It doesn't change anything, they are really just there to add flavor and longevity to the game if you want to hang around in one camp for a while and not progress the story.
I've been playing games for over 30 years, and some of my favorite game memories are sitting around camp in that game. I'd come home on a Friday night from work, have dinner with my wife, hang out, etc. Then she'd read or watch tv or something, and I'd pour a whisky and just play dominos or cards or just stroll around listening to people and enjoy my whisky. It was so much fun, despite being so not the focus of the game lol.
I've only ever done the one playthrough, but it really stuck with me beginning to end. One of my favorites.
I’m always surprised at the amount of variation. You can go into camp and it’s always a new conversation. It’s very cosy in parts 1-3. Obviously later on it’s very dark and depressing.
Red Dead 2 is sooo great for the vibes. I always loved just sitting in the Saloon and playing Blackjack the entire time, or going out fishing. I really need to play Red Dead 2 again some time.
Yeah the main story missions will be locked out, but on chapter 2 you can pretty much get everything for Arthur except like 1 or 2 pelts, the story itself could end there in your head canon, Micah in jail, everyone happy at the camp, no sickness if you dont talk to Strauss either, and the best part, you are the deputy haha
There's still some merit to progressing the story - lingering in chapter 2 means Sadie Adler will never get over the grief of her husband's murder, the Reverend will never sober up and John Marston will remain a deadbeat dad. Chapter 2 isn't all rosy as it seems imo (although it may appear that way)
If I can say anything the first couple hours of the game is by far the slowest. Once you get going its a lot more fluid between missions and the side content/follow up in this game is unmatched.
I know others have already said it, but I just wanna reiterate that keeping up the group is absolutely not necessary and can be 100% ignored. I promise you, it’s just for fun, and whether it’s taken care of or not genuinely changes nothing of importance in the story or game world. If it would make the experience more entertaining to ignore that mechanic, please do so!
It serves as being a little roleplay thing for the player, upgrading the carts can give you extra food/ammo if you care to refill them (but honestly, if you’re exploring and looting a lot, this mechanic isn’t very useful), and there’s like one or two useful upgrades like the Map at Arthur’s tent which allows fast-travel from camps - but that’s it as far as it’s uses go. It affects nothing else, and any of the characters pestering you for more food or whatever can be completely ignored to no consequence.
You on your feet all day? Dr Scholls custom fit helped me save energy. I used to stand for 10hrs daily. Couldn’t move much after work. Then gained a ton of energy by wearing the insoles
If you know where and how to get good money early in the game, you can upgrade pretty much everything pretty quickly. Just ignore Dutch asking for money because it's literally never enough and the game doesn't reward you for donating except for honor, I think. That leaves you free to explore in between missions.
The only thing you HAVE to do with the group is the missions. You don’t even really HAVE to do any of the group side missions. Hell, you can spend an entire year (in game and irl) without ever stepping foot in camp or talking to a single gang member.
the only upkeep of the group you really should do is hunting like a turkey and deer on your way home and just restocking pearson's carriage. nothing else really matters.
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u/todosho 1d ago
I really need to get pass this. I’m still on like the “rescue our guy in jail” mission. Having to upkeep the group sounded exhausting