Red Dead Redemption 3 Should Make One Important Change to Honor

by

As a seasoned cowboy and long-time player of the Red Dead series, I can’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia when I think about the honor system that has graced these games since their inception. However, as someone who’s been caught in more than one unplanned gunfight, I can’t help but feel a sense of frustration at the seemingly arbitrary penalties that come with it.

In my days on the frontier, I’ve learned that sometimes you gotta shoot a man in self-defense, and I don’t reckon the good book considers that a sin. The current honor system feels like it doesn’t always take this into account, penalizing players for fights they didn’t start, or even for defending themselves against those who did.

If Red Dead Redemption 3 is to follow in its predecessors’ boots, I reckon a change could be in order. Let the player defend their honor without fear of losing it when they’re just trying to survive. After all, in these lawless times, even a man with the best intentions can find himself in a tight spot.

And as for a little humor to lighten the mood, I suppose I could say that if Red Dead Redemption 3 makes this change, then maybe I’ll finally be able to keep my hands clean enough to shake the Governor’s. But we all know how well that usually turns out…!

If Red Dead Redemption 3 maintains its honor system as seen in the previous installments, a modification might be necessary. The honor system in Red Dead Redemption fits well with the cowboy theme and helps portray the protagonist’s character development. However, it could still use refinements, even after Red Dead Redemption 2. Some improvements may be more substantial than others. With this understanding, at least one adjustment seems fitting before the next game is released.

In the game “Red Dead Redemption”, the Honor system serves as a moral compass for the main characters, Arthur Morgan, John Marston, and the protagonist in Red Dead Online. This system evaluates their actions throughout the game. Performing good deeds like assisting strangers or being friendly boosts the player’s honor level, while committing wrongdoings such as theft and murdering innocents lowers it. The character’s honor influences several aspects of the game, including shop prices and certain storyline elements, as it either rises or falls. Essentially, the Honor system enhances the role-playing experience by adding depth to the players’ actions.

Red Dead Redemption’s Protagonists Don’t Have to Start Fights to Lose Karma For Them

Red Dead Redemption Players Understandably Lose Honor For Killing Unnecessarily

In Red Dead Redemption, there are multiple methods to boost honor, but losing honor remains frustrating for those aiming for high honor scores. Notably, a drawback occurs when you kill characters who aren’t outlaws, which seems unfair and justified given the consequences. Interestingly, this penalty also applies if these characters attack the protagonist first, although such instances are rare in the game. It feels unusual to be penalized for self-defense in a game where survival is crucial. In essence, Red Dead Redemption should not make players feel punished for trying to stay alive.

Players Still Get Penalized For Fights Started By Others

In the game “Red Dead Redemption 2,” a significant challenge arises from the law enforcement officers. If a player’s wanted level is high or they are spotted following a shootout or another criminal act, these lawmen will pursue them. In such situations, players must either choose to hide or engage in combat; otherwise, they risk being arrested, resulting in lost money. This increased likelihood of confrontations with the law only adds to the inconvenience of becoming wanted. To make matters worse, at certain stages of “Red Dead Redemption 2’s” narrative, specific towns will be under constant patrol by lawmen, heightening the chances of these encounters.

Red Dead Redemption 3 Shouldn’t Cause Honor Loss For Unintentional Fights

In the potential scenario of Red Dead Redemption 3, if the main character is provoked by an NPC and subsequently defends themselves by returning fire, it would make more sense not to impose an honor penalty on them. This rule should ideally apply when the NPC initiates hostilities first. It’s especially crucial in missions where law enforcement or similar characters are designated as enemies that the player must confront. If a storyline calls for conflict, then it wouldn’t be fair to penalize the player for engaging in fights they didn’t choose to participate in.

In my opinion, as a seasoned movie reviewer, the honor system in the Red Dead Redemption series has evolved since its inception and could certainly benefit from further refinement. Specifically for Red Dead Redemption 3, I believe it’s essential to provide players with more autonomy over their honor status without punishing them unfairly.

Of course, egregious acts and heinous crimes should undeniably have consequences. However, it seems unjust to penalize the player when they are merely defending themselves during an attack. The honor system in Red Dead Redemption 3 should be a reflection of the player’s decisions, not the circumstances they unwillingly find themselves in. This way, the gameplay experience would feel more personal and immersive.

Read More

2024-12-30 22:43