Few games capture the essence of a historical period quite like Red Dead Redemption 2. With its sweeping landscapes, detailed towns, and atmospheric storytelling, Rockstar Games created more than just a game—it built a living, breathing world. One of the most commonly asked questions among new players and curious gamers is: When does Red Dead Redemption 2 take place, and where is it set?
This guide will take you deep into the time period and locations that define the world of Red Dead Redemption 2, offering insight into how its setting shapes the game’s themes, characters, and gameplay.
When Does Red Dead Redemption 2 Take Place?
Red Dead Redemption 2 is set in the year 1899—a significant period that marks the decline of the Wild West and the rise of a more modern, industrialized America. This era is critical to the narrative, as it symbolizes a world in transition. The lawless days of gunslingers, outlaws, and frontier justice are fading, replaced by railroads, government expansion, and civilized society.
Why 1899 Matters
Setting the game in 1899 allows Rockstar to explore a compelling historical moment when the American frontier was closing. The freedom and chaos that once defined the West were giving way to order and structure. For Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang, this world no longer has a place for their way of life.
It’s not just a date—it’s a turning point. The gang is constantly on the run, not just from the law, but from the inevitable. The idea of “freedom” is crumbling, and the age of outlaws is ending.
A Prequel Timeline
It’s important to note that Red Dead Redemption 2 is a prequel to the original Red Dead Redemption, which takes place in 1911. That means players are experiencing the backstory of many familiar characters—especially Dutch van der Linde and John Marston—more than a decade before the events of the first game.
The game’s epilogue jumps forward to 1907, continuing the story of John Marston as he transitions toward the events of Red Dead Redemption. This additional timeline helps bridge the two games, offering a deeper look at how the gang’s legacy shaped John’s future.
Where Does Red Dead Redemption 2 Take Place?
Red Dead Redemption 2 takes place across five massive fictional regions in the United States, each representing different aspects of the country’s geography and culture during the late 19th century. While the locations are not real, they are heavily inspired by actual American landscapes and towns.
Let’s break down each of these regions and what they bring to the table.
1. New Hanover
New Hanover is a lush, open region filled with prairies, railroads, and small towns like Valentine, which acts as one of the early game hubs. It’s a representation of America’s heartland—a mix of industrialization and untamed wilderness.
Valentine, with its saloons, stables, and muddy streets, perfectly captures the look and feel of a frontier boomtown. You’ll also find Emerald Ranch, Annesburg’s coal mining town, and plenty of roaming wildlife.
This area feels like a blend of Midwestern plains and early industrial towns, highlighting how expansion and progress were beginning to reshape the land.
2. Ambarino
To the north lies Ambarino, a mountainous and snowy region that brings to mind the Rocky Mountains or Northern territories. It’s sparsely populated, filled with rugged terrain, tribal lands, and isolated cabins.
This region represents the untamed and uninhabited side of the American frontier. It’s where the Van der Linde gang hides out early in the game, escaping from law enforcement while enduring the harsh winter.
Ambarino symbolizes isolation, survival, and the raw, untouched wilderness that once defined the West.
3. Lemoyne
Lemoyne is a southern-inspired region that draws heavy influence from Louisiana, particularly in its bayous, plantations, and the city of Saint Denis. This region is dripping with Southern Gothic atmosphere—from the swamps filled with gators to the Civil War-era graveyards and crumbling mansions.
Saint Denis is one of the most detailed cities in the game and serves as a stark contrast to the rest of the map. It’s an industrial hub with trams, factories, and an immigrant population. The city reflects the growing divide between old traditions and the new world.
Lemoyne’s range—from swampy backwoods to urban industrial sprawl—makes it one of the most thematically rich regions in the game.
4. West Elizabeth
West Elizabeth features a diverse mix of environments: forests, plains, and mountainous terrain. It includes the towns of Strawberry and Blackwater—the latter of which plays a major role in both RDR2 and the original game.
This region sits at the edge of civilization, where law and order have begun to take root. Blackwater, for instance, is a modernizing town with paved streets and a strong law enforcement presence.
West Elizabeth feels like a bridge between the untamed West and the oncoming future, making it an important thematic location.
5. New Austin
Unlocked later in the game, New Austin is a direct callback to the original Red Dead Redemption. This desert region features dry plains, canyons, and frontier outposts.
Towns like Armadillo and Tumbleweed offer players a chance to explore the harsh, sun-scorched terrain of the classic Western setting. It represents the archetypal "Old West" as we’ve seen in countless Western films—dusty, dangerous, and desolate.
While it’s part of RDR2’s world, New Austin truly shines in the game’s epilogue, setting the stage for what’s to come in the original title.
Real-World Inspirations Behind the Map
Although the map in Red Dead Redemption 2 is fictional, Rockstar clearly took inspiration from real-life American regions to craft its world. You can see elements of:
- Montana and Wyoming in Ambarino
- Louisiana and Mississippi in Lemoyne
- Texas and Arizona in New Austin
- The Great Plains and Midwest in New Hanover
- Colorado or the Sierra Nevadas in West Elizabeth
The blending of these areas into one cohesive map allows Rockstar to tell a story that feels authentically American, even if the places aren’t real.
How Time and Place Influence the Story
The setting of Red Dead Redemption 2 isn’t just window dressing—it’s fundamental to the game’s story and themes. As players explore towns, engage with different cultures, and witness the encroachment of modernity, they’re constantly reminded of the passage of time.
Arthur Morgan and the gang are relics of a dying age. The world is moving on, and they can’t keep up. The expansion of the railroad, the presence of Pinkerton agents, and the rise of cities like Saint Denis show just how quickly the frontier is disappearing.
Every mission, every interaction, and every dusty trail you ride down is tinged with this looming sense of finality.
Final Thoughts
So, when does Red Dead Redemption 2 take place? It takes place in 1899, at the twilight of the Wild West. And where does Red Dead Redemption 2 take place? Across a richly detailed, fictionalized version of the southern and western United States, divided into five distinct regions.
Understanding the setting gives deeper meaning to the story and characters. It’s not just a backdrop—it’s the very soul of the game. Whether you’re exploring the snowy peaks of Ambarino or escaping the law in Saint Denis, Red Dead Redemption 2 offers one of the most immersive worlds in gaming, grounded in a historical period full of change, conflict, and unforgettable stories. check out our Red Dead Redemption 2 Merch
