The RDR2 map covers five states, the island of Guarma and 16 legendary animals

The RDR2 map is a fictional slice of America in 1899: from snowy mountains in the north to swamps and a big city in the east and desert in the southwest. The world is split into five states, each divided into several regions with their own climate, wildlife and plants.

Part of the map is familiar from the first Red Dead Redemption: New Austin and southern West Elizabeth (Blackwater, Great Plains, Tall Trees) recreate its geography. The Mexican state of Nuevo Paraíso from the first game isn't in RDR2.

We could not find an official image of the full map that Rockstar has posted on its website or in press materials. The "full map" that has been circulating online since 2018 leaked before release from scans of the printed guide, so it is a leak, not official material. That is why below you get a "state → regions → towns" table instead of a picture; the map itself is easiest to view in the game.

Regions and settlements are listed per Red Dead Wiki; Rockstar itself uses the state and town names in its game descriptions and in-game newspapers. On the in-game map a state lights up when you hover over it, and the legend shows stores, stables, gunsmiths and post offices.

Rockstar never gave an official number. The figure you see most often in the press and among players is about 75 km² (roughly 29 square miles), but measuring methods differ and sources vary widely. So any "bigger or smaller than GTA 5" comparison is imprecise too: both maps were measured by fans, not the developer.

What matters more is that the RDR2 world is dense. Between towns there are ranches, gang camps, random events and hunting grounds, so even a short ride is rarely empty. You can also travel between towns by train or stagecoach.

During the story chapters Arthur Morgan is wanted after the botched robbery in Blackwater. Ride into New Austin or near Blackwater and an invisible sniper kills him almost immediately. That's how the game limits the map until the Epilogue, where the protagonist changes and both areas open up fully. Players have found workarounds, but missions and some features don't work there, so it's more of a trick than real gameplay.

At the start most of the map is covered in fog, which clears from the places Arthur has already visited. To see the whole map at once, there are three things to know.

• The fog cheat. The phrase You long for sight and see nothing removes the fog from the entire map. It appears in a Chapter 3 newspaper after the mission "Blood Feuds, Ancient and Modern" (Blackwater Ledger No. 66 or New Hanover Gazette No. 31, according to rdr2.org and GameSpot). An active cheat disables saving and trophies, so save first. How to enter it is on the RDR2 cheats page.
• New Austin is closed to Arthur. You can lift the fog, but in New Austin and near Blackwater an invisible sniper kills him. Both areas open in the Epilogue.
• Guarma is Chapter 5 only. The island is available only through the story, and you cannot go back after Chapter 5.

What you need for full completion is on the RDR2 100% completion page.

RDR2 Story Mode has 16 legendary animals. When you enter one's area, the game tells you in the corner of the screen; then use Eagle Eye to find three sets of clues, and the third leads to the animal. A legendary animal always gives a perfect pelt, and you meet each one only once per playthrough. Take the pelts to the Trapper, who makes clothing from them.

Locations and conditions come from Red Dead Wiki and Fextralife; different guides label the spots by nearby landmarks. For 100% you only need to hunt five legendary animals; details on the collectibles and 100% page.

Story Mode treasures are hidden in chains of hand-drawn maps: each map leads to the next, and at the end there are gold bars. Only the Fence buys gold bars, at $500 each; regular stores will not take them. For 100% you need to finish one chain.

Locations and rewards follow the PowerPyx and Gamepressure guides. The Strange Statues puzzle in the Ambarino mountains gives another 3 gold bars. Other ways to earn money in Story Mode are in the guide how to make money in RDR2.

Locations follow the PowerPyx, Shacknews and rdr2.org guides and Red Dead Wiki. Lists of towns with newsboys differ slightly between guides. Horses and stables are covered on the RDR2 horses page, the Fence in the guide how to make money.

• Waypoint. Set a point on the map and the minimap shows a route along the roads.
• Stables. They're in towns, where you buy and care for horses. Breeds and the best horses are on the RDR2 horses page.
• Newspapers and post offices. Newsboys in towns sell the editions that unlock some of the cheats.
• Treasure maps. Some treasures are shown only in hint drawings, with no map marker, so read the terrain.

Everything about the game is on the Red Dead Redemption 2 page. Story missions by chapter are in the missions list.