Few games have featured such richly detailed characters and nuanced stories as Red Expressionless Redemption  and Ruddy Dead Redemption 2 . The fictional history of games' Old West stretches as far back as the early on 1700s at the founding of Saint Denis, merely the story of the two games themselves is packed with of import events of its ain, covering a bridge of 15 years.

Over that time,RDR2andRed Dead Redemptiontell the tragic tale of the dying days of frontier justice and the outlaws. That narrative is seen through the eyes of three item characters - all of whom are arguably non even RDR's main characters - merely it is actually a story of numerous individuals, all seeking their redemption in 1 style or another and tied together by the Van der Linde gang.

Though the games' playable plot is but a pocket-size chunk of theRed Dead Redemption universe's larger story, information technology's so full of significant character moments and events that information technology warrants covering in detail. Players tin glean ample amounts of additional backstory and lore if they explore the worlds ofRDR2andRuby-red Expressionless Redemption thoroughly enough; some instances are straight dialogue scenes telling of things that happened in the by, while others are found in newspapers, collectibles, notes, and, in the case ofRDR2, Arthur's journal.

1899 - Cherry-red Dead Redemption 2's Main Story

The Prequel Begins

The main narrative ofRDR2, a prequel to the original game, takes place entirely in 1899. As the game begins in the snowy mountains of Colter, the gang is hiding out in the wake of the events of the Blackwater Massacre, with Dutch van der Linde and his right hand, Hosea Matthews, trying desperately to go on their gang complimentary. Playable character Arthur Morgan drives the narrative every bit he works to assistance his leader and father effigy.

In searching for shelter and supplies, Arthur, Micah Bell, and Dutch find a homestead where they cantankerous paths with a rival gang, the O'Driscolls. This incites the first major conflict of the game, introduces the feud betwixt the Van der Linde gang and the O'Driscolls, and establishes a tension between Micah, Arthur, and Dutch that plays a major part in the plot.

This is likewise where the story first introduces Sadie Adler, the homestead owner who the O'Driscolls widowed. In traditional Van der Linde manner, the gang takes her in. Sadie seems timid at first and isn't initially involved a bully bargain, but she quickly becomes one of the virtually important characters inRDR2. Before that can happen, though, Arthur and Javier Escuella must discover John Marston, Blood-red Dead Redemption'sprotagonist, who has gone missing while out searching. Arthur and Javier eventually discover John well into the snowy mountains, wounded by a pack of wolves.

After getting him safely dorsum to camp, attention shifts to the O'Driscolls, whose own army camp is nearby. Along with Javier, Micah, Dutch, Lenny Summers, and Neb Williamson, Arthur heads there to deal with Colm O'Driscoll, the gang's leader. This is the first time players see Dutch breaking his ain lawmaking of honor past seeking vengeance, which he justifies by maxim it'southward to keep the O'Driscolls from attacking and for intel almost a job the O'Driscolls were working on. Dutch quickly reveals this to be a lie, however, when Colm is seen departing and Dutch does zilch about it, stating it wouldn't be fun to steal Colm'south score if he wasn't alive to learn of it. After the ensuing shootout with the O'Driscolls, who remained when Colm left, Arthur captures one of the rival gang members, Kieran Duffy. In one ofRDR2'southward more than surprising moments, Dutch really spares Kieran and tentatively allows him to join the gang.

With the intel from the O'Driscoll camp, Dutch leads the gang on a railroad train robbery. The train is owned past Leviticus Cornwall, the game's fictional conglomeration of early American tycoons like Vanderbilt and Rockefeller, and its robbery starts a vendetta for Cornwall. He sends Pinkerton Agents Andrew Milton and Edgar Ross afterward the Van der Linde gang, which stacks on their troubles from the Blackwater Massacre and their feud with the O'Driscolls. At this bespeak, Dutch begins realizing the gang'south outlaw lifestyle is coming to an terminate, as America is quickly settling its western frontier. What follows is a serial of poor planning by Dutch and mistakes in those loyal to him.

