Summary
Though it hasn’t been confirmed in any official capacity, aRed Dead Redemption 3feels like an inevitability at this point. While the firstRed Dead Redemptionwas a major sales hit with over 20 million copies sold in its lifetime,Red Dead Redemption 2took the franchise to all-new heights, shipping an eye-watering total of 61 million units as of February 2024. With numbers like that, a sequel seems like only a matter of time, but a potentialRed Dead Redemption 3has a lot of big decisions ahead of itself.
Unlikely to be announced, let alone released until long after thePlayStation 5 and Xbox Series Xhave reached the end of their life cycle,Red Dead Redemption 3is probably a good few years out, and in that time, some big choices need to be made, not just regarding the sequel’s setting and gameplay, but its choice of protagonist and main cast of characters. WhileRed Dead Redemption 3might want to stick to what it knows, it might actually be easier to wipe the slate clean completely and start again.
Generally speaking, the main narrative of the firstRed Dead Redemptionis fairly simple. In order to secure his family’s safety, ex-outlaw John Marston must hunt down his former fellow Van der Linde gang members one by one. Obviously,Red Dead Redemption’s plotgets more complex the further players get into it, introducing some strong political themes and plenty of side stories embroiled in real-world history. John’s own personal history is also slowly revealed over the course of the game, and even then, much of his backstory is left quite vague.
A prequel to John Marston’s story,Red Dead Redemption 2sheds plenty of light onthe Van der Linde gang’s originsand inevitable downfall, but in the process weaves its own intricate tale filled with even more complex characters and even more illustrious backstories. But while there’s a lot more of it in the sequel,Red Dead Redemption 2’s complex story never feels too overwhelming for most players, with everything being delivered gradually throughout the game’s lengthy 60-hour runtime.
With all that in mind, it might be easier for Rockstar to just again withRed Dead Redemption 3, though this decision would come with its fair share of both upsides and downsides. On one hand, it might feel a little strange to haveaRed Dead Redemptiongame that doesn’t feature the Van der Linde gangin a core role and doesn’t put players in the boots of one of its main members.
It would also be a huge shame to see all of those now-beloved characters and stories leave the franchise, potentially making it feel as though Rockstar’s hard work to flesh them all out inRed Dead 2has gone to waste.
But on the other hand, starting fresh would give Rockstar complete control over where it takes the series next. Tying the third installment to the Van der Linde gang once again would restrict its setting and characters quite a bit, but with an all-new cast of characters,Red Dead Redemption 3can thrive in its own ecosphere, with its own unique setting, and its own set of unique themes. WhilebothRed Deadgamesfeature some of the best narratives in gaming, a change of pace would probably be very welcome for its potential third entry.
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 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.
