6 Retconned Plot Points That Ruined Beloved Video Game Characters

3. John Marston Did Things That Cheapen His Death - Red Dead Redemption 2

What you think you know: After living a - mostly un-detailed - life of crime, we pick up John Marston's life as he attempts to settle down with a wife and kids, only to be pulled back into the same life he's trying to leave behind. We know he once worked as a member of Dutch's Gang, but with all his past shrouded in mystery and interpretation, when he finally gives his life to save his wife and kid at the close of the game, you buy that he was just way in over his head, and that his life is worth avenging/somewhat inspiring someone like his son.

What you must accept: With the advent of Red Dead Redemption 2 being a prequel, we're delving headlong into the story of Marston before he and Abigail attempted to settle down. Where before, John was ostensibly being strung along by far worse people under the guise of gathering intel to bring down his former compatriots, now there's every chance Rockstar are going for the whole "Time to rethink everything you think you know"-type narrative.

To that end, much of the muted response to RDR 2 has been fuelled by Rockstar deciding to go near revisiting Marston's character, especially fleshing out those parts of his past that fans have moved to one side, for the sake of an ultimately redemptive arc.

Y'know, Red Dead Redemption.

If it turns out John was the character seen above or took part in any number of reprehensible acts - something that's highly implied even from the trailer - it fundamentally calls into question what was otherwise one of the best game endings and stories in the medium's history.