Five years of Red Dead Redemption 2 means five years of this scene being ingrained in my memory. It feels like the right time for me to talk about it. What scenes have stood out to you over the last five years?
The scenes with Mrs. Londonderry and Arthur confronting Archie's bullies. The way he's acts the fundamental opposite of how he treated people like them with this new humbled, vulnerable disposition Roger gives Arthur in these scenes just moved me. It's when it clicked and I realized I was playing through the best character arc in a game.
SPOILER ALERT - Seans death stood out for me the most, he was the first character to diе on screen. On my first play, I jumped up from my chair due the loud shot that came out of nowhere. Before that it felt you and the gang were invincible...
„Lneny?“ Jk it is his last talk with sister Calderón. It felt personal and very „human“ as critics/essayists tend to say. For a character that goes through such motiondriven (and repetitive cough*dutch*) missions, it was great to finally get some cracks in arthurs silence for him to talk and reflect on his emotional position. Outside of vague interpretations you could mostly make up from his actions and looks. The devs use a third party character, that knows basically nothing about the mc outside of what she perceived to be the only truth, (him BEING a good man) to then put this into contrast of the mcs emotional struggles (as a sinner in conflict with his former/current beliefs and actions). Beautiful! I like how many RUclipsrs caught the necessity of that scene, but I‘m not surprised that you took the scene showm here as your favorite! Great video! Cool how your contributions still feel educational despite the lack of historical facts in this one! I believe your channel can go another mile with that kind of a format (essays I guess) Peace!
I can’t imagine what Arthur must be feeling when he hears Mrs Londonderry say “Arthur’s dead”. It’s such a tiny detail, but the fact that the man has the same name as him must make Arthur reflect on himself so intensely in that moment.
Exactly, knowing you're dying it probably was scarier having it said to your face if u think on it and it makes reality even more real, even though it wasn't you...yet
Arthur's "sad eyes" were always his most grabbing feature to me. Even in freeroam. Roger Clark's performance and the work of so many talented graphics, design and mocap devs that gave us this mesmerizing portrait of a conflicted man. I was quite literally struck hearing you narrate Arthur's thoughts as he kicked out Strauss. You're right. Arthur's flawed and hypocritical, as well as hurt and regretful. And I feel underscoring these points in addition to his virtuous traits is important to show that complex duality. It's the conflicted, contradictory, and even hypocritical nature that makes him so human and you paint that image truthfully. Rather than only singing to the latter and making him off as another sympathetic victim of circumstance protagonist.
@@justice_of_RUclips I like to express my thoughts. If it gets replies that's just a bonus because it possibly initiates a conversation. This comment was also not the most concise which tends to be an issue for me when I have a lot to say. That's why I just go whatever and make it longer.
I don't think there's ever been a point in this game where Arthur's eyes glowed or had any sort of genuine joy in them. It was just rage, sadness, tiredness, regret, pain etc. I think it goes to further emphasize that Arthur was never truly happy or at peace in this gang. It was all he knew and he saw the gang as his family and you always do what you have to for family but it obviously never brought him any joy I think if Arthur just acknowledged that sooner and ran off with Mary, he would've been far better off. It's like Hosea said at one of the campfires: "I wish I'd acquired wisdom at less of a price" At least he died with some semblance of peace knowing he saved John and his family and gave them a life he could never have. And then John went to go and ruin it by doing the one thing Arthur told him not to do "looking back, killing Micah, revenge is a fools game etc." But again it highlights the humanity of these characters
@@ryantony7743 There's several moments where his eyes light up with joy. Like when he catches a legendary fish, when he's at the saloon with Lenny, when they rescue Sean and he first talks about how nothing means more to him than the gang, when Dutch calls him more than a son, after both of them & Hosea fish, the first Marko Dragic scene, and in the art gallery with Charles. To be clear, I'm not saying this to contradict you or express that I disagree with you. I'm just emphasising all the small of fleeting joy that he's felt in the midst of a long criminal "career" of dissatisfaction, confliction, regret and sadness. As you were saying.
The cutscene where Arthur kicks out Strauss is interesting as his reasons for his actions change depending on his honor. High honor: Arthur kicks out Strauss because Strauss is a bad person who leaches off the less fortunate. Low honor: Arthur does it because he feels embarrassed for having to go against his code and just wants Strauss out of his life. What emphasizes this is when Arthur yells at Strauss as he's dragging him away from the tent. High honor: "Go and get a job!" Low honor: "Go find a new partner!"
@@Kvs-vf9nt my opinion differs, but to be honest games are an outlet dude, if you want to play it that way that's your choice and so be it, escapism is escapism and if that's what you find to be more powerful and more correct thematically more power to you.
I've been taught that a wrong opinion is an opinion nonetheless. Saying Arthur is the best fictional character is definetly the only correct opinion, and all others are wrong opinions.
I remember one time I was cutting my beard when Arthur had tuberculosis and it made me so depressed when I went to the clean shaven option because it was the first time I saw how much the sickness had affected Arthur.
Fact: the flower Arthur has next to his bed is a “Cliff maid flower”, it’s a flower that his mother liked, and they’d grow in California/Oregon, so he’d always try and grab one while he’s there But if you actually pay enough attention to this flower, as the gang starts to fall, the flower will start to die In in beaver hollow, the flower is pretty much dead
Looking into Arthur’s eyes the first time I saw the train station scene with Sister Calderon is what made me tear up. Not just what Arthur said, but the fear and hopelessness and purity in his eyes. That’s what got me.
