The Shocking Transformation of Dutch: Unveiling the Dark Side of the O'Driscoll Gang in Red Dead Redemption 2

Highlights

Dutch van der Linde's character arc in Red Dead Redemption 2 showcases a gradual moral decline, as he becomes more willing to harm innocents and abandon his crew.

As Dutch's rivalry with Colm O'Driscoll unfolds, it becomes apparent that Dutch starts adopting a ruthless and merciless demeanor akin to O'Driscoll's.

The character development of Dutch in Red Dead Redemption illustrates his descent into embodying everything he previously detested. He starts recruiting expendable soldiers and ruthlessly eliminates anyone standing in his path.

Red Dead Redemption 2 received widespread acclaim upon its release, captivating both gamers and critics alike. Despite facing some criticism, it quickly became one of the top-selling games in history. The game's captivating story, with its intricate plot and complex characters, solidified it as Rockstar Games' best creation to date. Dutch van der Linde played a crucial role in making the story compelling.

Dutch is a prominent figure throughout the Red Dead Redemption series. Initially portrayed as one of the main antagonists in the original game, he transitions into a supporting character in Red Dead Redemption 2. This installment offers players a deeper understanding of Dutch's character and dives into the unfortunate events that led to his downfall alongside his gang. Remarkably, Dutch ironically evolves into the kind of person he despised, resembling his rival, Colm O'Driscoll, as the story progresses in both games.

Dutch's Gradual Moral Decline in Red Dead Redemption 2

At the outset of Red Dead Redemption 2, the Van der Linde Gang exudes a somewhat noble outlaw aura. Despite their inherently immoral nature, they appear virtuous when juxtaposed against their counterparts, the O'Driscoll Boys.

In the early stages of the game, Dutch emphasizes the superiority of his gang over the O'Driscoll Boys. He specifically highlights Colm O'Driscoll, the rival gang's leader, who indiscriminately recruits any passing stranger. Conversely, the Van der Linde Gang consists of a tight-knit group of experienced criminals who prioritize reliability and professionalism. Moreover, Dutch and his associates make a conscious effort to spare the innocent, especially women, a principle their rivals show no regard for.

Dutch's decline in morals throughout Red Dead Redemption 2 is not as drastic as O'Driscoll's in the prequel, but the parallels do become apparent later in the game. He starts to see his team as expendable and becomes more inclined to abandon them to their own fates. Shockingly, Dutch even resorts to cold-bloodedly killing women for specific reasons, which surprises those who have known him for a long time. Furthermore, he introduces two new individuals to the gang who are largely unknown to everyone except Micah Bell; these new recruits bear a striking resemblance to the type of ruthless outlaw that O'Driscoll would enlist.

How Dutch was Everything He Hated In Red Dead Redemption

Upon meeting Dutch in the original Red Dead Redemption, players find him a mere semblance of his former self. The specific events that transpired between the two games remain shrouded in ambiguity. Nevertheless, Dutch exhibits a complete disregard for morality, unhesitatingly striking down innocent individuals whenever it aligns with his motives. In their initial encounter, he callously terminates the life of an unsuspecting woman with a precise shot to the head, solely to impede John Marston's progress.

Moreover, Dutch no longer commands a loyal, dedicated crew. Instead, he leads a force of unidentified enemy NPCs, whom he likely has little knowledge of and sees as expendable. In this aspect, Dutch van der Linde transformed into everything he despised about O'Driscoll. Specifically, the once revered leader of the Van der Linde Gang turned into the type of outlaw who would recruit anyone off the streets who could wield a firearm and ruthlessly eliminate anyone who stood in his way, regardless of age or gender.

The narrative of Red Dead Redemption 2 remains compelling largely due to this character and his personal journey. Some individuals have even proposed that Dutch should be the central figure in Red Dead Redemption 3, allowing for an exploration of his youth and his rivalry with Colm O'Driscoll. Regardless of the direction it takes, the character's ultimate fate sees him descending to the level of his long-standing adversary.

Red Dead Redemption 2 is available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.