10 Open-World Games Where The Villain Wins In The End

Red Dead Redemption 2 is a modern masterpiece of gaming, led by an incredible protagonist in Arthur Morgan. Fans were a little skeptical of a new character, as John Marston is such a gaming icon and a major reason for the success of the first game. But Arthur instantly won over players with his sense of humor, charming personality, and pitiful f


Eventually, though, he finds the last one, who weeps and articulates to John how his species is done for now. John clumsily tries to justify the killings, but the creature shoots back, "We eat berries and mushrooms, you fool!" It's one of the most quoted RDR cutscenes because, after the main game puts John through such a harrowing journey, it's just so utterly jarring and out-th


_Red Dead Redemption 2 _ 's campaign has cemented itself as one of the most immersive Western RPGs ever released. Its expansive open-world, countless side missions, and endless customization options are all frosting on Rockstar Games' enthralling narrative that details the escapades of outlaw Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang . The nearly 50-hour-long story unfolds over several lengthy chapters, which are all vastly different from one another. But which of the game's chapters are the best, and which are lackluster in compari


While Dutch may not have a Chosen One-type prophecy driving his narrative, it would be hard to convince him of it. Dutch believes unequivocally that he is destined to make a utopia for him and his own that fits his fantasy of a free frontier. The original Red Dead Redemption showed Dutch at the very end of his journey when he had no cards left up his sleeve, but even then the enigmatic leader had the last word and ended things on his own terms. When the story roles back to the downfall of the Van Der Linde Gang in RDR2, players see a much more nuanced Dutch with more of the charm and bravado for which he's known, but that slowly fades as the story progresses. Even as the game foreshadows that he is getting sloppy and erratic, Dutch still showcases hints at the man he was , who was able to inspire all the members to follow


Similarly, in the original Star Wars trilogy, fans were introduced to one of the most iconic villains of all time and were given fragments of Vader's backstory, but viewers were still largely only presented with the knowledge that once there was a good man before he put on the helmet. By the time the original trilogy is over, viewers know that Darth Vader was once a promising young Jedi, but they don't know that actual character, only that he once existed. The prequel trilogy gave layers and depth to the man who would become Lord Vader, painting a portrait of a passionate and ambitious youth not all too unlike how Dutch's young self is referenced in RDR2 . Each had a vision of the world they wanted to make, and, like Anakin, even as Dutch's plans continued to fail , they were still plans initially made with the best of intenti


With a mixture of masterful storytelling , engaging themes, and sardonic wit, the Red Dead Redemption series has proven itself to be a timeless staple in gaming. The games have a unique style to them that makes them endlessly replayable and enjoyable, with the first game sporting a dark sense of humor, and the second game bringing a more soulful touch to the outlaw narrat


That's certainly not the case with Grand Theft Auto V . Not only does it have a meticulous and lovingly recreated Los Angeles , but it's incredibly dense and packed with things to do, people and things to see, and random events that make the world feel lived

By contrast, Red Dead 1 opens much more slowly, yet with a remarkable display of bravado and stupidity from its protagonist. Forced to confront his old gang members in order to save his family, John goes to meet Bill Williamson, who's hiding out in Fort Mercer with a gang of his


But this is a Rockstar game, and Rockstar games aren't known for having morally sound protagonists. Depending on how he's played, Arthur Morgan can be downright unlikable, as is evident through these horrifying li


While visiting the Downes family to collect the gang's money , Arthur turns to the grieving Archie Downes and utters the most iconic line of the entire game: "Maybe when your mother's finished mourning your father, I'll keep her in black. On your beha


The Batman: Arkham series tells many stories about this popular vigilante. While in Batman: Arkham City the player can walk out in the end as Catwoman and let Batman die, this is not a true ending and the game will revert to the last checkpoint midway through the cred


Initially, Red Dead Redemption was a simple tale of a reformed outlaw trying desperately to turn from his wicked ways and make an honest life for his family while constantly being dragged back in because of his old gang. Following Arthur Morgan and the Van Der Linde Gang through RDR2, though, made the narrative a larger tale about a complete family of outlaws struggling to continue their way of life set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing frontier as the lawless West gave way to civilization. In doing so, Rockstar made the Van Der Linde Gang and its leader Dutch van der Linde the actual main characters of the franchise, which makes the perfect narrative for Red Dead Redemption 2 beginner guide Dead Redemption 3 to explore the origins of Dutch van der Linde in a similar way the Star Wars prequels showcased the rise and fall of Anakin Skywalker. While the western frontier of Red Dead may not be as fraught with heroic saviors and malevolent villains, the tale of a hopeful and ambitious Robin Hood figure turned narcissistic megalomaniac is equally as compelling as the origins of Darth Va