Summary
Highlights
The creator embarks on a journey to beat Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) exactly as Rockstar intended, including the story, rare horse wrangling, legendary animal hunting, fishing, challenges, robberies, and uncovering secrets. Having never played a Rockstar game before, the creator approaches RDR2 with a fresh perspective, guided by a detailed game book. This approach leads to 100% completion in about 180 hours, revealing a game that surpassed high expectations and emotionally resonated deeply, unlike his previous experience with Skyrim.
Rockstar's intention for RDR2 is to not rush, but to indulge in the open world, explore, and observe its beauty. The guide emphasizes engaging with camp members, every encounter, and following a specific mission flow to avoid missing key moments. The core theme of the game, and Rockstar's intended way to play, revolves around honor. High honor is subtly encouraged through character arcs, mission availability, dialogue, and ultimately, the best ending. The creator finds that playing honorably is about embracing Arthur Morgan's true identity, learning kindness and selflessness, and mitigating suffering. The video details early gameplay mistakes, such as accidentally killing an NPC or trampling a dog, and the challenges of managing clothing, weight, and horse care in the detailed game world. The narrative begins in a harsh snowstorm, followed by moral choices like sparing enemies, even before the honor system is fully introduced, highlighting the ethical dilemmas presented.
The Vanderlin gang struggles for survival, marking Arthur Morgan's character arc toward freedom from endless murder. Early missions involve choices like sparing a gang member or aiding a stranger, which the guide subtly suggests for gaining honor. The first chapter serves as a tutorial, introducing key characters like John Marston and Lenny. Upon exploring the full open world, the creator engages with camp life, hunting, and various encounters. The game's appeal lies in its realistic survival elements, creating immersion. Arthur's early arc involves both honorable acts and moments of 'mischief,' such as robbing a prospector, justified by the gang's needs. The camp becomes a hub of immersion, with nuanced discussions and characters like Micah, whose nihilism hints at future betrayals. The guide meticulously outlines mission progression, offering insights into the world. Random encounters, like two men fighting over a wife, and later saving a woman from a fallen horse, illustrate the duality of Arthur's early actions.
Chapter 3 introduces new environments and the strategy of blending in as good citizens while committing bad deeds. Conversations with camp members, particularly Tilly, serve as therapeutic sessions for Arthur, allowing him to grapple with his violent life. The gang's pursuit of money leads to traps, highlighting the declining viability of outlaw life. Encounters with delusional ex-Confederates and successful, yet morally ambiguous, bank robberies in Valentine push Arthur towards a moral crisis. A pivotal moment occurs when Arthur confronts the Downs family, revealing a cruel side that leads to deep self-reflection. Arthur's suffering and realization of Dutch's true nature begin after being betrayed and captured by Colm, where he starts seeing visions reflecting his honor level. The gang faces further tragedies, including Sean's death and Jack's abduction, leading to violent confrontations with rival families.
The gang's move to Saint Denis and a decrepit manor mirrors their deteriorating state. Here, Arthur encounters Sister Calderón, a pivotal character who helps him see his own goodness, especially if optional missions to help her are completed. This period marks Arthur's growing understanding of the consequences of his actions and a turning point in his character. His relationship with Mary Linton further highlights his internal conflict between his outlaw life and a more peaceful existence. A disastrous bank robbery leads to the deaths of Hosea and Lenny, and the gang's forced escape to the island of Guarma. This chapter, while visually different, showcases Dutch's escalating impulsiveness and questionable decisions, culminating in Arthur's first major cough, foreshadowing his tuberculosis diagnosis. Returning from Guarma, Arthur is diagnosed with tuberculosis, a death sentence. This realization prompts his true redemption arc, symbolized by visions of a deer. He actively seeks to atone for his past, helping Mrs. Downs and other desperate individuals, often giving money without seeking forgiveness. This chapter is rich with meaningful interactions and optional missions that deepen Arthur's character, guiding him towards selflessness and compassion, ultimately leading to his poignant final encounter with Sister Calderón.
