Ever sinceRed Dead Redemption 2was released back in 2018, many have considered it one of Rockstar’s strongest games to date. Seeing the rapidly dying era of Wild West outlaws through the eyes of protagonist Arthur Morgan continues to be one of the most celebrated narratives in gaming.Red Dead Redemption 2doesn’t hold back on emotion, but it also doesn’t hold out on fun, either.
There are plenty of fun Easter eggs to discover inRDR2, and among those hidden gems are sometimes even paranormal encounters. Unexpected paranormal run-ins have continued to pop up in Rockstar games, but theRed Dead Redemptionfranchise has some of the most notable.Red Dead Onlineeven recently addedthe Strange Tales of the West update, introducing four new missions centered around bizarre happenings that feel like playful campfire stories. This is just the tip of the iceberg of the series' paranormal-inspired moments, and it proves that Rockstar needs to finally pull the trigger on a supernatural game.
It’s Time for Rockstar to Admit That it Wants to Tell a Paranormal Story
The Developer Has a Long History With Supernatural Content
One of the most notable pieces of spooky content made by Rockstar isRDR1’sUndead NightmareDLC. This expansion features John Marston taking on zombies in the Wild West, and it’s incredibly fun. Fighting off the walking dead in a western setting is a special kind of atmosphere that has yet to be recaptured. One Strange Tales of the West mission, titled “Strange Tales of the Plague,” is the closestRed Dead Redemptionfans have gotten to tastinga new take onUndead Nightmare, and it seems like it may be the only one.
As far as it’s known, there are no plans to giveRDR2its ownUndead Nightmare-esque expansion. Considering that the game is eight years old, it’s highly unlikely. However, Rockstar has proven over and over again that it can handle paranormal concepts well, even when it’s leaning into goofier territory.RDR2is filled with strange encounters. The hermit in the cave who claims he’s the devil, La Llorona, the Saint Denis vampire, UFOs, and Agnes Dowd’s ghost are just a few of the most notable.
EvenGTAhas gained a reputation for bizarre Easter eggs.Run-ins with Bigfootand UFOs have been uncovered over the years, and with so many references to the paranormal, it makes one wonder why Rockstar hasn’t given horror a chance.
Rockstar has proven over and over again that it can handle paranormal concepts well, even when it’s leaning into goofier territory.
Rockstar Has Already Dabbled in a Zombie Story, But it Was Never Finished
Z,the Rockstar zombie game that never came to be, sounded like it was ahead of its time in some ways. Its gloomy setting and reported serious tone would eventually be seen in other zombie games likeThe Last of Usand Telltale’sThe Walking Dead. Unfortunately, the project was ultimately scrapped, due to claims that the game’s themes were too dark and depressing.
The team developingZeventually went on to makeGTA: San Andreas.
However, now that dark and depressing horror survival stories are commonplace,Rockstar has the perfect chance to shake up the genre. Since the developer clearly loves to blend horror elements with an edge of fun and humor, seeing this tone brought to life in a full-blown game could be a perfect recipe for a fresh IP. A Rockstar-made paranormal story could match the same energy asZombielandorTucker & Dale vs. Evil. This remains to be seen, but Rockstar might be sitting on a goldmine of untapped potential.
Red Dead Redemption 2
WHERE TO PLAY
America, 1899. The end of the wild west era has begun as lawmen hunt down the last remaining outlaw gangs. Those who will not surrender or succumb are killed. After a robbery goes badly wrong in the western town of Blackwater, Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang are forced to flee. With federal agents and the best bounty hunters in the nation massing on their heels, the gang must rob, steal and fight their way across the rugged heartland of America in order to survive. As deepening internal divisions threaten to tear the gang apart, Arthur must make a choice between his own ideals and loyalty to the gang who raised him. From the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic tale of life in America at the dawn of the modern age.
