An Immersive Epic and a Prequel Done Right - Red Dead Redemption 2 Review and Reflections
In an earlier blog I wrote that I get sick of politics and world events sometimes. Well, the world of Red Dead Redemption has been my escape and guilty pleasure for the last few weeks, and boy it was quite a ride. Last week I finished Red Dead Redemption 2, an cultural event for gamers around the world and a great leap forward in the history of the open world and simulation genres. Though I didn't reach the same level of completion as some players out there I did take my time with this one. I really sunk my teeth in and enjoyed the diverse flavours of Rockstar's take on the Post-Bellum South.
I took my time with this game. I immersed myself in the world and in the character of Arthur Morgan. It was a huge event for me as a gamer and it fills me with huge confidence in gaming as a medium for telling a great story that you genuinely feel a part of.This game promised a huge, detailed world with highly realistic game mechanics and Rockstar delivered! All in all I had a breathtaking time with the game but I thought it would be best to list some pros and cons that are wedded to the design of the Red Dead Redemption 2 experience.
Pros:
- Getting money - Early on in the game, there are so many things out there to get, you have to provide for your gang and take care of yourself, your weapons and your horse. Money can help you with all of these things so you're really motivated to start finding ways to rake in the cash. The game lets you decide how you want to do it. Robbing and playing black hat is an intense and entertaining experience and definitely gave me that Westworld feeling. Experimenting with what to go after stealing and how to go about provided a great learning curve and made me think carefully about every interaction I had with the game's countless non-player characters. Bounty hunting also gives the towns and areas you inhabit a sense of lived-in realism.
- Random Events - The return and revamping of the system which made the original such a compelling open world is beautifully executed here. The open and often empty world of natural beauty between the creeping islands of modern civilisation could feel as though there's nothing to do but as you travel around you hundreds of tiny stories are waiting to happen. It encouraged me to tread off the beaten path and really get lost to see what I could find. This is what every open world game should be trying to achieve in the exploration portion of gameplay. The one event that sticks in my head is the KKK rally in which one of the members catches fire after lighting a burning cross in the woods and the whole rally just starts running away!
- Immensely Immersive! - There's so many things you do in this game if you take the time for it. I found myself having unique player interactions that all stemmed from my decisions while free roaming. One example that comes to mind was earlier in the game when I cared much more about money than I did Arthur's honour. It's story time!
- All characters remember your interactions with them - This adds a feeling of real consequence and made me consider everything I chose to do as Arthur Morgan, a filled out character in his own right. Getting into fights with, robbing or even injuring people will cause them to recognise you next time and be guarded, angry or afraid. Each person will have a particular disposition, some are confrontational, some are cowardly, some are charming, some are simply mad. The deepest character interaction came from the members of the Van Der Linde gang. Some of the best moments in this game came when I was walking around my camp, doing the rounds and - lends to the honor system
I felt invested in Arthur Morgan because taking care of him, his possessions and his reputation truly makes you feel like you are him. The close up physicality of the player's interactions creates a stunning simulation of the real life of an outlaw. This is also hugely improved at points when using the first person camera. Life in the world of red dead redemption 2 feels visceral and bursting with possibilities, good and bad. This makes the pure role-playing experience of just exploring and playing around in the world. For me proves that you don't need perks or classes or a character level system which makes some areas more difficult. Arthur gets good at doing things, shooting, riding, fishing, hunting, fighting and gambling because YOU get good at doing them in the gameplay, minor advantages from leveling up your health, stamina and dead-eye do help though!

Thanks to highly detailed graphics and lifelike sound design, first person was the most immersive moment to moment experience I've yet had in a game.
