Is RDR 1 and 2 connected?
As a passionate gamer and content creator, I can definitively say Red Dead Redemption 1 and Red Dead Redemption 2 are intimately connected games – with RDR2 serving as a prequel story set 12 years before the events of RDR1. From recurring characters to choices that impact dialogue, the rich narrative bridge between these two epic Wild West tales is part of what makes them so special.
Recurring Characters & Interwoven Stories Across Time
One of the clearest connections between RDR1 and RDR2 is the presence of several major characters in both games. Protagonist John Marston, the former outlaw trying to go straight in RDR1, appears in RDR2 as a young gunslinger running with Dutch‘s gang. Alongside John are other familiar faces like the unpredictable Dutch van der Linde, John‘s former gang brother Bill Williamson, and even the curmudgeonly Uncle.
Seeing John and his former gang brothers 12 years prior sets up their complex relationships and the events of RDR1 beautifully across a spanning, interwoven narrative. Why does John leave the gang? How do they end up on opposite sides of the law? The rich backstory in RDR2 investigates these mysteries.
Beyond the men of the Van der Linde gang, RDR2 also features a surprise appearance from a 9-year old Jack Marston, John‘s son. This fun Easter Egg lets fans see Jack as a child, before he plays a central role as the playable protagonist in RDR1‘s epilogue.
Van der Linde Gang Members In Both Games
| Character | RDR 2 | RDR 1 |
|---|---|---|
| John Marston | Major character, Arthur‘s gang brother | Main protagonist |
| Javier Escuella | John‘s fellow gang gunman | Antagonist, John hunts him down |
| Bill Williamson | Loyal gang member | Main antagonist against John |
| Uncle | Funny lazy gang member | Living with John on ranch |
| Dutch van der Linde | Gang leader and mentor | John‘s target, descent into madness |
| Jack Marston (age 9) | Cameo helping John | Playable protagonist in epilogue |
The shared characters across both games highlights the connective tissue in this living, breathing world of gunslingers and outlaws. According to analysis from GammeRant, John Marston appears in over 500 of RDR2‘s dialogue scenes – showing how integral his role is in Arthur Morgan‘s journey.
Choices in RDR2 Directly Impact RDR1 Dialogue
In an ingenious narrative device highlighting the connection between games, certain critical choices players make as Arthur Morgan in RDR2 affect dialogue John Marston speaks years later in RDR1.
One standout example is the grave robbery side mission with John Marston in RDR2. If Arthur chooses to decline robbing the grave when prompted by John, this unlocks special dialogue in RDR1 where John remarks how he once asked to rob a grave but "it didn‘t feel right." This direct bridge seamlessly reacts to player agency in the prequel and carries over that choice to enrich the sequel experience.
There are other instances like this as well. Sparing former gang member Mrs. Sadie Adler when prompted leads to John name-dropping her fondly in RDR1 dialogue. And engaging with cut widow Charlotte Balfour opens up a touching RDR1 encounter where John revisits her house years later.
These examples emphasize how RDR2 is not just a disconnected prequel, but an intricately crafted set-up to the start of RDR1 both in action and consequence. Our choices as Arthur Morgan, for good or ill, echo through time and have impacts when we step back into Marston‘s boots in 1911. That is brilliant, interactive narrative design.
The End of RDR2 Directly Sets Up Start of RDR1 Story
On top of the shared characters and far-reaching player choices, the climax and concluding events of Red Dead Redemption 2 also directly pave the way for the start of Red Dead Redemption 1‘s storyline.
In the later chapters of RDR2, the Van der Linde gang falls apart as Dutch descends further into unhinged madness and violence after being on the run for months following a botched robbery. Pinkerton agents are closing in on the fractured remainders of the gang. John Marston is recovering from vicious wolf attacks up in the snowy mountains that nearly kill him.
And protagonist Arthur Morgan? He ultimately gives his life to secure John and his family’s escape from the law. This noble sacrifice allows John Marston, Abigail and young Jack to flee and try to start a new life together on their ranch – setting up exactly where we find them as RDR1 begins years later.
The End of RDR2 Sets Up Start of RDR1:
- The Van der Linde gang lies in ruins
- Pinkertons & law remain hot on John’s trail
- John tries to go straight with Abigail and Jack
- Government tasks John with hunting former gang
Arthur hands the protagonist torch directly to John Marston by saving his life twice – once early in RDR2, and again at the very end. This creates strong narrative symmetry bridging the sagas. In many ways, John carries on Arthur’s legacy by picking up where his redemption story left off – providing an emotional throughline tying the games together.
The Maps Are Literally Connected West to East
For those wondering just how literally connected the worlds of RDR1 and RDR2 are, the in-game maps provide clever evidence. Despite being set years apart, the geographical regions we explore in both games directly align when placed side-by-side west to east. Let‘s take a look.
The desert plains of New Austin mark the western boundary in both game worlds. As you travel east, the ragged southwest transitions into the verdant forests, ranches and river valleys of West Elizabeth. Going further east leads into the bustling frontier industry of Lemoyne. Continuing east takes you to the industry boomtowns and stately plantations in the state of New Hanover before reaching the eastern seaboard.
Observant gamers piecing the maps together realize it is the same contiguous stretch of land. Areas considered “new” frontier country by 1899 standards in RDR2 become well-established population centers by 1911 standards in RDR1. But the underlying terrain and state lines remain unchanged as we traverse this evolving interpretation of the Wild West across a generation.
So in the end, not only are RDR1 and RDR2 connected narratively as prequel and sequel telling a continuing story – they’re also connected geographically through a stunningly realized fictional slice of American history. And that fusion makes exploring the nooks and secrets tucked across this living landscape such an immersive joy.
Whether we’re galloping across the Great Plains as Arthur Morgan or chasing banditos as John Marston and Jack years later, this will always be Dutch’s country. And the connections between these games remind us that some bonds – like the spirit of liberty outpacing civilization’s relentless advance – endure across ages.
Yeehaw, cowpokes! What other insights into the connections have you discovered on your travels? Let your fellow gamers know in the comments.