Roger Clark did a brilliant job at portraying the conflicted hypocrisy & humanity within Arthur Morgan, a man/ character who only sees himself as a “bad man”, a killer, a thief & an outlaw… but someone who deep down has the capacity for compassion, kindness, remorse and ultimately Redemption. (if the player decides to act on these and play as a more honourable gunslinger, than a deranged & dishonourable outlaw). And tbh, I think there’s a few moments throughout the game where certain people comment on Arthur’s “sad eyes” and even Charles mentions that Arthur’s not that completely “dense and heartless” as he (Arthur) tends to make himself look out to be.
The entire story of Arthur is such a masterpiece, and the entire rdr2 world that its built on its wonderful, the ride the story takes the player to make him or her think and ultimately Arthur's redemption is beautiful.
The world so wonderful. Every time I roam around admiring its beauty, all the in-universe history it contains or play the stranger missions, it just makes me wish I can play in it forever and witness countless of stories being told in it.
You don't get enough credit for the way you put these videos together. They're so well written and only someone with a real love for this game could make them.
I love how you deep dive into his thoughts and how he feels, when I first played 5 yrs ago it was sad to see him die but I just finished playing through it again and it hurt to see him hurt and being used by the people he loved and cared for the most, him slowly dying everyday made it even harder for me to get to the end its sounds silly but I felt really low when I was playing the last chapter you can really feel those feelings he had, 5yrs ago I wasn't really paying attention but now that I've grown more, I understand more, and its a really impactful, sad, and beautiful story
Besides the ending where Arthur losses his battle with TB, the one other time where i completely lost it was when you absolved the Ludonderies of the debt and finding out the story behind it. You feel so horrible for the little boy and you can see the pain in Arthurs eyes that ge was the one who caused this familys pain.
The symbolism in this game is incredible. Arthur wants the freedom of the West but the gang continues to settle further and further East, finally ending up in a cave. It's the antithesis of the open air Arthur is dreaming of. Once again this symbolism comes in at the very end of Arthur's journey where you can choose whether or not you want to go back into that cave. How low and dark can someone go for money and riches and is it worth trading your freedom for it.
If you listen to all of the dialogue between him and Charles during the mission where you save the German father while trying to find a new camp, he'll comment on how Dutch won't hide out like a rat in a cave somewhere. That's a good bit of foreshadowing, showing how far Dutch and the gang fell and became a shell of themselves. Dutch turned into the person he hated.
@@antthomas7916On my third playthrough I noticed how that was the same mission Charles berates Arthur for being so selfish he would kick out the German family without offering help. The fact that its Charles saying this, marking him as the conscience of what the Van Der Linde Gang thought of itself, and how he was the character that helped John the most to get the ranch together.
@@stalfithrildi5366 and adding to that, iirc there's even an entry in Arthur's journal where he says that he admires Charles/considers him to be the better man because Charles isn't as torn about doing the right thing as Arthur can get.
This is why Chapter 6 is my favourite. It's the turning point for Arthur and a shift in tone where missions become more frantic and high stakes. Some of the most memorable parts of the game are these dept collecting ones, as well as the unmarked diagnosis mission. Seeing Arthur weak and regretul is a state not many big budget games want the player to feel by the end. Stories that are ambiguious with more than one side are the best imo.
I’ve never thought I could connect and feel so attached to a video game so closely until I discovered Arthur. I feel his pain and internal struggles to an extent, and the morality and ethics of his loyalty, acceptance of his past choices, etc. Dude was so human and real to me that I hardly expected from any fictional character I witnessed. In recent events in my life, I realized that I felt like Arthur in my situation (questioning my morals while being associated with a problematic and egotistical leader in his community, then something bad occurring that led to the community’s breakdown and my choice to abandon that loyalty, as the guy’s problematic actions and morals don’t align with mine and things never changed for the better). Arthur was the representation of the thought process that went down in my mind in those times and I never realized until now. I knew he was gonna die eventually, but my god, when I saw it happen and the song kicks in, I felt so sad and teared up. It was like witnessing a friend you knew the entire journey die.
Hey, I never (or hardly ever) comment on RUclips, but I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your videos and your overall work. I recognize the passion you have for this game in myself too, so every insight you upload is like a gift for me, always discovering new perspectives from scenes and situations that I have experienced in my many playthroughs hahaha keep it up! cheers from Málaga, Spain!
i wanna show this video to anyone who says "graphics don't matter". it's because of the amazing graphics in this game (as well as Roger Clark's amazing acting) that we can truly see the pain in Arthur's eyes. that wouldn't have worked nearly as well with lesser graphics.
There's place of value for both games with more photorealistic and heightened visuals imo. The former at its best, does more than show a technical feat of rendering characters and environments closer to real life. But allow for fully realized characters through gifted actors who express entire stories, hardships, and life journeys through their faces. Rockstar's graphical, design, mocap teams + Roger Clark's mesmerizing performance = moving portrait of a complex, flawed, human.
