There are five apparent directions the story of Red Dead Redemption 3 may go in, if Rockstar Games decides to proceed with it.
One of the best video games ever created is Red Dead Redemption, followed by Red Dead Redemption 2. Both of Rockstar’s open world western games have received high praise, with special attention paid to the games’ characters and plots. Given that Red Dead Redemption 2 is one of the best-reviewed video games ever, it’s hardly surprising that many people want Rockstar to continue working on Red Dead Redemption 3.
One could assume that a Red Dead Redemption 3 is imminent given how lucrative Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2 were. However, Rockstar Games cannot always be relied upon. Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2 were the only two significant new projects the company released in the past ten years, and it’s possible that fans will still have to wait years before they can play the studio’s upcoming game, the eagerly anticipated Grand Theft Auto 6.
But if Red Dead Redemption 3 materialises as many fans anticipate, the question of the plot still remains. There are five clear directions that a prospective Red Dead Redemption 3 may go if Rockstar ever decides to make it, even if Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2 tell a rather comprehensive story.
Dutch van der Linde Prequel
In the first Red Dead Redemption, John Marston sought out former Van der Linde gang members in exchange for the safe release of his kidnapped family. In spite of its name, Red Dead Redemption 2 actually takes place years before the first game and is mostly the account of Arthur Morgan’s time spent with the Van der Linde gang.
Dutch van der Linde, the gang’s commander and namesake, undergoes significant psychological changes throughout Red Dead Redemption 2 as a result of wounds and other circumstances. Dutch is initially shown as a powerful leader who is dedicated to improving the lives of every member of his gang. However, as the game progresses, Dutch finds himself making a series of poor decisions, including putting his faith in the wrong people, taking careless risks that result in the deaths of his comrades, and ultimately coming to blows with Arthur Morgan, his former best friend.
Red Dead Redemption 3 might go back a few years, much as Red Dead Redemption 2 did. It might delve into Dutch’s connection to Annabelle, the start of his violent conflict with the O’Driscolls, and the formation of his gang. It would be the opposite of Red Dead Redemption 1, where the objective is to get rid of the Van der Linde gang members who are still alive. Instead, it would involve gathering everyone for Red Dead Redemption 2’s upcoming events by recruiting them.
Additionally, a Dutch van der Linde prequel would allow Rockstar to create a Red Dead Redemption game that concentrates more on the Wild West’s heyday than its decline, which is what the first two games are about. Being a Dutch prequel, Red Dead Redemption 3 appears to offer some of the best gameplay potential. It would also help develop his character by giving him more depth, which would improve the stories of RDR1 and RDR2.
Sadie Adler Sequel
Rockstar might be eager for Red Dead Redemption 3 to advance the plot instead after spending so much time explaining the Van der Linde gang’s story. Three characters stand out as excellent candidates for a follow-up, but Sadie Adler stands out above the others.
Early in Red Dead Redemption 2’s narrative, Sadie Adler becomes a widow, changing her from a homemaker to a ruthless criminal. Sadie finds herself going on missions rather than spending time at camp with the other Van der Linde gang ladies, particularly when it entails finding the O’Driscolls, who murdered her husband. Sadie has been hardened by her time under Dutch’s command, but after the O’Driscolls are eliminated from the map, she seems to have mostly satiated her bloodlust.
Sadie makes the decision to leave her life of crime behind her and begin bounty hunting once the O’Driscolls are killed and the gang is dispersed. She finds the deceitful Micah Bell and teams up once more with Charles Smith and John Marston to kill him in retaliation for betraying the gang. Throughout this, Adler is stabbed and suffers serious injuries, but she pulls through. Sadie’s fate following Red Dead Redemption 2’s events is unknown, but there is a hint as to where she might be.
Sadie tells John in the Red Dead Redemption 2 epilogue that she might visit South America. Red Dead Redemption 3 might depict Sadie’s life in South America if she managed to do that. The location would be a welcome break from the first two games, and it would give players the chance to learn what happens to one of the franchise’s most well-known non-player characters. The female protagonist of Grand Theft Auto 6 might be able to open doors for Mrs. Adler to get the lead in Red Dead Redemption 3.
Charles Smith Sequel
Similar to Sadie Adler, a Charles Smith sequel would make a fantastic addition to Red Dead Redemption 3’s narrative. Charles emerged from Red Dead Redemption 2 as one of the game’s most well-liked characters, and beyond that, RDR2’s language has made inferences about what he would be up to throughout the events of a prospective Red Dead Redemption 3’s story. Charles Smith stated he wants to move north, while Sadie Adler said she wants to go to South America.
Charles tells John and Sadie in Red Dead Redemption 2 that he wants to travel to the north, find a wife, and start a family. This would enable Red Dead Redemption 3 to take place in a location entirely distinct from the ones in the first two games, which would be a refreshing change of pace. Many fans of Red Dead Redemption are curious as to whether Charles ever managed to have a family or if he was stuck living the life of an outlaw.
Jack Marston Sequel
Though it may not be as intriguing as the alternatives for the Dutch, Sadie, or Charles characters, following the life of Jack Marston may be the most logical path for the possible Red Dead Redemption 3 tale to take. Avenging the death of his father John at the conclusion of the first Red Dead Redemption neatly wraps up the entire tale, and it doesn’t seem like it would be worthwhile to explore Jack Marston’s character any further—especially given that he is an adult when the Wild West is essentially gone.
However, some people have grown fond to Jack over the years, from his innocent boyhood memories of Arthur to his days as a gun-toting adult. Although it appears like Jack Marston’s tale is done, perhaps Rockstar Games can find a compelling method to have him return in Red Dead Redemption 3.
A Brand-New Gang
The fifth and possibly least popular option is for Red Dead Redemption 3 to centre on a brand-new gang, a group of people that are utterly distinct from those players first encountered in Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2. It’s safe to say that many fans would prefer to see Red Dead Redemption 3 continue the stories of characters from Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2. This would actually bring Red Dead Redemption 3 more in line with how Rockstar handles sequels, as its Grand Theft Auto games typically have a completely new cast of characters each time, with some cameos to link them together.