With rumors swirling about a potential sequel to the 2010 smash hit Red Dead Redemption, Game Rant lists what we want to see from Red Dead Redemption 2.

When Red Dead Redemption released in 2010, it earned widespread critical acclaim and great sales success, as titles from Rockstar Games tend to do. With the original Red Dead Redemption shipping over 14 million units worldwide, a sequel was inevitable, but outside of a zombie-infested expansion, the Red Dead IP hasn't made an appearance for years. However, there are now rumblings that Red Dead Redemption 2 is soon due for an announcement, so we decided to list some features we'd like to see in the long-awaited sequel.

Deeper Customization

The original Red Dead Redemption checked a lot of things off the "Open World" checklist, but one area where it stumbled was with customization. Players could only choose from a handful of outfits for protagonist John Marston, and skinning animals was done just to earn money and achievements, not to create new gear.

For Red Dead Redemption 2, we would like to see the ability to customize the player character much further, which can be accomplished by allowing players to mix and match various clothing items to suit their tastes. Hunting and skinning animals could also play into customization by allowing players to use animal skins for crafting purposes, like in other open world titles. To that end, it would also be nice if players were allowed to customize guns in the game, in order to add a personal touch to combat as well.

Larger Map with More Side Content

With the supposed Red Dead Redemption 2 game map leaked, it already looks like we don't have to worry about the game's size. However, the trick is to fill Red Dead Redemption 2's large playing space with engaging content for players to explore, and that is one area where the original Red Dead Redemption faltered at times. For the sequel, Rockstar Games should make it a point to avoid those criticisms, and deliver a massive, content-rich open world to silence Red Dead Redemption's detractors.

Multiple Playable Characters

Red Dead Redemption 2 could have multiple playable characters, if some of the rumors surrounding the game are to be believed. This would be ideal, as this gimmick worked wonders in Grand Theft Auto V, allowing players to see the character development of three protagonists instead of just one, and also gave Rockstar the freedom to do some very innovative things with the story. With Red Dead Redemption's shocking twist and well-written characters, Rockstar Games set the bar high for storytelling in the Red Dead franchise, and giving players more playable characters to engage with in Red Dead Redemption 2 could help the studio surpass RDR's story.

Robust Online Multiplayer Similar to GTA Online

Red Dead Redemption's online multiplayer was one of the most praised features in the game, but Rockstar has since accomplished a lot more in the online space with Grand Theft Auto Online. Grand Theft Auto Online has made hundreds of millions of dollars for Rockstar and Take-Two, so a mode as robust as that for Red Dead Redemption 2 seems like a no-brainer.

Take-Two Interactive Shared Universe

If it turns out to be accurate, the leaked Red Dead Redemption 2 map features an especially interesting location. It appears as though the game will allow players to visit a Wild West version of New Bordeaux, the fictional take on New Orleans wherein the upcoming Mafia III is set. This has had some fans chattering about the possibility of a shared Take-Two Interactive universe, and it would be cool if Red Dead Redemption 2 helped strengthen that idea.

For example, the game could include the ancestors of characters we've seen in the Mafia games, or better yet, in other titles from Rockstar. Subtle references and Easter Eggs could also be used in Red Dead Redemption 2 to establish a shared fictional universe between various Take-Two Interactive open world titles. While some may deem a Take-Two Interactive shared universe unnecessary, shared universes are all the rage in movie franchises nowadays, yet it's a virtually untapped idea in video gaming. Take-Two and Rockstar could make waves in the industry if the companies succeed in creating a compelling shared fictional universe, and it could all start with Red Dead Redemption 2.

When one considers the critical and sales success that the first Red Dead Redemption enjoyed, Red Dead Redemption 2 is inevitable. While Take-Two has admitted to a Red Dead Redemption sequel being in the works for awhile now, we have yet to see anything on the game outside of rumors and leaked materials. Hopefully that changes soon, so we can see if Red Dead Redemption 2 fulfills any of the items on this wishlist.

What do you personally want to see from Red Dead Redemption 2? Leave us your thoughts on the alleged sequel in the comments below.