@@TheComebackKing20not everyone can smoothly run a beautiful game with their console/rig if I have to choose between playing a potato or sitting through a stunning slideshow I know what I'd choose 😂
I don't know anyone who says graphics don't matter what people say is that amazing graphics can't save a shit game, graphics should be the cherry on top not a crutch to fall back on when the rest of the game is bad to mediocre. Most people will choose the game with an amazing story and gameplay but mid graphics than a game that looks amazing but has a mid story and gameplay
I'm on my first ever play through and I've been noticing how bad he gets the further you play. his skin get pale, his neck gets red, cheeks get purple and his eyeys just get more blood shot and its honestly sad too see the tuberculosis slowly strip Arthur of his life.
I Cannot describe how hard Arthur's line is at 2:07 "I hope its hot and terrible Mrs Downes, otherwise I will feel that I've been sold a false bill of goods". First time seeing that gave me goosebumps. The simple fact of Arthur defelcting the comment and turning it into a snide remark that chilling is beautiful, one of my favourite scenes PERIOD
Oh my god someone else realized it. I did this mission at night in the rain nearly the same as you. In that specific time, with the rain streaming down his face in the night as he hands over that money while forgiving the debt and expressing his apology, I couldn’t tell it that was rain or tears falling down his face.
To me where I could notice the pain in Arthurs eyes the most was when Dutch dismissed Arthur saying "he needed to rest". Arthur was so shocked that he actually looked like he was about to cry
9:17 good point, this isn’t a debt mission but when doing bounty hunting in Rhodes there’s a guy named Mark Johnson (sound familiar?) who’s in a similar predicament as John is in the first game; he’s a former outlaw on the run with his wife and son but he’s finally caught and dies later on
I love when you make video essays like these. Like the one about Arthur and Mary's relationship, this video made me cry, just as the game so often makes me cry.
This is such a beautiful video, thank you for making it. The retelling and additional context of Arthur's journey and family genuinely made me tear up. I dont think ill ever forget how this game made me feel
Brother! Fantastic video! I am an English ed major in school, and I love watching these themes play out in games. Your insight is incredible, and I love your attention to the grand narrative of RDR2, and how Arthur truly battles with the depth and weight of his own morality. Hope to see more videos such as this on other games and titles! Keep up the good work my guy!
So many scenes...but that last ride back to camp and that wonderful song, always...make me get something in the eye. That's the way it is. Indeed. Thanks for another great video!
Thank you, Strauss is a literal parasite but dude they all are. Strauss isn’t necessarily a bad man, he’s just misguided. The money was used to help the camp as well.
Yep that's why it bothered me so much. Strauss didn't turn anyone in even when his head was on the chopping block and what he did he did for his own people. Doesn't make it right but it does show a good deal of loyalty.
@shooby9496 so true. I guess that goes with the overall story that no one is truly all good or all bad...I hate that I feel so connected to fictional characters
just thank you for making videos. best rdr2 content on the app. I've watched all your rdr2 vids and this is definitely my favorite and your best video imo
I think my favourite moment from Arthur is when Sadie asks him to help her with her revenge to the O'Driscolls and he doesn't help her. You get dishonor points for it, yet it feels more honorable than actually helping her (maybe dependent on him being high honor already).
Before the last mission, on my second play through (the good ending), I went to the barber and looked at a very sick Arthur without the beard. You can see the pain in his face and eyes. You can look upon a broken, grieving man at the end of his rope. I think everyone should look at him like that. It’s truly heartbreaking. And yes, he looks different depending on his honor level at the end.
Arthur actually writes in his journal that he dislikes beating the debts out of folks right after accepting the first quest from Strauss. I think he only said he enjoys it to keep up appearance as the camp enforcer - which is the role Dutch pushed on him the most.
I’m a grown man and this game (and Arthur’s death) made me cry like an baby.. I play the game since it came out and I finished the game back then in 2019 and play since then and I’m stuck in chapter 4 for 4 years now and cannot go forward in story bc I don’t want Arthur to die
The animators for this game are phenomenal. They did so much with the characters expression. Arthurs eyes when he heard he had TB, really stuck with me. Also the moment he realizes Dutch is losing his mind (watch him when he kills Angelo Bronte). And the moment Colm realizes he's going to die and won't be saved. Just phenomenal talent here. I hope they all went on to great things
The complexity of this game and its characters is astounding. And Arthur... The only other game character that affected me so much was probably Lee from the walking dead. While playing Chapter 6, I was so overwhelmed by all the emotional tension and the sorrow Arthur expressed. It resonated so deeply that I had to load to earlier saves just to alleviate the tension. Eventually finished the game and I must admit it broke a piece of my heart, even to this day I feel it :'(
Eyes are undoubtedly one of, if not the most expressive part of one's face, truly depicted by, for example, Ryan Gosling. And the performance of rockstar developers is truly game changing, no pun intended. I don't think I saw a game with such incredible, yet in fact important detail being done so right. There might be some indie game of a sort, but in a huge blockbusters, such as rdr2 it is very rare we see something like that. Yes, mocap for brows done often enough, but not the eyelids. I think in a long-term it is really ground breaking nuance
yesterday i loaded a chapter 6 save, damn i felt so bad for my arthur, looked like a corpse… so skinny and pale, those eyes, this fame is incredible make you fell stuff no other does
Never really appreciated the value of focusing on the eyes till I got into the work of Sergio Leone, now it is something I tend to notice more and more in films. Rockstar nailed it in RDR2
One thing I've noticed in this game is the very real technique that Arthur often uses where he hides his eyes behind his hat. That's an extremely human thing to do, especially in very emotional circumstances. I myself have done it when apologizing for something I had done to a friend, because I felt so ashamed of my actions that I felt I'd cry if I looked them in the eye. So I lowered my head, and the brim of my hat covers my eyes from view, but also means I can't see the other person's eyes. I thought it was a very interesting direction choice to have that be something that Arthur actually did - it makes him so much more human in my eyes. It really sells the emotions he seems to be feeling, as if he's saying "I'm so ashamed of myself and disgusted by my actions that I can't even look you in the eye."
