Red Dead Redemption 2 is a masterpiece of luxurious open-world design. With every nook and cranny filled with detail, this fading wild west is easy to get lost in for hours on end. It isn’t just visual detail, however, that makes this such an impressive experience, but also the believably ridiculous non-player characters that the player meets along the way.
In fact, large parts of Red Dead Redemption 2 have more in common with Animal Crossing than any Assassin’s Creed, and that’s because this open-world rewards the player for slowing down and taking the time to listen. If they open their ears a bit, they might just hear some of the most charming and funny side stories any game has to offer. Here are some of the best, most hilarious, and occasionally most endearing NPCs and their locations.
10 Timothy A. Donahue
A streetside character that the player can encounter in Saint Denis, Timothy Donahue is an author trying to sell his book “Get Rich Quick”. This book, described in-game as “the true and legitimate guide to wealth, prosperity and joy,” will cost the player a steep $50. While it contains such gems as Timothy proclaiming, “I am here to teach you truly to Haw and Gee in your life,” it is still a high price to pay.
This charlatan can be found in Saint Denis, near the Bastille Saloon, and will be easy to find, as he loudly hawks his wares in street. If the player hands over $50 and sees that the book is full of nonsense, they can go back and insist on a refund. There is no consumer law here, though, and Timothy will quickly flee. He can be hogtied or killed to get the money back, but this sorry man doesn’t really seem worth it. There are more than enough ways to “get rich quick” in this game.
9 Jeremy Gill
One thing Red Dead Redemption 2 doesn’t get enough praise for is its comedy in naming characters. There is an art to amusing names, and Red Dead is a masterful showcase. Take Jeremy Gill, for instance, self-described as “just a normal guy, who happens to be very famous.” Believe it or not, he is famous for catching fish.
Starting the stranger mission “A Fisher of Fish,” Gill can be found at Gill Landing in The Heartlands. The player will find him fishing in Flat Iron Lake, where he will mistake Arthur for a fan, allowing his ever so modest self-aggrandizing to come out in force. He’ll want you to catch him some lovely fish, and there are many fishing spots throughout Red Dead’s world that are great for this.
8 Albert Mason
A clumsy and timid wildlife photographer, Albert Mason is always in need of Arthur’s help. Whether he’s trying to get his bag back from a coyote or an action shot of some hungry wolves, Albert couldn’t be more out of his element. He does take some nice photos, however.
He can be found just north of Blackwater, Southeast of Strawberry, where he and Arthur can get acquainted. Albert also has a great disdain for trophy hunters, so skinning an animal near him will elicit a disgruntled response. Overall, he is charmingly clumsy and generally good-hearted, which is nice to see in this tough wilderness.
7 Francis Sinclair
Rockstar has a way with dialogue that really shines in Red Dead Redemption 2. While the satire of Grand Theft Auto may feel a bit tired, the comedy in Red Dead is a rare and welcome treat. One of the best examples of this is Francis Sinclair, a fast-talking geologist with a penchant for fancy words.
He can be found in a cabin just northwest of Strawberry, where Arthur can get to know his peculiar Transatlantic accent. This initiates the stranger mission “Geology for Beginners,” which tasks Arthur with finding mysterious rock carvings throughout the world. It’s well worth seeing to the end, as it’s one of the wackiest stories Red Dead has to offer, and that is a competitive field.
6 Margaret
A dress-wearing circus performer, Margaret is a fancy Brit who captures animals for shows. Having left England to avoid the army, Margaret came to America for a chance in show business - but the realities are much less glamorous than the name suggests.
Initiating the stranger mission “He’s British, of Course,” Arthur can meet Margaret in between the Dewberry Creek stable and Bluewater Marsh. What ensues is a tale of fraud and farce in equal measure, just like many of the funniest moments in the game.
5 Algernon Wasp
Another shining example of the excellent art of comedy names, Algernon Wasp is a “purveyor of the exotic and the exquisite” and will ask Arthur to collect many different materials for Algernon to use in the clothes he makes. He is just as extravagant as his name would suggest, adding a bit of flair to this grounded world.
Algernon can be found via the main mission “The Gilded Cage,” where he is at the same party as Arthur. He will be choking, and if the player decides to go and help him, they’ll be showered with praise and also receive his business card. After that, pay him a visit to start the stranger mission “Duchesses and Other Animals”.
4 Sampson Black & Wendell White
An inseparable duo, Sampson Black and Wendell White are the perfect comedy pairing that Arthur can encounter multiple times throughout his journey. They bicker like a married couple, clearly in a deeply loving friendship but never actually seeming to get along - it’s incredibly charming.
These two escaped convicts can be found just outside Rhodes, in the woods. This initiates “The Ties That Bind Us,” a stranger mission that first starts with them asking Arthur to take down their wanted posters. From there they can be encountered a couple more times around the map for some heart-warming conversations. The way their story can be seen over dozens of hours of gameplay is great evidence of the greatness of this open-world.
3 Charles Châtenay
An extravagant and personable artist, Charles Châtenay is responsible for some of the best dialog in the game. Having left Paris to pursue art in a more welcoming environment, Charles ropes Arthur into helping him out of a few difficulties. He’s easy to love, with his charm and self-deprecating humor, often describing himself as a “whole ass.”
He can be found in Doyle’s Tavern in Saint Denis, where greeting him will initiate “The Artist’s Way,” one of the best stranger missions in the game. He makes a strong first impression with golden lines like, “Like Buddha said, you know we are all just here to f*ck,” and this attitude never wavers throughout the many escapades Arthur has with him.
2 Proetus & Acrisius
Another couple of characters that can only be talked of as a pair, Proetus and Acrisius are the most overtly comedic characters on this list. They are named after the twins and two kings of Argos from Greek mythology, who always tried to one-up each other. The names fit then, as these two twins can be found multiple times, trying to win over the heart of a woman called Helen.
Offering Arthur a series of challenges that should prove their manliness, Proetus and Acrisius can first be found in Valentine from Chapter 4 onwards, initiating the stranger mission “Oh, Brother”. Throughout Arthur’s multiple encounters with them, he will grumble about their idiocy, but there is something rather charming about them.
1 Nigel
The true comedic height of Red Dead Redemption 2 doesn’t come with any obvious story or quest, but rather with Nigel. This man is wandering the world looking for his missing friend Gavin. He will ask Arthur if he has seen Gavin too, but it seems Nigel will be searching for many years to come.
He can be found in many different places in the world, and at many different times. If the player keeps their ears and eyes open they’re sure to hear Nigel crying out “Gavin! Gav!” It can be hilarious and heartbreaking talking to him: “I’m looking for Gavin…he’s my best friend.” If only Arthur knew where Gavin was.
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