The Red Dead Redemption series is normally known for its vast landscapes, complex characters, and exciting gunfights. However, while fans look forward to that with each new game, there’s a series staple that rarely gets talked about. Along with the action, another important storytelling element is the protagonist’s journal. These journals give players a deeper look into the thoughts and feelings of Arthur Morgan and John Marston in a way they don’t get to see in regular gameplay.

They offer more than players normally get. The journals show players who these characters are and what they hope to achieve. The worn pages filled with drawings, notes, some hidden missions, and personal thoughts tell us what they do and how they feel. This simple feature should always be part of the series, no matter how the games change. If the journals are ignored, Red Dead risks losing the rich, character-driven stories that make the series special and turning the characters into just action figures.

RDR’s Journal Gives Us A Look Into Arthur & John’s Minds

We Can Read Their Deepest Thoughts

 

The journals in Red Dead Redemption are more than just collectibles; they give a closer look at the main characters, Arthur and John. By reading their entries, players can understand their true thoughts and feelings, showing more about their personalities than what is seen on the surface. For example, when Sean dies, there isn’t much time given to show how Arthur feels, but the journal reveals that Arthur thought of Sean as a younger brother.

Arthur is constantly messing with Sean, which can be seen as hostile, but in reality, it comes from familial love, and that’s only known because of the journal. Players see the protagonists’ emotional responses to different events, which sheds light on their struggles, conflicts, and changing world views. The journals fill in backstories that aren’t directly told in the main story, helping players grasp their past and how it affects their current decisions.

If players read the journal as the game takes place, they can see Arthur’s distrust of Dutch’s decisions grow in a way that doesn’t get explicitly said. Additionally, the journals share unique details about places, other characters, and even small interactions with strangers, offering insights that might not be found elsewhere in the game.

It Tells More of the Story That You Can Read In Your Own Time

The Journal Is Great For Reflecting After The Fact

 

The journals in Red Dead Redemption are great features because players can choose whether to read them. Players can explore the Wild West, complete missions, and enjoy the game without ever looking at the journal. It’s not mandatory to read the journal to understand the game or to have a good time. The developers were smart enough to know they should just encourage players to discover it.

There are messages that show on-screen whenever a new entry is made, and as things happen, it makes the player want to see what’s going on and what may have changed. The player is encouraged to choose to connect more with the main character through the journal, and they’re given plenty of opportunities to read the journal while they’re relaxing at camp.

It’s perfect for moments when players are sitting by a campfire, or just hanging around camp after doing the chores. The journal lets players take a break from the action and dive into the character’s thoughts, sketches, and experiences. This way, players can engage with the story at their own pace, turning a regular gaming experience into a more personal and thoughtful journey into the character’s mind.

The Journal Provides A Consistent Sense Of Progression

It Lets You Know How Far You’ve Come

 

In the Red Dead Redemption series, the journal serves as a record of the player’s journey and achievements in the game. It’s not just a place to jot down the storyline; it captures John and Arthur’s experiences and reflections. Each entry shows how they interact with the world around them, noting important events and the little details of nature. As the protagonist observes animals, they sketch and take notes on them, along with the plants they find, making what could be a mundane gathering into a meaningful activity.

The bones they discover, the different landscapes they explore, and the unique characters they meet are all documented in the journal. The regular updates remind players how much they have learned about the world and how much remains to discover. This ongoing tracking creates a sense of achievement, turning each filled page into a sign of progress for both the protagonist and the player, highlighting the feeling of steady advancement in the game.

There’s No Reason For RDR3 To Leave The Journal Behind

It’s Worth The Effort To Add The Journal In

 

There’s no great reason for RDR3 to get rid of the journal feature, but it’s understandable why some developers might consider dropping it. A simple journal can seem an unnecessary addition to a gaming industry that focuses on complicated systems and exciting mechanics. Often, it gets replaced with a codex or just left out entirely. Developers may feel the journal doesn’t add enough value to justify the resources needed to create it.

A detailed codex offers a more organized way to share lore, making it easy to look up a character’s backstory or information about a location from a menu. However, the charm of the journal is in its simplicity. It doesn’t need complicated gameplay features; it’s just a collection of written entries and hand-drawn pictures. Despite being low-key, the journal adds depth to the gameplay and the characters. It’s an authentic way to get into their minds.

A codex or other things take away from the immersion. It’s actively reminding players that they’re in a video game. A journal does the opposite; it gives players more immersion because they’re reading the thoughts of the protagonist. The journal is something that is worth the effort it takes to make, and reading it is a great way to say goodbye before Arthur’s last ride.

It gives players more context and a personal connection, which makes it an essential part of the Red Dead experience. Not having it would mean missing out on a valuable storytelling tool – a mistake many developers might make, but it would be unwise for Rockstar to follow suit. In other words, Red Dead Redemption 3 has to bring the journal back.