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Does RDR2 actually have a story?

Meus Renaissance

Meus Renaissance

Member
Oct 28, 2017
3,074
The original with John Marton immediately set a context for a redemption arc to which you, the player, could understand and sympathise with. The exploration of the vast map continuously added to that specific story. It was so emotive that there were even music videos (using the original score, Deadman's Gun) created on YouTube to retell John's journey.

Several hours into RDR2, I don't know wtf I'm doing.

I am being redirected from one-end to the map to the other, dealing with what feels like sidequests. Arthur, Dutch and the Crew are trying to restart their lives? Why should I be invested in this wide array of figures that interact with you so sparsely, yet you're meant to be so invested in. This focus on a gang completely divorces the player from being emotionally attached to any kind of narrative. It's so egregiously boring and tedious that I sometimes just boot the game up to hunt animals.

Please tell me this gets better.
 
AllChan7

AllChan7

Tries to be a positive role model
Member
Apr 30, 2019
3,670
Just because you aren't enjoying the story doesn't mean RDR2 doesn't have one...

Also spending time with the gang and interacting with them during missions and side quests is all a part of getting to know them and develop an attachment to them and see what type of man Arthur is and will become.
 
Kingdizzi

Kingdizzi

Banned
Aug 11, 2019
745
The story is the only reason to play RDR2, it's a very long game but the pay off is good.

It's the gameplay and mission structure that will get in the way of you finishing the game.
 
Theorry

Theorry

Member
Oct 27, 2017
60,964
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Shelbyville Milhouse

Shelbyville Milhouse

Member
Oct 25, 2017
22,378
I mean, the whole game is being about your relationship with the gang and Arthur as a character.
If you are looking for a simple "Oh no, the bad guy did bad thing! Revenge!" plot, I don't think you'll be happy.
 

lucablight

Member
Oct 27, 2017
2,548
RDR2 has a superior story to the first game. You should play it some more to make an informed judgment yourself rather than ask this question of such a long game after a few hours.
 

Deleted member 2102

User requested account closure
Banned
Oct 25, 2017
692
If you're asking why you should be invested in the characters, you're probably not that open to the game right now.
 
Sketchsanchez

Sketchsanchez

Attempted to circumvent ban with alt account
Banned
Oct 25, 2017
2,702
and just to parrot on what people have said here, it makes the story of RDR 1 that much richer.
 
ElephantShell

ElephantShell

10,000,000
Member
Oct 25, 2017
9,909
RDR2 has a lot of story threads throughout it, some of them are really good, but I found what the game was trying to present as the "main story" to become tiring. You will come across some good stuff though.
 
dreamfall

dreamfall

Member
Oct 25, 2017
5,937
Dutch keeps promising TAHITI! One of the best stories in the medium ever, also makes the story of Marston from the first Redemption that much stronger. Phenomenal game!
 
GMM

GMM

Member
Oct 27, 2017
5,480
I'm afraid you should play the game before commenting on how phenomenal the story in that game is.
 
AllChan7

AllChan7

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Member
Apr 30, 2019
3,670
The story is probably my favorite of the gen and I'd go far as to say Arthur Morgan completely steals the spotlight from John which I didn't expect. Its easily Rockstar's best writing. I highly suggest you do the Strangers missions as there's some great story content there.
 
Datajoy

Datajoy

use of an alt account
Banned
Oct 27, 2017
12,081
Angola / Zaire border region.
Your question is like running into the goomba once in 1-1 and asking Does Mario Even Have Jumping? RDR2 tells the best story I've ever seen in a game. Its absolutely elevates the medium.
 
Mifune

Mifune

Member
Oct 30, 2017
1,044
It's a slow burn but I think if you stick with it you will grow to care about the characters.
 
Aurora

Aurora

Member
Jul 22, 2018
1,364
Lemuria
If you enjoyed RDR1's story I'd say it's worth sticking around for RDR2's story to see how it all plays out.
 
Crossing Eden

Crossing Eden

Member
Oct 26, 2017
53,285
Red Dead Redemption 2 has one of the most well told and well written stories in gaming. There is so much characterization behind each of the gang members that it's straight up impossible to see all of it in one playthrough because the interactions and such, all wonderfully acted, occur at random but are ALWAYS related to the whichever part of the story your'e in.
 
Grue

Grue

Member
Sep 7, 2018
4,871
Meus Renaissance said:
Arthur, Dutch and the Crew are trying to restart their lives?
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Bingo.

Meus Renaissance said:
Why should I be invested in this wide array of figures that interact with you so sparsely, yet you're meant to be so invested in. This focus on a gang completely divorces the player from being emotionally attached to any kind of narrative.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Interactions with the gang are the things which stay with me the most, and which most made me feel the game was operating on a different level to its peers.

Meus Renaissance said:
It's so egregiously boring and tedious that I sometimes just boot the game up to hunt animals.
Click to expand...
Click to shrink...

Well, that might be your issue - pacing and gameplay, not story.

I didn't find it myself but from everything I've read and watched, those who couldn't get on with the game found no joy in the 'simulation' side of things. I can understand that. To me however it added up to immersion.

If you're not feeling like every morning, you should get your cup of coffee, have a chat, have a shave, have a chat, then think about what you want to do - then yeah I can see why the game might not be for you.

I don't think it'll be lack of story driving you away, though.
 
nib95

nib95

Contains No Misinformation on Philly Cheesesteaks
Banned
Oct 28, 2017
18,498
I feel like we're getting a higher volume of strange or baffling threads on Era lately lol.

And yes it does OP, a fantastic one.
 
BoxManLocke

BoxManLocke

Member
Oct 25, 2017
4,158
France
Where are you in the game exactly ?

The game really takes its time to set up its atmosphere and present the characters, which is a good thing. But from what you've said it's hard to say if it will get better for you or if it's already too late.
 
Hero of Winds

Hero of Winds

Member
Oct 28, 2017
882
Stick with it, OP. It gets much better. RDR2 does have a slow start, but the point of those early chapters is to get you invested in the characters and the relationships they have with one another. As others have already said, it pretty much shits on the first game's story.
 
Bansai

Bansai

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Member
Oct 28, 2017
11,199
*spoilerish*

It's a great story about a band of outlaws that is falling apart and about a man who is coming to terms with own mortality whilst reflecting on their life.

So I completely disagree.
 
Salmonax

Salmonax

Member
Oct 27, 2017
2,088
This is like watching the first 30 minutes of Boogie Nights and concluding the movie is just a random bunch of people partying and making porn movies.

Of course, you may still not ultimately love it, but it's like a 60 hour game that starts more like a day-in-the-life of the gang to set the stage and contrast what's to come.
 
DanteSparda504

DanteSparda504

Member
Nov 2, 2017
4,461
Birmingham, AL
It's a slow burn, but by the end of it you'll be in love. It's so much better than RDR1s story. I didn't think I wanted to play a prequel or that they could top John Marston, but I giggle to myself now because of how well done Arthur and his story was.

The basic story is all about Dutchs gang, and what ended up splitting it up.
 
Crossing Eden

Crossing Eden

Member
Oct 26, 2017
53,285
At some point in development it was decided that literally every gang interaction should essentially have custom cutscene level animations that play out regardless of how close the player is. And that on top of that, each one has extra dialogue acknowledging that the player was standing nearby.



Arguably, there are very few games as meticulous with their story as RDR2. Like it's straight up at the expense of the player's agency lmao.
 
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