Much of the first Red Dead Redemption focused on the passing of the American Wild West. It was game centered on the consequences of that era. Protagonist John Marston represented an age basically passed, and spent the game suffering from the mistakes he made during said age. He was personally tasked with eliminating some of the stubborn resisters from the old days.
This time around, it looks like players will be stepping into the blood-soaked boots of this resistance and fighting against its inevitability.
Red Dead Redemption 2 takes place in 1899, about 12 years before the first game. You play as Arthur Morgan, a member of Dutch van der Linde’s iconic game from the first game. It looks like this sequel will place us right into Dutch’s rebellion. The Wild West may be on life support, but it’s going down fighting. This game looks like a full-length version of John Marston’s iconic gunfight ending the first game. And if this trailer was any indication, what a glorious, cinematic, and ultimately depressing fight it’s going to be.
The first game raised many questions about Dutch’s gang and John’s part in it. Now it looks like we’ll find out exactly what this gang did that led to the deaths of its members a decade later. Including John Marston’s role, by the way. That was definitely him at the end there. I couldn’t be more excited, and I haven’t even seen gameplay yet. Rockstar has more than earned my trust in that regard.
While there’s still time for a delay, Red Dead Redemption 2 is currently scheduled for release on October 26. I don’t expect a delay. Rockstar doesn’t play that way.