Should You Play Red Dead Redemption 2 Twice? A Deep Dive

Absolutely, you should play Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2) again. The sheer depth and breadth of the game warrant multiple playthroughs. It’s not just about re-experiencing a great story; it’s about unlocking the potential of a vast, interactive world designed for exploration and replayability. While a single playthrough is a considerable time investment, going through it a second time offers a profoundly different experience, allowing you to delve into aspects you might have missed the first time, make contrasting choices, and uncover hidden nuances.

The Case for a Second Journey into the Wild West

Red Dead Redemption 2 is not a linear experience. It’s a living, breathing world with numerous paths and choices that significantly alter the gameplay. Here’s why a second playthrough is not just desirable, but highly recommended:

A Different Moral Compass

One of the most significant aspects of RDR2 is its honor system. Your actions, big and small, directly impact Arthur Morgan’s honor rating, which then influences the story, interactions, and even the ending. On a first playthrough, you might have naturally gravitated towards either high or low honor. A second playthrough gives you the chance to explore the opposite end of the spectrum.

• High Honor: Experience Arthur as a compassionate, selfless character who helps others and protects his gang. This playstyle often results in discounts at stores, more honorable loot and a different tone in interactions.
• Low Honor: Embrace Arthur’s darker side, engaging in violence, theft, and acts of selfishness. This path provides access to different loot, like more Dead Eye tonics and allows for a more outlaw-centric gameplay experience.

Unveiling the Hidden Gems

RDR2 is jam-packed with side quests, random encounters, and hidden locations that you might have completely missed during your first run. A second playthrough allows you to slow down, explore the map thoroughly, and discover these hidden details.

• New Encounters: You’ll likely stumble upon new characters, unique scenarios, and side stories that weren’t triggered during your initial playthrough.
• Missed Locations: The expansive map is home to countless hidden locations, unique vistas, and interesting details that may not be readily apparent on your first pass.

Exploring Different Gameplay Styles

Beyond morality, you can also experiment with your gameplay style. Did you focus primarily on the main story in your first playthrough? A second time, you could devote more time to hunting, fishing, or completing challenges.

• Focus on Challenges: Aim to achieve the 100% completion, which involves a plethora of tasks and challenges that you may not have attempted the first time.
• Experiment with Weapons and Tactics: Try different weapon loadouts and combat strategies to find what you truly prefer.

Deeper Appreciation of the Story

Having a good understanding of the plot allows you to appreciate the narrative’s nuances on a second play. This lets you notice foreshadowing, understand character motivations better, and experience the emotional highs and lows with a different perspective. You can also gain a greater appreciation for the character arcs, seeing how Arthur’s journey transforms across the different honor alignments.

Enjoying the Epilogue with New Context

The epilogue in RDR2 is a significant portion of the game. By the time you reach this point during a second play through you have much greater context. If you have already been through this with a different set of choices the impact of the epilogue can be drastically different. It truly can feel like a whole new adventure, as well.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it worth playing RDR2 after the epilogue?

Yes, absolutely. While the main story may conclude after Arthur’s arc, the epilogue provides a significant amount of gameplay and story development with John Marston. It introduces new characters, missions, and activities, making it a valuable part of the overall RDR2 experience. It’s like getting a whole other game.

2. Is it worth playing RDR2 after Arthur dies?

Definitely. The game’s final chapter and the epilogue are crucial to understanding the full story and tying up loose ends, particularly with the main antagonist. It’s like watching the last act of a movie; you need it to complete the narrative.

3. Is it better to have high or low honor in RDR2?

Neither is inherently “better.” High honor makes the game easier in terms of prices and interactions, encouraging a more virtuous playthrough. Low honor provides a challenge, offering different loot and opportunities for mayhem. It depends entirely on your preferred gameplay style and how you want Arthur’s story to play out.

4. Is it bad to be dishonorable in RDR2?

It’s not “bad,” but there are consequences. Lower honor results in less favorable store prices, different loot drops, and altered NPC interactions. It does offer a unique experience, but be prepared for a harder road.

5. Does Arthur Morgan have high or low honor by default?

Arthur’s starting honor is somewhere in the middle, allowing players the opportunity to shape his morality. The game does not predetermine his honor alignment. You can mold his behavior throughout your journey.

6. Does Arthur get weaker in RDR2?

Yes, due to his tuberculosis diagnosis, Arthur progressively becomes weaker, impacting his health and stamina. This is a core part of the game’s narrative, showing his physical decline.

7. Is RDR2 better with John or Arthur?

Both characters have their strengths. Arthur offers more versatility, while John excels in the role of a traditional Western hero. The choice between them is subjective and can be a matter of preference for different players and playstyles.

8. Can you finish RDR2 without Arthur dying?

No. Arthur’s death is a fixed point in the narrative. The only way to avoid it is to halt progress before that point, but that leaves the story unfinished.

9. Will there be a RDR3?

While there are no official announcements, hints and teases from Rockstar suggest a future entry in the Red Dead franchise is likely. It will likely be several years before it arrives.

10. Why did Dutch shoot Micah?

Dutch shot Micah not only for betraying the gang, but also as a way to acknowledge Arthur’s role in the story and to regain some measure of redemption for his own actions. It’s a complex act fueled by multiple factors.

11. Is it worth it to 100 percent RDR2?

100% completion is an incredible feat that offers bragging rights. While the in-game rewards aren’t substantial, it’s a deeply rewarding experience for completionists.

12. Does Arthur ever get better in RDR2?

Unfortunately, no. Arthur’s tuberculosis is terminal. His condition worsens as the story progresses, but this is part of the intended narrative. There is no cure available within the story.

13. What percentage does RDR2 end?

The main story concludes when the “story” progress marker is at approximately 70%. The epilogue then provides a significant amount of additional content.

14. Could a healthy Arthur beat Micah?

It is widely believed that a healthy Arthur would have a significant advantage over Micah. Arthur is regarded as the most skilled gunslinger of the gang by many, even when battling with tuberculosis. A healthy Arthur is thought to be vastly superior.

15. What is the lowest honor possible in RDR2?

The lowest honor you can achieve is -8, which translates to -320 honor points. This results in the most dishonorable version of Arthur and the most negative in-game consequences.