This article contains spoilers forRed Dead RedemptionandRed Dead Redemption 2.
TheRed Dead Redemptionfranchise has continued to be one of the most praised action-adventure titles in the industry. Despite not having many entries in its series, the impact thatRed Dead Redemptionhas had on the industry is unmistakable. The latest chapter,RDR2, brought forth a gripping and emotional prequel that still maintains its status as one of the best narratives in gaming.
Seven years afterRDR2, one of the biggest questions among fans is what the third chapter will hold in store.RDR2being a prequel was a compelling twist, and it’s highly possible that Rockstar could repeat this formula again. IfRDR3happens to be a prequel, too, puttingDutch Van der Lindein the starring role would be a pretty clear choice.
Dutch’s Early Days as an Outlaw
The obvious benefit ofRDR3following Dutchis that it would give players a full-blown look at the genesis of the iconic Van der Linde gang. From meeting Hosea at a campsite on the way to Chicago to discovering Arthur Morgan as a teenage orphan, getting to see the early pieces of the story fall into place would be both thrilling and bittersweet.
WhileRDR2showcased Dutch’s descent into madnessandRDR1detailed his eventual demise,RDR3could reveal a far more optimistic side of the character. Dutch had no way to know that he would inevitably succumb to the growing pressure of the quickly changing world around him. Younger and more idealistic in his ambitions for outlaw-living freedom, a younger version of Dutch could be the perfect ingredient to add an even deeper narrative gut-punch to the already emotional franchise.
There are theories that Dutch’s eventual mental collapse was partially caused by the head injury he sustained in the trolley crash during “Urban Pleasures.”
A Dutch Prequel Could Explore New Gameplay Mechanics
The heart of Dutch’s personality lies in his silver-tongued ways with people. In order to lead an outlaw gang, one has to have a persuasive attitude, but Dutch may not have always been so charming. A fun extra level of challenge could be to task players with honing these persuasion skills as the story progresses.Dutch is an incredibly complex character, and actively helping him become the leader thatRDR2showcased could prove quite rewarding.
This could also pave the way for more in-depth dialogue mechanics.RDR2has a rudimentary version of this type of NPC interaction, but Dutch would be the perfect character to explore a more detailed take on dialogue options. Also, since a prequel would potentially followDutch and Hoseaas they worked to form the Van der Linde gang, such a story would open the doors to an NPC management system. Assigning new recruits and managing them during missions may add a deeper layer of immersion.
A younger version of Dutch could be the perfect ingredient to add an even deeper narrative gut-punch to the already emotional franchise.
GTA 6’s Delay Means RDR3 May Be Much Further Away Than Hoped For
SinceRDR3isn’t even actually confirmed, there’s no telling when Rockstar will get around to announcing another chapter, if at all. It’s quite possible thattheRed Dead Redemptionfranchisehas run its course, but there’s hopefully room for one final story. OnceGTA 6finally launches, a lot of eyes will be set on the future ofRed Dead Redemption. The continuation of the series remains to be seen, but Dutch Van der Linde could be the key to making a new chapter feel fresh.
