Red Dead Redemption 2

Killer cameos and campfire stories abound as Rockstar’s outlaw re-emerges

- Dave Meikleham

Don’t call it a cowboy comeback. Despite the fact legendary sandbox star John Marston has returned to Rockstar’s insanely anticipated prequel, this Western follow-up isn’t exactly beholden to one of the greatest open world characters ever. Instead, this is the tale of Arthur Morgan: One of John’s old gang pals, and a new-gen frontiersmen who happens to be a deer-hunting, campmanaging, bank-robbing badass.

Thanks to a recent Rockstar demo and new trailer, we now have a fair idea about just how vibrant and involving this virtual slice of old Wild West is. Set in 1899—confirming the fact Red Dead Redemption 2 is indeed a prequel—Rockstar’s latest sprawling sandbox aims to put the extra beardy devil in the details.