare Expansion

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Moiz Banoori

At HI Digital I test and write about different hardware configurations to show other PC users what they can expect from their build. My end goal is to educate the masses to make the right decision when they are looking for new PC parts to buy

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Both commercially and critically successful, Red Dead Redemption 2 is regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time. It surpassed its predecessor in almost every regard and is still among the most-played games years after its initial release.

Considering the game’s success, Red Dead Redemption 2’s post-launch treatment needed to be better. The game’s online mode was practically deserted, and the base game never received an expansion pack.

What makes the latter surprising is the constant demand from fans since the Wild West is full of untapped potential. For example, Red Dead Redemption’s DLC, Undead Nightmare, is still one of the best story expansions ever made.

Undead Nightmare became a fondly remembered part of the first game. It introduced a new concept and expanded the game through existing mechanics. However, Rockstar never gave Red Dead Redemption 2 the same treatment.

I still believe this was the wrong call to make, and the second game deserves a similar expansion.

Why it matters: An Undead Nightmare sequel could improve on the first game’s mode, making it more than just side content for this iconic Wild West adventure.

No Undead Nightmare 2 for RDR2 is criminal
byu/Strange_Music ingaming

RDR2 Easter Eggs Already Hinted At Undead Nightmare

Red Dead Redemption 2’s world is one of the most detailed and vibrant in a video game, featuring numerous details that are still being uncovered today. The game also boasts a plethora of easter eggs with references and hidden meanings, some of which hint at a potential Undead Nightmare expansion.

The very first easter egg is situated in Bearclaw Camp on the south side of the Tall Trees. Entering the well, John transforms into what appears to be a zombie model, though it remains uncertain whether it’s a lighting glitch or an intentional teaser.

In the first Red Dead Redemption game, a green jade mask makes an appearance in the Undead Nightmare expansion, believed to be the cause of the zombie outbreak after it was removed from its original place.

Several similar masks have also been spotted in Red Dead Redemption 2, such as in the Saint-Denis shop, a camp in Cumberland, and even in discussions by NPCs in Blackwater.

In Saint-Denis, a newspaper boy foreshadows the coming of zombies, describing how the dead would rise in the new century, echoing the events in Red Dead Redemption’s Undead Nightmare story.

However, one point to be noted is that Red Dead Redemption 2 is a prequel to the first game, so these easter eggs might be references to the Undead Nightmare event that happens in the future.

Nonetheless, the sequel still deserves its own Undead Nightmare expansion with a new storyline, serving as a spiritual successor to the first one.

Fan-Made Undead Nightmare Mod Is Spectacular

With Rockstar rejecting the possibility of an Undead Nightmare expansion, modders took it into their own hands to make the DLC.

The Undead Nightmare mod mainly takes place in New Austin, populating it with hundreds of zombies and completely overhauling the game. Much of the town is in perpetual flames as the remaining townspeople hunt down zombies to protect themselves.

The wilderness is also affected by the zombie presence, becoming more scarce, adding a realistic touch to the gameplay. Additionally, the mod introduces an entirely new soundtrack that complements the expansion’s vibe.

The entire atmosphere gets a revamp with a blood moon, and players can enhance their experience by downloading the John Marston zombie mod, turning the protagonist into a zombie similar to the first game.

This fan creation serves to highlight the potential of Undead Nightmare in Red Dead Redemption 2. If fans can do an incredible job with the base game’s tools, Rockstar could knock it out of the park.

Despite these efforts, the prospect of an official Undead Nightmare expansion remains uncertain. While hope still lingers, the ship seems to have sailed many years ago.

GTA 6 is coming to consoles in 2025, and Rockstar’s efforts are now focused on this AAA release. It seems that the gaming community might be closer to Red Dead Redemption 3 rather than an expansion pack.

Moiz Banoori

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Laiba, our tech guru at HI Digital, simplifies and crafts How-To Guides with a Google IT Support Certificate. Beyond tech, she captures the city’s aesthetics through her lens. Join her journey where tech meets creativity!

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