We’ve received our first batch of Red Dead Redemption 2 details today. This is the first bit of information on Red Dead Redemption 2 that didn’t come from a trailer or tweet by Rockstar.
Today’s Red Dead Redemption 2 details focus on protagonist Arthur Morgan. Just who is he and how does he fit into Dutch’s Gang? We’re also learning how hunting works in Red Dead Redemption 2 and the unique bond between man and horse.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is such a long-awaited title that Rockstar needs to make sure it satisfies fans while delivering an experience that will lead to the established lore.
So far, so good.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Details
Arthur Morgan is Dutch’s second-in-command, his go-to guy and his right hand. He’s well-respected amongst the crew and he’s certainly not one to shy away from a fight.
He’s also a mean, mean man and has murder and thievery on his rap-sheet. But, Rockstar wants players to empathise with Morgan and to understand that he’s not all bad. The gruff and rugged exterior belies the smart and good-natured man on the inside.
Morgan is the peace-keeper of the group and always has his family (the Van Der Linde Gang) at the forefront of his mind. In the wild west, it’s the family you choose that matters and Morgan has chosen Dutch and co.
This ragtag group of villains, thieves, runaways and killers is, for all intents and purposes, Morgan’s family, so you better believe he’ll fight to protect it. Whether that’s fighting forces on the outside or those from within that threaten to tear the family apart.
Little Orphan Arthur
While Morgan’s backstory is purposefully vague, it’s known that at some point Dutch took him under his wing. He was a young man when it happened and the circumstances of how and why aren’t known, but in the years since, Morgan has become fiercely loyal to Dutch.
The question for Morgan becomes, how to stay loyal after Dutch betrays the family.
It’s a question we won’t know the answer to until we get to play Red Dead Redemption 2, but it’s fertile ground for the narrative to blossom. Another fertile area in Red Dead Redemption 2 is the world around you and the myriad activities you can engage in.
Missions you take part in can be tackled a number of ways and it’s up to the player whether Morgan heads in with the gang or send them ahead. Rockstar’s Co-Studio Head Rob Nelson says;
We try to give you options within a lot of these missions to choose how you approach it, whether you’ll send your buddies in first or whether you’ll go in first
We’re always trying to reinforce who Arthur is in this gang, in this group of people.
Gang members will recognise the way the player is engaging with them and the world and will react accordingly. If you choose to spend time hunting solo and getting acquainted with the countryside, your fellow gang members will leave you be.
However, should you work to keep the camp safe and supplied, you may be invited to tackle additional missions and scenarios. Nelson stresses that Rockstar is building a world and a narrative that will feel very different to each player depending on how they play but will be largely comprised of the same events.
We’re really interested in is feeling like that everything you do is consistent with what Arthur would realistically do.
Hunting and Riding
Hunting makes a return in Red Dead Redemption 2 and we have some minor details about what to expect. Players are able to skin animals they kill and carry the pelts on their horse.
If animals are killed by bow and arrow, the pelt will be worth more as it will have less damage. Finally, animals that have been killed will begin to deteriorate and rot over time. A nifty detail, though one that doesn’t seem to serve a purpose other than to add realism.
It wouldn’t be Red Dead Redemption without horses and horse riding. In Red Dead Redemption 2, players will need to find and catch a horse and then break it in. The more you ride your horse, the better your bond is and the less likely the horse is to spook and run away.
If you have a strong enough bond with your horse, it won’t run during firefights and you’ll be able to call it with your whistle from much farther away. When you dismount from your horse, you’ll leave heavier equipment, like rifles etc, on the horse which is a neat detail.
If your horse is lost or dies, you’ll need to find a new one and restart the entire process from scratch.
We Can’t Wait
Red Dead Redemption 2 is still six months away and the wait isn’t going to get any easier.
So far it looks like Rockstar has been putting an incredible amount of effort and detail into Red Dead Redemption 2 and the more we learn the more excited we get.
Here’s hoping more Red Dead Redemption 2 details surface very soon.
Red Dead Redemption 2 will be available for PS4 and Xbox One on October 26, 2018.
