When Does Red Dead Redemption 2 Take Place: Red Dead Redemption 2 is set in a highly detailed and immersive open world during a specific historical period of American history. The game’s timeline focuses on the tail end of the Wild West era, providing a backdrop for the game’s story.
Here is a table outlining the specific time period, locations, and context:
| Time Period | Year(s) | Historical Context | In-Game Events |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Game Events | 1870s–1890s | End of the American Civil War, rise of lawlessness in the West. | The formation of Dutch van der Linde’s gang. The early history of Arthur Morgan and other main characters. |
| Main Game Events | 1899 | End of the Wild West era, with increasing government control and modernization. | The story follows the downfall of Dutch’s gang as they struggle to survive amidst a changing America. |
| Epilogue | 1907 | Post-Wild West, industrialization, and the settling of the American frontier. | Follows the events after the gang’s dissolution and John Marston’s attempts to settle into a new life. |
Detailed Explanation:
- Pre-Game Events (1870s–1890s):
- This period covers the backstory of the game’s characters and the rise of Dutch van der Linde’s gang. The American West during these decades is known for outlaws, gang activity, and the lawlessness of untamed frontier lands. These years mark significant events for the gang, though they are not part of the playable story.
- Main Game Timeline (1899):
- The main narrative of Red Dead Redemption 2 unfolds in 1899, at the end of the Wild West era. The frontier is being overtaken by law enforcement and industrialization, marking the closing chapter of the traditional outlaw lifestyle. Dutch’s gang, led by characters like Arthur Morgan and John Marston, finds themselves on the run from federal forces and bounty hunters. Their struggle to adapt or perish in the face of societal changes forms the core of the story.
- Epilogue (1907):
- The game’s epilogue jumps ahead to 1907, eight years after the main story. By this point, the West has largely been “tamed,” and the narrative shifts toward John Marston’s efforts to build a stable life for his family, leading directly into the events of Red Dead Redemption (2010).
Historical Context:
- 1899: This was a transformative period in American history as the frontier was closing, and the influence of modern technology, railroads, and law enforcement spread across the nation. Outlaw gangs, which once thrived in the open plains, found it increasingly difficult to evade justice.
- 1907: This time period marks a shift from the Wild West into a more modern, industrialized America. It is a time of social and economic change, which affects the surviving characters of the game as they seek a new way of life.
The game’s setting masterfully captures the tensions between these historical moments, making it feel like a living, breathing world transitioning between eras.