Red Dead Redemption Has Fallen into the Same Pitfall as The Last of Us

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Red Dead Redemption Has Fallen into the Same Pitfall as The Last of Us

As a long-time fan who has ridden with John Marston across the dusty plains and fought for survival alongside Ellie, I can attest to the emotional bond we’ve formed with these characters. The narrative depth of games like Red Dead Redemption and The Last of Us has made us invested in their worlds and the stories they tell. But, as much as we love our beloved heroes, I can’t help but wonder if it’s time for these universes to move on.

In some story-driven games, a predicament arises when the narrative becomes overly reliant on a single protagonist. This is tricky since audiences develop strong emotional bonds with this character. When the story attempts to advance or change direction, it can lead to mixed feelings among fans who have grown attached to the original character dynamics, such as John Marston in Red Dead Redemption and Joel and Ellie in The Last of Us. This was particularly evident in the case of The Last of Us Part 2, where some fans felt torn or resistant to the story’s evolution due to their deep emotional investment in the original duo.

Speaking as a dedicated fan, Red Dead Redemption has become almost synonymous with me because of the captivating stories of John Marston and Arthur Morgan. Their intricate and emotionally charged journeys kept me hooked on every game. Yet, this very depth also presents a challenge for the developers when they consider moving the story forward or introducing new primary characters.

Transitioning to New Character Perspectives Becomes Alienating

Transitioning away from established characters during challenging moments can lead to complexities in presenting alternative viewpoints. For instance, in ‘The Last of Us Part 2′, the game takes great pains to help players empathize with Abby, whose goals contrast sharply with those of Ellie, the series’ initial protagonist. This shift was daring, and ‘Red Dead Redemption’ encounters a similar predicament.

Although Arthur Morgan was the new main character in “Red Dead Redemption 2”, the storyline remained closely connected to John Marston. In the final act, or epilogue, players revisit John, and many parts of the prequel are crafted to establish the circumstances leading up to the events of the first game. This method, while it may soften the audience for potential major plot changes in the future, is not a guaranteed success.

Expanding the Universe Beyond Established Characters

One common challenge faced by both “The Last of Us” and “Red Dead Redemption” is their difficulty in developing fresh narratives that don’t center around their established characters. While “The Last of Us” universe brims with possibilities, the relationship between Joel and Ellie has become the core of the story, making ventures away from them seem risky. Similarly, “Red Dead Redemption” boasts a vast open-western setting ripe for numerous tales, but the narrative continues to focus on the Van der Linde gang and John Marston’s legacy.

To avoid losing existing fans while broadening the scope of these narratives, it’s crucial to introduce fresh game heroes or viewpoints that seem authentic within each universe. Yet, this approach could potentially disrupt the strong emotional bond players have formed with the initial characters.

Getting Out Of It Requires a Witcher Franchise-Like Approach

In simpler terms, “The Witcher 3” brought Geralt’s story to a fulfilling close but kept the door open for more stories. If the series had made such a drastic change earlier, like in “The Witcher 2”, it might have turned off fans who were deeply invested in Geralt. A smooth transition to new characters can be achieved by giving the original protagonist a well-rounded ending and expanding the overarching storyline and world in other ways.

In essence, although Red Dead Redemption has concluded the stories of John and Arthur in some fashion, it might learn from The Witcher by exploring new directions beyond the established themes. This could involve creating fresh characters or centering on secondary figures such as Sadie Adler or Jack Marston, all while preserving the emotional intensity and thematic significance of the initial games. However, an excessive emphasis on developing deep emotional bonds with main characters, at the expense of the broader narrative, could lead to a trap from which it’s difficult to escape.

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2024-10-17 00:05