Cons:The inability to fast travel - This is a minor drawback in my opinion and Rockstar has designed a few things into the game that alleviate this inconvenience to the player. In a huge world like that of Red Dead Redemption 2, it's inevitable that missions and other gameplay events will lead you far away from your camp. If you upgrade your camp you can fast travel from it but not back to it. I think it was a difficult decision and one that overall makes sense. Trains and stagecoaches are actually important things and you will only be able to use them when you have no bounty on your head in that state, they also cost money which I think adds to the realism of the world. However, if you're stuck without a horse, with a large bounty on your head, far away from camp, your only option is to make your way to the nearest stable on foot or perhaps go back to an earlier save.
Horse Preservation - I'm so sorry Billiam for all those times I crashed your face into a tree. God it's so heartbreaking whenever I inadvertently injure my horse by failing to notice a ledge or steep hill or a boulder. This poor creature cries out in anguish and I have only myself to blame. Maybe this is what Rockstar wanted, for me to be constantly anxious about my loyal four legged companion getting hurt. Some things are stupid though, a horse can get killed by coming into the tiniest contact with a train as it's just slowly starting to leave the station. Trams in Saint Denis and stage coaches can run my poor horse over, I'm terrified of him getting shot during what are supposed to be exhilarating mounted gunfights and chase sequences. Maybe I'm not cut out for this cowboy life after all, too sensitive.
Unintended Escalations - Sometimes the AI in this game needs to chill the hell out. It's really annoying when you save a stranger from some horrible fate and they're in the middle of thanking you when you accidentally aim your gun at them for half a second and they start running for the hills or worse pull out their own weapon and start shooting you. I ran into a lot of guys on my horse by complete accident and was rewarded with a shootout that I wanted nothing to do with. Then there's a witness who makes a run straight to the nearest lawman
Too much money? - I did end up having a huge amount of cash that eventually felt like I had run out of things to do with. If there had been some late game purchases that I could save up for that really affected your playthrough, this would have made currency feel more valuable in the later hours of Arthur's story. My idea would be that the outfits and weapons of your gang members change as you upgrade each of their camp quarters, that would have been a cool addition. Although there was not enough to spend on later on, in a way this fit with the trend of Arthur's story as his relationships with people become much more important to him than any big score that he or the gang could make.
SPOILERS!
From here I will spoil major plot points in the game. I would recommend you play or at least watching the story before reading on if you are interested in treating yourself to a masterfully told story.
Red Dead Redemption 2 takes the player on a journey through the snows, the hills, the plains, the cities, the swamps, the tropical paradise and to the remnants of Native American civiliation in the old south. Late western theme is dark melancholy, and compelling. It sheds light on the uglier side of the government, the army, the sugar trade and on outlaw life in America. However, coming to the story conclusion of peaceful farm life caused me to feel a shift in my behaviour throughout the game. We never really change who we are but we better ourselves for those that we love. I find that to be the core message of the game's story.
The first thematic pillar of Red Dead 2's story is Loyalty vs Morality. What length are you willing to go in order to help your own people and if the people around you start doing evil things do you betray your bonds of fellowship for a more righteous cause? Missions will require you to do dishonourable things but there are also a lot of side missions with the sole purpose of helping random people out in times of need. Arthur's ultimate answer regarding loyalty is to "be loyal to what matters". He stays loyal to the people who haven't yet forsaken their morality.
The second thematic pillar is Revenge vs Self-preservation. As a result of the player's actions, Arthur tries to preserve himself throughout the game. He stays fed and clothed and safe from all kinds of threats to himself and gang members, old and new. If you are in a fight with the law and you ride back to camp you will be hit with a game over for leading them back to your home. Right from the beginning, it is established that revenge is a fool's game, that you're only going to cause more harm to yourself by seeking out retribution and you may risk even more than you've lost in the first place. Yet Dutch breaks his own rules and carries out a series of vengeful actions and endangers the people he previously swore to protect.
