Uncovering the Untold Truth: Will Red Dead Redemption Ever Confront the Elephant in the Room?

Highlights

Fans of Red Dead Redemption were left disappointed by the release of the port, as it failed to resolve the story inconsistencies found in the sequel. The absence of major characters such as Arthur Morgan was a particular letdown.

Rumors about a Red Dead Redemption remake were probably due to misunderstandings surrounding the port project, potentially influenced by the negative response to Grand Theft Auto Trilogy: The Definitive Edition.

If a remake were to occur, it could have addressed the inconsistent story by incorporating characters from the prequel into the first game. However, with the recent release of the port, it appears highly improbable that a remake will take place in the near future.

Earlier this summer, Rockstar Games made an announcement regarding a new Red Dead Redemption project. However, to the disappointment of fans, it was not the news they had been eagerly awaiting. Instead of a long-awaited remake or remaster, the developer revealed that they would be releasing a port of the original game with no additional content. Regrettably, this means that the franchise is unlikely to ever fully resolve the significant inconsistencies that exist within its storyline.

In 2018, Red Dead Redemption 2 was launched globally, both in physical stores and digital platforms. Serving as a prequel to the first installment, the game delved into the events surrounding the Van der Linde gang and John Marston's reasons for leaving. Unfortunately, this resulted in certain plot discrepancies with the original Red Dead Redemption, as noteworthy characters like Arthur Morgan were never mentioned. As it stands, it seems that these inconsistencies will remain unaddressed by the franchise.

The Remake Rumors of Red Dead Redemption and the Response to the Port

There have been rumors circulating since 2021 about a possible remake or remaster of Red Dead Redemption. These rumors persisted until the summer of 2023. While it remains unconfirmed if a remake was seriously considered, it is likely that recent rumors were misunderstood as a port project. Speculation suggests that the remake or remaster may have been canceled due to the negative reception of Grand Theft Auto Trilogy: The Definitive Edition. It is also possible that the developer wanted to allocate more resources to the development of Grand Theft Auto 6.

Regardless of the developer's reasons, fans reacted unfavorably to the news of the port. The trailer for the Red Dead Redemption port received a significant number of dislikes due to the absence of new content and the pricing. The game only includes the base game and the Undead Nightmare DLC, without a release planned for PC, which has long been anticipated by fans. Additionally, this news seemingly dashed any hope for a future remake that could address certain story issues.

How a Remake Could Have Fixed Red Dead Redemption's Inconsistent Story

The story in Red Dead Redemption is incredible, but it can be difficult to return to the game after playing its prequel. This is mainly because very little of what happens in the second game is referenced in the first. Characters like Sadie Adler, Charles Smith, and Micah Bell are never mentioned in the first game.

Interestingly, despite his significant impact on the events, Arthur Morgan is not mentioned at all throughout the runtime of the game. He saves John's life multiple times and even gives him the ring that he uses to propose to Abigail. However, in the first game, it's as if Arthur never existed. These issues could potentially be addressed through a complete remake or remaster.

A remake wouldn't necessarily have to include full cutscenes dedicated to Arthur Morgan, but it could have integrated a few that mention him in some way. Either Dutch or John could casually bring up Arthur and what happened in the end of the second game, without heavily impacting the plot. This would help maintain consistency in the story and prevent the feeling that certain elements were completely removed.

The rumors of a remake for Red Dead Redemption will likely be put to rest with the release of the game's port. Unfortunately, the timing of the release might not be ideal, as it will be sandwiched between other major releases and may attract some controversy. This also means that the lingering questions and unresolved plot points in the franchise will probably never be addressed, disappointing fans worldwide.

Red Dead Redemption is available now for PS3, PS4, Switch and Xbox 360.