Where is RDR2 set in real life?

At first glance, Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) looks like an incredibly realistic portrayal of the decline of the American frontier. However, this open-world Western epic is set in a fictionalized version of the Old West around 1899, not an actual real-life location. While RDR2 draws inspiration from historical people and places, the characters, stories and many geographic details remain products of creative license rather than factual representations.

RDR2‘s Fictional U.S. States and Regions

The game world spans across 5 fictional U.S. states:

• New Hanover – Inspired by the Great Plains region
• Ambarino – Based on the Rocky Mountains region
• Lemoyne – Draws inspiration from the Deep South region
• New Austin – Inspired by the Southwestern United States
• West Elizabeth – References regions across the Southwestern U.S. and California

Despite being fabricated states, the distinctive terrain, wildlife, climates and industries of each fictional state closely mirrors real-life inspiration. As an avid gamer well-versed in American history, I am impressed by the attention to detail across RDR2‘s landscapes.

Saint Denis – RDR2‘s Take on New Orleans

Perhaps the most iconic region, the bustling city of Saint Denis is without a doubt modeled after New Orleans. Both major ports sit near swamplands along the Mississippi River Delta with French architectural influences. Structures like Saint Denis‘ Grand Korrigan shipyard and famous tailor resemble their real-world counterparts.

Beyond visual similarities, RDR2 also replicates New Orleans‘ unique melting pot culture with Carribean, European and Creole elements. Like New Orleans circa 1900, Saint Denis functions as a major exporting hub. Historical data shows New Orleans ranked 2nd for U.S. exports by value in 1902, aligned with Saint Denis‘ booming agricultural and industrial trade.

While I wish players could explore more of Saint Denis, the exquisite attention to detail brings this small slice of the Big Easy to life. Walking Saint Denis’ cobblestone streets dotted with iron-lace balconies, I truly feel transported back to turn-of-the-century New Orleans.

Blackwater‘s Striking Resemblance to Its Namesake Town

Unsurprisingly, the frontier town of Blackwater likely gets its name from Blackwater, Missouri – a real 19th century trading post that dwindled to just a few hundred residents by the early 2000s. More remarkably, aerial views reveal Blackwater‘s layout in RDR2 mirrors the actual town design.

Nestled alongside a railroad junction, both Blackwater locations share the same streetscape of cobblestone roads, telegraph posts and similar buildings. This mimicking of Blackwater, Missouri’s landscape on a granular level makes the fictional town feel like a sister city to its real-world inspiration.

Having grown up in rural Midwest towns not unlike Blackwater, this faithful recreation instills nostalgia. I half expect to run into people I grew up with on Blackwater’s stoops and dirt roads. Games achieve immersion through exacting details, and RDR2’s rendition of Blackwater checks that box.

Northern Plains Town of Valentine

Valentine – one of the first towns players encounter in RDR2 – exemplifies a small frontier settlement like countless others across the 19th century Great Plains. With its livestock pens, saloon and small businesses, I could envision Valentine developing into a rural hub akin to its clear inspiration: Valentine, Nebraska.

Located where the Niobrara River meets the Plains, the real Valentine became a modest cattle town following the 1882 completion of the railroad. The town offered respite for cowboys driving herds north to shipping yards. RDR2‘s Valentine replicates these early beginnings with the livestock industry at the heart of town activity.

Both the fictitious Valentine and many real Plains towns share the surrounding flat grasslands and roaming bison characteristic of Nebraska and bordering states in the late 1800s. This placement of RDR2’s version within comparable terrain nurtures believability that we could be wandering the streets of authentic rural Plains town.

California Gold Rush Town of Strawberry

Further demonstrating historical attention to detail, the West Elizabeth town of Strawberry mirrors the original mining settlement of Strawberry, California. Located in foothills west of towering peaks, both towns sit on the edge of untamed wilderness.

While the architecture of RDR2’s Strawberry contains more layered Victorian influences, the gold rush era buildings of Strawberry, CA lean towards rustic log cabins and packed dirt roads.

However, by the late 1800s, Strawberry, California succeeded as a resort destination for wealthy travelers that aligns with mayor’s efforts to transform RDR2‘s version into a glamorous getaway. Though currently more modest, I anticipate seeing RDR2’s rendition follow a similar progression towards a flourishing mountain resort town.

Through its painstakingly recreated landscapes and structures, RDR2 transports players to a visually stunning simulation of turn-of-the-century America. Yet as an avid gamer and historian, I commend Rockstar’s restraint in fictionalizing locales rather than misrepresenting real places and events. This nuanced balance allows RDR2’s version of the Wild West to feel tangibly real without pretending to rewrite history.