Rockstar Games has gained a reputation for having incredibly dense, detailed worlds filled to the brim with secrets and easter eggs for you to discover. They know that it’s something you want. Expected, even. Naturally, that level of intricacy carries over into the environments too. Rockstar’s attention to detail is bar none – bugs notwithstanding.
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The game has an obvious respect for the inspirational places it draws from, making you feel as close to visiting actual landmarks as you may without having to shell out hundreds of dollars for the trip. These places represent all types of beauty that can be found inRed Dead Redemption 2, conventional or otherwise.
8Lake Isabella
Tucked away within the western part of the Grizzlies lies a lake almost encased within a giant mountain of frost and snow. The serene atmosphere helps set the scene for any fishing or hunting you do in the area and makes you feel more connected to nature as if you and the mountain are one.
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The animals around the frosty lake are as rare as the area is calm. From the Legendary Sockeye Salmon to the majestic and wild White Arabian steed are hiding within the mountain range waiting for you to find them.
You’ll have to watch out for the bears and wolves that reside in the area.
7Guarma
Beautiful trees, balmy weather, and plenty of wildlife to enjoy. What’s not to like?If you ask Arthur and the gang, then you’ll know that being crash-landed on the island is no different from being locked up.
The gang is only there for a little while and gets to leave, but that means you won’t be able to return there for the rest of the game. Might as well enjoy the sights.
There’s plenty to do while trying to figure out how to escape the island: take a trip to the beach, sketch the various animals you’ll miss out on otherwise, wrestle control of the island away from tiny dictators who want to run sugar cane plantations. Either way, you better make the most of this ‘vacation’ while you may.
6Citadel Rock
Towering over the Heartlands in the middle of the second-largest mountain and most established state in the area you’re able to traverse, Citadel Rock is a sight that all should take the time out and reflect on life while looking over the flora and fauna that dot the land or hiding out from any one of the various people who are looking for you.
It’s generally believed that Citadel Rock is based on the real plateau in the state of Montana, which is as if not more impressive than its digital counterpart. You’re able to see all of West Elizabeth as far as the eye can see, and it’s an impressive view both from the top and the bottom.
5Brandywine Drop
The cool winds and the sounds of rushing water will bring you a sense of calm and peace right before you need to shoot someone on the top of Brandywine Drop. One of several waterfalls dotting the map, but Brandywine Drop feels more like you’re discovering a secret, due to it being the smallest waterfall of the game.
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Blink too fast as you travel, and you’ll end up missing this tiny fall and all of its tiny wonders. A few Legendary animals are hiding here that are enjoying the calm serenity of the cascading waters traveling over into the Kamassa River.
4Sea Of Coronado
In a land overrun with desert and forest, something named the Sea of Coronado sounds like a complete myth. Yet, right in the middle of New Austin and Nuevo Paraiso sitsa massive chasm filled to the brim with fresh waterand will probably be the closest thing to a beach that will be available outside Guarma.
Mexico lies just out of reach here and is inaccessible in the game, which is a shame, considering the map for it is as close to done as you can get without gameplay, but it’s still nice to look across the water to see the map that could have been. You’ll just have to settle for getting a good, long look.
3Calumet Ravine
Located in the northeast of the map inside the state of Ambarino, the Calumet Ravine is a stretch of beautiful reddish-orange mountains and cliffs that act as a sort of hallway to the river that it runs alongside. There’s no excuse for the landscape here to be so photogenic, and you should take some screenshots as Arthur or your player character take a moment to enjoy the rushing waters and red walls.
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Just west of here lies the Wapiti Indian reservation, as well as Donner Falls, the largest waterfall you’re able to find in the game. There are a lot of cool little secrets to find in this area as well, such as a witches' cauldron on the farthest east of the ravine next to a shack.
You don’t know what they’ve been doing up here, but hey, at least they left some hair tonic inside of it.
2Mount Shann
West Elizabeth is where the meat of the game goes down. You have Blackwater where the infamous heist failed, then you have Strawberry, an idyllic western town that was semi-peaceful until Dutch and gang got ahold of it, anyway.
The jewel in the middle though, stands above and watches the surrounding area.
Mount Stann.A mighty mountainin the middle of West Elizabeth that you can spot from any corner of the state. It’s the tallest mountain in the game that is accessible to you, and it’s more than worth the climb to take in the almost otherworldly view of the land below.
If the view isn’t enough to get you to visit, then maybe the secret that lies at the top might get you interested.
1Pike’s Basin
Yes, Pike’s Basin has the harsh reputation of being a hideout for every gang under the New Austin sun. If you only focus on the negative in this convenient hideaway, you’re going to miss out on the true beauty of this canyon.
You’re only able to visit this place in the epilogue after everything is said and done.
The cliffs completely envelop the area, giving the area the feeling more akin to a building than something out in nature. It might be a little strange to have all this nature to enjoy, only to compare the Basin to a building.
However, don’t you think it’s representative of the force of human nature and its will to make a home out of anywhere? It’s a fascinating and beautiful thing.
