Rockstar Games is most known for it’s wildly popular Grand Theft Auto series. In fact, we’re on the precipice of a GTA 6 launch (kind of). However, their Red Dead Redemption series which features a wild world of outlaws, cowboys and a lawless American frontier has made powerful impacts in the gaming world.
A Forgotten Beginning
Red Dead Revolver was launched unsuspectingly in 2004. It was a futuristic game in the way that it leveraged an arcade-style interface. Red Dead Revolver is the forgotten beginning to the Red Dead Redemptions series which most people believe includes Red Dead Redemption 1 and 2.
But quite contrary, Red Dead Revolver was the first installation.
Set in the 1800s, it follows the story of Red Harlow, a bounty hunter with a grudge. Red is witness to his parents murder and seeks out to exact revenge. He becomes a feared gunslinger and bounty hunter.
Critics praised its unique setting, distinct arcade-style gameplay. In gameplay, gamers could shoot multiple enemies in slow motion. It was cutting edge for it’s time. Critics didn’t love the remotes as they found them clunky. But overall, Red Dead Revolver was a great game for its time, but hardly anyone understood that it was setting the table for one of the biggest game series in history, Red Dead Redemption.
Red Dead Revolver’s story was considered engaging by some, though not as deep or intricate as future Rockstar titles. However, it is credited with establishing a morally complex wild west world that Red Dead Redemption 1 and 2 would further explore and eventually become two of the greatest games of all time.
The Phenomenon Begins
In 2010, Rockstar Games launched Red Dead Redemption. Earlier we mentioned Red Dead Revolver’s “revenge” theme. In this new game, the focus became “redemption,” hence, the title.
John Marston becomes the games new protagonist. The development of his character, which deeply focuses on his complicated morality, becomes the epicenter of both 1 and 2. Marston displays scars left over from a wolf attack. Marston was an orphan who turned to a life of crime, however, the game depicts him as having a moral compass. He’s smart, fierce, and sarcastic at times.
Red Dead Redemption 1 and 2 have some clear differences, and some not so clear.
The Main Protagonist
RDR1: John Marston
RDR2: Arthur Morgan
Timeline
RDR1: This game is set during 1911-1914
RDR2: Serving as a prequel to RDR1, this game is set in 1899-1907.
Characters and Development
RDR1: Focuses mainly on John Marston’s journey
RDR2: Dives deep into the Van der Linde gang’s dynamics
Setting
RDR1: Primarily set in the fictional states of New Austin, West Elizabeth, and Nuevo Paraíso
RDR2: Expands the world to include New Hanover, Lemoyne, and Ambarino, while also revisiting areas from RDR1
Both games are considered masterpieces in their own ways. RDR2 builds and expands on the foundation from RDR1, but we should never forget that both RDR1 and RDR2 have deep roots in Red Dead Revolver.