1:28 I believe in his journal, he writes that doing this shames him, and that it feels way better to do heists than to take from poor people. Him saying he gets pleasure from it is in that case a straight up lie to cover up how he actually feels
One of my favourite things about this story is how everything that happens in it down to minor side missions all weave together and link back to the main themes of the world changing and redemption. Like the line "so what were they like? the old days everyone talks about?" "Same as now I guess, just longer ago" is like the main thesis of the game I feel, but it features in an easily missable string of side missions about helping an author track down old gunslingers which is seemingly irrelevant to the main story. Similar to how J. John Weathers and Arthur Londonderry are Arthur and John, Albert Mason the wildlife photographer has the same initials as Arthur and represents who he could have been if he had been given better chances in life; gentle, passionate, artistic. Notice how Arthur always seems happy and kinder around artistic types, and helps them out without expecting reward. He is also a great artist and would not have followed a life of crime if things were different for him imo. Also I think Hamish the war veteran is meant to be the type of kind, nurturing father figure Arthur needs, especially after losing Hosea. I always find it telling that when Arthur catches the huge fish they are after, he immediately apologises to Hamish for stealing his thunder or whatever, and he is just like what are you apologising for? you caught it! Like i imagine growing up with Dutch involves a lot of being made to feel guilty for showing him up or whatever. Idk as someone who grew up with a somewhat overbearing father I related to Arthur a lot especially in that moment it was very real.idk where I'm going with this but yeah I could write an essay about this character and story. As someone who studied English Lit this game is like reading a great epic novel but more fun.
What me hit me the most the desperate pleading in Arthurs eyes when Dutch cuts Abigail loose after she got caught by Pinkertons. Oh, and before how his eyes lit up so childlike when Dutch told him that he's more than a son to him. And speaking of Dutch. The realization in Dutch' eyes in the final moments with Arthur is made so good. This game is really a masterpiece and pushed TLOU for me on no. 2 of my favorite games and easily jumped on no. 1.
Five years of Red Dead Redemption 2 means five years of this scene being ingrained in my memory. It feels like the right time for me to talk about it.
What scenes have stood out to you over the last five years?
Arthur saying I'm afraid to sister Calderon is heartbreaking
The scenes with Mrs. Londonderry and Arthur confronting Archie's bullies. The way he's acts the fundamental opposite of how he treated people like them with this new humbled, vulnerable disposition Roger gives Arthur in these scenes just moved me. It's when it clicked and I realized I was playing through the best character arc in a game.
SPOILER ALERT - Seans death stood out for me the most, he was the first character to diе on screen. On my first play, I jumped up from my chair due the loud shot that came out of nowhere. Before that it felt you and the gang were invincible...
@@bravosix9555most realistic death 😢 one second he was with us the next he was gone :(
„Lneny?“
Jk it is his last talk with sister Calderón. It felt personal and very „human“ as critics/essayists tend to say. For a character that goes through such motiondriven (and repetitive cough*dutch*) missions, it was great to finally get some cracks in arthurs silence for him to talk and reflect on his emotional position. Outside of vague interpretations you could mostly make up from his actions and looks. The devs use a third party character, that knows basically nothing about the mc outside of what she perceived to be the only truth, (him BEING a good man) to then put this into contrast of the mcs emotional struggles (as a sinner in conflict with his former/current beliefs and actions). Beautiful! I like how many RUclipsrs caught the necessity of that scene, but I‘m not surprised that you took the scene showm here as your favorite!
Great video! Cool how your contributions still feel educational despite the lack of historical facts in this one! I believe your channel can go another mile with that kind of a format (essays I guess)
Peace!
Arthur's eyes when he tells Sister Calderon that he is afraid never fails to break me up inside
Arthur is one of the only characters in gaming that has genuinely made me tear up more than Lee's death in the TWD
Yes, absolute legends. John's and Joel Miller's deaths were also really heartbreaking
@@Den3zo In RDR1 I didn't cry until the credits rolled, and Dead Man's Gun started playing.
lee's death is still sad but both of them are sad
I mean, he was already missing an arm, to be honost, I wanted him to die at that point, but I've always related to Arthur
I cried when lee died but i was also like 8 i didnt cry when arthur died cause i was 14
I can’t imagine what Arthur must be feeling when he hears Mrs Londonderry say “Arthur’s dead”. It’s such a tiny detail, but the fact that the man has the same name as him must make Arthur reflect on himself so intensely in that moment.
Exactly, knowing you're dying it probably was scarier having it said to your face if u think on it and it makes reality even more real, even though it wasn't you...yet
Holy shit rockstar are amazing
Arthur even went silence in disbelief when he saw that they got a kid, he knew that he was drowned and went too far from his code.
