Can You Play Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS5?

Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the most defining games of the decade. Its graphics, gameplay, and storytelling, albeit released in 2018, still feel as fresh as if it were released this year.

For those of who you 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 to the question is yes. Whether you own the PS4 disc-based Red Dead Redemption 2 or the same game in a Digital version, you should be able to play it on PS5 without any issues.

However, there are some caveats here. The gameplay of Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS5 may not as what you expect from a next-gen console.

I will explore this topic further in the text below:

Backward Compatibility of PS5

Before diving deeper into the topic, it is worth pointing out that PS5 is fully backward compatible with PS4.

Meaning, PS5 supports all disc-based as well as digital versions of PS4 games.

If you have the digital form of the PS4 game that you wish to play on PS4, you will need to log in to your PSN account.

The account that you log into on PS5 should be the same one that you have used on PS4 in order to access your library of digital games.

So Can You Play Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS5?

So the short answer to the question is a yes. You CAN play Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS5.

However, there are two parts to this question:

1. There is only a PS4 version of RDR2 available out there
2. You will NOT get any improved benefits on PS5

Here is what I mean:

Only PS4 Version of RDR2 Available

In order to play Red Dead Redemption 2 on PS5, you will need to own the PS4 version of the game.

This can either be in disc form or in digital form.

There is no official PS5 version of the game.

No Graphical or Performance Improvement on PS5

If you are expecting RDR2 to work with improved graphics on PS5, then 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. This is not something that may sit well with PS5-gen gamers.

The reason for this is that Rockstar has NOT made any official update or released an 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 developers of the game have to release a patch.

Rockstar, unfortunately, hasn’t released any patch and therefore, 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 with figures crossed that a patch for Red Dead Redemption will release one day.

Can You Transfer the Saved Files of the Game from PS4 to PS5?

If you have dabbled with RDR2 on PS4 and have spent countless hours progressing through the game on PS4, then it would be a shame to lose all of the progress once you make the move to PS5.

Fortunately, though, you most certainly CAN move your RDR2 saved games files from PS4 to PS5.

There are two ways to do so:

1. Using PlayStation Plus Subscription to Transfer Saved Files via Cloud.

If you have a PlayStation Plus subscription, you can use cloud storage to transfer your saved game data.

The method is as follows.

1. On your PS4, go to the Settings menu.
2. Select Application Saved Data Management.
3. Choose Saved Data in System Storage.
4. Then select Upload to Online Storage.
5. 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:

1. On your PS5, go to the Settings menu.
2. Select Saved Data and Game/App Settings.
3. Choose Saved Data (PS4) – Console Storage.
4. Then select Cloud Storage Download to Console Storage.
5. Choose Red Dead Redemption 2

You will need to have Red Dead Redemption 2 installed on your PS5 in order to retrieve its saved data from the cloud.

And of course, for this method to work, you will NEED to be connected to the internet.

2. Transfer Saved Data via Local Area Network

If you do not have a PlayStation Plus subscription, you can still transfer the saved data through your local area network.

Let me outline the method:

1. Ensure both your PS4 and PS5 are turned on and connected to the same network.
2. On your PS5, go to the Settings menu.
3. Select System and then System Software
4. Choose Data Transfer
5. You will see prompts where you have to select the game in question. Select RDR2.

Once the transfer process completes, you should be able to see your saved data 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 and hence do not expect any graphics or performance improvements when playing on PS5.

Also Read: Can You Play with PS5 Games on PS5?