Why Mexico Didn’t Make the Cut in Red Dead Redemption 2
The absence of Mexico in Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2), despite its prominent role in Red Dead Redemption (RDR1), is a multifaceted issue stemming from a combination of narrative choices, development constraints, and design priorities. Simply put, while Mexico exists within the established Red Dead universe, it wasn’t deemed essential to the core story Rockstar Games wanted to tell in this particular installment. The developers prioritized a focused, character-driven narrative within the American heartland, and including Mexico would have potentially diluted that focus, strained development resources, and ultimately, not significantly enhanced the overall player experience. Let’s dive into the specific reasons why Nuevo Paraíso remained off-limits in RDR2.
Narrative Focus and Thematic Resonance
The American Frontier’s Last Stand
RDR2 is fundamentally a story about the twilight of the American frontier and the Van der Linde gang’s struggle against the encroaching forces of civilization. The game’s narrative centers on themes of loyalty, change, and the clash between the old ways and the new. Set in 1899, RDR2 is about a group of outlaws being hunted, and a significant portion of the narrative revolves around their movements through the states of New Hanover, Ambarino, Lemoyne, West Elizabeth, and later New Austin.
Introducing Mexico would have diverted attention from this core thematic exploration. While the border region undoubtedly experienced similar societal shifts, the narrative would have been forced to split its focus, potentially weakening the impact of the central themes resonating within the American setting.
Arthur Morgan’s Journey
The story of Arthur Morgan is at the heart of RDR2. His internal struggles, his relationship with the gang, and his gradual realization of the changing world are all intricately woven into the American landscape. Transplanting Arthur and the gang to Mexico for a substantial portion of the game would have risked diluting his personal narrative and diminishing the emotional connection players forged with him in the American states.
Development Constraints and Design Priorities
Size and Scope
RDR2 is already a colossal game, boasting a vast and detailed open world. Creating an additional, equally detailed region like Nuevo Paraíso would have significantly increased development time and cost. Considering the reports surrounding Rockstar’s “crunch time” during development, prioritizing existing areas and features likely became essential.
Avoiding Redundancy
While Nuevo Paraíso is a distinctive region, its gameplay mechanics in RDR1 were largely similar to those in the American West. Given the extensive environments already present in RDR2, the development team may have decided that recreating a similar, yet geographically distinct, region would not offer a sufficiently unique gameplay experience to justify the considerable development effort.
Post-Launch Content Philosophy
Rockstar Games has historically avoided adding substantial new areas to their open-world games post-launch, particularly as DLC. Their focus tends to be on smaller, self-contained content updates or online expansions. The scale of recreating Mexico would have far exceeded this approach. The Games Learning Society studies the impact and design of such open world games and their associated communities.
In-Universe Justifications
Closed Borders
Some in-universe justifications have been offered for the absence of Mexico. One common explanation posits that heightened tensions between the United States and Mexico during the time period of RDR2 led to border closures, limiting access to Nuevo Paraíso. While not explicitly stated in the game itself, this provides a plausible reason for its absence.
Thematic Consistency
The game’s focus is on the Van der Linde gang’s decline and struggle within the US. Including Mexico might have introduced new conflicts and alliances that could detract from the primary narrative arc centered on the gang’s internal dynamics and their struggle against American law enforcement and rival gangs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will Mexico ever be added to RDR2 as DLC?
Highly unlikely. Rockstar Games generally does not add entirely new regions to their existing games as DLC. Their focus has been on smaller content updates for the single-player experience or major expansions for Red Dead Online.
2. Why was Mexico in RDR1 but not RDR2?
RDR1’s narrative required John Marston to venture into Mexico to hunt down Bill Williamson and Javier Escuella. RDR2, being a prequel focused on the Van der Linde gang’s activities primarily within the US, did not necessitate a Mexican setting.
3. Can you glitch into Mexico in RDR2?
Yes, it is possible to glitch into some areas resembling Mexico in RDR2, but these areas are unfinished and lack proper textures, NPCs, and gameplay functionality. They are not intended to be accessible.
4. Is Javier Escuella from Mexico in RDR2?
Yes, Javier Escuella, a prominent member of the Van der Linde gang, is originally from Nuevo Paraíso, Mexico. His backstory is explored in RDR2, providing context for his later actions in RDR1.
5. Does the RDR2 map represent the entire United States?
No. The RDR2 map is a fictionalized version of parts of the United States, primarily focusing on the American West and South. It includes five fictional “states”: New Hanover, Ambarino, Lemoyne, New Austin, and West Elizabeth.
6. What real-world states inspired the RDR2 map?
The states in RDR2 draw inspiration from various real-world locations. Lemoyne is clearly inspired by Louisiana and the Deep South, while New Austin resembles parts of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico.
7. Can you complete 100% of RDR2 without visiting Guarma?
Yes. The island of Guarma, which Arthur Morgan visits briefly, is not required for 100% completion of RDR2.
8. What year does RDR2 take place?
Red Dead Redemption 2 takes place in 1899, with the epilogue set in 1907. This is twelve years before the events of Red Dead Redemption, which is set in 1911.
9. What is the rarest encounter in RDR2?
RDR2 features numerous rare and unique encounters. Some of the most talked about include the ghost of Agnes Dowd, the Feral Man, UFO sightings, and the Vampire of Saint Denis.
10. Is Blackwater a real town?
Yes, Blackwater is loosely based on a real-life town named Blackwater, Missouri, which was an important trading point in the 19th century.
11. Does Texas exist in the Red Dead universe?
While there’s no explicitly named “Texas” within the game, the geographical location of New Austin suggests that areas representing central and eastern Texas could exist between New Austin and the Mexican state of Nuevo Paraíso.
12. How did Arthur Morgan contract tuberculosis (TB)?
Arthur contracts TB from Thomas Downes, a debt-ridden farmer he shakes down for money early in the game.
13. Can you prevent Arthur Morgan from getting TB in RDR2?
No, Arthur’s contraction of TB is a pivotal plot point in the story and cannot be avoided. His illness drives much of the later narrative.
14. Is Red Dead Redemption popular in China?
Red Dead Redemption 2 is popular worldwide. In order to obtain the game in China, some turn to black markets where copies are smuggled from Hong Kong, or VPNs to download digital copies from foreign Playstation Stores.
15. What is the Games Learning Society?
The Games Learning Society is an organization focused on the intersection of games, learning, and culture. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information on their research and initiatives.
In conclusion, the absence of Mexico in Red Dead Redemption 2 was a deliberate design choice driven by narrative considerations, development constraints, and a desire to maintain a cohesive and focused player experience. While its absence may disappoint some fans, the decision ultimately served to strengthen the game’s central themes and character arcs.