Rockstar’sRed Dead Redemptionseries is in a tough place given how its wild west setting limits the time period in which entries can take place. The series is set at the end of the frontier era, with the ending of the first game as far into the 20th Century as 1914, making it difficult to continue on telling the standard western tale - justifying the setting forRed Dead Redemption 2being a prequel. However, there is one direction the series could take that would expand upon themes already established in prior entries and fit logically into the timeline of real-world events.
ThenextRed Dead Redemptiongamecould ditch the wild west setting and have players travel overseas to new lands, building upon the foundation previous entries have touched upon. Not only would going this route open up the franchise to new environments and storytelling opportunities, but it would circumvent the issue of the declining era of the American wild west limiting the scope of the series. Additionally, real-world events that occurred around this time period also make intercontinental travel a natural next step for the series.
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While theRed Dead Redemptionseriesfollows the decline of frontier life in the western United States, a global conflict raged on during this period that could give the series a broader reach to explore in future entries. The Spanish-American War of 1898 changed the landscape of international politics as the US defeated the Spanish Empire and gained control of previously Spanish-held territories throughout the Caribbean and Pacific. With the North American continent largely settled by the US, attention turned to these new territories like Cuba, Guam, and the Philippines.
This expansion into overseas territories creates the perfect setting forRed Dead Redemptionto explore a new, international frontier. The story could followJack Marstonin the aftermath of losing both of his parents at the end of the first game and take place in the few years after the end of that game in 1914. Having Jack travel to one of these new territories in an effort to build a new life for himself would make a very compelling story and would tie into the frontier themes of the series, as well as continue its message surrounding the conflict caused by American expansionism.
The series has already dabbled in international settings, such as the portion ofRed Dead Redemptionthat takes place in Mexico, or whenRed Dead Redemption 2takes players to the fictional Caribbean island of Guarma. The series is begging for more overseas adventures afterRed Dead Redemption 2’s Dutchspent most of the game telling Arthur tales of a future life they could have in Tahiti. Jack could even show some apprehension about traveling on a large ship since the sinking of the Titanic in 1912 would still be in the zeitgeist of this time period.
The combination of the real-world timeline of events and theRed Dead Redemptionseries' foray into international territories makes a future title set overseas all the more likely. Giving the series a new locale while freshening up its story and gameplay would be the way to top the evocative world ofRed Dead Redemption 2. Whether the next entry continues the story of Jack Marston, or adopts an entirely new protagonist, sending them overseas to the frontier of new US territories in the wake of the Spanish-American War seems like a logical progression for the franchise thatRockstarshouldn’t miss the opportunity to capitalize on.
Red Dead Redemption 2is available for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
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