RDR3 Should Double Down on One of RDR2's Darkest Side Quests (2024)

Rockstar Games' Red Dead Redemption 2 has no doubt earned its high place in the annals of videogames. As the followup prequel to the first epic Western title, Red Dead Redemption 2 managed to one-up nearly every aspect of its predecessor. On top of a sprawling, visually stunning and massively detailed world, RDR2's narrative about outlaw Arthur Morgan's time with Dutch van der Linde's gang and their collective struggles to come to terms with changing times and themselves, has been etched into the hearts and minds of numerous fans.

While Rockstar is well-known for impactful storytelling, outside the core tale, fans have spent thousands of hours combing the world uncovering incredible secrets and previously unknown parts of Red Dead Redemption 2 for over 5 years. In true Rockstar fashion, Easter eggs, cryptic locations, and bizarre encounters abound in RDR2. Although pulling from many of the historical aspects of the era, RDR2 also features some truly unnerving characters and encounters. One of these, Edmund Lowry Jr., is perhaps high on the list of scariest, and RDR3 should strive to have a similarly frightening mission.

While fans have been speculating about the next Red Dead Redemption since 2018, with Grand Theft Auto 6 next in line for release in Rockstar's tentpole properties, the wait for any firm details on the third entry will likely persist for the time being.

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Red Dead Redemption 3 Should Double Down on One Big RDR2 Challenge

Red Dead Redemption 2 is far from the hardest video game out there, but there's one huge challenge that a potential sequel should double down on.

Red Dead Redemption 3 Should Include A Disturbing Quest Encounter Like RDR2's American Dreams

Red Dead Redemption 2's Edmund Lowry Jr.

Among Red Dead Redemption 2's more macabre and unsettling inclusions, such as the vampire stalking the shadowy alleys of Saint Denis or the relentless zombie-like Night Folk, the American Dreams stranger encounter brought players face to face with a true monster that wasn't supernatural in nature: Edmund Lowry Jr. Lowry was based on notorious real-life serial killers like Jack the Ripper and H. H. Holmes, who terrorized their respective city's populations at the time, combining their horrific deeds into Lowry's character and an equally disturbing storyline. Players who wished to see the quest through needed to track down and confront Lowry in his grotesque den, seeing his bloody "work" up close and finally putting an end to his actions. It was an intense and memorable mission that provided a taste of true horror while fitting seamlessly and believably into the world of RDR.

How Red Dead Redemption 3 Could Include Another Serial Killer-Related Mission

Rockstar's other juggernaut IP, Grand Theft Auto, has long contained off-putting characters who turned out to be serial killers or something similarly terrible, and players have often come to expect to find missions along these lines. It would thus be natural for RDR3 to continue this tradition. Of course, a big open question at this stage is when exactly Red Dead Redemption 3 might be set relative to the previous entries, which might in turn inform how Rockstar will approach this. RDR2 being a prequel allowed for the interpretation of the above figures known to have lived at around the time that was easily enough inserted into the setting.

If Red Dead Redemption 3 is later in the established timeline, it still could provide a chance to reference other infamous killers, like Ed Gein, who was known to be active in the early 20th century. If it goes the opposite direction, however, and is set earlier than RDR2, this might then necessitate some more creative liberties in terms of taking inspiration from records of real life people and events in this area. Rockstar has certainly shown it is able to incorporate more outlandish and disquieting elements into its otherwise meticulously extremely realistic worlds, though, and whenever RDR3 may be set, it should ensure to keep the creepy factor intact by giving fans an encounter as disconcerting as Lowry.

RDR3 Should Double Down on One of RDR2's Darkest Side Quests (2)
Red Dead Redemption 2

RDR2 is a Western-themed action/adventure game by Rockstar. It's a prequel to Red Dead Redemption and stars Arthur Morgan, an outlaw who adventures across the land avoiding and fighting other outlaws, the government, and anyone else looking to cause trouble.