Arthur's "sad eyes" were always his most grabbing feature to me. Even in freeroam. Roger Clark's performance and the work of so many talented graphics, design and mocap devs that gave us this mesmerizing portrait of a conflicted man. I was quite literally struck hearing you narrate Arthur's thoughts as he kicked out Strauss. You're right. Arthur's flawed and hypocritical, as well as hurt and regretful. And I feel underscoring these points in addition to his virtuous traits is important to show that complex duality. It's the conflicted, contradictory, and even hypocritical nature that makes him so human and you paint that image truthfully. Rather than only singing to the latter and making him off as another sympathetic victim of circumstance protagonist.
All that fancy shit being said and no comment. Lol. Wonder why 😂
@@justice_of_RUclips I like to express my thoughts. If it gets replies that's just a bonus because it possibly initiates a conversation. This comment was also not the most concise which tends to be an issue for me when I have a lot to say. That's why I just go whatever and make it longer.
@@themadtitan7603 ok
I don't think there's ever been a point in this game where Arthur's eyes glowed or had any sort of genuine joy in them. It was just rage, sadness, tiredness, regret, pain etc. I think it goes to further emphasize that Arthur was never truly happy or at peace in this gang. It was all he knew and he saw the gang as his family and you always do what you have to for family but it obviously never brought him any joy I think if Arthur just acknowledged that sooner and ran off with Mary, he would've been far better off.
It's like Hosea said at one of the campfires: "I wish I'd acquired wisdom at less of a price"
At least he died with some semblance of peace knowing he saved John and his family and gave them a life he could never have.
And then John went to go and ruin it by doing the one thing Arthur told him not to do "looking back, killing Micah, revenge is a fools game etc." But again it highlights the humanity of these characters
@@ryantony7743 There's several moments where his eyes light up with joy. Like when he catches a legendary fish, when he's at the saloon with Lenny, when they rescue Sean and he first talks about how nothing means more to him than the gang, when Dutch calls him more than a son, after both of them & Hosea fish, the first Marko Dragic scene, and in the art gallery with Charles.
To be clear, I'm not saying this to contradict you or express that I disagree with you. I'm just emphasising all the small of fleeting joy that he's felt in the midst of a long criminal "career" of dissatisfaction, confliction, regret and sadness. As you were saying.
The cutscene where Arthur kicks out Strauss is interesting as his reasons for his actions change depending on his honor. High honor: Arthur kicks out Strauss because Strauss is a bad person who leaches off the less fortunate. Low honor: Arthur does it because he feels embarrassed for having to go against his code and just wants Strauss out of his life. What emphasizes this is when Arthur yells at Strauss as he's dragging him away from the tent. High honor: "Go and get a job!"
Low honor: "Go find a new partner!"
Low honor Arthur only feels bad that he got sick and how Strauss wasted his time with those "pathetic" people
“I’m….”
*LEAVING.*
🥶
@@Kvs-vf9nt my opinion differs, but to be honest games are an outlet dude, if you want to play it that way that's your choice and so be it, escapism is escapism and if that's what you find to be more powerful and more correct thematically more power to you.
I wanted to just shoot him but as soon as the I got controll of arthur he was gone.
Arthur is the best fictional character (in my opinion)
(it's a fact)
I've been taught that a wrong opinion is an opinion nonetheless. Saying Arthur is the best fictional character is definetly the only correct opinion, and all others are wrong opinions.
Best in my opinion and my all-time favorite
Nah
@@ahtiulanen6122An opinion is neither right or wrong. They are completely subjective and can’t be right or wrong or true or false
I remember one time I was cutting my beard when Arthur had tuberculosis and it made me so depressed when I went to the clean shaven option because it was the first time I saw how much the sickness had affected Arthur.
.. I went a got a hair cut and a photo just before finding it out and remember thinking during the portrait, "damn, Arthur looking rough af"..
Fact: the flower Arthur has next to his bed is a “Cliff maid flower”, it’s a flower that his mother liked, and they’d grow in California/Oregon, so he’d always try and grab one while he’s there
But if you actually pay enough attention to this flower, as the gang starts to fall, the flower will start to die
In in beaver hollow, the flower is pretty much dead
You've got sad eyes, Mister. Like you've seen sad things
Looking into Arthur’s eyes the first time I saw the train station scene with Sister Calderon is what made me tear up. Not just what Arthur said, but the fear and hopelessness and purity in his eyes. That’s what got me.
Roger Clark did a brilliant job at portraying the conflicted hypocrisy & humanity within Arthur Morgan, a man/ character who only sees himself as a “bad man”, a killer, a thief & an outlaw… but someone who deep down has the capacity for compassion, kindness, remorse and ultimately Redemption. (if the player decides to act on these and play as a more honourable gunslinger, than a deranged & dishonourable outlaw). And tbh, I think there’s a few moments throughout the game where certain people comment on Arthur’s “sad eyes” and even Charles mentions that Arthur’s not that completely “dense and heartless” as he (Arthur) tends to make himself look out to be.
he says that after arthur suggests leaving the german mother and child they found at dewberry creek
The entire story of Arthur is such a masterpiece, and the entire rdr2 world that its built on its wonderful, the ride the story takes the player to make him or her think and ultimately Arthur's redemption is beautiful.
The world so wonderful. Every time I roam around admiring its beauty, all the in-universe history it contains or play the stranger missions, it just makes me wish I can play in it forever and witness countless of stories being told in it.
You don't get enough credit for the way you put these videos together. They're so well written and only someone with a real love for this game could make them.
