Summary
Despite being released back in 2018,Red Dead Redemption 2is still largely considered one of the best andmost immersive open world gamesever made. The sheer attention to detail in every aspect, from the polishing of weapons and filling of stew bowls to the intricate symbiosis of the weather and wildlife, is truly unrivaled - even several years after its release. In addition to its great story and world building, the game also features a number of memorable andwell-designed characters.
While many ofRed Dead Redemption 2’s characters take the faces of their motion-capture actors, a lot of work has still been done to render the characters in the Old West. This is done through a variety of techniques such as refinement of facial features and clothing design. When combined, the performance of the actor, the fashion of the character, and their role within the world all combine to createiconic character designs, many of which will likely be remembered for generations to come.
8Catherine Braithwaite
The Fancy Clothes And Brooch Say A Lot About The Braithwaite Family History
The Braithwaite family are one of the two rival plantation owners in Chapter 3, the area of the story centered around Rhodes. Catherine is the head of Braithwaite Manor, and her character design perfectly encapsulates the role.
Clinging to the decadence of a fading era, Catherine is a representation of an entire generation of wealthy business owners on the wrong side of theAmerican Civil War. Her fine silk clothing is old-fashioned, even for the time period, and despite her dwindling fortune, she continues to sport an expensive gemstone necklace.
7Arturo Bullard
A Well-Dressed Aerial Pioneer And Hot Air Balloon Connoisseur
Arturo Bullard is only a minor character, appearing briefly during the mission “Icarus and Friends,” but his memorable look is sure to have stuck with many players due to just how unique it is. Arturo pilots a hot air balloon and is every bit as eccentric as one might expect from that job description.
Equipped with his flight goggles and hat, along with a smart and extravagant suit, Arturo’s look is truly a great example of the ways in which a setting can be expanded upon through its characters. Through Arturo, players gain a glimpse into the technology, innovation, fashion, and culture of the era in a way few other characters are able to deliver.
6Sadie Adler
Transforms Visibly From Bereaved Widow To Ruthless Gunslinger
Sadie Adler is one of thebest female charactersin theRed Deadseries, if not the best. Her transformation from a helpless, bereaved woman in the wintry hilltops into a cold-blooded and feared bounty hunter is one of the best character-arcs in the game.
In terms of her overall design, players can see the gradations in Sadie’s transformation through her changing clothes. Over time, she becomes more and more like one of the gang, and her yellow shirt worn for the majority of the game makes for quite a distinctive and iconic look.
5Andrew Milton
A Smartly-Dressed Villain With Few Redeeming Qualities
Agent Andrew Milton is one of the leading Pinkerton antagonists in the game, a vile corporate suit whose job is to simply make the lives of the gang as miserable as possible in order to convince them to turn Dutch over.
As well as having a half-burned face, Milton is a great archetype of the work-over-personality type person, and he appears to take himself very seriously indeed. His smart dress and city style are an example of the sort of “sophisticated” fashion that would come to dominate the following decades in America.
4Black Belle
A Legendary Gunslinger With An Iconic Black Dress
Black Belle is only a minor character inRed Dead Redemption 2, featuring as one of thefamous legendary gunslingersduring the quest “The Noblest of Men, And A Woman” - she is, of course, the woman. Dressed in funeral black, the six-time widow is every bit as feisty and furious as one might expect.
Her design is one of the most interesting in the game, combining the dresswear of an upper-class lady with several outlaw-esque pieces of clothing, such as her hat, gloves, and neckerchief.
3Micah Bell
One Of The Most Well-Designed And Hated Villains In Video Game History
Micah Bell is one of the most loathsome villains in all of video gaming, and that’s not just thanks to his brilliant actor, Peter Blomquist. Everything from his weaponry and clothing to his longer hair and mustache point towards a desperate and untrustworthy outcast.
However, in the Van Der Linde gang, outcasts seem to be welcome, andMicah joins the gangfor the duration of the main story. Even Micah’s horse, Baylock, has a relatively fearsome appearance when compared to its fellow nags.
2Dutch Van Der Linde
The Sophisticated-Looking Leader Of The Van Der Linde Gang
Played by Benjamin Byron Davis, the eccentric leader of the Van Der Linde gang, Dutch Van Der Linde, is one of the most iconic characters in theRed Dead Redemptionfranchise. Acting as the antagonist of the first game, players get to see much more of Dutch, andhow he descended into madness, inRed Dead Redemption 2.
Often wearing more fancy clothing than his supposed inferiors, Dutch makes a great effort to keep up the appearance of a sophisticated and intelligent leader in a world that is, in his eyes, “falling apart” for the old outlaws of the west.
1Arthur Morgan
Can Adapt To Many Different Looks
Arthur Morgan is, without a doubt, one of the greatest characters in video game history. Expertly played by Roger Clark, who also starred in sci-fi thrillerFort Solis, Arthur is the main protagonist of the game, and as a result, players will spend the most time with him.
While Arthur can be customized in a number of ways, it’s his rugged design that lends itself to this flexibility. Whether running through the Grizzlies wearing nothing more than a raccoon-skin hat, or dressed in an upmarket suit in preparation for a Saint Denis boat party, Arthur never looks entirely out of place, which is a testament to his expert character design.
