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What Not to Miss in Red Dead Redemption 2: A Completionist’s Guide

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a sprawling masterpiece, a meticulously crafted world teeming with life, secrets, and unforgettable experiences. Missing key elements can significantly diminish your enjoyment and prevent you from truly experiencing everything the game has to offer. So, what should you absolutely not miss? Here’s a comprehensive breakdown, covering crucial quests, characters, items, and opportunities:

High Honor Playthrough (at least once): While a low-honor run can be fun, experiencing the game with high honor unlocks a more poignant ending for Arthur and alters how NPCs react to you. It significantly impacts the narrative’s emotional weight.
All Optional Camp Companion Missions: These side quests are easily missed as you progress the main story. They offer invaluable character development, insight into the Van der Linde gang, and sometimes even unique items. Prioritize these whenever they pop up.
Legendary Animals & Fish: Hunting Legendary Animals unlocks unique crafting recipes at the Trapper, while catching Legendary Fish rewards you with valuable items and challenges. These are spread throughout the map and require patience and skill.
Unique Weapons and Hats: The world is full of one-of-a-kind weapons and stylish headwear hidden in various locations. These not only add flair to your character but can also be surprisingly powerful or grant unique perks. Examples include the Rare Rolling Block Rifle, the Classic Raccoon Mountain Hat, and the Liberty Hat.
Treasure Hunts: Scattered across the map are clues leading to hidden treasures. These hunts provide a sense of discovery and reward you with substantial amounts of cash, essential for upgrading your camp and purchasing equipment. Don’t leave those Treasure Maps Alone.
Explore Guarma Thoroughly: Though a limited section of the game, Guarma contains unique animals and plants not found anywhere else. Make the most of your time there to document and collect everything you can.
Complete Challenges: From Bandit and Explorer to Gambler and Herbalist, these challenges offer long-term goals and substantial rewards, including reinforced equipment and increased stats.
Interact with Every Stranger Encounter: These spontaneous encounters range from hilarious to heartbreaking, and they often lead to side missions that expand the game’s world and provide unique rewards.
Upgrade Camp Thoroughly: A well-stocked camp provides numerous benefits, including improved supplies, faster crafting, and higher morale. Invest in camp upgrades early and often.
Pay Off Bounties: Ignoring bounties can lead to persistent harassment by bounty hunters, making it difficult to travel and complete missions. Keeping your honor high and your bounty low is crucial.
Clean Your Weapons Regularly: Dirty weapons become less accurate and reliable. Regularly cleaning them with gun oil is essential for maintaining their effectiveness.
Explore Saint Denis: This bustling city is a microcosm of American society and offers a wealth of activities, including theater performances, poker games, and unique encounters.
Take Your Time: Red Dead Redemption 2 is not a game to rush through. Spend time exploring the open world, interacting with NPCs, and soaking in the atmosphere.
Photograph Everything: The game’s photo mode is a fantastic way to capture the beauty and detail of the world. Document your journey and create lasting memories.
Learn About Games and Learning: Delve into the studies of how games can enhance education. For instance, the Games Learning Society explores the intersection of gaming and pedagogy. Learn more at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Things to Do as Arthur Morgan That John Marston Can’t

While John Marston is a capable protagonist in his own right, Arthur Morgan possesses unique qualities and opportunities unavailable in the epilogue:

Deepen Camp Relationships: Arthur is the central figure in the camp’s daily life, allowing for more meaningful interactions and influencing the overall atmosphere.
Witness Arthur’s Growth: Arthur’s character arc is a central theme of the game, and players can directly influence his moral compass.
Customize Arthur’s Appearance Extensively: Arthur can sport longer, more elaborate beards and hairstyles than John.
Swim more effectively: While John can technically swim, Arthur is much more proficient in the water.
Experience Arthur’s illness: Witness the harrowing effects of tuberculosis on Arthur’s health and well-being.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I miss anything permanently in Red Dead Redemption 2 that prevents 100% completion?

Yes, several things can be missed, preventing 100% completion. These include specific optional camp missions, certain missable items, and unique dialogue options tied to specific chapters. Missing missions will mean that you will not get 100% completion.

2. What are some easy-to-miss items or collectibles in Red Dead Redemption 2?

The Liberty Hat, the Rare Rolling Block Rifle, and the Owl Feather Trinket are among the easily missed items. Many unique hats can be found on NPCs and kept if you pick them up, so keep an eye out. Some trinkets are only obtainable by completing specific side missions or challenges.

3. How important is it to maintain high honor in Red Dead Redemption 2?

While not essential, a high honor playthrough unlocks a more satisfying ending and affects Arthur’s interactions with NPCs. Certain side missions and rewards are also locked behind high honor.

4. What happens to Arthur’s belongings when you transition to John Marston?

John inherits most of Arthur’s weapons, clothing, and equipment. However, Arthur’s money is lost. Fortunately, money is relatively easy to acquire again through treasure hunts and other activities.

5. Are there any benefits to exploring Guarma thoroughly?

Yes. Guarma is a geographically separate area from the main map and contains unique animal species and plants unobtainable anywhere else in the game. A completionist should make sure that they explore Guarma as much as they possibly can.

6. How do I trigger optional camp companion missions in Red Dead Redemption 2?

These missions appear randomly as you progress through the story. Keep your eye on your fellow campmates, because many of them will appear with a mission at certain times. Spend time in camp, listen to conversations, and look for characters with mission markers. Some are only available during specific chapters.

7. Is it worth hunting all the Legendary Animals and Fish?

Yes, absolutely. Hunting Legendary Animals unlocks unique crafting recipes at the Trapper, allowing you to create powerful clothing items and accessories. Catching Legendary Fish rewards you with valuable items and challenges.

8. How do I effectively manage my honor in Red Dead Redemption 2?

Performing honorable actions, such as helping strangers, donating to the camp, and releasing fish, increases your honor. Committing crimes, killing innocents, and generally being a menace decreases it. You can also pay off bounties at post offices to raise your honor slightly.

9. What are some essential camp upgrades I should prioritize?

Prioritize upgrading Dutch’s tent to encourage contributions from gang members, then focus on upgrades that improve your access to supplies and crafting materials.

10. How can I avoid missing content while exploring Red Dead Redemption 2?

Explore every nook and cranny of the map, talk to all NPCs, and complete every side mission that becomes available. Don’t rush the story, and take time to appreciate the world.

11. What is the best way to make money in Red Dead Redemption 2?

Treasure hunts, hunting, and completing story missions are all reliable ways to earn money. Robbing trains and stagecoaches can also be lucrative, but they will negatively impact your honor.

12. Does weapon condition affect performance in Red Dead Redemption 2?

Yes, dirty weapons become less accurate and reliable. Regularly cleaning them with gun oil is crucial for maintaining their effectiveness.

13. Are there any romance options in Red Dead Redemption 2?

While there are no traditional romance options, Arthur can interact with characters like Mary Linton in a pseudo-romantic series of missions. No explicit romantic activities or relationships are available.

14. What is the significance of Arthur’s diagnosis in Red Dead Redemption 2?

Arthur’s diagnosis with tuberculosis serves as a turning point in the story, forcing him to confront his mortality and re-evaluate his life choices.

15. What can I do after finishing the main story of Red Dead Redemption 2?

After completing the main story, you can continue exploring the world as John Marston, completing challenges, hunting Legendary Animals, and uncovering hidden secrets. You can also aim for 100% completion, which includes completing all missions, challenges, and collectibles. And don’t forget to explore the connection between education and entertainment in the field of game-based learning, such as the research conducted at the Games Learning Society.

What not to miss in Red Dead Redemption 2?