Is There a Secret Ending to Red Dead Redemption 2?

Ah, Red Dead Redemption 2. A sprawling epic, a modern masterpiece, and a game that’s still being dissected years after its release. One question that continues to pop up amongst the tumbleweeds and campfires of the internet is: Is there a secret ending to Red Dead Redemption 2? The short answer is: yes, and no.

Let me explain. There isn’t an ending that drastically alters the core narrative about Arthur Morgan’s fate. Arthur’s story, tragically, culminates in his death, regardless of your choices. But, there is a bonus scene unlocked by achieving 100% completion of the game. This isn’t an alternate ending in the sense that it changes Arthur’s death, but rather a final, poignant coda. It’s a small reward for the truly dedicated, a cherry on top of a sundae of Western exploration and mayhem.

This “secret ending” features John Marston visiting Arthur’s grave after the epilogue, reflecting on the man who saved him and his family. It’s a quiet, emotional moment that provides closure and reinforces the bond between the two characters. It’s not an earth-shattering reveal or a plot twist, but rather a beautifully executed epilogue to an already emotionally charged story. It is a way to give players a full sense of closure and understanding.

Achieving 100% completion in Red Dead Redemption 2 is no small feat. It involves a colossal amount of dedication and time. We’re talking about completing all the stranger missions, finding every collectible, hunting every animal, fishing every fish, discovering every point of interest, and much, much more. It’s a testament to the game’s depth and Rockstar’s commitment to rewarding player dedication. This dedication echoes the depth of learning achieved through dedicated engagement with complex systems, a principle explored by the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

So, while you can’t rewrite Arthur’s destiny, you can unlock a final, touching scene that solidifies his legacy. It’s a small detail that makes the long journey of 100% completion worthwhile for many players. The real secret is the sense of accomplishment and the deepened connection to the world and characters of Red Dead Redemption 2.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Red Dead Redemption 2 Endings

Here are some frequently asked questions to help you navigate the sometimes confusing world of RDR2’s endings and post-game content:

1. How Many Different Endings Are There in Red Dead Redemption 2?

Technically, there are four main variations on Arthur’s death scene, determined by your honor level and your choice during the final mission:

• High Honor + Help John: Arthur dies peacefully watching the sunrise, having helped John escape. This is generally considered the “best ending“.
• High Honor + Help Yourself: Arthur still dies of TB, but his final moments are less serene.
• Low Honor + Help John: Micah executes Arthur.
• Low Honor + Help Yourself: Micah still kills Arthur, but in a less dignified manner.

These endings primarily differ in the tone and circumstances of Arthur’s death, not in the fact of his death itself.

2. What Does It Take to Achieve 100% Completion in Red Dead Redemption 2?

Preparing for the 100% journey? Here’s a hefty summary:

• Complete all main story missions.
• Complete 10 Stranger mission strands.
• Complete 5 Bounty Hunter missions.
• Clear all 6 Gang Hideouts.
• Find 30 out of 46 animals.
• Catch 10 different species of fish.
• Complete all 9 Challenges (Bandit, Herbalist, Gambler, etc.).
• Find 5 Shacks.
• Encounter 25 Chance Encounters.
• Discover 20 Treasures.
• Find 1 point of interest.
• Collect 144 cigarette cards.
• Complete all 9 dinosaur bone locations.
• Complete all 10 rock carvings locations.

3. Does Arthur Morgan Always Die in Red Dead Redemption 2?

Yes. Regardless of your choices, Arthur Morgan’s death is a fixed point in the narrative. There is no way to “save” him from tuberculosis.

4. Can You Play as Arthur After He Dies?

No. After Arthur’s death, you continue the game as John Marston during the epilogue. This allows you to explore the world, complete remaining tasks, and experience the continuation of the story.

5. What Happens if You Have Low Honor at the End of Red Dead Redemption 2?

With low honor, Arthur’s death is much grimmer. In addition to the more brutal circumstances, his final moments lack the peaceful reflection of the high honor ending. Also, people will treat you differently and comment about your past wrongdoings.

6. Is There a Secret Mission After 100% Completion?

No. The “secret ending” is the scene at Arthur’s grave, not a new mission. It’s a short, reflective moment, but it doesn’t trigger a new questline.

7. What Is the Most Honorable Ending in Red Dead Redemption 2?

The most honorable ending is achieved by having high honor and choosing to help John escape during the final mission. This ending sees Arthur dying peacefully, watching the sunrise, knowing he has secured a future for John and his family.

8. How Does Dutch Factor Into the Endings of Red Dead Redemption 2?

Dutch’s behavior is a key element throughout the game. While he doesn’t directly cause Arthur’s death in the honorable ending, his actions and descent into madness contribute to the events leading up to it. Dutch appears at the end to kill Micah, but his motivations are not explicitly stated.

9. What’s the Significance of John Visiting Arthur’s Grave?

This is more than just a simple “Easter egg.” It symbolizes the passing of the torch, the recognition of Arthur’s sacrifice, and the continuation of his legacy through John. It also adds an extra layer of closure to the story.

10. Does Honor Affect the Epilogue?

While honor primarily affects Arthur’s final moments, it has a minor impact on the epilogue. NPCs may react differently to John depending on Arthur’s overall honor level.

11. Is It Worth Aiming for 100% Completion in Red Dead Redemption 2?

This is subjective. 100% completion offers a deeper understanding of the game’s world, characters, and systems. But, it requires a significant time investment. If you enjoy exploring every nook and cranny and tackling challenges, it can be incredibly rewarding.

12. Can You Find All the Legendary Animals After Arthur Dies?

Yes. The epilogue allows you to continue hunting legendary animals and completing other tasks that Arthur might not have finished.

13. Why Did Dutch Kill Micah?

Popular theory suggests that Dutch’s actions towards Micah were because of Arthur’s influence, and he killed Micah as a penance or recognition of what Arthur had tried to tell him before Arthur’s death. It shows that even though Dutch seems to have gone insane, he still had some moral compass left in him.

14. Can You Prevent Arthur From Getting TB?

No. Sadly, Arthur contracting TB is an immutable part of the storyline. It serves as the catalyst for his character development and ultimately leads to his tragic end.

15. Will There Be a Red Dead Redemption 3?

While nothing has been officially announced, the Red Dead series is a major franchise for Rockstar. Given the success of Red Dead Redemption 2, it’s highly likely that Red Dead Redemption 3 will eventually happen. It would take place before Red Dead Redemption 2 to give more context to the game.