I always saw the scene where Arthur goes into the mines to look for Arthur Londonderry as symbolism and metaphor for Arthur going to hell.
...and the foreman telling him, "Arthur's dead."
@@chrishelbling3879 yup always saw him as the devil taunting Arthur
Thats a really good idea
I love how you deep dive into his thoughts and how he feels, when I first played 5 yrs ago it was sad to see him die but I just finished playing through it again and it hurt to see him hurt and being used by the people he loved and cared for the most, him slowly dying everyday made it even harder for me to get to the end its sounds silly but I felt really low when I was playing the last chapter you can really feel those feelings he had, 5yrs ago I wasn't really paying attention but now that I've grown more, I understand more, and its a really impactful, sad, and beautiful story
Besides the ending where Arthur losses his battle with TB, the one other time where i completely lost it was when you absolved the Ludonderies of the debt and finding out the story behind it. You feel so horrible for the little boy and you can see the pain in Arthurs eyes that ge was the one who caused this familys pain.
When he says "I'm sorry mam. I really am." To Arthur Londonderry's wife. It was the best scene
Widow, not wife
The symbolism in this game is incredible. Arthur wants the freedom of the West but the gang continues to settle further and further East, finally ending up in a cave. It's the antithesis of the open air Arthur is dreaming of. Once again this symbolism comes in at the very end of Arthur's journey where you can choose whether or not you want to go back into that cave. How low and dark can someone go for money and riches and is it worth trading your freedom for it.
If you listen to all of the dialogue between him and Charles during the mission where you save the German father while trying to find a new camp, he'll comment on how Dutch won't hide out like a rat in a cave somewhere. That's a good bit of foreshadowing, showing how far Dutch and the gang fell and became a shell of themselves. Dutch turned into the person he hated.
@@antthomas7916On my third playthrough I noticed how that was the same mission Charles berates Arthur for being so selfish he would kick out the German family without offering help.
The fact that its Charles saying this, marking him as the conscience of what the Van Der Linde Gang thought of itself, and how he was the character that helped John the most to get the ranch together.
@@stalfithrildi5366 and adding to that, iirc there's even an entry in Arthur's journal where he says that he admires Charles/considers him to be the better man because Charles isn't as torn about doing the right thing as Arthur can get.
"You got sad eyes, mister. Like you seen sad things."
Oh my god are you actually trying to make me cry because its gonna work
This is why Chapter 6 is my favourite. It's the turning point for Arthur and a shift in tone where missions become more frantic and high stakes. Some of the most memorable parts of the game are these dept collecting ones, as well as the unmarked diagnosis mission. Seeing Arthur weak and regretul is a state not many big budget games want the player to feel by the end. Stories that are ambiguious with more than one side are the best imo.
I feel like that’s more chapter 4 and 5 but yeah I agree 6 is pretty good
I’ve never thought I could connect and feel so attached to a video game so closely until I discovered Arthur. I feel his pain and internal struggles to an extent, and the morality and ethics of his loyalty, acceptance of his past choices, etc. Dude was so human and real to me that I hardly expected from any fictional character I witnessed. In recent events in my life, I realized that I felt like Arthur in my situation (questioning my morals while being associated with a problematic and egotistical leader in his community, then something bad occurring that led to the community’s breakdown and my choice to abandon that loyalty, as the guy’s problematic actions and morals don’t align with mine and things never changed for the better). Arthur was the representation of the thought process that went down in my mind in those times and I never realized until now.
I knew he was gonna die eventually, but my god, when I saw it happen and the song kicks in, I felt so sad and teared up. It was like witnessing a friend you knew the entire journey die.
Hey, I never (or hardly ever) comment on RUclips, but I just wanted to say that I really appreciate your videos and your overall work. I recognize the passion you have for this game in myself too, so every insight you upload is like a gift for me, always discovering new perspectives from scenes and situations that I have experienced in my many playthroughs hahaha keep it up! cheers from Málaga, Spain!
i wanna show this video to anyone who says "graphics don't matter". it's because of the amazing graphics in this game (as well as Roger Clark's amazing acting) that we can truly see the pain in Arthur's eyes. that wouldn't have worked nearly as well with lesser graphics.
There's place of value for both games with more photorealistic and heightened visuals imo. The former at its best, does more than show a technical feat of rendering characters and environments closer to real life. But allow for fully realized characters through gifted actors who express entire stories, hardships, and life journeys through their faces.
Rockstar's graphical, design, mocap teams + Roger Clark's mesmerizing performance = moving portrait of a complex, flawed, human.
@@themadtitan7603 I think you've commented on every single RDR video in existence.
@claytonislit420Why not?
@@TheComebackKing20not everyone can smoothly run a beautiful game with their console/rig if I have to choose between playing a potato or sitting through a stunning slideshow I know what I'd choose 😂
I don't know anyone who says graphics don't matter what people say is that amazing graphics can't save a shit game, graphics should be the cherry on top not a crutch to fall back on when the rest of the game is bad to mediocre. Most people will choose the game with an amazing story and gameplay but mid graphics than a game that looks amazing but has a mid story and gameplay
I'm on my first ever play through and I've been noticing how bad he gets the further you play. his skin get pale, his neck gets red, cheeks get purple and his eyeys just get more blood shot and its honestly sad too see the tuberculosis slowly strip Arthur of his life.
