IfRed Dead Redemptiondramatically moves its timeline for the next game, it could have a massive impact on one important aspect. TheRed Dead Redemptiongames have a definitive niche among Rockstar’s titles, as well as a reputation for high quality. Any significant change to the formula could potentially raise eyebrows among fans. Even so, with so little confirmed aboutRed Dead Redemption 3, there is a world of potential changes that it could bring, one of which is a timeline shift. However, the developers will need to keep one thing in mind regardingRed Dead Redemption’s timeline.
There arewestern games other thanRed Dead Redemption, but it set the bar for quality in the genre. This is especially true forRed Dead Redemption 2, which is arguably Rockstar’s best game to date. The games successfully recreated a lot of common tropes of cowboy life, such as shooting, hunting, and riding horses. The excellent story and characters on top of that only sweeten the overall product. While Rockstar has already achieved great things with the series, the bar is sky high for the next installment. That will make every decision involved inRed Dead Redemption 3’s development crucial for its legacy.
Among the details players don’t know aboutRed Dead Redemption 3’s storyis its place in the timeline. The first game took place between 1911 and 1914, and the second took place between 1899 and 1907. Unless the next game is an interquel, or is completely unrelated to the story of the first two, it’s going to have to move up or down the timeline. Naturally, this would result in significant changes, as the cast would be different ages, and certain events would still need to happen. However, one unexpected consequence of moving the timeline could be the weapons that would appear.
The Setting of RDR3 Could Dictate What Weapons Will Be Available
One thing that would be changed with a major timeline shift isRed Dead Redemption’s gunsand other weapons. If the timeline goes too far back, then iconic weapons for the series like revolvers and shotguns won’t be available. Conversely, if the timeline goes too far forward, then more modern weapons like rifles and tommy guns could enter the picture. Since so much of the games' combat is based around its selection of weapons, removing or replacing them would send shockwaves through the game. At the very least, the end result may not feel completely like aRed Dead Redemptiontitle.
If the robot fromRed Dead Redemption 2is any indication, advanced technology may appear even without a timeline skip.
A New Time Period Could Affect RDR3’s Combat Balancing
Of course, a dramatic shift like that wouldn’t automatically ruin the game. After all, anew dynamic inRed Dead Redemption 3could bring about some exciting new elements. At the very least, players would likely see a change to the way thatRed Dead Redemption 2handled the player’s weapon loadout, especially if some weapons don’t fall into those same categories. A game with enemies that have more advanced guns could even up the tension of the nextRed Dead Redemption. Even in that case, the developers would have to be careful to ensure that the game balance remains as healthy as usual.
The timeline forRed Dead Redemption 3, like most details of the game, is up in the air. There are ways forRed Dead Redemption 3to break tradition, and one of them is a shift in the timeline radical enough to shake up the weapon selection. However, there is the chance that too drastic of a change could make the nextRed Dead Redemptionfeel unlike its predecessors in the long run. Regardless, it’s likely thatRed Dead Redemption 3’s place in the timeline could end up affecting how its combat will flow.