Out Of The Mountains, Into The Heartland

The gang relocates to New Hanover, searching for work that could brand them all plenty money to retire from the criminal life. In this chapter, players get to know the gang members better, starting with Arthur and a few others going into Valentine to become supplies and scout for jobs. During the mission, a man recognizes Arthur from Blackwater, foreshadowing how tightly the circumvolve is endmost on the gang. Other missions see Arthur helping his ex-fiancé, Mary Linton, with her blood brother Jamie; breaking Micah out of jail, which leads to another vicious shootout that shows Micah Bell's true nature; and taking John's son, Jack Marston, fishing with Hosea and Dutch.

Bad luck follows the gang, as jobs proceed to become s and the Pinkertons are constantly on their heels. Afterwards a unproblematic bit of sheep thievery in Valentine seems successful, Cornwall shows up with the Pinkertons to confront the gang directly. The encarmine shootout forces the Van der Lindes to flee - a recurring theme for this band of outlaws on the run.

The gang manages to find another place to hide merely exterior of Rhodes, where they find a gilt opportunity; a feud between two wealthy families, the Braithwaites and Grays. The gang does many jobs for both families to fan the flames and exploit their riches. Both are capable of their ain stray cruelty, though, and soon realize what's happening. They ambush the gang forth with Sheriff Gray of Rhodes, and the Grays kill gang member Sean MacGuire, while the Braithwaites kidnap Jack. The gang and so confronts the Braithwaites and slaughters all but i of the family's members, then burns its manor to the basis in search of Jack.

As the gang learned from Catherine Braithwaite before she returned to her burning manor to die, Jack was sold to notorious mob boss Angelo Bronte of Saint Denis. Merely before they can go later on him, the Van der Lindes are confronted by Agents Milton and Ross notwithstanding again when they return to camp. They give Dutch the choice to turn himself in and allow the balance of the gang to be pardoned, but he again shows his selfishness and refuses. Milton promises to return with scores of men to apprehend the Van der Linde gang, so the group is once more forced to move camp. They don't go far, settling in RDR2'due south Shady Belle region, which Arthur and Lenny clear of Lemoyne Raiders so they can be close to Saint Denis to rescue Jack.

The Van Der Linde Gang Descends On Saint Denis

Afterward some groundwork, Arthur learns where Bronte's estate is and seeks him out. Things virtually become sideways, merely cooler heads prevail for once, and a deal is struck with Bronte. The gang agrees to take care of some grave robbers for Bronte in exchange for Jack's return. Afterward completing the task, Bronte invites the gang to one of his parties, where they work the room for leads on more jobs, setting upwards even more than "1 more score" narratives.

Following 1 of Hosea'south leads, Josiah Trelawny manages to get a few gang members onto a riverboat casino they plan to rob, fifty-fifty setting Arthur up in a poker tournament to befriend the dealer. Things become smoothly at first, with Arthur cleaning house at the cards table, just in plumbing equipment, doomed-outlaw way, everything gets out of control when the gang reaches the vault. All secrecy is lost, and a gunfight ensues equally the gang tries to escape, eventually forcing them to leap off the gunkhole and swim to condom.

EarlierRDR2'due south chief narrative progresses farther, Arthur navigates several side plots. He helps Rains Fall, chief of the local Wapiti Native American tribe, and his son, Eagle Flies, proceed the U.S. Army from stealing the tribe's land, a job that notwithstanding again has Arthur crossing paths with Leviticus Cornwall. Upon returning to campsite, he's informed that the Foreman Brothers have abducted Tilly Pierre. Arthur immediately sets off to rescue her and ensures Tilly is no longer troubled past the Foremans subsequently.

The feud with the O'Driscolls then comes back to haunt the gang again. Sadie notifies Arthur that Kieran is missing, but the mystery is solved in short and gruesome order when his decapitated body comes riding in, holding his ain head, on a horse. The O'Driscolls descend on the gang but are eventually pushed back. Dutch then delivers one of his well-nigh haunting lines, revealing merely how delusional has become: He tells Arthur he was failing to run across the vastness of their problemsandopportunities, refusing to allow go of the gang's lifestyle for the sake of its members.

