Published , by Kevin Tucker
Published , by Kevin Tucker
As with any other video game, a mastery of Red Dead Redemption 2 begins with a mastery of its basic controls. Considering modern Rockstar Games design, players would be wise to take a few moments to brush up on all of the different button configurations and functions in the game, particularly with consideration to controls that change given location-based context or proximity to the horse and/or other characters or animals.
There aren't too many surprises in store for Red Dead Redemption 2 players used to the controls in other Rockstar games. In fact, the controls in the latest release are mostly similar to the original Red Dead Redemption controls back on the PlayStation 3. Here's the full list of Red Dead Redemption 2 controls for PlayStation 4.
| Left analog stick | Move |
| Left analog stick (in cover) | Peek |
| Left analog stick (horse) | Steer |
| Left analog + X | Hold to run, tap to sprint |
| X (horse) | Tap to change speed; hold to match speed to companion; double tap to move up in formation |
| Right analog stick | Look / aim |
| L3 | Crouch |
| L3 (horse) | Calm horse |
| R3 (weapon wheel) | Maintain wepaon; hold to look behind |
| L3 + R3 | Eagle Eye |
| Square | Tap to jump, climb, or vault over obstacles; hold to pick up collectibles or search furniture; while hunting, hold to draw animal attention |
| Square (while aiming) | Tap to dive; tap to block melee attacks |
| Square (in cover) | Move to next cover spot (with Left analog stick) |
| Square (horse) | Tap to jump, climb, or vault over obstacles; hold to pick up collectibles or search furniture; while hunting, hold to draw animal attention |
| Triangle | Interact with environment, loot bodies, skin animals; hold to rest; (in melee combat) grapple opponent |
| Triangle (horse) | Tap to mount or dismount; while stationary, hold to hitch horse; while on foot, tap to command to follow or lead horse |
| Circle | Reload weapon/melee combat |
| Circle (horse) | Kick a target to either side; stop leading horse |
| L1 | Tap to draw/holster weapon; hold to display wheel menu, tap to pick up weapons or objects, or select weapon with Right analog stick and release to equip weapon |
| L1 (horse) | hold to view weapons stored on mount |
| R1 | Take/exit cover; hold to study animal or tap to show/hide animal information |
| R1 (horse) | Tap to slow down; double tap to move down formation |
| L2 | Hold to aim equipped weapon; hold to lock on to nearby characters or animals |
| L2 (hold) + R2 | Aim and shoot |
| L2 (hold) + R3 | Activate Dead Eye while aiming |
| L2 (hold) + Square | Combat dive |
| L2 (horse) | Hold to lock on to nearby targets |
| R2 | Tap to draw weapon, fire weapon, or cock weapon between shots (if applicable); rapid tap to shoot from the hip |
| R2 (horse) | Tap to draw weapon, fire weapon, or cock weapon between shots (if applicable) |
| D-Pad Right | Hold to open satchel or horse cargo |
| D-Pad Right (horse) | Hold to check horse cargo; feed horse (while locked onto horse) |
| D-Pad Left | Tap to display log; hold to check journal |
| D-Pad Left + L2 | Toggle shoulder view (while aiming) |
| D-Pad Left (horse) | Brush horse (while locked onto horse) |
| D-Pad Left + L2 (horse) | Toggle shoulder view (while aiming) |
| D-Pad Up | Whistle/call horse |
| D-Pad Up | Raise your gun to the sky to fire a warning shot (while aiming) |
| D-Pad Up (horse) | Whistle/call horse; remove saddle (while locked onto horse); raise your gun to the sky to fire a warning shot (while aiming) |
| D-Pad Down | Tap to view current objective (while on mission), expand radar, display honor rating and environmental information; in camp, tap to show status of camp supplies and savings; hold to change radar type |
| Trackpad | Press to toggle camera view; press and hold to trigger cinematic view |
| Options | Display pause menu; hold to open the map |
With all of the buttons, controls, and basic functions learned, players should be able to approach any challenge with confidence. To learn more about Rockstar's latest open-world release, including mission walkthroughs, details about sidequests, and more, be sure to stop by Shacknews' Red Dead Redemption 2 walkthrough and guide.