It’s not clear if there will ever be aRed Dead Redemption 3, but it should go without saying that it would be successful. BothRed Dead Redemptiongames, especiallyRed Dead Redemption 2, are widely recognized as some of the best narrative-driven open-world games of all time, carried by watertight writing and stellar mission design. One would assume that Rockstar would be enthusiastic about maintaining such a prestigious, not to mention profitable, video game series.
ButRed Dead Redemption 3would come with a host of complications as well, and these may not be so easy for Rockstar to navigate.Red Dead Redemptionis all about John Marston grappling with his past and coming face to face with his old gang members, so it made a lot of sense forRed Dead Redemption 2to be a prequel that follows many of those same characters, including John. But neitherRed Dead RedemptionnorRed Dead Redemption 2offers enough wiggle room for a similar premise in a future game, even though some might argue otherwise. While there’s merit in the belief that, say, Sadie should helmRed Dead Redemption 3, such suggestions are often motivated more by players' affection for these characters than by what would actually make for a good story.
The Hedgehog’s Dilemma, attributed to Arthur Schopenhauer, can be roughly described as follows:
It’s an obviousmetaphor for human relationships, which Schopenhauer believes are destined to cause mutual harm. Schopenhauer argues that humans come together as a result of a shared desire for comfort or entertainment, and are consequently repulsed by each other due to their negative traits, only to come back together once the aforementioned desires overpower the fear of the figurative quills. In other words, human connection always comes at a cost.
It’s a rather bleak philosophy, but it applies toRed Dead Redemption 3surprisingly well. Audiences may think that they want characters like Sadie and Charles to return, but their most likable or compelling elements probably won’t carry into this new game. This is becauseRed Dead Redemption 3would have to be removedfrom the context of its predecessors, and therefore can’t enjoy the same narrative strengths.
Jack Marston is commonly cited as one of the best candidates forRed Dead Redemption 3’s protagonist, but this would require him to follow in his father’s footsteps as an outlaw, effectively underminingJohn’s mission in the firstRed Dead Redemptionwhile making Jack less distinct. Other fans have suggested that the series follow Sadie to South America and focus on her adventures as a bounty hunter, but this would remove the mystery and finality of her story inRed Dead Redemption 2, morphing her into yet another gun-toting action hero. The same can be said for the likes of Charles, another fan favorite.
The most stunning flower can look garish in the wrong arrangement, and the most basic of weeds can elevate a bouquet; it’s all about the context in which these elements exist. Characters like Sadie, Jack, and Charles are among theRed Deadseries' best, but they are part of a bigger, more complex recipe. They can’t simply be dropped into a different game and be expected to be just as likable and compelling. In fact, they could be bastardized, turned into mere intellectual commodities rather than pieces of a greater, cohesive whole.
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 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.