The Fall Of Angelo Bronte & The Fracture Of The Van Der Linde Gang

Dutch's animalism for a lawless borderland drives him to lead the gang on another task from Angelo Bronte - a trolley station heist in the middle of Saint Denis that proves to be a setup, every bit Bronte is working to tidy upward loose ends. Arthur, Dutch, and Lenny have to hijack a trolley and shoot their way out of the city. If information technology wasn't apparent to the gang before, it becomes quite clear they're on thin ice.

Still, the narrative briefly takes an unexpected plow as Arthur is again contacted past his former fiancé. He works to help Mary stop her begetter from destroying himself, a sequence that serves every bit a metaphor for how Arthur and the other gang members are riding towards their ain demise. After helping her, Arthur is given ane more opportunity to walk away from his life as an outlaw to live with the person he loves, simply he refuses. This is partly considering he is a wanted criminal and doesn't want Mary to be punished for his transgressions, only his decision is too strongly motivated by his familial delivery to the doomed Van der Linde gang.

After Arthur returns to the gang, Dutch once again betrays his ain moral code; Hosea has a fantastic new job lined up for them, merely Dutch wants revenge on Bronte for setting them up. Showcasing his continually misplaced faith, Arthur sides with Dutch. The gang gets a local fisherman to ferry them to Bronte's mansion, where another skirmish occurs. Afterwards dispatching many guards and enough of lawmen, the gang finally gets Bronte aboard the ferry. The gang is set on ransoming Bronte, who, to no avail, tries to bribe them to impale Dutch. In the ensuing exchange, Dutch instead drowns Bronte and feeds him to the alligators.

Despite the chaotic events, the RDR2 gang continues planning an epic banking concern robbery. The plan seems audio, if not for the always-tightening noose around the gang'due south necks. As presently as Arthur loots the safe, the Pinkertons arrive with the scores of men Milton had promised. Hosea is taken hostage, which causes Dutch to plead for Milton to negotiate - an ironic plow, given Dutch could have saved Hosea and everyone already. Milton refuses, withal, and executes Hosea in forepart of the gang. John is and so captured, and the firefight claims Lenny'south life before the gang members who pulled the heist can escape.

The gang manages to hibernate out overnight in an abandoned building before sneakily boarding a boat bound for Republic of cuba. The boat is destroyed, washing the Van der Linde gang up on Guarma's shores. Earlier they can even get their bearings, they are taken captive by the local military and swiftly freed by rebel forces fighting confronting the tyrannical governance. ButRDR2doesn't linger here long; the gang helps the rebel fighters trounce back the supporting troops arriving from Republic of cuba, and once they succeed, they return to the mainland.

Getting The Gang Dorsum Together In Lemoyne

Upon arriving at Van Horn Trading Post, Arthur makes direct for the gang'south terminal encampment at Shady Belle, where he finds a note from the remaining members, who take moved to Lakay. He finds them and is informed that John was arrested, only the reunion is short-lived, equally the Pinkertons again descend on the camp. The gang manages to fight them back, but Milton'south resolve is duly noted by Dutch, who begins to doubtable someone within the gang is betraying them. Dutch then has Arthur and Charles Smith clear out a new spot in Beaver Hollow, where Molly, Dutch'south partner, drunkenly announces that she had been informing the Pinkertons about their location, and Susan kills her for the betrayal.

Arthur and then agrees to meet Sadie in Saint-Denis to hash out how they tin can break into Sisika Penitentiary to rescue John. On his wait to meet her, he is overcome by a coughing fit. A stranger helps him to a doctor, where Arthur learns he has tuberculosis. Receiving this fatal diagnosis is the final turning point for Arthur, who begins seeking to ensure the remaining members of his called family will be O.K. after he is gone. He and Sadie immediately rescue John and bring him back to the Hollow, even though Dutch said they couldn't afford to go after him merely yet. Dutch grows paranoid and begins doubting Arthur'south loyalty, despite Molly stating she was the informant, and Micah steadily becomes Dutch's go-to person.

Still, Arthur goes with Dutch and Micah to Annesburg to deal with Cornwall. When they manage to make it position, Dutch goes off script and faces Cornwall as he's dealing with Pinkertons. Dutch makes an absurd demand for Cornwall to give them $10,000 and his boat so they can safely leave the country, which Cornwall naturally refuses. Dutch then guns down the tycoon, sending the gang into a firefight with the remaining Pinkertons. The three outlaws narrowly escape, but Micah manages to steal some of Cornwall'south papers in their hasty exit.

