Is (Arthur Morgan) worth playing it? SPOILERS!

[VVipeSide]

First off, I played RDR through a few times, even got the platinum trophy.  SPOILERS!!!

 

Now I got spoiled quite early that Arthur will die of tuberculosis and was sitting next to my friend when he was doin like, the last few missions...

I seen Arthur die, seen Marston taking over and it felt all so familiar. Now the very last missions in the epilogue I haven't witnessed but is it worth it playing it over?

 

I started a new game and R* put in a lot of detail, graphics look amazing, controls are kinda confusing and everything takes really long..

this is where it starts to bug me.

Going through a house and looking for supplies takes long, everything else, building up, providing,...when everything will fall apart anyway.

I seen missions inbetween too and it's the same old "Dutch is nuts/Dutch is charismatic" dilemma, knowing he won't even die until the events of the next game.

Characters question him from the very beginning yet obey even insane orders, hell, when Dutch left Morgan to die and later gets confronted bout it, he does nothing, accepting Dutch's attitude towards the situation.

 

Is Arthur Morgan and "his story" worth playing the offline campaign until the end?

 

[ShayD]

the story is worth playing, but honestly I wouldnt bother with the epiloge too much, all of Johns missions are boring. Sure, you get Johns' ranch, build his house and meet some of the gang but we already knew that from playing RDR.

At least Arthurs story was a new one to us. Nothing that happens as John feels like it even adds to the story, just extra crap added in at the end so we actually had something to do with him except free roam.

[Jimbatron]

The story in my honest opinion is as good as they get.

 

If you are limited on time, just focus exclusively on the story and ignore the side tasks and it will still be worth it.

 

I agree with the above that most of the Epilogue missions aren’t too spectacular, but they are also mostly quick and easy, worth doing just to play the finale.

 

But to be honest if you have the time, I would take it slow and maximise the immersion.

[ShayD]

34 minutes ago, Jimbatron said:

But to be honest if you have the time, I would take it slow and maximise the immersion.

+1 for this, take it slooowwww

[RyuNova]

I think the Epilogue was R*'s attempt at not having another RDR1 backlash again.

People hated playing as Jack because it was so sudden and you only got one sh*tty mission as him and bam, the game was done. You had nothing else to do. I know that alot of people simply loaded up an old save to play as John again.

[VVipeSide]

Is there anything to do on the RDR 1 map with John after the epilogue events? Or will it be used for a RDR remake that might come up?

[ShayD]

1 hour ago, VVipeSide said:

Is there anything to do on the RDR 1 map with John after the epilogue events? Or will it be used for a RDR remake that might come up?

you get to do a mission or two with someone from the old gang as John, But you only go to Pikes Basin and back really. Only stuff further out than that is legendary animals and species you can't find in the other areas, maybe a gang hideout. I didnt explore much of New Austin as John in RDR2 tbh, felt extemely stale for me. (especially bc John says hes never been to New Austin in RDR1)

 

EDIT; Also chances for a remake are extremely slim since Mexico would also have to be included, towns edited and repopulated, and the map changed in general to match RDR1

Edited February 25, 2019 by ShayD

[coach_wargo]

Spoilers ahead.

 

I'm going to disagree with everyone who has responded so far. You definitely should play the side quests as Arthur. In many cases the side quests are where you get real character development for him, I think some of them should have been main storyline missions. If you want to save the 100% completion stuff for the epilogue so you have something to do as John that's fine too. Things like picking flowers and killing legendary animals don't do anything for either character's personality.

 

I personally loved the epilogue. John is  the real redemption story in Red Dead Redemption. If you play through as Arthur being are horrible person with the lowest honor possible there is no real redemption in his character. Hell, you can have him go back for the money at the end. Why would he do that when he knows he's dying?  John trying to change, to put aside the outlaw ways and become a responsible family man, that is the story of redemption. I got teary eyed when he proposed. That whole date in Blackwater was one of the best missions of the game. Building the house was a fun episode (it's stretch to really call that a mission). Just spending time at the ranch with Charles and Uncle is fulfilling to me. 

 

If you're looking to be a rootin', tootin,' six gun shootin', cowboy then the epilogue is bound to disappoint. If you're looking for a redemption story and character development then the epilogue was excellent. And be sure to watch the credits too, that really bridges the gap between RDR2 and RDR1. 

[VVipeSide]

20 hours ago, coach_wargo said:

Spoilers ahead.

 

I'm going to disagree with everyone who has responded so far. You definitely should play the side quests as Arthur. In many cases the side quests are where you get real character development for him, I think some of them should have been main storyline missions. If you want to save the 100% completion stuff for the epilogue so you have something to do as John that's fine too. Things like picking flowers and killing legendary animals don't do anything for either character's personality.

 

I personally loved the epilogue. John is  the real redemption story in Red Dead Redemption. If you play through as Arthur being are horrible person with the lowest honor possible there is no real redemption in his character. Hell, you can have him go back for the money at the end. Why would he do that when he knows he's dying?  John trying to change, to put aside the outlaw ways and become a responsible family man, that is the story of redemption. I got teary eyed when he proposed. That whole date in Blackwater was one of the best missions of the game. Building the house was a fun episode (it's stretch to really call that a mission). Just spending time at the ranch with Charles and Uncle is fulfilling to me. 

