Arthur’s final ride in Red Dead Redemption 2 has become one of gaming’s most emotive scenes.
Fans have experienced several wrenching moments throughout their video gaming careers, but Arthur’s final ride in Red Dead Redemption 2 stands out among them as being among the most heart-wrenching.
Red Dead Redemption 2 chronicles Arthur Morgan, an imperfect gunslinger with an empathic side who travels alongside his adopted family across America’s rugged interior. While Red Dead Redemption 2’s combat and story are engaging and full of secrets still being unearthed after five years have passed by players, what stands out most in players’ memories is its unforgettable ending.
Red Dead Redemption 2’s final scenes provide some of the most emotional scenes ever in video gaming as Arthur Morgan succumbs to tuberculosis and dies slowly under a sunrise sky (he could also get killed for having low honour). Before reaching his final resting place he goes one last ride on his horse while listening to Unshaken soundtrack which plays in the background.
One Reddit user brought attention to it earlier this week after sharing “This ride in RDR2 made me more emotional than any game ever has,” they posted in the r/gaming subreddit. One viewer responded “Yeah, that’s rough one”, before one more commented “it’s weird because by then you know exactly how Arthur must die and yet when reality hits it hit so hard!”
One user commented on Arthur bidding farewell to his horse – an event only activated if you have formed an intense bond with it – saying they were left emotional by it: “When Arthur’s horse got shot and said thank you after it died I shed a tear,” they noted. This game “is one of the best ever created – story, characters, action animation music; all at the highest quality possible and I hope there will be similar games made soon; unfortunately not.” In closing they concluded:
Red Dead Redemption 2 still ranks among the greatest video games ever, even five years since its initial release, due to its epic yet heart-wrenching conclusion and lasting legacy as one of gaming’s must-play titles. It’s understandable why so many have fallen under its spell.