Earlier these can be put to utilise, Arthur accompanies Dutch and Sadie to put their long-standing feud with the O'Driscolls to rest, as Colm O'Driscoll is sentenced to be hanged. The trio has to do some assurance work, but they make sure Colm is no more. Sadie, however, shoots the remaining two O'Driscolls in the crowd, seeking revenge for her married man they killed at the beginning ofRDR2, and a bloody shootout ensues.

Once the situation is resolved, the gang steals a dynamite shipment detailed in Cornwall's papers, using it to gear up an deadfall at Bacchus Bridge and cut off regime supplies, nearly costing Arthur and John their lives. At this point, John and Arthur vocalism their concerns to one another about the man Dutch is becoming. Fifty-fifty though Arthur's had his ain problems with John, he is now more worried for John and his family than he is loyal to Dutch.

Sins Of The Male parent, Paid By The Sons

RDR2's tale of beleaguered outlaws led by a Machiavellian anarchist continues as Dutch once again seizes an opportunity to bargain a blow to the government. Eagle Flies comes to the camp and tells the gang a military dispatch at Fort Wallace has stolen his tribe's horses. Tensions between the Wapiti and the war machine continue to escalate every bit more horrendous transgressions by the military become credible, and Dutch pushes the gang further into the fighting for his own gain, seeking just to lash out against what he deems oppressors of his would-exist utopia.

Dutch's quest for his specific version of freedom leads the gang in feigned support of the Wapiti tribe, all the way to an attack on Cornwall'due south oil refinery, which nearly destroys the tribe and sees Dutch leave Arthur to die, betraying however another of his and so-called family unit as his narcissistic nature fully manifests. Arthur and the gang manage to survive the onslaught, though, and attain yet another ofRDR2's "one last task" situations. Dutch outlines what he says is the gang's last score: intercepting a government resupply coming to fix the damage from the destroyed Bacchus Bridge.

During the heist, John is shot while trying to release a burning train car and ensure the gang'due south escape. Dutch goes to save him, simply he returns shortly afterward, claiming John died. The Van der Linde gang manages to consummate the job, but in returning to camp, Tilly informs Arthur that Abigail Marston has been taken. Dutch decides the gang should leave her, largely influenced by Micah, but Arthur refuses to abandon Abigail and get out Jack without a parent. Sadie once again joins Arthur, and the ii caput to Van Horn. They each fight through several Pinkertons, but eventually, Arthur is held at gunpoint past Agent Milton himself. Thinking he's won, Milton reveals to them that Micah was, in fact, the mole. Arthur struggles to interruption complimentary, but Abigail resolves the situation, shooting Milton with Sadie's gun.

When they render, Arthur has Sadie help Abigail, Jack, and Tilly escape while he deals with Dutch and Micah. Arthur declares Micah equally the traitor, causing a standoff, simply the gang is unsure what to do until a wounded John Marston stumbles in, proclaiming Dutch left him to die. As Susan begins to side with Arthur, the Pinkertons arrive, giving Micah the lark needed to kill her. Dutch at last betrays his ii virtually loyal "sons" and sides with Micah, labeling John and Arthur the traitors, which the gang accepts. Arthur tells John where to find his family unit, passes over his holding, and eventually faces off with Micah. Arthur is then killed or left to die from his wounds, having been betrayed by his father figure but managing to at to the lowest degree help his blood brother figure escape.

1907 - Red Dead Redemption 2's Epilogue

John Builds A New Life

Red Dead Redemption ii's epilogue picks up viii years afterward the death of Arthur Morgan and the dissolution of the Van der Linde gang, with players taking over John Marston as he works to build a new life for his family. Through a string of events, John gets a job working for David Geddes at Pronghorn Ranch. Situations are still tense for him and his family, and their quondam life proves harder for John to escape than they'd hope. When the Laramie Gang attacks the ranch and steals some cattle, John reverts to his gunslinging ways, causing Abigail to take Jack and get out.