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , PC , Stadia

Released
October 26, 2018
Developer(s)
Rockstar Games
Publisher(s)
Rockstar Games
Genre(s)
Action , Adventure

Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer

ESRB
M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

How Long To Beat
50 Hours

Metascore
97

Engine
RAGE

PS Plus Availability
Extra & Premium
  • Games
  • Red Dead Redemption
  • Rockstar Games

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RDR3 Should Double Down on One of RDR2's Darkest Side Quests (2024)

FAQs

Can you do all Stranger Missions as John? ›

For the most part, most of the Stranger missions in the game can be completed by both John and Jack. Poppyco*ck is the only exception.

Should I do the Stranger Missions in RDR2? ›

Stranger missions contribute towards 100% Completion. In Redemption, all missions except "I Know You" need to be completed. In Redemption 2, only 10 stranger missions strands are required for 100% Completion.

How to find Stranger Missions in RDR2? ›

Stranger Missions in Red Dead Online are short side missions spread across the entire map. They will show up on your map as an orange, man-shaped icon like the one near Rhodes in the image below. The quests they offer include hunting, retrieval, assassination, resupply, and escort missions among others.

How long is Red Dead Redemption 2 with side quests? ›

Powered by IGN Wiki Guides
Single-PlayerPolledAverage
Main Story1.8K50h 46m
Main + Extras3.7K86h 57m
Completionist516193h 32m
All PlayStyles6K85h 5m

Can you find Dutch after beating RDR2? ›

Dutch Van der Linde walks away unharmed at the end of Red Dead Redemption 2 after helping John and Sadie put an end to Micah. He simply walks away at the end of the game. In the original title, however, John manages to track down and kill Dutch, who had created a new gang of Native Americans.

Can you get Arthur's stuff back as John? ›

It's important to note that while you will regain Arthur's outfits, weapons, and some valuables, his money, food, and other consumables will not carry over to John [2].

Is it better to be dishonorable in RDR2? ›

High honor leads to reduced prices, better loot, and more outfits, while low honor yields more loot and discounts on deadeye tonics. Being good in the game requires sacrifices, while being bad has fewer rewards, but low honor makes gameplay easier and less stressful.

Is it better to help Sadie or not RDR2? ›

By refusing to help her, Arthur is denying aid to a person who stands by him at the very end. Not only will players be ensuring that Arthur is a bad person, but they will also miss out on Sadie's tale of revenge against the O'Driscolls.

Should you 100% RDR2? ›

The main appeal for finishing everything in RDR2 is bragging rights, so some hardcore gamers might be tempted to slowly chip away at The Best in the West's checklist. Still, its lackluster rewards don't make the commitment worth it in the end for anyone but the most devoted Red Dead Redemption 2 players.

Where is the killer hiding RDR2? ›

That location is back up towards Valentine at a place called Lucky's cabin (it's just south of Valentine on the map). When you arrive a stranger icon will appear, indicating you're in the right area. Head towards what's left of the building and when prompted, open the basem*nt doors.

Are there secret missions in RDR2? ›

Players can uncover an array of hidden content by exploring and interacting with lesser-known characters and locations in the game. From uncovering mysteries like vampire encounters to aiding strangers in need, these side quests add depth and variety to the game world.

Can you find the Strange Man in RDR2? ›

In Red Dead Redemption 2, the Strange Man appears very briefly in a disturbing cameo. While playing as John during the game's epilogue, players can visit an abandoned shack every day for a few days and watch as a painting of the Strange Man slowly comes together.

Can you miss any stranger missions in RDR2? ›

There are a few side missions that can be missed depending on your progression. So if you see any stranger missions, camp requests, gang missions etc active on your map, try to do them before progressing further into story. All in all, try to take things slow, and you shouldn't miss anything in particular.

How many missions are there as John in RDR2? ›

The narrative of Red Dead Redemption 2 spans four or five different territories and 109 different missions (94 story missions, as well as 15 "honor missions") which are separated in 6 chapters and a 2-part epilogue.

What can you do as John RDR2? ›

One cool thing you can do after the game ends and you're playing as John is to revisit some of the people that Arthur assisted during his journey in the main campaign. Certain random encounters and strangers will remember Arthur with fondness and even help John out once they realize that they knew each other.

Can you do Charlotte Mission as John? ›

Her mission strand is the only one that requires both Arthur and John to be played.

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