The Best Reasons to Run High Honors in Red Dead Redemption 2

This list contains spoilers for the main story of Red Dead Redemption 2.

Red Dead Redemption 2 Arthur Morgan's Journey tells one of the most powerful stories in video game history that is challenging, ambitious, thought-provoking, and immersive. Like its predecessor, Rockstar's open-world masterpiece allows players to direct Arthur's personality through an honor system, which not only influences the hero's goals, attitudes and preferences, but also how the rest of the world behaves.

Since the game is so long, players will likely only play through the campaign once, so they will have to choose whether or not to continue. High regards Arthur Or a less respectable version of him. You can also go for a middle-of-the-road playthrough, but I recommend choosing one side or the other for your first try. While low honor runs are viable and can be a lot of fun, RDR2The story really shines when Arthur gets high honors. If you're not confident, or have just done a low-profile race, the following points may sway you.

The first three reasons are generalized, but the points are more specific and spoiler-heavy.

Arthur's dialogue

Aswell can secure payment

A highly regarded playthrough often sees the protagonist's tone and dialogue change completely throughout the game, especially after Arthur's tuberculosis diagnosis. High Respect Arthur is very soft spoken and values ​​gang life over money.

This is increasingly noticeable in his discussion with John Marston towards the end of his journey. Arthur Morgan is a very practical and convincing figure in the pursuit of John and his family. The high honor version appears to be someone who has come to terms with his past and actively tries to do good for those around him. A gang member is heartbroken when he passes, while a less respectful player will see the hero more focused on the lost money.

Exploration bonus

That haircut is now 50% off

High Honor also grants bonuses, from a completely new outfit set in the open world to a massive 50% discount in all stores. This can be massively beneficial, especially if one grinds high morale early in the game, although it may take time to greet everyone in Valentine City over and over again.

Half-off on all stores is a huge bonus, whether it's clothes, armor or horses – it's incredibly beneficial and great for anyone trying to get the ultra-high platinum trophy. It also serves as a friendly reminder of the thoughts of those around him.

Narrative implications

The Canonical Journey

Arthur is a story about being a naturally good person Red Dead Redemption 2. This makes his journey more believable as we see his constant misdeeds and how much the Dutch have twisted him. It's a classic hero's journey.

However, many of Arthur's regrettable actions occur not only in the main story, but throughout his life, so that RDR2events. A low-esteem player looks sadly at someone who has lived the same way their entire life, while a high-esteem playthrough perfectly matches the idea of ​​Arthur's changing ideals, his morals clashing with Dutch as he turns into an ever-deluded dictator.

deer spirit

A caring nature

After being diagnosed with tuberculosis, the player begins to have visions of one of two different spirits. The deer represents the highly respected Arthur. In Native American mythology, deer are often cited as compassionate caretakers associated with tenderness and comfort.

In these moments when Arthur confronts his nature, he will often remember dialogue snippets, which vary depending on the player's respect level. The high-profile versions see the hero reminding his fellow gang members that they believe in him, generally showing a much better view of Arthur than everyone else. It's also a fantastic vessel through which the play showcases Arthur's own introspection and how far he's come since the Blackwater Massacre.

The last ride

Many things he learned

After saying goodbye to Abigail and Sadie, Arthur returns to camp on his legendary last ride. Full of emotion and guaranteed to bring tears, the high-regard version of this scene sees the song more hopeful and heroic as the screen is bathed in warm orange tones.

Arthur tells him confidently that people have been incredibly grateful to him at various times and that he was a good man. This shows that, despite how withdrawn Arthur was when he made these comments, in reality, all he wanted to do was be kind, and he knew that in what would be his final moments, being good was the most important thing to him.

Story options

Maybe they should be left out

Throughout the main story, the player is given various choices, and it's usually fairly clear which is right and which is wrong. A lot of them may come down to whether or not Arthur leaves anyone at his mercy.

Arthur Morgan doesn't usually kill in cold blood; He also criticizes Dutch because he sees the sanity and principles of his mentor and father figure slowly disappearing. Dutch instilled this trait in a younger Arthur, even if he did not follow it strictly.

Arthur's conversation with his sister

Take a gamble that love exists

After saving Monroe, one Red Dead Redemption 2The most iconic cut scenes between Arthur Morgan and the recurring Sister Calderon. It's one of the more heartbreaking scenes in the game, where Arthur finally confides in someone that he's scared to death and doesn't really believe in anything.

Sister Calderon comforts him in his weakness, letting him know that, despite what he believes about himself, everything he does is to help other people. Played with less respect, this cutscene instead involves Reverend Swanson, who doesn't exactly lift Arthur's spirits in hopes of redemption, telling him that he lives his way and will die his way.

How to remember the gang

Arthur didn't care about revenge

As players take on the role of the iconic John Marston, they will see him meet with various gang members as the epilogue unfolds. This is where Rockstar shows the player what the gang was thinking when Arthur was alive.

During a discussion as the two walk through the Blackwater, Charles discusses Arthur and the events of the previous chapter. Charles ignores Jon's pursuit of revenge, saying that the highly respected Arthur knew it was a fool's game, unlike the lowly respected Arthur, who was more understanding of Jon's quest for revenge. The quote Charles wrote on Arthur Morgan's tombstone is also completely different and instead reads, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness“While the letter of lesser honor says,”Blessed are those who mourn because they will be comforted.“

Relations with the Dutch

Arthur gave Dutch everything he had

One of the saddest aspects of the story is Arthur's father figure, Dutch, slowly losing himself and trying to drag the rest of the gang down with him. After Hosea's death, there was no one left to rule over Dutch's unstable side, and no one to reason with him.

The story works very well from the perspective of the highly respected Arthur, who is fiercely loyal to his master and will have his back no matter what, finally showing Dutch's true colors. The pair butt-head several times throughout the story, with Arthur constantly pointing out Dutch's constant double standards and how, seemingly abandoning his ideals, the van der Linde gang leader is wreaking havoc on everyone around him.

High honors completion

Finally, he did

Arthur gives his hat and bag to John Marston before climbing a cliff to confront Micah and lead the gunmen away from the fleeing Marston. Choosing to help John instead of going back for the money and doing it is a sure end for high honor. Red Dead Redemption 2.

After a grueling battle with Micah Bell, Arthur lies on the ground, struggling to take his last breath as he crawls to watch his last sunrise slowly rising over the tree line. He then sees his last vision of a deer in the forest, reminding him that, in the end, he tried to be good. Arthur made a gamble that love existed, and his last act was a loving one: he helped Joan and her family escape.