Best Red Dead Redemption 2 Mods: Model Swapping, Reshades & More

Finally released on PC after a year of console exclusivity, Rockstar’s Red Dead Redemption 2’s new platform gives players more options than ever before, including the ability to sort out mad things like water refraction. While the developer might not want to acknowledge it, the most exciting thing about the game coming to PC has to be all of the best Red Dead Redemption 2 the many maniacs around the world are cooking up.

From allowing Arthur to realise his life is a comedy to letting you skip through the intro and even deep into the sometimes ill-paced story, these mods for Red Dead Redemption 2 will make the Wild West even wilder and maybe give you plenty more content for what is already a very dense game. We’ll be adding to this whenever a new Red Dead 2 mod pops up that we love, so watch this space.

 

The Best Red Dead Redemption 2 Mods

Red Dead 2 Save Files

Skip Intro Save
Story Completed Save

These are the simplest mods you can find for the game, but they may also be some of those best for anyone who wants to jump right into the meat of the game — or maybe its end.

With a simple download and a fiddling with your files, you can skip the overly long intro, get to a specific chapter, or even get to the endgame. Whatever gets you drunk with Lenny the quickest, we say.

 

Model Swap

Model Swap Mod

By the author’s own admission, this mod is a little on the inconsistent side with it being a work in progress. At this time of writing, you aren’t able to choose any male characters.

You do, however, get to play as an eagle and go soaring across the map, or if you want to really delve into the uncanny valley, beat people up with your wings during cutscenes. We’re just waiting for the inevitable option to play as a bowl of soup.

 

Turn Arthur Morgan Into Arthur Fleck

Arthur Fleck-Morgan

It was almost inevitable that the very first mod for Red Dead Redemption 2 would be one that turns Arthur Morgan into Arthur Fleck, Joaquin Phoenix’s version of Joker.

While not maybe as impressive as it could be as a full body makeover, this mod gives Arthur the demented face paint of his movie counterpart, turning the game from a tragedy into a comedy.

 

Original Red Dead Sound Files

Red Dead Sound Files

No, not Red Dead Revolver, though we’d love to see someone try. This mod doesn’t actually replace the game’s files, rather it’s just the original sound files from the first Red Dead game to be implemented by others.

We wouldn’t recommend trying to add these into the game if you have no experience with modding, especially as it won’t be long now before someone mods it in and gives everyone a wave of nostalgia.

 

Shaders and Grading

GiMMENEXTGEN
LUT Color Grading
Simple Realistic Reshade

Red Dead Redemption 2 for PC is already a very pretty game, but that doesn’t mean you can’t load it up with shaders to make it look exactly how you want it to. From a realism shader to color grading fixes, there’s loads of these already available.

Beware, though, that each of these shaders come with their own very specific set of instructions, some a little more complicated than you might be used to if you’re new to mods. If you’re confident, it’s time to make Red Dead look even more like a Leone production.

 

Legal Screen Skip

Skip

Sometimes it’s the simple mods that make the world of difference. If you’re itching to get into Red Dead Redemption 2 and don’t want to wade through the legal mumbo jumbo at the start, this straightforward mod cuts that right out.

 

Simple Slow Motion

Slow Motion Mod

Want the game to feel a little bit like getting drunk with Lenny? Download this sweet mod that lets you slow down time with a simple input with more options coming up in the future.

You will need to have a separate scripthook file installed for this one, but it’s no hassle beyond that. If you want the game to be entirely like Deadeye, this slow motion mod is the one for you.

 

Longer Days

Longer Days Mod

Don’t want your days of mayhem to end quite so early? This mod is the one for you, it allowing you to extend days and nights for you to fit more in, though it must be said that it shouldn’t be approached by beginner modders.

With some tweaks to the ini and prior installation of a Scripthook, you can rob and pillage and also warmly greet strangers to your heart’s content in Red Dead Redemption 2.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Mods: How To Install & Disclaimer

As with all mods, you should approach these Red Dead Redemption 2 mods with absolute caution if you are inexperienced with them in general. Being a little careless with where and how you mess with the game’s files could spell the end for your game, so always check and double check.

In addition, all mods have different methods of implementation. With the game not being out on PC for all that long at all, there isn’t a catch-all method of applying them like if they were in the Steam Workshop for instance.

As a final disclaimer, we would advise absolute caution if you think about trying to use any of these mods while playing Red Dead Online. Rockstar have always been vigilant about this in their online games, so use them at your own risk.

From our Red Dead Redemption 2 review:

“Despite it having some wrinkles, Red Dead Redemption 2 introduces more than enough innovations to provide one of the most immersive and captivating open world games ever made.”

Red Dead Redemption 2 is available now on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.

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– Red Dead Redemption 2 Guide: How To Earn Money Fast