Red Dead Redemption 2 received astounding critical reception upon its release in 2018 and since then it has been discussed as one of the best games of the entire current console generation.
The game’s narrative did an excellent job of showcasing the journey its protagonist Arthur Morgan went on in an attempt to seek redemption in the face of his mortality. He wasn’t the only character who was redeemed in the game by the time credits rolled, though. Let’s look at and rank 5 characters who were redeemed and 5 who never got redemption in Red Dead Redemption 2.
10 Not: Angelo Bronte
Angelo Bronte, the crime lord of Saint Denis, was a man who lived a very nasty life full of crime, fear, and sin. He ultimately meets his demise at the hands of Arthur Morgan and John Marston when they ambush his manor, following Dutch Van Der Linde’s plans.
In Bronte’s final moments you see how cowardice and afraid he truly is when he isn’t in an advantageous position. He’s the type of man who would only ever seek redemption if it meant he received something for it. Bullies are often cowards in hiding, and Bronte was a shining example of that.
9 Redeemed: Uncle
Uncle is the type of character who can be annoying, but at the end of the day, he means well. Like most alcoholics, he tends to be a different person completely depending on how sober he is.
Throughout Red Dead Redemption 2 he comes across to Arthur Morgan as a lazy free-loader who always has something to complain about. In the game’s epilogue, he serves as John Marston’s latest mentor and informs him that numerous members of the Van Der Linde gang are still roaming around doing various jobs and living different lives.
8 Not: Hosea Matthews
Hosea Matthews was the oldest member of the Van Der Linde gang, and though he wasn’t the most violent or volatile, he certainly had plenty of mistakes he wished he fixed. He meets his end in Saint Denis, alongside Lenny Summers, and it always felt as if it was too soon.
Many contribute his death to Dutch Van Der Linde’s descent into madness. It’s safe to assume that if Hosea survived he would have certainly been on Arthur’s side and likely would have looked for a redeeming moment in his final days.
7 Redeemed: John Marston
Some may argue that John Marston couldn’t have found redemption in Red Dead Redemption 2 considering he spent all of the first game, which is a sequel narratively, doing exactly that.
Well, when looking at redemption it isn’t a one-time thing and often people struggle with redeeming themselves throughout their life. In Red Dead Redemption 2 John does find redemption though as he ends up committing to Abigail and heeding Arthur’s advice of getting away from their current lifestyle, until the government pulls him back in, of course.
6 Not: Bill Williamson
Everyone is familiar with the mean old guy that seems to live in every neighborhood. Bill Williamson was that for the Van Der Linde gang as he always seemed upset or disgruntled about one thing or another.
He also wasn’t the smartest man around and fixing that by learning to read or educating himself didn’t seem like one of his priorities. Since Red Dead Redemption 2 is a prequel to the first game, anyone who played the first one knows that Bill is just as awful in John Marston’s story as he was in Arthur Morgan’s.
5 Redeemed: Sadie Adler
Sadie Adler’s redemption is a bit complicated considering the life she ended up living, but she did redeem a part of it. She was once an innocent housewife who enjoyed living with her husband out in the wild until he was murdered and her life was stripped from her by the O’Driscolls.
By the time Red Dead Redemption 2’s epilogue rolls around she is a tough and feared bounty hunter who makes a living catching men very similar to those who took everything away from her. She may be vengeful, but she did manage to redeem her self-respect and dignity.
4 Not: Micah Bell
The mark of a solid antagonist in a game is that the player hates them just as much, if not more than the protagonist does. Micah Bell was a scumbag from the moment Arthur Morgan saved him from the jail cell in Valentine up until Sadie Adler and John Marston killed him on that snowy mountain.
He never once tried seeing the other side of the conversation and his entire focus was on manipulation Dutch Van Der Linde for his gain. Micah died as he lived, full of garbage, and unwilling to become a better person.
3 Redeemed: Charles Smith
One could argue that the most underrated character in all of Red Dead Redemption 2 is Charles Smith. This Native American powerhouse is not only an accomplished fighter and stand-up guy by game’s end, but he also ends up being incredibly loyal to Arthur Morgan posthumously via John Marston.
Charles even goes out of his way in the game’s main narrative to help fellow Native Americans despite feeling like an outsider, as well as them falling for Dutch’s tricks. He left to pursue an honest life and make a family. Charles was wholly redeemed of any sins.
2 Not: Dutch Van Der Linde
As players begin their time in Red Dead Redemption 2 they’re introduced to a Dutch Van Der Linde who is looking out for the best interest of his gang. The game progresses in a way that shows Dutch become illogical as he morphs into a desperate man trying to grasp onto the last straws of the outlaw livelihood he’s lived.
The modern world is overtaking the wild west and instead of growing and becoming an honest man, he doubles down on cheap tricks and scams to feel validated.
1 Redeemed: Arthur Morgan
The Arthur Morgan players are introduced to at the beginning of Red Dead Redemption 2 is a completely different person than the one at the end of his journey. Since he is the protagonist of the game his journey of redemption is at the forefront of the narrative.
As he faces his mortality he begins to question the type of man he wants to be remembered as. He knows he’s lived a less than perfect life, but all Arthur wants to do in his final days is right those he’s wronged and make sure those he cares about are safe.
NEXT: Red Dead Redemption 2: Ranking The Van Der Linde Gang From Oldest To Youngest
