Red Dead Redemption player discovers Dutch's disturbing story between games

Aside from the mammoth that is the Grand Theft Auto series, Rockstar Games’ other crown jewel is its western Red Dead Redemption series.

The Rockstar Games series started with somewhat humble beginnings with Red Dead Revolver which was released for the PS2 and original Xbox in 2004. At the time, I don’t think anyone could have truly predicted that this linear, but fun game with a lead protagonist named Red, clearly inspired by the legendary Clint Eastwood would be the catalyst of what the series has become today.

Check out the Red Dead Redemption 2 trailer below!

It’s fair to say that when its next game, Red Dead Redemption arrived in 2010, it was a very different game compared to its predecessor. Sure, it was still set in the wild west world and it had plenty of classic Clint Eastwood gameplay, but Red Dead Redemption was a massive spiritual successor, not only in terms of its world but from a storytelling perspective too. That aspect was enhanced further with the 2018 prequel, Red Dead Redemption 2.

While the two lead protagonists may have changed in both Red Dead Redemption games with John Marston and Arthur Morgan, respectively, at the heart of both stories was Dutch van der Linde. Dutch was the clear antagonist in the 2010 game, but in the 2018 release, his character was far more complex blurring the lines between being a good guy and a bad guy.

Especially in Red Dead Redemption 2, the story of Dutch was very well told, but many have been wondering, what was the complex character up to in between both games. It seems that a fan may have discovered what kind of shenanigans Dutch may have been partaking in.

“Dutch became a Cannibal?” asked Redditor TheChristianZealot. Unfortunately, the initial post from the Reddit user has since been removed.

I would assume that the Redditor was referring to this conversation that Dutch had with Hosea, during a time in which his group fell on hard times in Red Dead Redemption 2. Thankfully, Redditor sue_donyem brilliantly recalled that conversion. Thank you.

“Dead men is all you have, Dutch Van Der Linde! Mac, Lenny, that Driscoll boy, Davey, Arthur! You watched Micah Bell beat our son to death and you couldn't kill him where he stood! And this thing, this animal you've become, what would Arthur say about that?” said Hosea to Dutch.

“I admit, I made mistakes, the path has not always been exactly easy, but everything I did had a cause, had a reason,” replied Dutch. “You're eating people, Dutch. Nothing of the man I knew remains in you. Hardly anything of a man remains at all,” Hosea replied. To which Dutch said “I have to survive. Have to stay a step ahead, it'll all be worth it in the end, Hosea. I just have to survive, is all.” Yeah, that does sound pretty conclusive when interrupted with Hannibal Lecter in mind.

The original Red Dead Redemption is out now on PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch, while Red Dead Redemption 2 is available on PC, PlayStation and Xbox.