To bear witness to Abigail he can alter, John, with the assistance of Geddes, buys a plot of land in Beecher's Hope to build into his own ranch. John reunites with former gangmates Uncle and Charles, who help him with the building, and he besides reconnects with Sadie in Valentine, who gives him the ironic piece of work of existence a compensation hunter to help fund the project. Things are looking up for John when he gets engaged to Abigail and spends more time with his family, but he eventually finds details about Micah Bell'south whereabouts through his bounty hunting work.

Refusing to go dorsum on their vow to kill Micah for his betrayal, John, Sadie, and Charles head out to hunt him down, despite Abigail's pleas. To discover Micah, they abduct one of his gang members, whom they execute after he gives them Micah'south location. The three fight their style through Micah'south henchmen, refusing to allow anything cease their quest for justice and blurring the line betwixt redemption and revenge.

John and Sadie finally seem to have the upper hand on Micah until Dutch appears with his pistols fatigued, allowing Micah to subdue Sadie. Dutch tries to convince them that John betrayed him and the gang, merely he falls silent as the state of affairs plays out. John goes dorsum and forth between Micah to save Sadie and himself, finally demanding Dutch say something. Dutch replies simply that he has no more words to say, and Dutch shoots Micah in the breast. He walks out of the camp, leaving all the money from the Blackwater mission for John, Sadie, and Charles, equally he no longer cares near it.

1911 - Carmine Dead Redemption'southward Main Story

New Beginnings In New Austin

The originalRed Dead Redemptiontakes place 4 years later on the conclusion of the sequel. John Marston is once again pulled back into the life he had worked and so desperately to escape, as his actions against Micah lead the Bureau of Investigation right to him. The new leader of the Bureau, Edgar Ross, abducts John'due south family to force him into hunting downwards his old gang members Bill and Dutch, who take new gangs of their ain. The scene opens on Blackwater, of all places, which has grown considerably as the frontier continues to be urbanized.

John meets upwards with a guide provided by the local Marshal, who tells him Nib Williamson and his gang are held up in Fort Mercer in New Austin. Beak is not thrilled to run across his old gang member, having sided with Dutch against John and Arthur, and refuses to surrender. Earlier John can depict his gun, he's quickly shot past ane of Bill'south men. He eventually passes out on the side of the road and is establish past the Bonnie MacFarlane. She goes out of her way to have care of John, fifty-fifty paying for his medical handling - an act John repays by helping out at her family's ranch.

John gets a brief respite there, a calm reminder of the life waiting for him should he always finish this human action for Ross. He'south soon pulled back into RDR's grim reality when Pecker sends his men to burn downwards the ranch. After helping salvage the animals and putting out the burn down, John works with Marshal Leigh Johnson on several jobs in preparation to go afterwards Nib withal again. John and the Marshal arts and crafts a sly programme to use a snake oil salesman as a comprehend to sneak into the fort. The programme works smoothly enough, but afterward, they learn Bill has already fled across the edge to rejoin with another of John'due south erstwhile posse, Javier Escuella.

Once Upon A Fourth dimension In Nuevo Paraiso

As soon as he crosses into Mexico, John is introduced to Colonel Allende and Captain de Santa, local government leaders embroiled in a ceremonious state of war with rebel forces. The 2 strike a deal with John that, if he aids their cause, they volition requite him data on Bill and Javier. While working for the armed services, John comes across Landon Ricketts, a famous gunslinger turned vigilante who stands opposed to the militant regime. John actively aids both sides to accomplish his own personal goal, much every bit was seen in his, Arthur's, and Dutch's decisions throughoutRDR2.

Assisting Ricketts eventually leads John to gratis Abraham Reyes, the leader of the rebel forces, from government capture. They begin helping in the rebel effort more earnestly, seeing the locals' oppression under the current dictator. Still, it becomes evident that, while Reyes' crusade is noble, he is but some other flawed leader, not dissimilar Dutch and many others in theRed Dead Redemptionseries.

