Is Red Dead Revolver Canon?
The Western genre has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, thanks in part to the success of the Red Dead series. Developed by Rockstar Games, the Red Dead series has become a staple of the gaming world, with its gritty, realistic portrayal of the Old West. But one question has been on the minds of fans for years: is Red Dead Revolver, the original game in the series, canon?
Direct Answer:
Yes, Red Dead Revolver is considered canon within the Red Dead series. The game’s storyline, characters, and setting are all part of the official narrative of the series.
Why is Red Dead Revolver Canon?
To understand why Red Dead Revolver is considered canon, it’s essential to know the game’s development and its connection to the larger Red Dead universe.
Red Dead Revolver was initially released in 2004 for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox consoles. At the time, the game was a critical and commercial success, praised for its unique blend of Western action and adventure elements. The game’s story follows the character of Red Harlow, a bounty hunter seeking revenge against the gang that killed his parents.
Red Dead Revolver’s Connection to the Red Dead Universe
When Red Dead Revolver was released, Rockstar Games was already working on the next installment in the series, Red Dead Redemption. However, it wasn’t until the release of Red Dead Redemption in 2010 that the game’s connection to the Red Dead universe was fully realized.
In Red Dead Redemption, players take on the role of John Marston, a former outlaw who is forced by the government to hunt down his former gang members. Throughout the game, players encounter numerous characters and locations that have connections to Red Dead Revolver. These connections are subtle, but they help to establish the game as a part of the larger Red Dead universe.
Table: Connections between Red Dead Revolver and Red Dead Redemption
| Character/Location | Red Dead Revolver | Red Dead Redemption |
|---|---|---|
| Red Harlow | Main protagonist | Mentioned as a legendary bounty hunter |
| Jim Roy | Boss of the gang that killed Red Harlow’s parents | Not explicitly mentioned, but some players believe he may have been the leader of the gang that killed John Marston’s family |
| Mac Farley | Bounty hunter and acquaintance of Red Harlow | Not explicitly mentioned, but some players believe he may have been a mentor or acquaintance of John Marston |
| The Valley of Death | A location in the game | Not explicitly mentioned, but some players believe it may have been the location of John Marston’s childhood home |
Evidence for Red Dead Revolver’s Canon Status
There are several pieces of evidence that suggest Red Dead Revolver is considered canon within the Red Dead series:
• Rockstar Games’ Official Statements: In a 2010 interview with IGN, Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games, stated, "Red Dead Revolver is definitely part of the Red Dead universe. We’re trying to make all the games connect in a way that feels organic."
• In-Game References: Red Dead Redemption contains several in-game references to Red Dead Revolver, including mentions of Red Harlow and the Valley of Death.
• Character Connections: As seen in the table above, several characters and locations in Red Dead Redemption have connections to Red Dead Revolver, further solidifying its place within the series.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Red Dead Revolver is indeed considered canon within the Red Dead series. The game’s storyline, characters, and setting are all part of the official narrative of the series. While some players may still have questions about the game’s place within the series, the evidence suggests that Red Dead Revolver is an integral part of the Red Dead universe.
Additional Resources
For fans of the Red Dead series, there are several resources available to learn more about the game’s canon status and connections to the larger universe:
• Rockstar Games’ Official Website: The official Rockstar Games website contains a wealth of information about the Red Dead series, including background information on the games and their characters.
• Red Dead Wiki: The Red Dead Wiki is a comprehensive online resource that provides detailed information about the games, characters, and locations within the Red Dead series.
• Red Dead Redemption 2: The latest installment in the Red Dead series, Red Dead Redemption 2, features a rich and immersive narrative that draws heavily from the events of Red Dead Revolver.
