Red Dead Redemptionreleased in 2010 to huge critical acclaim.John Marston’s journey to the lightis one of the most satisfying character arcs in gaming, and succeeds in large part because the player is told about his evil deeds before the events of the game. When the outlaw-turned-good begins doing selfless deeds for wayfaring strangers, it feels like he’s achieving redemption. He’s not a good man, and the allure of lawlessness is often hard to resist - especially given howRed Dead Redemption 2showed just how satisfying it can be with Marston’s previous gang being so much fun.
That band of outlaws is lead by Dutch Van Der Linde, a man with his own share of complexities that rarely grapples with doing the right thing. Dutch is presented in the first game as a character who is bad to the bone, but the 2018 sequel gives him more depth rivaling that of John Marston or Arthur Morgan. He’s different from the aforementioned personalities in several ways, and the nextRed Dead Redemptionproject would do well to bring him into the center of attention for a more in-depth analysis.
RELATED:Red Dead Redemption 2’s Anniversary Passes in Silence, and Fans Aren’t Happy
Dutch is a Rockstar Games Protagonist in the Making
Rockstar Games' open-world titles, while often vastly different in setting, usually have a few things in common like plenty of side activities, gorgeous visuals, and the ceaseless potential for player-led mischief. From Jimmy Hopkins' misdemeanors at Bullworth Academy toTommy Vercetti’s ascent in the Vice City criminal underworld, the characters of Rockstar projects are rarely without fault. Dutch fits the company’s mold perfectly, but differs from his predecessors in that he has no real redeeming qualities to take advantage of.
Dutch van der Linde is in a never-ending downward spiral of villainy, whereas John and Arthur have flashes of kindness and generosity. Such quirks are the reason why the latter pair are so loved despite their outlaw status, but Dutch isn’t a good person. That doesn’t mean he can’t be a compelling protagonist, though. Like Walter White orHarvey Dent, Dutch van der Linde starts out as someone redeemable, or even likable, but his journey is one of villainy. It would be different from what came before, but no less gripping if the story is handled correctly.
The Complex Character of Dutch van der Linde
For a game to wield theRed Dead Redemptionname, it has to be more than just an open-world cowboy adventure.The story of the Van Der Linde gangis essential, and neglecting it entirely inRed Dead Redemption 3would rob the series of its identity. Yet, as Arthur and John have both had their fate sealed, it’s a challenge to find a way back into that world without it feeling repetitive. Dutch’s unique character qualities and largely unexplored past makes him familiar enough to remind players why the franchise is so special, but different enough to not diminish the emotional impact of John and Arthur’s respective stories.
The end of Dutch’s life is well documented, but seeing his beginnings would add much more context to a cryptic man. Like Revolver Ocelot inMetal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, a Dutch-ledRed Dead Redemptioncould shine a light on an iconic character before they were introduced to players. Learning how he survived as a boy during the American Civil War, whathis early friendship with Hoseawas like, and how he came to be so notorious would all be fascinating to see. There are plenty of engaging characters thatRed Dead Redemption 3could explore in further detail, but knowing more about Dutch might be the best way to make the first two games even better.
Red Dead Redemption 2is available for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