I Cannot describe how hard Arthur's line is at 2:07 "I hope its hot and terrible Mrs Downes, otherwise I will feel that I've been sold a false bill of goods". First time seeing that gave me goosebumps. The simple fact of Arthur defelcting the comment and turning it into a snide remark that chilling is beautiful, one of my favourite scenes PERIOD
Basically every scene with Arthur and Edith/Archie is written and performed perfectly. Arthur drops so many bangers in those scenes.
Arthur looking At The Doctor When He Diagnoses Him With T.B Is Often Overlooked
This game is a such a damn masterpiece. Even the eye animations can have a full essay be writen about them.
“You have sad eyes mister, like you have seen sad things”
Oh my god someone else realized it. I did this mission at night in the rain nearly the same as you. In that specific time, with the rain streaming down his face in the night as he hands over that money while forgiving the debt and expressing his apology, I couldn’t tell it that was rain or tears falling down his face.
Don't stop making RDR2 videos! They're amazing! Also I have to respect Strauss a little for not selling out the gang after Arthur kicked him out.
I find it astonishing how this game is 5 years old yet we still find topics to talk about regarding the storyline and more...
It was the first game I played on the PS5. Omg I’ll never forget it
To me where I could notice the pain in Arthurs eyes the most was when Dutch dismissed Arthur saying "he needed to rest". Arthur was so shocked that he actually looked like he was about to cry
to say it ineloquently, sick vid
Every single time I get a notification that Real Pixels has dropped a new RDR2 video, my fucking day is made.
9:17 good point, this isn’t a debt mission but when doing bounty hunting in Rhodes there’s a guy named Mark Johnson (sound familiar?) who’s in a similar predicament as John is in the first game; he’s a former outlaw on the run with his wife and son but he’s finally caught and dies later on
what a well spoken and evidenced analysis you've said it so much better than many of us could have
Your videos always lights my day up
I love when you make video essays like these. Like the one about Arthur and Mary's relationship, this video made me cry, just as the game so often makes me cry.
This feels like a Headspace video but with red dead redemption content instead, it’s both relaxing and informative
This is such a beautiful video, thank you for making it. The retelling and additional context of Arthur's journey and family genuinely made me tear up. I dont think ill ever forget how this game made me feel
Brother! Fantastic video! I am an English ed major in school, and I love watching these themes play out in games. Your insight is incredible, and I love your attention to the grand narrative of RDR2, and how Arthur truly battles with the depth and weight of his own morality. Hope to see more videos such as this on other games and titles! Keep up the good work my guy!
I love this game. I played it for the first time last year. I cant wait to play through it again, i just need free time.
So many scenes...but that last ride back to camp and that wonderful song, always...make me get something in the eye. That's the way it is. Indeed. Thanks for another great video!
Thank you, Strauss is a literal parasite but dude they all are. Strauss isn’t necessarily a bad man, he’s just misguided. The money was used to help the camp as well.
Yep that's why it bothered me so much. Strauss didn't turn anyone in even when his head was on the chopping block and what he did he did for his own people. Doesn't make it right but it does show a good deal of loyalty.
@shooby9496 so true. I guess that goes with the overall story that no one is truly all good or all bad...I hate that I feel so connected to fictional characters
just thank you for making videos. best rdr2 content on the app. I've watched all your rdr2 vids and this is definitely my favorite and your best video imo
Man you are killing g it with these videos. Would love to see more on the first Red Dead Redemption. Happy 5 year anniversary of RDR2!
That black screen given at 5:30 was absolutely perfect regarding the line Arthur just gave. That was a really nice edit.
“There is a good man inside you, Arthur. But he is battling with a giant” - Mary Linton
The music at the end of the video from the Downes mission is so haunting and beautiful. It fits the narrative perfectly and you made great use of it
I think my favourite moment from Arthur is when Sadie asks him to help her with her revenge to the O'Driscolls and he doesn't help her. You get dishonor points for it, yet it feels more honorable than actually helping her (maybe dependent on him being high honor already).
Before the last mission, on my second play through (the good ending), I went to the barber and looked at a very sick Arthur without the beard. You can see the pain in his face and eyes. You can look upon a broken, grieving man at the end of his rope. I think everyone should look at him like that. It’s truly heartbreaking. And yes, he looks different depending on his honor level at the end.
It’s all in the eyes Chico
It’s “the eyes Chico… they never lie”
Great job analyzing this
he's such a deep character ❤
You got sad eyes, mister. Like they seen sad things.
This video is so incredibly well made
you know that one gif where a man is writing stuff down with a ink pen that has been caught on fire? 12:12 is exactly that
truely beautifull video and explanation , Keep it up :)
Thank you for making this video and happy birthday RDR2 and GTA San Andreas!
Nicktoons Unite's anniversary is today too lol
this video has got me tearing up in school lmao
Hard to belive its been 5 years since this game came out, and i really think Rockstar will never be able to top it. Amazing video man
love the vid
wake up babe new real pixels video
Just a beautiful video brother.
*It weren’t us who changed.*
I noticed something was wrong with him before his diagnosis. Very beautiful video of you, I‘m impressed.
Arthur actually writes in his journal that he dislikes beating the debts out of folks right after accepting the first quest from Strauss. I think he only said he enjoys it to keep up appearance as the camp enforcer - which is the role Dutch pushed on him the most.
