Does RDR2 Take Place Before RDR1?
The question of whether Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) takes place before Red Dead Redemption (RDR1) has been a topic of much debate among fans and critics alike. While Rockstar Games has not explicitly stated the chronological order of the two games, there are several clues and in-game references that suggest RDR2 may indeed occur before RDR1.
In RDR1, the player takes on the role of John Marston, a former outlaw who is forced to work for the government to capture his former gang members. The game is set in the late 1800s, and the narrative follows John’s struggle to atone for his past while dealing with the harsh realities of the Wild West. RDR2, on the other hand, follows Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang, as they navigate the same era, but from a different perspective.
One of the most compelling pieces of evidence suggesting that RDR2 takes place before RDR1 is the character of John Marston himself. In RDR2, John Marston is mentioned as a legendary figure whose legend has reached the ears of Arthur Morgan and his gang. This implies that John’s story, which is the central narrative of RDR1, has already occurred and is well-known among the outlaws of the time.
Additionally, there are several in-game references to historical events that seem to support the theory that RDR2 takes place before RDR1. For example, the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre is mentioned in RDR2, which occurred after the events of RDR1. This suggests that the game is set in a time period that comes after the events of the first game.
Moreover, the gameplay and setting of RDR2 also seem to indicate that it takes place before RDR1. The game features a more detailed and expansive open world, with a greater emphasis on exploration and character development. The narrative of RDR2 also focuses on the rise and fall of the Van der Linde gang, which seems to parallel the rise and fall of John Marston’s gang in RDR1.
In conclusion, while there is no definitive answer from Rockstar Games regarding the chronological order of RDR2 and RDR1, the evidence and in-game references strongly suggest that RDR2 takes place before RDR1. This interpretation allows for a deeper understanding of the history and evolution of the Red Dead universe, and it provides fans with a more comprehensive view of the Wild West era.
