Roger Clark, the actor who voiced and portrayed Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2, recently discussed his personal choice for the game’s “canon ending” during an interview with Gamology. He emphasized that, despite players often referring to one of the game’s outcomes as the “good” ending, he believes that none of the endings are truly happy for Arthur.
Clark’s insight into the character suggests that each ending reflects the tragic nature of Arthur’s story, leaving players with a sense of inevitable loss regardless of their decisions.
Clark revisited the topic of the game’s endings when asked about particularly challenging scenes. He explained that Arthur has four possible endings, influenced by the player’s choices and Arthur’s Honor level. Clark mentioned that he sees little sense in choosing the option where Arthur returns for the money, especially given Arthur’s grim fate.
Instead, Clark considers the most fitting ending to be when Arthur, with high Honor, decides to help John escape. This choice, according to Clark, aligns more with Arthur’s character arc and is the one he views as the “canon ending.”
The choice of helping John with high Honor is not only Clark’s preferred ending but is also widely regarded by fans as the canon conclusion to Arthur’s story. Clark’s reasoning emphasizes Arthur’s realization of his mortality and the futility of wealth at that stage in his life, which contrasts with the alternative ending where Arthur attempts to retrieve the gang’s money.
This decision highlights a significant debate among fans at the time of the game’s release, with some arguing that going back for the money could still benefit John or others indirectly.
In addition to discussing the endings, Clark shared his thoughts on potential features for future installments of the Red Dead series. Reflecting his preference for a high Honor Arthur, Clark suggested that it would be interesting for future games to offer players more control over their character’s moral path, perhaps allowing them to choose between being a lawman or an outlaw.
This idea aligns with the moral choices that define much of Red Dead Redemption 2’s gameplay, further deepening the player’s connection to the character and the world.
Clark’s comments provide valuable insight into the character of Arthur Morgan and the themes of Red Dead Redemption 2. His preference for the high Honor ending resonates with the game’s narrative arc, emphasizing themes of redemption, morality, and the ultimate futility of wealth in the face of mortality. His suggestions for future gameplay also reflect a desire to further explore these themes in new and engaging ways.