John'southward efforts to play both sides ultimately causes Colonel Allende to turn on him and try to execute him. Reyes saves John'south life, and the two play on each other'due south motivations and piece of work together to take the fortress of El Presidio. In that location, John is finally able to confront Javier, who was being protected by the government all along, and Reyes gets a resounding victory in his march to accept over the state. With Javier captured or killed, John presses forward with Reyes to Allende'due south villa, where his truthful target, Pecker Williamson, resides. Once the gun smoke is finally cleared and Nib is no longer an upshot, John has simply i task left in his quest for freedom.

Like Father, Like Son

Back in the American country of West Elizabeth, John is congratulated for his work with Bill and Javier. Still, Edgar Ross swiftly reminds him that Dutch must be dealt with if John wants to see his family unit again. John, Ross, and diverse other Bureau agents fight through several encounters throughout the region, enlisting help from anyone they can. Finally, John and the Agency, forth with the U.S. Army, manage to corner Dutch at his gang'south hideouts. Later an intense shootout, Dutch finally appears, revealing a disheveled and delusional shell of his former self - a grim omen for any who would chase such a lifestyle in Scarlet Dead'southward dying frontier.

Ultimately, John corners Dutch on a cliffside. Ever one to have the last give-and-take, Dutch gives a harrowing spoken communication, finally owning the fact that people like him - and John, for that thing - cannot fight the change coming to their world. Nonetheless, he also says he tin't fight who he is, even though his brand of liberty is no longer a viable way of life. Dutch ominously warns John that, after he is gone, the powers that be will but come up looking for some other monster. Finally, he steps on the cliff and falls to his death, accepting his fate on his ain terms.

Ross may exist manipulative and kleptomaniacal, just he holds to his discussion, allowing John and his family unit (and even Uncle) to reunite dorsum at Beecher's Hope in one case and for all. John takes Jack to MacFarlane Ranch to meet Bonnie and purchase the head of cattle he was promised at the beginning of the game. After everything he's endured, John Marston finally gets to settle downwardly and live the honest life of a rancher. Dutch's parting words, yet, were an inescapable truth; despite all the work Arthur and John did to end their old gang, there is still one remaining member of the infamous Van der Lindes: John himself.

Ross shows upwards at the ranch with a small army of agents and soldiers, surrounding John and his family. They try to defend themselves but are outgunned, and Uncle is murdered in the initial skirmish. John leads Abigail and Jack to the barn, where he insists they flee as he holds off the attackers. With his family making their escape, John knows there is only i mode to ensure their safety. Accepting his fate, just as Arthur had before him, John exits the barn to brand his terminal stand confronting the agents. When the gun finally falls from John'due south fingers, Ross lights a cigar in celebration at a job well done. Afterward, Abigail and Jack return to bury John and Uncle, overlooking the ranch John never truly got to enjoy.

1914 - Red Dead Redemption's Epilogue

Jack Marston'southward Redemption

Three years later John'south expiry, Abigail dies also, leaving a now-19-year-old Jack Marston alone. Jack is well on the way to being a gunslinger in his own right, though, and with his mother gone, he sets off to bring justice to the man who destroyed his family. UnlikeRDR2'due south epilogue, Jack's terminal quest is neat and curtailed. He heads to Blackwater and hands learns Ross is now living a happy, retired life on Lake Don Julio in the deep south of New Austin.

Jack makes his way to the Lake and finds the retired agent'due south home. He is greeted rather bitterly by Ross' wife, Emily, who is frustrated that the Bureau is apparently continues to bother him his retirement. She directs Jack to where Ross camps down by the river, and Jack finally comes face to face with his father's murderer. To Jack's infuriation, Ross completely brushes him off, saying John's expiry was his ain fault and acting unbothered by Jack's threats to impale him. But Jack persists, Ross accepts the duel, and Jack puts him to a swift finish.

The moment Ross is expressionless, Jack looks down at his revolver, likely reflecting on the central questions of Red Dead Redemption 2 and Ruddy Dead Redemption : whether redemption exists for the dying breed of the outlaws, and whether this is the way to get it.

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About The Author

Rion Duncan (79 Articles Published)

Rion Duncan is a science-fiction author and avid gamer. After spending his youth in marketing he finally returned to his commencement love of imaginary worlds and fantastical characters. When non working on his book series Idonia or recording episodes for his Eclectic Podcast, he spends fourth dimension doing his favorite action; playing with his two-year one-time daughter.

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