One stand-out aspect ofRed Dead Redemption 2is its open world. Players can hop onto a horse and enjoy varied scenery, from foggy woods and sprawling meadows to waterlogged marshes. After throwing on a heavy coat, they can also head into the mountains and take in the view as snow drizzles. One of the most gorgeous settings inRed Dead Redemption 2is Guarma, though players only get to experience it briefly.
Guarma is as rich and diverse as any other region of the game, but as soon as players get acquainted with it, they are taken away. Consequently, the island feels like wasted potential, as fans cannot return to it after they leave. However, it does demonstrate Rockstar’s ability to craft amazing tropical environments, so Rockstar should take what it learned with Guarma and use it to pursue a game set in South America. This could be done through existing franchises likeGrand Theft AutoandRed Dead, or the company could start a new IP.
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For most ofRed Dead Redemption 2, players explore the untamed American landscape, discovering its diverse wildlife and flora. Players also have to deal with the encroachment of civilization, which brings with it law and order, proving disastrous for Arthur Morgan and theVan der Linde gang. It can be fun immersing oneself in the life of an outlaw and making a living by robbing local businesses while escaping from bounty hunters. Just as players get used to riding horses and twirling revolvers, the game drastically changes things by throwing players onto the fictional island of Guarma.
Arthur Morgan, Dutch Van der Linde, and a few other members of the Van der Linde gang wind up on Guarma after a botched bank heist that forces them to seek safety on a ship. Unfortunately for them, the ship ends up wrecked on the island, and they have few resources to protect themselves. The island is being used as a sugar plantation by Colonel Fussar, who makes use of political prisoners and indentured workers to toil on the land. The gang meets Hercule Fontaine, who leads a rebellion against Fussar. Arthur and his friends eventually escape from the island, but not before manning heavy weaponry and taking down a warship.
Guarma provides a significant change of scenery, exposing players to tropical wildlife, jungle flora, and sandy shores. There are species of plants and animals that are unique to the island, though players are discouraged from exploring too much by an invisible sniper. Players are without their familiar horses and guns, and resources are constantly scarce, making gameplay on the island quite different. Players also see a moresinister side of Dutch, forcing them to question whether they should continue remaining loyal to him.
Gamers have wondered why the Guarma chapter was included inRed Dead Redemption 2because it is quite short, and gamers are not able to return to the island. While some enjoy the change of pace, others have complained that it feels somewhat irrelevant. The amount of detailRockstar put into Guarmais astounding, and it is a pity that fans only get to enjoy the tropical environment for a brief chapter. However, it does prove that Rockstar is capable of crafting strong tropical environments, and it is something the developer should pursue in future titles.
South American Settings in Future Rockstar Games
For a long time, it has been rumored that the nextGrand Theft Autogame will feature a South American setting, which would open the door for plenty of tropical environments. One of the prevailing rumors was thatGrand Theft Auto 6was being developed under the codenameProject Americas, alluding to the fact that it would feature both South America and Vice City in North America. However, a more recent report from Bloomberg claimed the nextGTAgame will feature a fictionalized Miami along with surrounding areas, which suggests fans will only be getting Vice City.
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This doesn’t mean gamers won’t enjoy a tropical setting inGrand Theft Auto 6, however.The Bloomberg reportalso mentioned that Rockstar has plans to continually update the game with new missions and cities, which could see tropical locations eventually added. Consequently, gamers could see Guarma-like chapters added to the game where exotic locations are used, perhaps even in South America.
The next option for a South American setting isRed Dead Redemption 3. Although Rockstar has yet to confirm plans to continue theRed Deadfranchise, its popularity warrants the company’s attention. A futureRed Deadtitle could have fans exploring Latin America, perhaps as Sadie, or it could continue Hercule’s story. It would have a different tone to priorRed Deadgames, but the Guarma chapter ofRed Dead Redemption 2proved that Rockstar knows how to make it work. Rockstar could also be bold and start a new IP, though it has not done so since 2011’sLA Noire. It would be a daring move, but it would open several possibilities, allowing developers to start with a clean slate and a new roster of characters.
Rockstar has shown itself to be extremely versatile, and it has excelled in multiple genres. WhileRed Dead Redemption 2’s Guarma chaptermay be enigmatic and misunderstood, it did not fail to dazzle gamers with its beauty. To please those who wish they could have explored Guarma more, Rockstar should release a game set in South America.
Red Dead Redemption 2is available on PC, PS4, and Xbox Series X/S.
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