In 2010, Rockstar Games released Red Dead Redemption to widespread critical acclaim, and followed up on the game eight years later with the massive blockbuster success that was Red Dead Redemption 2. Now rumor has it that Rockstar Games may be actively working on a remaster of the original Red Dead Redemption, and while nothing has been confirmed, it's certainly an exciting prospect.
A Red Dead Redemption remaster could finally bring the classic open world western game to PC, plus it could bring the story to all those fans who played Red Dead Redemption 2 but missed out on the original. This way millions of Red Dead Redemption 2 players who never played the original game can see what happens next in the story.
The Red Dead Redemption remaster would also mark an opportunity to address a lingering question that some fans have about both it and Red Dead Redemption 2. Namely, why doesn't John talk about Arthur in the original Red Dead Redemption game, as it takes place after the events of Red Dead Redemption 2? Please keep in mind that this post will have SPOILERS for Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2.
Why Doesn't John Talk About Arthur in Red Dead Redemption?
The original Red Dead Redemption game is all about John Marston hunting down members of the Van der Linde gang to win the freedom of his family back from the Bureau of Investigation. This brings John in direct contact and conflict with characters like Bill Williamson and Dutch Van der Linde. And while they talk about their past in the Van der Linde gang, somehow the topic of Arthur Morgan is never brought up, despite Arthur being such a significant person in their past.
In fact, Arthur Morgan plays an integral role in saving John Marston's life at the beginning of Red Dead Redemption 2, helps save John's son Jack, and is essentially Dutch's righthand man for the bulk of the game. Despite Arthur being such an important character in the world of Red Dead Redemption 2 and particularly for people like John Marston and Dutch Van der Linde, he doesn't get so much as a mention.
Now, there are some possible explanations for this. In the Red Dead Redemption 2 Epilogue, it's suggested that John simply doesn't like talking about Arthur, and that could very well be why he never brings him up during the events of the original Red Dead Redemption. Another reason is that it's been 12 years or so since the events of Red Dead Redemption 2, and so a lot of time has passed since Arthur's death.
While these are possible story reasons as to why John doesn't talk about Arthur in Red Dead Redemption, there is a real world reason for it as well. The real reason why John doesn't mention Arthur in the original Red Dead Redemption is simply because Rockstar Games hadn't invented him yet. Red Dead Redemption 2 is a prequel that introduces numerous characters that are never mentioned or seen in Red Dead Redemption as none of them had been dreamed up, and Arthur Morgan fits firmly in that camp.
Red Dead Redemption Remaster Could Add References to Arthur Morgan
There are justifications that Red Dead Redemption fans could use to hand-wave Arthur Morgan going completely unmentioned in the original game, like John not wanting to talk about Arthur or the time that has passed between the two games, but it still is odd enough that people have had to ask this question. If rumors of a Red Dead Redemption remaster are true, then Rockstar Games could use the opportunity to add mentions of Arthur Morgan here and there.
This would help the Red Dead Redemption games feel better connected and help add to the realism. But while a potential Red Dead Redemption remaster could do this, it doesn't mean that it necessarily would do this. On the contrary, the more likely scenario is that a potential Red Dead Redemption remaster would simply be a copy+paste job in terms of gameplay and story, with Rockstar spending its efforts sprucing up the graphics and controls, ala the upcoming Grand Theft Auto Trilogy.
The Grand Theft Auto Trilogy may be the best indication of what fans could expect from the rumored Red Dead Redemption remaster. The graphics will likely be modernized and there may be a new control scheme, but the story cut-scenes, beats, and developments will stay the same. It really depends on what Rockstar wants to do with a hypothetical Red Dead Redemption remaster, and it will be interesting to see what it ultimately does if the project materializes.
For now, the Red Dead Redemption remaster has not been confirmed and it may or may not exist. The only Rockstar Games projects that fans know about for sure are the upcoming Grand Theft Auto Trilogy and the next-gen ports of Grand Theft Auto 5 and GTA Online.
Red Dead Redemption is out now for PS3 and Xbox 360.