The third pillar I wanted to highlight is the theme of leadership. Dutch is the leader of the Van der Linde gang but he doesn't lead alone, he makes executive decisions but he is informed by Hosea and Arthur who advise and offer their own forms of leadership. Dutch is not controlling, all gang members are free to bring in the money however they want and they can come and go as they please. However, Dutch is egotistical, he needs affirmation that his plans are popular and that everyone trusts him and this only causes to break down the trust of some of his followers. Unlike Dutch, Rains Fall doesn't view his camp as an extension of himself, he aims to make the best of a bad situation and makes decisions without being affected by pride. While Rains Fall's son, Eagle Flies, is inspired by Dutch's style of leadership. The reverse happens with Dutch's metaphorical son, Arthur.
The first thematic pillar of Red Dead 2's story is Loyalty vs Morality. What length are you willing to go in order to help your own people and if the people around you start doing evil things do you betray your bonds of fellowship for a more righteous cause? Missions will require you to do dishonourable things but there are also a lot of side missions with the sole purpose of helping random people out in times of need. Arthur's ultimate answer regarding loyalty is to "be loyal to what matters". He stays loyal to the people who haven't yet forsaken their morality.
The second thematic pillar is Revenge vs Self-preservation. As a result of the player's actions, Arthur tries to preserve himself throughout the game. He stays fed and clothed and safe from all kinds of threats to himself and gang members, old and new. If you are in a fight with the law and you ride back to camp you will be hit with a game over for leading them back to your home. Right from the beginning, it is established that revenge is a fool's game, that you're only going to cause more harm to yourself by seeking out retribution and you may risk even more than you've lost in the first place. Yet Dutch breaks his own rules and carries out a series of vengeful actions and endangers the people he previously swore to protect.
The third pillar I wanted to highlight is the theme of leadership. Dutch is the leader of the Van der Linde gang but he doesn't lead alone, he makes executive decisions but he is informed by Hosea and Arthur who advise and offer their own forms of leadership. Dutch is not controlling, all gang members are free to bring in the money however they want and they can come and go as they please. However, Dutch is egotistical, he needs affirmation that his plans are popular and that everyone trusts him and this only causes to break down the trust of some of his followers. Unlike Dutch, Rains Fall doesn't view his camp as an extension of himself, he aims to make the best of a bad situation and makes decisions without being affected by pride. While Rains Fall's son, Eagle Flies, is inspired by Dutch's style of leadership. The reverse happens with Dutch's metaphorical son, Arthur.
Overall, I believe the canon ending to the game is honourable, it also adds to the tragedy of Arthur Morgan and John Marston's ultimate fates. Knowing that in Red Dead Redemption John will be hunting down the last remnants of this huge gang of personalities really adds to the pathos of this great vision Dutch has of a gunslinger outlaw's paradise. Ultimately, no one can run away from their problems forever, especially if you go around robbing people. Especially those with power.
As my favourite reviewer said, "Red Dead Redemption 2 is a game about characters." I had to devote sections on the ones that were most important to me during my experience.
Arthur Morgan
Oh Arthur. The journey you take with this man is perfectly crafted by the game design, the story and the brilliant performance of Roger Clark to make you truly feel like you are him. Everything you do with Arthur feels consistent with his plot and his eventual end thanks to the ridiculous amount of detail this game puts into the man you inhabit.
Athur's arc is tragic and causes you to grow to love this character you inhabit, he's a great addition to RockStar's hall of fame in terms of great characters and I would even admit that I prefer him to John (by a slim margin, both of them are great). Arthur getting tuberculosis in the a before antibiotics and knowing that he was eventually going to die was fitting given that he isn't in the orginal encouraged me to turn Arthur's life around in his final days. I helped the innocent and stood by my gang members and regretted the life of killing that had been thrust upon this hardy gunslinger, Arthur Morgan.
Athur's arc is tragic and causes you to grow to love this character you inhabit, he's a great addition to RockStar's hall of fame in terms of great characters and I would even admit that I prefer him to John (by a slim margin, both of them are great). Arthur getting tuberculosis in the a before antibiotics and knowing that he was eventually going to die was fitting given that he isn't in the orginal encouraged me to turn Arthur's life around in his final days. I helped the innocent and stood by my gang members and regretted the life of killing that had been thrust upon this hardy gunslinger, Arthur Morgan.
