Red Dead Redemption fans divided over Arthur Morgan reference in first game

Red Dead Redemption 2 has one of the most heartbreaking ends to any game.

Despite spending our time with him, growing with him and learning with him, players must say goodbye to Arthur Morgan, one way or another, and his final moments will not leave a dry eye in the house.

Check out the trailer for 2010's Red Dead Redemption below!

However, what we often forget is that the events of Red Dead Redemption 2 take place before those of Red Dead Redemption and as a result, John sets off on his journey after he has said his goodbyes to Arthur.

That being said, with Red Dead Redemption first launching back in 2010, with its prequel following eight years later, it is unclear if Rockstar knew how the story would come full circle.

As a result, Arthur is never explicitly mentioned in the former game but this one scene from Red Dead Redemption has fans believing that John did indeed allude to his departed friend.

In the scene, John is on a carriage ride with Miss MacFarlane and following her dreams of perhaps leaving the town, our outlaw says the following line: “If you ask me, it usually takes more strength to stay than to run, Miss MacFarlane.”

Of course, this does not explicitly mention anybody but fans believe that John was referring to the final moment between himself and Arthur that we see during RDR2.

In it, the two are fleeing when Arthur, now extremely ill from tuberculosis, tells John to run whilst he holds them off.

The duo both know that he will not make it out alive, and after a lot of convincing from Arthur, John finally decides to run and save himself.

In that moment, Arthur displayed unmatched strength by staying which is, of course, what John could be referring to years later.

In a video of the RDR1 scene, fans soon appeared to share their thoughts over the potential parallel moment.

“Now I perfectly understand why people want to have a Red Dead Redemption remaster,” one comment read.

“So that they can throw in Arthur Morgan and have certain characters talk about his influence and his actions as a protagonist.”

Another said: “I kinda 'like' that he’s never mentioned. It makes it more painful, to know that he’s basically 'forgotten' by John or that he doesn’t want to relive those memories because they’re too strong, makes me miss and love Arthur even more. Makes the legend more hurtful.”