Overview

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a game set in 1899 – 1907 America, during the beginning of proper civilization in the Wild West, and following the Van Der Linde Gang that are trying to find some big break and settle down before the law kills any more of them. It’s a third & first person action game, with an emphasis on the gunplay.

Characters

Arthur Morgan is our main character for the main body of the game. He’s a cold-blooded gunslinger, acting as a right hand man to Dutch and a founding member of the gang. He’s more of a lamenter, having an old ex he has issues forgetting, and a family he’d rather leave in the past.

John Marston is Arthur’s adoptive brother, and our main character for the epilogue chapter. He’s much the same as Arthur, a gunslinger and a headstrong sinner. However, he’s more of a family man, and has a wife and a child that he seeks to keep safe, above all else.

Dutch Van Der Linde is the leader of the Van Der Linde Gang, and our main characters’ idol. He acts as a real role model to the rest of the gang, though make no mistake, he is one of the worst among them. Truly cold-blooded and greedy, he’s always looking for the next big score, and prying the members for all the faith they can give.

Micah Bell is our resident root of all evil. From the very start, almost every other member has a point where they show their dislike of Micah. When it comes to being a real bastard, causing trouble for no reason, and killing without purpose, Micah is peerless.

Main Conflict & Story

We start as Arthur of course, as the gang makes their way through a frozen mountain range, in the midst of a blizzard, as a means of escaping the law. You see, they’ve just barely gotten out of a score gone wrong, which we come to know later as the Blackwater Massacre. In any case, we spend this beginning section working out of the ghost town of Colter, doing tutorial missions and meeting the gang members one by one.

Later on, we move to greener pastures, in Horseshoe Overlook, Clemen’s Point and Shady Belle. All these chapters progress in a linear way, giving you endless opportunities to explore every feature of the game. Robbing, killing, bounty hunting – all available for you to reap. Though personally, I was more for the fishing parts. You must not forget there is a huge world to explore of course, filled with missions and strangers, and limitless ways to make money, or lose money, or just have fun. You can do almost anything, really.

Closing in on the end, we go on a trouble-bound shipride, and wash up on the island of Guarma, then later return to the main game with Lakay and Beaver Hollow. This part of the game is filled with conflict, rising drama and tensions, making you decide who’s side you’re on, and what you really want to do with yourself. I won’t spoil too much, but things get very critical of how you play and what you’ve done up to now.

Finally, we close the game on Beecher’s Hope, a fitting name for the last spot you call home. We’re playing as John now, making our little slice of Heaven in a quaint ranch, with a wife and son to spend time with. Whence you get here in the story, and eventually finish it, you’re free to do whatever you please with zero restriction. The world is yours to toy with, since you’ve gone through so much up to now.

Reflection

This game is truly one of the most beautiful I’ve ever played. The world, the people, the weapons, the animals, the story – everything was pain-stakingly crafted over the course of 8 years, and the passion shines bright. I’ve spent the better part of 3,000 hours playing, and I still find every second enjoyable. The action is brutal and satisfying, the story crafted wonderfully, the characters so immersive and real.

If you want any of these things, RDR2 is definitely for you. I’ve seen people walk into the game with such hate and disregard, and come out changed, preaching how good it is. It truly is one of the best games of all time.