Red Dead Redemption 2has been hailed by many as one of the best action-adventure games in recent memory, and this is partially due to the sheer realness of the world. There was a lot forRed Dead Redemption 2to live up to due to the success of its predecessor, but Rockstar brought forth a beautifully crafted story that not only brings some great action, but tugs on the heartstrings.
One of the biggest drawsRed Dead Redemption 2has is a compelling story seen through the eyes of its protagonist, Arthur Morgan. Not only isArthur Morgan a complex and fascinating lead, but players are given a lot of agency in terms of how he progresses in the story. There is a static story arc that must be followed, but there is also a fun emphasis on player choice that offers a unique experience for each playthrough.
Player Choice Greatly Affects Arthur Morgan
Red Dead Redemption 2’s story makes it pretty clear that Arthur and the othermembers of the Van der Linde ganglive in a world of moral gray areas. However, the choice of players helps inform Arthur’s moral standing within the story, which can greatly affect how his unfortunate death plays out at the end of the game. The game’s morality system is well known, but there are even smaller details that showcase just how much freedom players are given when controlling Arthur.
Arthur Morgan’s Habits Will Change Him Over Time
Rockstar is well known for its realism, butRed Dead Redemption 2upped the ante. NPCs seem to have their own daily routines and lives, while weapons degrade and need repairing over time, and that’s just the beginning. When it comes to Arthur, the habits players instill in him can actually change him over time. If players feed him too much, he gains weight. If players make him smoke cigarettes, he’ll start coughing more frequently. Thedetails inRed Dead Redemption 2can truly get wild, and this is why the game is still being praised six years later.
Additionally, Arthur’s hair and beard will grow over time if not kept up. Of course, the hair growth mechanic has its limits, but players are able totake Arthur’s hair growth to crazy lengthsby purchasing Hair Tonic. Arthur’s hair and facial hair growth is more obvious of a change compared to the likes of cigarettes, causing him to cough, but it’s still a good demonstration of how players can influence the character’s appearance.
When a fully bonded horse dies in the game, Arthur will start to cry as a response.
Arthur’s Morality and How He Carries Himself
One of the most subtle, but brilliant, differences shown throughout the game depending on the player’s choice is how Arthur carries himself. When players make Arthur live more of an outlaw life, which gives him a low honor score, his demeanor and posture become more intimidating, and he looks meaner overall. If Arthur has a higher moral standing in the game, the way he carries himself reflects that as well. Although his fate is sealed by the game’s story,Arthur Morgan is surprisingly versatilein personality for a character who stars in a set narrative.
To this day,Red Dead Redemption 2offers a truly unique adventurethat can still easily go head-to-head with new releases in the genre. The game’s balanced blend of realism and well-crafted story continues to make it one of the best games of the 21st century, and the detail that was put into Arthur’s daily habits instilled by players is a perfect example of why it’s still being talked about.
Red Dead Redemption 2
WHERE TO PLAY
America, 1899. The end of the wild west era has begun as lawmen hunt down the last remaining outlaw gangs. Those who will not surrender or succumb are killed. After a robbery goes badly wrong in the western town of Blackwater, Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang are forced to flee. With federal agents and the best bounty hunters in the nation massing on their heels, the gang must rob, steal and fight their way across the rugged heartland of America in order to survive. As deepening internal divisions threaten to tear the gang apart, Arthur must make a choice between his own ideals and loyalty to the gang who raised him. From the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic tale of life in America at the dawn of the modern age.