 

If you're looking to be a rootin', tootin,' six gun shootin', cowboy then the epilogue is bound to disappoint. If you're looking for a redemption story and character development then the epilogue was excellent. And be sure to watch the credits too, that really bridges the gap between RDR2 and RDR1. 

Thanks for your input.

 

Thing is, so many games, so little time. RDR 2 is a game to really dive into, take your time, which I can't take.

 

Did I get you right? So I can go low honor all outlaw with Arthur? It doesn't affect anything later on? I mean, I see there are 4 different endings to Arthur, but he'll die nonetheless so it doesn't really matter to me if he coughs to death or Micah shoots him in the skull...

 

[JC Hammer]

23 hours ago, Jimbatron said:

The story in my honest opinion is as good as they get.

 

If you are limited on time, just focus exclusively on the story and ignore the side tasks and it will still be worth it

 

The Story in my honest opinion is about as BAD as it gets, Can't imagine another playthrough. I did as many side quests as I could find and some times just explored the map for days between story missions, Bill was always trying to get me to go back to camp.

 

Chapter 5, 6 and Epilogue 1 were just brutal to get through, but at least you unlock new territory to explore

[BoulderFaceplant]

My experience has been that the game practically BEGS you to wait until the postgame to actually free roam. Play the story and any side missions that you happen to come across, but leave the exploring and challenges to John. It’s a lot nicer when you can store 99 of each item and have access to New Austin. John grows a nice black beard and some long hair, giving him a mountain man type of look that fits with what you’ll be doing most of the time. 

[Jimbatron]

1 hour ago, JC Hammer said:

The Story in my honest opinion is about as BAD as it gets, Can't imagine another playthrough. I did as many side quests as I could find and some times just explored the map for days between story missions, Bill was always trying to get me to go back to camp.

 

Chapter 5, 6 and Epilogue 1 were just brutal to get through, but at least you unlock new territory to explore

That sounds to me more like a critique of the ability to enjoy free roam early in the game to be fair, rather than an evaluation of the plot itself? Which is a perfectly reasonable position to hold, if that’s your experience.

 

Its also fine to say the plot wasn’t your cup of tea or you just don’t like story mode full stop.

 

I think objectively though it’s hard to find and major flaws in the story from a technical sense. Were it a movie I’m convinced the critics would give it rave reviews.

1 hour ago, VVipeSide said:

Thanks for your input.

 

Thing is, so many games, so little time. RDR 2 is a game to really dive into, take your time, which I can't take.

 

Did I get you right? So I can go low honor all outlaw with Arthur? It doesn't affect anything later on? I mean, I see there are 4 different endings to Arthur, but he'll die nonetheless so it doesn't really matter to me if he coughs to death or Micah shoots him in the skull...

 

If you are time limited and can’t play it slow and immersive, I would still play it and just focus ruthlessly on the story missions.

 

Playing as either high or low honour Arthur to suit what you think feels right will enhance your enjoyment either way, but you won’t be missing out on substantial content by playing one way or the other, it’s just about the vibe.

[coach_wargo]

5 hours ago, VVipeSide said:

 

 

Did I get you right? So I can go low honor all outlaw with Arthur? It doesn't affect anything later on? I mean, I see there are 4 different endings to Arthur, but he'll die nonetheless so it doesn't really matter to me if he coughs to death or Micah shoots him in the skull...

 

It changes some cut scenes, but doesn't change the options you have in the end mission. 

[JC Hammer]

15 hours ago, Jimbatron said:

I think objectively though it’s hard to find and major flaws in the story from a technical sense.

1

How about the fact that this band of outlaws, on the run from the law and trying to preserve their way of life, continues to migrate EAST closer to civilization!

I'd say that's a substantial technical issue with the plot.

 

This would be my recomendation,

 

Play all the side quests as Arthur, (except the last Veterans mission)

Unlock the satchels as soon as possible and complete the Explorer and Master Hunter Challenges quickly (completing some of the other challenges should be left for John as your honor will take big hits)

Catch all the Fish and hunt all the legendary animals possible as Arthur.

Find all the weapons, cigarette cards, Dreamcatchers, Rock formations and hats possible before chapter 5

 

You should be over 85% complete before John makes his appearance. 

 

 

[Jimbatron]

2 hours ago, JC Hammer said:

How about the fact that this band of outlaws, on the run from the law and trying to preserve their way of life, continues to migrate EAST closer to civilization!

I'd say that's a substantial technical issue with the plot.

 

 

It’s the futility of their situation - they have nowhere to go where the Pinkertons won’t hunt them down, combined with Dutch’s desperation and bad decision making. Which is what the story is all about, the gang is as doomed as Arthur with TB. Whatever they do and wherever they go, their fate is pretty much sealed. Arthur indeed questions why they are heading east, it’s clearly Dutch’s last throw of the dice (as nothing is working out for them, which is why he also comes up with Pie in the sky plans like Tahiti).