Red Dead Redemption 2 is actually a darn good bird simulator. Through the magic of mods, YouTuber jedijosh920 transplanted Arthur’s consciousness inside a parrot, an eagle, a turkey buzzard, and other avians for a tour of the map like you haven’t seen before.
The mod makes for a strangely peaceful 24-minute video, even when they swoop into Armadillo for the first time and interrupt the Del Lobos gang’s shootout with Sheriff Palmer. In addition to being shot, the birbs can die if they slam into the ground at too fast a speed.
Late in the video, around the 20-minute mark, Jedijosh even makes it to Mexico (Nuevo Paraiso) which is currently accessible only by a glitch. They speculate that the territory is either part of some kind of DLC extension later, or a new expansion for Red Dead Online. Nuevo Paraiso and Guarma make for the most intriguing flyovers in this soothing diversion.
The detail and attention paid to Red Dead Redemption 2 has been described and marveled at before, and this video is just one more exhibit. It shows how, even as atmospheric extras, that the player may not see close up, if at all, birds were still rendered with enough detail that they could function as a player character/tour guide.
