The video game Red Dead Redemption 2, (technically) a prequel to Red Dead Redemption, sparked excitement in the gaming community. The award-winning game grossed about $725 million dollars in just 3 days after its release in October, after seven years in development.

The game takes place in 1899 in the American Southwest following the end of the wild west; when being an outlaw was quickly becoming a thing of the past.

The game is split up into six total chapters each one following the life of Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde outlaw gang which was founded by Dutch van der Linde and Hosea Matthews.

The gang can be best described as, “A gang of criminals, dissidents, and free-thinkers who have chosen to reject a corrupt system of power and live instead by their own code. As the price on their heads continues to grow, so does the struggle to remain free” –Rockstar Games.

The player gets to experience Arthur’s life as he attempts to restore the gang’s honor while also enjoying a range of intriguing side missions in addition to the main storyline.

The game opens with the Van der Linde gang traveling during a strong winter snow storm which establishes Arthur’s position in the gang as Dutch’s chief enforcer and trusted right-hand man.

When it came to the real-life accuracy, Rockstar games did not shy away. They depicted the struggles of Native Americans and their mistreatment by the U.S. government, racism, and the rampant crime and violence of the time.

The game also featured a wide range of encounters with things like serial killers, supernatural beings, references to famous movies like Lord of the Rings and Oh Brother, Where Art Thou?, and more.

The creators added unique details that help bring the game to life and makes it feel as if you are truly there. These details include non-playable character (NPC) interactions amongst themselves like animals hunting each other and people conversing, possums playing dead, the ability to do everyday things like brewing coffee, and of course a beautiful cinematic scenery to name a few.

Needless to say, the game does an amazing job when portraying real-life accuracy alone but what truly makes it one of the greatest games on the market is the relatable and well-written character that is Arthur Morgan.

(Spoilers Ahead!)

As you go through the chapters you slowly start to bond with Arthur upon realizing that he isn’t just another brawny emotionless character; he is a deeply flawed man with a painful past which haunts him throughout the game, most apparent in his love life or lack thereof. He is a capable but imperfect and can be seen grappling with his decisions and self-image issues while still trying to survive each brutal day in the southwest all while avoiding the law with his gang. Arthur’s character arc can be seen as he begins to doubt his gang’s moral code and his own decisions as an outlaw; effectively changing his story from one of ambition and escape into one of growth, sacrifice, and ultimately redemption.

On top of this, the game did not disappoint with its complex and carefully crafted storyline. While Arthur bonds with his gang, aspects of each member’s life, as well as his own, are revealed through interesting and intense missions.

The gang struggles to escape the law and failed missions, character death, and internal struggles slowly force the gang to be torn apart.

The story does an amazing job of portraying the unfortunate life that came with their lifestyle. Letting the player feel the betrayal, heartbreak, and anger Arthur felt when his gang, the closest thing he had to a family, started to fall apart due to the change in times, people, and interference from outside parties.

It is no surprise that the combination of these game qualities resulted in many players feeling emotional and empty once they cleared the game.

The game has many enjoyable twists and turns that leave the player enthusiastic and eager to play more. It’s hard to argue that Red Dead Redemption 2 is anything but a masterpiece with its almost absurd attention to detail, stunning landscapes, and it’s marvelous writing. It truly sets a new expectation for any upcoming video games and makes Rockstar games fans excited for what’s to come next.

Sources:

• https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/23/opinion/sunday/red-dead-redemption-2-fallout-76-video-games.html
• https://www.shacknews.com/article/107495/red-dead-redemption-2-time-period-and-historical-setting
• https://listverse.com/2013/02/18/9-crazy-truths-about-the-wild-west/
• https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/12/24/how-historically-accurate-is-red-dead-redemption-2

Photo Source:

• https://store.steampowered.com/app/1174180/Red_Dead_Redemption_2/