Eight years after the critically acclaimed Red Dead Redemption in 2010, comes its long awaited sequel, Red Dead Redemption (2018). The previous game told the story of former gang member John Marston, but this time the lead role goes to another member, Arthur Morgan. In fact, the game is not a sequel at all despite the title. It is a prequel telling the story of the Van Der Linde Gang in its last years of vitality during the ending of the Old Frontier.

Rob Nelson, co-studio head of Rockstar North, says “There was a lot of history set up in the last about Marston’s former gang and the character of Dutch and what he was all about. And so that was something that we really thought about that we could explore and juxtapose this idea of this partially reformed outlaw in the last game to being an active, working outlaw living with a gang in the next gang.”

The premise of RDR2 (its shortened acronym) tells of Arthur, one of the most versatile gang members in the Van Der Linde Gang, with Dutch as leader and Arthur’s fatherly figure. While the wild country advances through civilization, the gang is forced to run around the states to survive after a failed robbery. But as the law becomes more formulated, the gang also slowly deteriorates from the inside. Arthur must decide from then whether to continue with Dutch’s futile attempts to create a “savage utopia’ for themselves or to think for himself and others.

This game has long since its release become my favorite video game of all time. My favorite aspect is the hidden dialogues you can find around the camps in each chapter. It gives more immersion into the story involving the characters’ current situation, relationships with others, and backstories. The game’s open world itself is based on the sandbox concept. Meaning whatever choices in play-ability in you make, there are my changes integrated into the story-line and sometimes the games’ side content. Specifically, the “honor” system is the main component that drives the storytelling changes. Arthur can be a man who is more caring towards his friends, townsfolk, and passersby or a vengeful criminal who cares only for his own ambitions. Personally, the high honor route would seem fitting as it ties to the game’s theme of redemption.

Because of the game’s historical attributes and impactful storytelling, it would be a thrill for any gamer to enjoy.

References:

Romano, Nick. (2018) October 22. Entertainment Weekly. https://ew.com/gaming/2018/10/22/red-dead-redemption-2-prestige-video-games/