The latest updates for "Red Dead Redemption 2" reveal new gameplay details about its main story and gameplay features. Rockstar Games announced that the open-world western video game will not have a character swap feature from "Grand Theft Auto 5."
Rockstar Games directors Josh Brass and Aaron Garbut talked about Dutch Van der Linde's motive in the story and how his actions affected both Arthur Morgan and his gang.
The game serves as a prequel to the first game as players assume the role of Arthur. He tries to keep his gang safe from bounty hunters and lawmen while surviving the hard and cruel life in the old west.
No character swaps in RDR2
According to Comic Book.com, Josh Brass confirmed that "Red Dead Redemption 2" will not have a character swap feature similar to "Grand Theft Auto 5" as he explained that the prequel is all about Arthur Morgan and his struggles. Rockstar Games incorporated that feature in "GTA 5's" main story and players had the ability to choose from Michael, Trevor, and Franklin, each with their own individual storylines and special skill sets.
While Rockstar will not add character swaps in the game, Brass noted that players will experience being part of the Van der Linde gang. He stated that it was never done in any of their titles before. Players will control Arthur's actions in the game as he helps his friends and family survive the wild west by doing odd jobs or hunting animals for food and trade.
Players can interact with the members of the gang in base camps and unlock new missions and side-quests. Wanted Levels are back in the game and players will engage in gunfights with the local law enforcement. There are also player choices that will determine Arthur's actions, either he resolves the problem peacefully, or end up starting trouble.
This also applies to Bank Heists where players can plan out complex strategies to rob a bank or get inside guns blazing.
More details about the main story
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Brass and Aaron Garbut stated that the plot of "RDR2" centers around Dutch Van der Linde, the first game's main antagonist.
"Dutch’s presence loomed over the original Red Dead Redemption, and his influence on events was a big inspiration for the setting and direction of Red Dead Redemption 2," Bass told THR. "We all wanted to know more about him and the gang — what was it like riding in that gang? What led them to the events of the original game? What happened to them along the way?"
Dutch's decision will effectively create tension around Arthur and his gang, and players will have to do what they can from tearing itself apart. The game will launch on October 26 for the PS4 and Xbox One consoles.