Games

The Case for RDR3's Protagonist to Be More Sadie Adler Than Arthur Morgan

Published

1 week ago

December 14, 2024

The Red Dead Redemption franchise is responsible for some of gaming’s best stories, with protagonists Arthur Morgan and John Marston leading the first two entries. It’s unclear whether a third Red Dead Redemption game will become a reality or not, but if it does, the next chapter has some serious work cut out for it regarding its lead character.

With both Red Dead Redemption 1 and 2 leading Arthur and John to tragic fates, a new protagonist will clearly need to take on the role of lead. Many fans have speculated about whom this new main character could be. If Rockstar chooses to keep the story connected to the Van Der Linde gang, then there are quite a few strong contenders for its protagonist. The direction of the next story is completely up in the air, but giving Sadie Adler, or a character like her, could be the key to making a new chapter stand out.

25 Pro Tips For Red Dead Redemption 2 You Should Know

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Red Dead Redemption 2 is massive and filled with all sorts of dangers. These tips can be used to survive the storyline and more.

Red Dead Redemption 3 Should Look to a Female Protagonist For Its Next Game

The Benefit of Revisiting Sadie Adler

Sadie is one of the most stand out characters in Red Dead Redemption 2. After the O’Driscolls murder her husband at their homestead, she is thrust into outlaw life, teaming up with Dutch and the gang. Thanks to her and her husband equally sharing day-to-day work duties on their farm, Sadie is incredibly capable, and she quickly proves this to the members of the gang. Female characters in the Red Dead Redemption franchise can play well-rounded and compelling roles in the plot, but the series has yet to let a woman lead the story.

The tough and charismatic women of Red Dead Redemption help round out the story, and seeing Sadie Adler take the stage as a lead would be a fascinating turn for the series. Her story arc of a grieving wife turned ruthless bounty hunter brought to life one of the most complex and well-written female characters in gaming. Now hardened by the unfair tragedy that fell upon her, she’s a cutthroat force to be reckoned with, and the end of Red Dead Redemption 2 leaves the door wide open for her to take the reins.

Red Dead Redemption 3 Has an Obvious Road Forward

The route Rockstar chooses for Red Dead Redemption 3 may be a mystery, but one option seems abundantly clear. At the end of Red Dead Redemption 2, Sadie expresses interest in going to South America, but it’s never confirmed if she makes it there or not. A game following her on that journey as a bounty hunter could be a fantastic way to bring something fresh to the franchise while still keeping it tied to the Van der Linde gang.

In
Red Dead Online
, players can visit Adler Ranch and receive missions from Sadie and her husband Jake.

Other Characters That Could Lead Red Dead Redemption 3

Charles Smith
Jack Marston
Dutch Van der Linde (in a prequel)
Hosea Matthews (in a prequel)

Rockstar Making Space For More Stories Driven by Women

Arthur Morgan and John Marston are two of the best written characters in modern gaming. However, the story of a male outlaw with a troubled past may have run its course. For Red Dead Redemption 3 to truly shine, it needs a new perspective. A glimpse through a fresh lens feels like the strongest step forward. GTA 6 has already established that the studio is leaning more into exploring female perspectives, which could set the stage for a Sadie-focused story — or even an entirely new female protagonist.

Only time will tell if Rockstar continues the Red Dead Redemption franchise. Whether it be through Sadie, Charles, or a brand-new character, a story from a never-before-seen perspective in the series would be fascinating to see unfold. This is hopefully not the last gamers have seen of Sadie, though.

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Red Dead Redemption 2

America, 1899. The end of the wild west era has begun as lawmen hunt down the last remaining outlaw gangs. Those who will not surrender or succumb are killed. After a robbery goes badly wrong in the western town of Blackwater, Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang are forced to flee. With federal agents and the best bounty hunters in the nation massing on their heels, the gang must rob, steal and fight their way across the rugged heartland of America in order to survive. As deepening internal divisions threaten to tear the gang apart, Arthur must make a choice between his own ideals and loyalty to the gang who raised him. From the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic tale of life in America at the dawn of the modern age.

Franchise: Red Dead Redemption
Released: October 26, 2018
Multiplayer: Online Multiplayer
Engine: RAGE
ESRB: M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
How Long To Beat: 50 Hours
Steam Deck Compatibility: yes
X|S Optimized: yes
OpenCritic Rating: Mighty
Cross Save: N/A
Cross-Platform Play: N/A