Love the vids could you try do these essay type vids for other rockstar titles you may have liked
I’m a grown man and this game (and Arthur’s death) made me cry like an baby.. I play the game since it came out and I finished the game back then in 2019 and play since then and I’m stuck in chapter 4 for 4 years now and cannot go forward in story bc I don’t want Arthur to die
Try not to get lost in them 😵💫
woah woah woah!!
The animators for this game are phenomenal. They did so much with the characters expression.
Arthurs eyes when he heard he had TB, really stuck with me.
Also the moment he realizes Dutch is losing his mind (watch him when he kills Angelo Bronte).
And the moment Colm realizes he's going to die and won't be saved.
Just phenomenal talent here. I hope they all went on to great things
I think Arthur kicking him out was a way to save him, at this point Arthur knew gang was falling apart.
Another great video bro
The complexity of this game and its characters is astounding. And Arthur... The only other game character that affected me so much was probably Lee from the walking dead. While playing Chapter 6, I was so overwhelmed by all the emotional tension and the sorrow Arthur expressed. It resonated so deeply that I had to load to earlier saves just to alleviate the tension. Eventually finished the game and I must admit it broke a piece of my heart, even to this day I feel it :'(
Dayum, 5 years of rdr2... Breathtaking game..
Why do small channels make the most bomb rdr2 videos :) great work man, really ellaborate while compact
You've been spoiling us recently my man 🔥
Eyes are undoubtedly one of, if not the most expressive part of one's face, truly depicted by, for example, Ryan Gosling. And the performance of rockstar developers is truly game changing, no pun intended. I don't think I saw a game with such incredible, yet in fact important detail being done so right. There might be some indie game of a sort, but in a huge blockbusters, such as rdr2 it is very rare we see something like that. Yes, mocap for brows done often enough, but not the eyelids. I think in a long-term it is really ground breaking nuance
This deserves more views. 👏
the best gaming character of all time fr
"You're a good man, Mr morgan, you're a good man."
Honestly, that's my favourite quote from the game.
His eyes in my last boy when Dutch leaves him for dead breaks my heart
Excellent work!
Your videos make this game even better.
yesterday i loaded a chapter 6 save, damn i felt so bad for my arthur, looked like a corpse… so skinny and pale, those eyes, this fame is incredible make you fell stuff no other does
You've got sad eyes mister. Like you've seen sad things.
Good video man,very well thought out.
Why do I look like a damn caveman in this video...
Big beard = big penis.
Love you Arthur ❤️
Never really appreciated the value of focusing on the eyes till I got into the work of Sergio Leone, now it is something I tend to notice more and more in films. Rockstar nailed it in RDR2
One thing I've noticed in this game is the very real technique that Arthur often uses where he hides his eyes behind his hat. That's an extremely human thing to do, especially in very emotional circumstances. I myself have done it when apologizing for something I had done to a friend, because I felt so ashamed of my actions that I felt I'd cry if I looked them in the eye. So I lowered my head, and the brim of my hat covers my eyes from view, but also means I can't see the other person's eyes.
I thought it was a very interesting direction choice to have that be something that Arthur actually did - it makes him so much more human in my eyes. It really sells the emotions he seems to be feeling, as if he's saying "I'm so ashamed of myself and disgusted by my actions that I can't even look you in the eye."
My man it is 7:00am I do not need to be crying at a youtube video before work
Arthur is my inspiration of how to be a honorable man. He's the best game character of all time.
1:28 I believe in his journal, he writes that doing this shames him, and that it feels way better to do heists than to take from poor people. Him saying he gets pleasure from it is in that case a straight up lie to cover up how he actually feels
Well done, Brother. Well done.
As always, an outstanding RDR2 video
One of my favourite things about this story is how everything that happens in it down to minor side missions all weave together and link back to the main themes of the world changing and redemption. Like the line "so what were they like? the old days everyone talks about?" "Same as now I guess, just longer ago" is like the main thesis of the game I feel, but it features in an easily missable string of side missions about helping an author track down old gunslingers which is seemingly irrelevant to the main story. Similar to how J. John Weathers and Arthur Londonderry are Arthur and John, Albert Mason the wildlife photographer has the same initials as Arthur and represents who he could have been if he had been given better chances in life; gentle, passionate, artistic. Notice how Arthur always seems happy and kinder around artistic types, and helps them out without expecting reward. He is also a great artist and would not have followed a life of crime if things were different for him imo. Also I think Hamish the war veteran is meant to be the type of kind, nurturing father figure Arthur needs, especially after losing Hosea. I always find it telling that when Arthur catches the huge fish they are after, he immediately apologises to Hamish for stealing his thunder or whatever, and he is just like what are you apologising for? you caught it! Like i imagine growing up with Dutch involves a lot of being made to feel guilty for showing him up or whatever. Idk as someone who grew up with a somewhat overbearing father I related to Arthur a lot especially in that moment it was very real.idk where I'm going with this but yeah I could write an essay about this character and story. As someone who studied English Lit this game is like reading a great epic novel but more fun.
What me hit me the most the desperate pleading in Arthurs eyes when Dutch cuts Abigail loose after she got caught by Pinkertons. Oh, and before how his eyes lit up so childlike when Dutch told him that he's more than a son to him. And speaking of Dutch. The realization in Dutch' eyes in the final moments with Arthur is made so good. This game is really a masterpiece and pushed TLOU for me on no. 2 of my favorite games and easily jumped on no. 1.