Arthur Morgan's RDR1 Absence: Why a Remake Must Fix the Plot Hole

When Red Dead Redemption 2 exploded onto the scene in 2018, it didn't just raise the bar for open-world storytelling—it rewrote the rulebook entirely. Against all odds, this prequel surpassed its iconic predecessor by weaving a heartbreaking tale of the Van der Linde Gang's downfall through the eyes of Arthur Morgan, a character so richly layered he made John Marston look like a side quest. Yet for all its narrative home runs, RDR2 created a head-scratching plot hole: Arthur's ghostly absence in the original Red Dead Redemption. Seven years later in 2025, with remake rumors swirling louder than a desert tornado, fixing this oversight isn't just fan service—it's essential for franchise cohesion.

🤠 Arthur Morgan: The Beating Heart of the Van der Linde Family

Rockstar didn't just create a protagonist; they crafted a walking contradiction wrapped in denim and moral ambiguity. Arthur's journal entries alone reveal more emotional depth than most games' entire scripts—a hardened outlaw who sketches wildlife, protects vulnerable gang members, and drops wisdom like "We're more ghosts than people." His relationships with young Jack (acting as surrogate uncle) and John (riding partner turned brother-in-arms) formed the gang's emotional core. That's why his complete erasure from RDR1 feels like losing the final puzzle piece under the sofa.

⏳ The 12-Year Silence That Defies Logic

Let's break down the timeline:

• RDR2 (1899): Arthur sacrifices everything for John's family

• RDR1 (1911): John hunts former gang members... with ZERO Arthur mentions

This isn't just odd—it's downright bonkers considering:

1. Arthur literally carved John's survival path

2. Abigail explicitly thanks Arthur for "saving us all" in RDR2

3. Gang nostalgia dominates RDR1's dialogue ("Remember the good old days?")

People Also Ask: "Why didn't John mention Arthur in RDR1?" Simple answer: Arthur didn't exist in Rockstar's lore back then! The devs painted themselves into a corner with RDR2's prequel approach.

🎮 The 2023 Remastered Missed Opportunity

When Rockstar dropped the RDR1 remaster, fans were champing at the bit for Arthur references. Instead, we got:

Expectation	Reality
New dialogue about Arthur	Radio silence 👎
Arthur's grave as discoverable location	Nada 🙅♂️
Journal entries acknowledging him	Crickets 🦗

The remaster played it safe, leaving the narrative disconnect wide open. As one Reddit thread poignantly asked: "How does John recall Dutch's speeches but forget the man who saved his family?"

✨ Remake Fixes: Small Tweaks, Massive Impact

Imagine a remake where:

• John murmurs "This would've been Arthur's favorite spot" while riding through Big Valley

• Abigail finds Arthur's old hat in Beecher's Hope attic (+10 emotional damage)

• Stranger missions reference "a fella with your gang... real sketchbook artist"

These aren't retcons—they're connective tissue! Even subtle nods would transform RDR1 from standalone masterpiece to fulfilling series finale.

People Also Ask: "Will Rockstar ever remake RDR1 properly?" With Sony's Last of Us remakes printing money and Persona 5 Royal setting precedent? You bet your last gold bar they're considering it.

💔 Why This Matters Beyond Fan Service

Arthur's absence isn't just a nitpick—it undermines RDR1's central theme: confronting the past. How can John reckon with the gang's history while ignoring its most pivotal member? Adding Arthur's legacy would:

• Deepen John's redemption arc (carrying Arthur's ideals forward)

• Transform Abigail's protectiveness into layered survivor's guilt

• Make Dutch's "I have a plan" rants tragically ironic

As the gunsmoke clears in 2025, one truth remains: RDR2's narrative brilliance accidentally created gaming's most glaring omission. A remake fixing Arthur's ghost status wouldn't just complete the circle—it would cement the Red Dead saga as the undisputed GOAT of video game storytelling. After all, as Arthur himself would say: "We can't change what's done, we can only move on." Maybe it's time Rockstar took that advice.