Greek mythology is credited for many contributions to culture, from the popularity of organized religion to the usage of fables to teach lessons. A recent post on Reddit shows that a fan recognized connections between ancient Greece and Rockstar Games' Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2.
From the studios' origins with a top-down Grand Theft Auto: London to the more modern Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar Games has managed to build a strong reputation for weaving intricate stories and tales surrounding a few notable characters. As the mythology of ancient Greece has been passed down for millennia, so too do Rockstar Games' creations seem to promise a long-tailed period of enjoyment. The comparisons won't stop there, however, based on a recent post to r/reddeadredemption by Redditor n0dien0.
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Both Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2 offer side-quests dealing with fictional flight attempts. In Red Dead Redemption, the mission is called "Deadalus and Son" in reference to the ill-fated flight in Greek mythology. "Deadalus and Son" brings into play Charles Kinnear, who has heard of flight in the eastern US and is eager to attempt to mirror those attempts with a glider as John Marston looks on. Kinnear promptly crashes the glider into the ground, expiring in spectacular fashion with an air of gusto.
The reference to Icarus in the original Red Dead Redemption is actually incorrect, as the NPC states, "They doubted dear Icarus, sir!" Icarus was neither the crafter of the wings, nor was the invention shared among the local populace to escape Sicily. In Red Dead Redemption 2, the mission called "Icarus and Friends" has the protagonist in a hot air balloon, attempting to find John Marston in a prison. The NPC that brings Arthur Morgan aloft in a hot-air balloon does fall to his demise, but only after taking multiple rounds from O'Driscoll hostiles.
While little more than a repeat nod to the famous myth, tying into flight which would have just begun to make waves in the eastern United States at the time of Red Dead Redemption, the reference does bring some of the oldest storytelling in the world into the modern age. This alone is an achievement that likely couldn't be fathomed when the tales were originally passed down in forms of art and by bards around hovels and campfires.
Red Dead Redemption 2 is available now on PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.
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