As the story crescendos, Dutch's leadership deteriorates, leading to conflicts and further betrayal. Arthur, despite his declining health, makes sacrifices, including rescuing Eagle Flies and helping Sadie get revenge, solidifying his role as a compassionate figure. The ultimate betrayal by Micah is revealed, testing Arthur's loyalty to Dutch. In the game's climax, Arthur learns of Micah's treachery, leading to a confrontation that pits Arthur and John against Dutch and Micah. With Pinkertons closing in, Arthur makes the ultimate selfless choice to help John escape, sacrificing himself for his friend and his family. The moment of redemption is poignant, with Arthur dying peacefully as the sun rises, having chosen to do good. The creator expresses significant emotional attachment to Arthur's story and its profound ending.
The game transitions to an unexpected epilogue, with John Marston attempting to build an honorable life with his family years after Arthur's death. John embodies Arthur's teachings, working tirelessly to establish a ranch and win back Abigail's trust. Honor-based choices, such as negotiating with squatters instead of resorting to violence, reflect his changed character. With the help of Sadie, Uncle, and Charles, John builds his ranch. The family is reunited, and John and Abigail marry. However, the past catches up to them when John, Sadie, and Charles hunt down Micah for revenge. During a climactic standoff, Dutch reappears, shoots Micah, and leaves, marking the end of the outlaw life for John. The game concludes with John and his family enjoying their freedom and riches, while Agent Ross begins his investigation, setting the stage for the original Red Dead Redemption.
After completing the main story, the player is at 84% completion, with many hours of content remaining. The game guide serves as a roadmap for achieving 100%, including hunting all legendary animals (which required completing Master Hunter challenges), catching all legendary fish, and tackling various other challenges. The 'Banner Challenges,' focused on banditry, are explored as a way to engage with the game's darker elements after the main story moral arc. 'Explorer Challenges' involve treasure hunts, highlighting the game's immersive world. 'Gambler Challenges' illustrate the detrimental nature of gambling, while 'Herbalist Challenges' foster a connection with nature. 'Horsemen Challenges' offer unique riding experiences, and 'Sharpshooter' and 'Weapons Expert' challenges test combat skills. The player's dedication to these tasks emphasizes the sheer depth and replayability of the game, even after the main narrative concludes.
The player completes all remaining robberies, including hidden shop and home robberies, which further reveal unique storylines. Bounty hunting missions offer more adventurous fun and moral dilemmas. Numerous stranger missions are completed, involving intriguing characters and bizarre scientific experiments, murder mysteries, and time travel. Gunslinger missions provide straightforward combat challenges. The collection of cigarette cards and exotic items involves extensive searching and often tedious grinding, yet reveals new areas and unique events. The discovery of dinosaur bones, rock carvings, and hunting requests showcases the game's vast environmental storytelling and the impact it had on the player's real-world perception of nature. Unique special character encounters, from literal ghosts to bizarre hermits and an elusive giant, add to the game's mystique. These encounters, often involving chaotic fights and moral ambiguities, are best experienced after the main story. The player also finds various hidden weapons, masks, and points of interest, further emphasizing the game's incredible detail and scope, including UFOs, meteor strikes, and ancient artifacts. Finally, the player visits the graves of deceased gang members, culminating in Arthur Morgan's grave, which marks 100% completion.
The video concludes with a brief summary of the original Red Dead Redemption, played immediately after RDR2. The creator notes surprising similarities in gameplay mechanics despite its age. The narrative continues John Marston's story after the events of RDR2, detailing his forced hunt for former gang members by the government. John's character development, driven by his love for his family, is highlighted. The game's dark and cruel world, particularly towards women, is observed. The eventual capture of Javier, Bill, and Dutch leads to Dutch's tragic death, revealing his internal paradox. John finally reunites with his family, becoming a rancher and rejecting his outlaw past. However, the government betrays him, leading to his own death, a profoundly sad and impactful moment for the creator. The video concludes by emphasizing RDR2's ability to change perspectives, foster compassion, and provide valuable life lessons through Arthur Morgan and John Marston's journeys.