Arthur's interactions with the other characters are gripping, funny, enfuriating, and heart wrenching. And there are so many that I couldn't detail them all in this review. One that sticks in my mind is a minor character that you meet in side missions, Sister Calderón. In the honourable playthrough (my own) Arthur sits with the nun and confesses his TB and how he got it. "Beating a man, to death... For a few dollars". Seeing this stoic man who fights through everything truly vulnerable and afraid and repentant has to be one of my favourite scenes on any medium, games, films, TV or books.
"We've all lived bad lives Mr Morgan, we all sin. But I know you." "You don't know me." "Forgive me, but that's the problem. You don't know you." "What you mean?" "I don't know but, whenever you we happen to meet, you're always helping people and smiling."

"We've all lived bad lives Mr Morgan, we all sin. But I know you." "You don't know me." "Forgive me, but that's the problem. You don't know you." "What you mean?" "I don't know but, whenever you we happen to meet, you're always helping people and smiling."

Powerful, loving, and human. I have no idea how Rockstar can top Arthur Morgan in my heart.
John's development as a character masterfully sets up the opening to Red Dead Redemption and gives us an interesting insight into his past and the path that led him to hunting down his old gang members. The writing feels consistent with the one we met in 2010 and his relationship with Arthur is a great transformation as he and his de facto older brother come together and defend each other at the bitter end. By the end of the game, I deeply rooted for him and his family which only makes the ultimate ending of Jack following in his father's footsteps and taking up the violent life of a gunslinger all the more poignant.
Dutch, the fall or the reveal? There is debate among the other characters as to whether Dutch's decent into madness was the destruction of someone who was once decent and caring or the reveal of the egotistical psychopath that lurked underneath. I believe that both of these interpretations are correct. Dutch's mental health and wellbeing are bombarded as bad decision after bad decision gets people killed and your life's work is being torn apart. However, I also believe that those tendencies were always a part of this man we travel and rob and fight with. His obsession with revenge and his fairytale ending are the results of his character traits; proud, grandiose, and violent. Rockstar have made the series antagonist consistent and three dimensional and I feel that his scenes in the original now have more impact.

"Our time is passed, John." Watching the majestic gang leader decline mirrors the decline of the old west.
Charles Smith and - Charles is a dear friend and pillar of human decency for Arthur Morgan and John Marston. Not only is his character interesting and admirable, he also incorporates some awesome Native American style gameplay, stealth and hunting missions. Charles is the kindhearted core of Athur and John's group of allies that eventually decide to leave Dutch and his machinations. Charles' background of growing up with a Native American community but also having being ethnically half African American is a super interesting (and pretty bad-ass) concept for a character The reason I grouped these two characters together is because I want Charles and Sadie DLC!
Sadie Adler
Empowering but also believable story arc, a demon with any weapon, and a loyal friend. What's more to want? An enjoyable addition to the world of Red Dead and I wish to see more of her adventures!
Don't fuck with Sadie Adler. Enough said.
Bill Williamson and Javier Escuella
I've decided to pair these gang members from the original due the gripe that I share with both of them. I wish the player could get to know them better and understand their reasons why they decide to stick with Dutch in the final showdown. It would have been great to see these characters becoming angry with or resentful of Arthur. Unlike with Dutch, I don't feel like their appearance in this game makes their original game fates more interesting and that's a missed opportunity. I wish the game had given us a chance to explore their pasts. However, the voices, the writing and the appearance of these characters are very believable to their 2010 counterparts and just having them by your side in a fight is an awesome feeling. And sitting by the fire and getting drunk with them is a great insight into their characters, Bill is getting into fights and Javier is playing guitar with Uncle and the others singing a song.
