Revolutionizing Red Dead Redemption 3: Breaking the Mold of Tradition

Highlights

Red Dead Redemption 3 could break tradition by giving fans a protagonist with a more uplifting end to their character arc, let alone a protagonist who does not die by the end.

The deaths of John Marston and Arthur Morgan added gravitas and enhanced the memorability of their narratives, but it might not align with the themes of RDR3 to have the next protagonist meet a similar fate.

By making Jack Marston the central character in RDR3, the franchise could delve into a dynamically evolving world while highlighting the significant redemption journeys of all three characters.

With the franchise's overall success, it's no surprise that there is a significant amount of fan-driven discussion surrounding the unconfirmed Red Dead Redemption 3. The potential for exploring various narratives, settings, and characters gives the title the opportunity to establish its own unique identity while paying homage to its predecessors.

To truly make an impact against Red Dead Redemption 2, it is evident that Red Dead Redemption 3 would need to take daring steps. This could include breaking the long-standing tradition of the past two games, where the protagonists met tragic and brutal fates. By deviating from this cycle, the third installment could provide fans with a satisfying redemption they've been longing for.

Red Dead Redemption 3: Breaking the Protagonist Cycle

The Red Dead franchise is known for its captivating environments and atmosphere, but it is the characters that truly drive the games. Characters like John Marston and Arthur Morgan have become beloved and complex figures in the gaming industry, with their stories evoking both endearment and tragedy.

The lives of John and Arthur were remarkably similar, even in their untimely ends. John Marston's shocking demise through a deceitful betrayal in Red Dead Redemption is well-known, while players witnessed Arthur Morgan's gradual decline from tuberculosis in the events of Red Dead Redemption 2. These dramatic endings leave a lasting impact, forcing players to reflect on the consequences of the game's narratives and the lasting effects on the characters.

While the deaths of John and Arthur aligned perfectly with the Red Dead themes of the dying Old West, it is time for the franchise to offer a more uplifting conclusion to the next protagonist's character arc. If the main character in Red Dead 3 were to meet the same fate as John and Arthur, it would result in predictable endings, which may not align well with the themes expected to be explored in RDR3.

Many have assumed that for the story and setting of Red Dead Redemption 3 to be fresh, it should focus on the future rather than the past, as the end of the Wild West has already been thoroughly explored. The franchise can explore this avenue by featuring Jack Marston as the primary protagonist, narrating his journey after seeking vengeance for his father while grappling with a rapidly changing world and the aftermath of his troubled childhood.

Unfortunately, this change in setting would result in the loss of the cowboy-focused elements that made the previous games unique. However, it could provide an opportunity to delve into themes such as the First World War and the emergence of a new kind of "outlaw" gangsters in the 1920s. Killing Jack off towards the end of this new game would be a significant misstep, considering the sacrifices that John and Arthur made to ensure a better life for him. Jack serves as living proof that the actions of the past protagonists in RDR were not in vain, and his survival in a potential Red Dead Redemption 3 could serve as the most impactful way to depict a meaningful redemption for all three characters.