Red Dead Redemption 2 is widely regarded as one of the greatest open-world games ever made, thanks in part to its richly detailed environments and deeply emotional storytelling. The title is still widely played today - in fact, recently, Red Dead Redemption 2 broke its Steam player count record. But if there is one chapter that still sparks debate among Red Dead Redemption 2 fans, it's the detour to Guarma - a tropical island far from the American frontier that briefly serves as a setting for the game's narrative.
Some players call it a refreshing change of pace, while others see it as an unnecessary diversion that derails the flow of the story. Rockstar Games' NDAs are stricter than Marvel's, and the company is notoriously secretive, so details can be hard to come by. But as Rockstar quietly chips away at what may eventually become Red Dead Redemption 3, the question is whether the next game will follow in Guarma's footsteps.
Red Dead Redemption 2: How Every Character Joined the Van der Linde Gang
Every character in the van der Linde gang has a story about how they joined up with Dutch before the events of Red Dead Redemption 2.
Red Dead Redemption 3 - To Guarma Or Not To Guarma
The Case For Another Guarma in RDR3
The familiar dusty plains and snow-tipped peaks of the American West play a leading role in Rockstar's cowboy epic. That is why it is so surprising to see beyond the veil, if even for a brief moment - especially considering how large and detailed the world is. In fact, the Red Dead Redemption 2 map still has unsolved mysteries to this day. But this surprising change of setting is part of what makes it so special. It showed that its world extended far beyond the borders of its core map - and hinted at a broader geopolitical story unfolding in the background.
From a gameplay perspective, the Guarma chapter broke up the pacing in a way that could be seen as refreshing. After hours of slow-burning character development and meticulous exploration, players were thrown into a much more linear, combat-heavy sequence that emphasized cinematic storytelling. It served as an emotional pressure valve after the Van der Linde gang's downward spiral in Saint Denis. It also raised intriguing questions about the world beyond America. Some have even suggested that Guarma proves that Rockstar should pursue a South American game.
The Case Against Another Guarma in RDR3
Of course, not everyone was thrilled about being whisked away to a remote island mid-game. Guarma, for many, felt like a jarring tonal shift that interrupted the core narrative. It stripped players of their gear, locked them out of the open world, and offered very limited exploration in return. For those heavily invested in the slow, methodical beat of Red Dead Redemption 2, the sudden burst of tropical gunfights could potentially feel out of sync with the rest of the experience, and some Red Dead Redemption 2 players were left arguing about what the point was.
There is also the issue of replayability. Guarma is a largely one-and-done section. Once it's over, players can't return, for better or worse. However, there is a funny Red Dead Redemption 2 glitch that can fling players back. For a game that emphasizes immersion and exploration, that could feel like a missed opportunity - one that left some players feeling like the chapter was more of a detour than a meaningful part of the journey. Moreover, not every game needs a "Guarma moment". Part of what makes it so effective in Red Dead Redemption 2 is how unexpected that chapter was. Trying to recreate that magic in a sequel could risk feeling forced or gimmicky, especially if it's included just for the sake of variety.
Red Dead Redemption 2
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 95 /100 Critics Rec: 93%
- Released
- October 26, 2018
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
- Developer(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Publisher(s)
- Rockstar Games
- Engine
- RAGE
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- N/A
WHERE TO PLAY
America, 1899. The end of the wild west era has begun as lawmen hunt down the last remaining outlaw gangs. Those who will not surrender or succumb are killed. After a robbery goes badly wrong in the western town of Blackwater, Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde gang are forced to flee. With federal agents and the best bounty hunters in the nation massing on their heels, the gang must rob, steal and fight their way across the rugged heartland of America in order to survive. As deepening internal divisions threaten to tear the gang apart, Arthur must make a choice between his own ideals and loyalty to the gang who raised him. From the creators of Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption, Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic tale of life in America at the dawn of the modern age.