I've decided to pair these gang members from the original due the gripe that I share with both of them. I wish the player could get to know them better and understand their reasons why they decide to stick with Dutch in the final showdown. It would have been great to see these characters becoming angry with or resentful of Arthur. Unlike with Dutch, I don't feel like their appearance in this game makes their original game fates more interesting and that's a missed opportunity. I wish the game had given us a chance to explore their pasts. However, the voices, the writing and the appearance of these characters are very believable to their 2010 counterparts and just having them by your side in a fight is an awesome feeling. And sitting by the fire and getting drunk with them is a great insight into their characters, Bill is getting into fights and Javier is playing guitar with Uncle and the others singing a song.
Micah
The new antagonist is easy to hate as the brash, unsympathising, menace who only serves himself, whispering madness into the ear of our charismatic leader. Finally taking retribution on Micah was highly gratifying because it did not happen when I expected it to happen. I suspected from early on that he was ratting on the group as only a crazy person would give the kind of advice he gave Dutch. It was like the whole gang was being set up to get caught or killed. Feeling the effects of Arthur's sickness whilst suffering antagonism and derision from this piece of shit only intensified my investment into their personal feud.
The new antagonist is easy to hate as the brash, unsympathising, menace who only serves himself, whispering madness into the ear of our charismatic leader. Finally taking retribution on Micah was highly gratifying because it did not happen when I expected it to happen. I suspected from early on that he was ratting on the group as only a crazy person would give the kind of advice he gave Dutch. It was like the whole gang was being set up to get caught or killed. Feeling the effects of Arthur's sickness whilst suffering antagonism and derision from this piece of shit only intensified my investment into their personal feud.
Hosea Mathews and Lenny Summers
Rest in peace guys, we love you. Lenny felt like a son to Arthur and Hosea a father to him. The story would never be the same after these deep bonds I poured hours of time getting to know, living and fighting alongside were taken from us well before the end. Though they were certainly fallible and flawed, I truly felt in good hands whenever I was on a job with either of these two and their relationships with Arthur felt real. Going fishing in the lake with Hosea and getting blackout drunk with Lenny were some of the best parts of the game and they didn't involve any combat.
Rest in peace guys, we love you. Lenny felt like a son to Arthur and Hosea a father to him. The story would never be the same after these deep bonds I poured hours of time getting to know, living and fighting alongside were taken from us well before the end. Though they were certainly fallible and flawed, I truly felt in good hands whenever I was on a job with either of these two and their relationships with Arthur felt real. Going fishing in the lake with Hosea and getting blackout drunk with Lenny were some of the best parts of the game and they didn't involve any combat.
The Verdict
Howdy reader, thanks for making it this far. I'll try and keep this brief. I think it's fair to say that Red Dead Redemption 2 has set a new bar for open world games. There are so many small details that I haven't covered in this review and each player's experience of the game is slightly different thanks to the open ended approach to Red Dead Redemption 2's world. I've watched and a fair few different reviews and they all have something different to say as to what they fell in love with. What did I fall in love with? The characters, without them the whole game loses its grounding. I felt truly at home with this rag tag group of misfits from various backgrounds, they felt like family. The breaking of the fellowship and the neat setup for the original Red Dead Redemption perfectly fits not only in a narrative but an emotional sense. I felt that I had come full circle.
I haven't yet dived into the world of Red Dead Online but I am sure to give it a try soon. That said, I am giving the single player experience a 10/10 rating. For me, it now sits alongside other masterpieces like The Witcher 3, Hollow Knight, Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Spec Ops: The Line. There are small issues that momentarily weigh the experience down but this is the case in every game and I can understand the reasons why these issues are there. A 10/10 in my view is not a perfect game, it's a game that sets out to do something and achieves it to a level of perfection. Not everyone will be happy with the level of realism. It's always a balance between game play and immersion but for me they got the balance just right. This isn't a hardcore shooter or a survival game, it tries and succeeds at being something so much more.

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