Red Dead Redemption: Arthur Morgan, John Marston, And Other Outlaws With Great Character Arcs

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Red Dead Redemption and its sequel are set during the end of the Wild West era, as Dutch’s gang and other outlaws find it increasingly difficult to survive in a changing world. It’s worth remembering that the outlaws in the Red Dead Redemption series aren’t necessarily evil, but simply lived a lifestyle that was common in the Wild West before the government began establishing laws and order throughout the country.

Therefore, the outlaws players love in the RDR games aren’t simply over-the-top villains. This series is celebrated for its writing, which many consider even better than Grand Theft Auto. That’s why some of the game’s most compelling outlaws have incredibly engaging and well-developed stories.

Arthur Morgan

One Of The Greatest Video Game Protagonists Of All Time

From the beginning of Red Dead Redemption 2, Arthur doesn’t seem to have a strong sense of right and wrong, and he doesn’t dwell on the consequences of his actions (his Honor level is limited, suggesting he doesn’t overthink things). But, as his companions die and Dutch starts behaving like a villain, Arthur begins to question the beliefs of the man he once saw as a father figure.

For me, the biggest moment for this character comes when he gets sick with tuberculosis. It really forces you, as the player, to decide if he’s going to stay true to who he is, or try to change and make things right. It’s such a powerful scene, and honestly, it leads to one of the most emotional goodbyes I’ve ever experienced in a game. Arthur Morgan is, without a doubt, the best protagonist Rockstar has ever created. I really connected with him and his journey. It’s an incredibly moving experience.

John Marston

Tries To Become A Family Man After Struggling With The Idea Of Being A Husband And Father

Marston receives a lot of criticism from Arthur for leaving his family before the story of Red Dead Redemption 2 begins, and that’s a fair point. But looking at things from John’s side, it’s clear how the lifestyle of an outlaw didn’t align with his beliefs about being a good father and husband.

He’s among the few members of Dutch’s gang who has something to protect, and he strives to be the kind of diligent husband Abigail expects. This creates conflict with his tendency towards a life of crime, but he chooses to pursue a peaceful existence after the Pinkertons kidnap his family, demanding the lives of Bill Williamson, Javier Escuella, and Dutch van der Linde in return. For a brief time, it seems he’s turned his life around, and fans believe he’s found redemption… only for the Pinkertons to reveal that he can’t outrun his past. This leads to John making a selfless sacrifice for his loved ones, ultimately being killed in a brutal shootout.

Sadie Adler

A Widow With An Axe To Grind Whose Hate For The O’Driscolls Is Palpable

When Sadie first meets the group, she’s a vulnerable widow. The O’Driscoll gang stole her future and the life she had planned with her husband. Although she joined the gang, she refused to conform to traditional expectations for women. Instead, she was completely focused on getting revenge on Colm O’Driscoll and his crew for their actions.

This event begins her change into a brave and skilled gunslinger, earning her the respect of the gang. She proves herself capable, especially when the men are trapped in Guarma, stepping up to fill the void. She finally gets her revenge against the O’Driscoll gang. After Dutch’s gang falls apart, she becomes a bounty hunter, solidifying her story as one of the most compelling character arcs in the game.

Dutch van der Linde

Despite His Charismatic Attitude, It’s Clear That His Plan Only Benefits Himself

Dutch is a character that people have very strong feelings about – they either love him despite his flaws, or dislike him intensely. Even though his choices often led to trouble, it’s difficult not to be drawn in by his charisma, as his gang consistently defended him when the Pinkertons tried to arrest him. His captivating speeches and showy personality made him a likable outlaw, but his flaws became increasingly obvious and hard to overlook after Hosea’s death. It’s a complex relationship for players, and many find themselves both admiring and frustrated with him. His personality is truly captivating.

Dutch begins to put innocent people at risk to achieve his own goals and forms a close, but troubling, friendship with Micah. Eventually, Arthur and John come to the realization that Dutch was likely a flawed person all along, a conclusion solidified by his killing of an innocent woman in Blackwater before the game’s story begins. His self-centeredness was once kept in check by Hosea, but Dutch spirals out of control, becoming a complex character that players struggle to fully understand by the end of Red Dead Redemption 2 .

Hosea Matthews

Matured Well Before The Events Of The Game, But That Doesn’t Take Away From His Riveting Personality

Hosea was the most sensible member of the group, acting as a calming influence on Dutch. He sensed that Dutch had a tendency to become unpredictable if left to his own devices, but he usually succeeded in talking Dutch down and stopping him from acting impulsively. Hosea’s wisdom was key to keeping the group grounded.

That’s why Hosea’s death during the bank robbery in Saint Denis is so deeply sad. The gang took unnecessary risks, and it ultimately led to their downfall. Hosea, who was both clever and trusting, was tragically shot in the head after a stressful standoff.

Micah Bell

Love Him Or Hate Him, His Transformation Into The Main Villain Is Captivating

While many people love to dislike Micah Bell, the truth is his character development was incredibly well done, making it simple for viewers to genuinely despise him by the story’s end. He consistently portrayed himself as one of the more untrustworthy members of the group, and he truly revealed his nature when he secretly made a deal with the Pinkertons after the gang returned from Guarma.

His treacherous behavior led to the downfall of his friends and broke the group apart. He became increasingly hostile towards Arthur, even earning the ire of players when he began cruelly referring to him as Black Lung. This character’s journey is a major reason why the conclusion of Red Dead Redemption 2 feels so rewarding, despite the fact that it gave the Pinkertons the advantage they needed to capture Marston and compel him to track down his former companions in the initial game.

Charles Smith

One Of The Few Honorable Men In Dutch’s Gang

Unlike many other criminals in the game who act without conscience, Charles Smith is remarkably admirable for consistently trying to do the right thing – so much so that Arthur frequently writes about his friend with fondness in his journal. Charles always stuck to a strong moral code, refusing to harm innocent people and ensuring no animal was killed without a purpose; he wouldn’t let any meat go to waste.

I really connected with how this character lives by a strict code and stays true to those who treat him well – that’s why I ended up loving him so much by the end of the game. You can *really* see his loyalty in the epilogue. He risks everything to go after Micah’s camp and finally deliver the justice Micah deserved. It was a seriously brave move, and it showed just how much he cared about doing the right thing, even when it was dangerous. His dedication is a big reason why he’s such a memorable character, in my opinion.

Kieran Duffy

Just Before He Was Embraced By The Gang, The O’Driscolls Executed Him

This former member of the O’Driscoll gang endures a terrible ordeal after being abducted. He’s repeatedly restrained and verbally abused by the gang, but ultimately demonstrates his allegiance by rescuing Arthur when his life is on the line.

I was really rooting for this new guy when he joined the gang. He was a little hesitant at first, keeping his distance and not really getting involved in everything going on at camp, which I totally understood. I thought he’d eventually come around and really become one of us, but sadly, the O’Driscolls found him and… well, it was awful. They killed him right before they attacked Shady Belle. If you play with High Honor, Arthur actually talks about how much he respected the guy. It’s clear Arthur appreciated that Kieran was trying to be a good person and stayed loyal to the gang that took him in. It’s a really sad moment, honestly. It really shows how brutal things can be in this world, and how quickly things can change. It’s a tough one to watch.

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2025-10-05 01:47