PlayStation 4 controls - Red Dead Redemption 2

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.

Red Dead Redemption 2 controls - PlayStation 4

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.