Red Dead Redemption 2 mod completely overhauls combat

Red Dead Redemption has many quirks we love to hate and hate to love, but where it sometimes lets gamers down is its combat. I don’t mean simply sucking at it like I do, but that it isn’t realistic enough. Well, that’s about to change, as a RDR2 mod has completely overhauled combat.

When we say overhaul, we don’t mean it completely changes how everything works – as if someone like me needs more obstacles put in front of them. No, what it does is add bullet penetration. You know when you’ve been hiding behind objects, yet the bullet still hits you with the same amount of force regardless? This mod tries to rectify it.

Fancy watching some RDR2 epic wins and fails? Of course you do!

‘Penetration’ (what a title for a mod) not only includes bullet penetration but also ensures that penetration rates vary depending on what the bullet is passing through, e.g. whether it’s a wall or wooden shack. As the modder made sure to emphasise, this mod is for “vanilla guns”, aka those that haven’t been enhanced by other Red Dead Redemption mods.

It’ll definitely help make the combat feel more realistic, however, there’s no video footage provided that shows the mod in action. Still, while there’s a lack of video evidence, there are screenshots to demonstrate what the mod entails, which kinda helps you decide if this mod is for you.

Another mod that you might want to check out if you're not over that cowboy lifestyle is Life of Crime, which turns the game into an RPG where you create your character like in RDR Online. This is a beefy expansion, one that feels like a completely new game as opposed to an addition to the sequel.

Considering RDR3 has officially been confirmed by Take Two, wanting to get back on the saddle and immersed in the tumbleweed filled landscape of this rootin' tootin' game isn't a bad idea. Not that we anticipate the game launching any time soon, but at least we know it is coming. It's probably not the news other Rockstar fans wanted, like those who are still feeling the sting of Rockstar's "damage control" for GTA 6, but for them all we can do is mourn.

Head to NexusMods if you want to try out 'Penetration' for yourself. The mod, you filthy-minded people, not anything else!