One keen-eyed player of Red Dead Redemption 2 recently highlighted a missed opportunity within the game: the absence of a contract killing feature. With so much content packed into Red Dead Redemption 2, it’s fascinating to consider what Rockstar chose to leave out.
Despite being released over six years ago, Red Dead Redemption 2 continues to captivate players. Just recently, the game reached a new peak in concurrent players on Steam—quite a remarkable achievement for a game that’s no longer new. This resurgence has been helped along by discounted prices, enticing many to snag Rockstar’s hit from 2018 at great deals. Yet, it’s the superb quality and depth of the game that keeps players coming back for multiple runs over the years.
A discussion arose on Reddit, introduced by user Rough-Button8137, pinpointing the lack of a contract killing mode as a significant missed opportunity. While Red Dead Redemption 2 does feature Bounty Hunting, these missions are limited, unlike the original game’s unlimited Bounty Hunting mode that continuously generated new missions. Implementing a similar, never-ending contract killing mode could have added a fresh dynamic, offering players something they could endlessly revisit.
In a lively discussion thread, players shared differing opinions. One remarked, “That ain’t Arthur’s way,” implying contract killing doesn’t align with the protagonist’s character. In contrast, another user countered by saying, “Arthur’s way is money. The more, the better.” These conversations illustrate the multiple dimensions through which players view Arthur, with another user questioning how such missions could be justified in the game. Introducing contract killing missions exclusively for a Low Honor playthrough could have added another compelling reason for players to explore a different moral path in the game, enhancing replay value.
As we admire the ongoing success of Red Dead Redemption 2, the prospect of a sequel feels quite distant. Given the immense sales and popularity of the current game, it seems almost inevitable that Rockstar will eventually develop another installment. However, as they continue to focus heavily on the upcoming Grand Theft Auto 6, it’s understandable that the Red Dead Redemption series is temporarily on the back burner. Rockstar certainly faces high expectations, and any sequel will need to meet the high standards set by its predecessor. Hence, fans shouldn’t expect any new developments in the series anytime soon.
