Red Dead Redemption 2 fan expansion gets surprise release

It is common knowledge that a game can change quite a bit throughout development and our first look at a game may not be how it will look upon release.

That was the case for Red Dead Redemption 2 whose early trailers made the open-world Rockstar title look a bit different than it did when it finally launched.

Check out the launch trailer for Red Dead Redemption 2 below!

Although there were no dramatic changes, one change related to the Heartlands area of the map which appeared more “dried out” in the beta and earlier versions of the game.

This would make sense considering Red Dead 2 is set mainly in the arid plains and is considered a Western and this earlier look definitely matched the aesthetic.

However, the Heartlands later became a whole lot lusher and greener, a decision that not all fans were happy with.

Luckily there is one fan who has created the HeartPlains 2.0 mod.

Created by the Heartplains Team over on Nexus Mods, this free download aims to completely dry out the Heartlands to match earlier builds of the game.

“Welcome to the Heartplains of New Hanover!” The mod description reads.

“This once green lush farmland has become ideal grazing land for many ranches ever since it fell into this intense dry spell.

From Flatneck Station to Emerald Ranch is bone dry, and this can be seen from the furthest traversable terrain imaginable!

Even the Heartland's most prominent town Valentine has become dry near the outskirts, though the wet mud keeps the center green and lush.”

After a year of hard work, the mod has finally been released and although it doesn’t affect gameplay, it still adds a much more realistic feel to Red Dead Redemption 2.

“Very cool mod,” read one comment over on r/reddeadredemption.

“Would have downloaded this in a heartbeat when I first started playing the game. I was expecting a dusty dry western and was slightly disappointed.

Now though I really appreciate the rolling green plains and it fits for the weather of the area.”