Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most defining games of the decade. Although released in 2018, its graphics, gameplay, and storytelling still feel as fresh as if they were released this year.
Those who haven’t played this title are truly missing out, and those who wish to move their RDR2 adventure to the newer PS5 console may ask, “Can you play Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS5?”
The answer is yes. Whether you own the PS4 disc-based Red Dead Redemption 2 or the same game in a Digital version, you can play it on PS5 without any issues.
However, there are some caveats here. The gameplay of Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS5 may not be what you expect from a next-gen console.
I will explore this topic further in the text below:
Backward Compatibility of PS5
Before discussing the topic further, it is worth noting that PS5 is fully backward compatible with PS4.
This means that PS5 supports all disc-based and digital versions of PS4 games.
If you have the digital form of the PS4 game you wish to play on PS4, you must log in to your PSN account.
The account you log into on PS5 should be the same one youused on PS4 to access your digital game library.
So, Can You Play Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS5?
So, the short answer is yes. You CAN play Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS5.
However, there are two parts to this question:
- There is only a PS4 version of RDR2 available out there
- You will NOT get any improved benefits on PS5
Only PS4 Version of RDR2 Available
You must own the PS4 version of the game to play Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS5.
This can either be in disc form or digital form.
There is no official PS5 version of the game.
No Graphical or Performance Improvement on PS5
If you expect RDR2 to work with improved graphics on PS5, you will be disappointed.
You may believe that the older PS4 title would have a better overall performance on PS5 due to the improved hardware.
However, that is NOT the case. Your RDR2 gameplay on PS5 will still be locked at 1080P @ 30 FPS, which may not please PS5-gen gamers.
This is because Rockstar has not released an official update or enhanced version of Red Dead Redemption 2 for PS5.
You see, in order to experience the improvements of the more powerful hardware of PS5 on older PS4 games, the game developers have to release a patch.
Unfortunately, Rockstar hasn’t released any patch, so the game is locked at the specs of PS4 even if played on PS5.
Also, for those wondering, there is still no PS5 patch or update in sight for the foreseeable future.
However, given that Rockstar did release a PS5 version of GTA 5, we can only hope, fingers crossed, that a patch for Red Dead Redemption will be released one day.
Can you transfer the saved files from the game to PS4 or PS5?
If you have dabbled with RDR2 on PS4 and have spent countless hours progressing through the game, it would be a shame to lose all of your progress once you move to PS5.
Fortunately, you can move your RDR2 saved game files from PS4 to PS5.
There are two ways to do so:
1. Using a PlayStation Plus Subscription to Transfer Saved Files via the Cloud.
If you have a PlayStation Plus subscription, you can use cloud storage to transfer your saved game data.
The method is as follows.
- On your PS4, go to the Settings menu.
- Select Application Saved Data Management.
- Choose Saved Data in System Storage.
- Then select Upload to Online Storage.
- Choose Red Dead Redemption 2 from the list of games
Once your data is uploaded to the cloud from PS4, you can download it on your PS5:
- On your PS5, go to the Settings menu.
- Select Saved Data and Game/App Settings.
- Choose Saved Data (PS4) – Console Storage.
- Then select Cloud Storage Download to Console Storage.
- Choose Red Dead Redemption 2
To retrieve your saved data from the cloud, you will need to have Red Dead Redemption 2 installed on your PS5.
Of course, for this method to work, you must be connected to the Internet.
2. Transfer Saved Data via Local Area Network
You can still transfer the saved data through your local area network if you do not have a PlayStation Plus subscription.
Let me outline the method:
- Ensure your PS4 and PS5 are turned on and connected to the same network.
- On your PS5, go to the Settings menu.
- Select System and then System Software
- Choose Data Transfer
- You will see prompts where you have to select the game in question. Select RDR2.
Once the transfer process is complete, you can see the data you saved for RDR2.
Final Words
So the short answer to the question “Can you play Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS5?” is a yes BUT you can only play the PS4 version.
There is no PS5 version of the game, so do not expect any graphics or performance improvements when playing on PS5.
