The resonating ails of Dutch Van Der Linde's followers over the course of Red Dead Redemption and its sequel tread themes that explore and expose some of the darkest facets of humanity. Despite Red Dead Redemption 2's namesake, the redemptive qualities and vindicating arcs of the games' central figures do not fully purge the long shadow cast by their misdeeds, and the next title in the franchise will again wrestle with amoral codes and the tumult of avarice on the American frontier.