John Marston Vs. Arthur Morgan - Who Is The Better Hero?
Personality
A Western tale can live and die by the likeability (or unlikeability) of its protagonist, and the Red Dead series is no different in this respect. Both John and Arthur are uniquely and excellently portrayed and performed, but it's Arthur who you'd want to tell tall tales with over the campfire. The ham-fisted enforcer of the Van der Linde gang can at first seem a blunt, callous bear of a man, but he reveals himself to be more of a big brother than a bounty hunter.
While Arthur is undoubtedly a criminal capable of horrendous violence, he's also deeply layered, surprisingly empathetic and genuine in more intimate moments. He's full of a folksy charm, and a hard won, world-wise outlook full of tired sarcasm and cynical witticisms. He spouts plucky one-liners whilst headshotting bandits like any good action hero, but it is the air of tired regret when dealing with ne’er do wells like Reverend Swanson, and the gentle respect for characters like Tillie and Sadie and other hard working folk that makes Arthur Morgan intriguing.
It would have been very easy to set up Arthur, simple and savage, as the brutal antagonist to the hero Marston in a narrative prequel. Yet instead, we’re presented with an honest picture of a flawed man, who makes the ultimate sacrifice to save an irresponsible youngster who has not entirely earned his ride into the sunset with Jack and Abigail by this point. “Be a goddamn man,” Arthur tells John, and it appears that John spends the majority of the first game attempting to live by his old protector’s words.
That's not to say John is boring, or one note, quite the opposite. His air of annoyed reluctance when it comes to interacting with those like Seth and West-Dickens is both endearing and relatable. John can be surprisingly quiet and calm, especially in the cutscenes, when not enacting precise and deadly retribution on former gang mates, with a deep unspoken sadness permeating his speech. But despite this, there's so much more range and emotional scope to Arthur. Red Dead 2 is a much bigger game after all, and the switch back and forth between good humoured campmate Arthur and dastardly bank robber Arthur is both believable and enjoyable to sit through.
When speaking about personality, it's hard not to mention performances. Yet comparisons between Roger Clarke’s and Rob Wiethoff’s performances as their respective characters are mostly fruitless. The two actors are equally excellent in their roles for different reasons: Rob’s humble, everyman demeanour and Roger’s authentic and versatile southern drawl make both Marston and Morgan truly sound unique and believable. At a push, Roger Clarke as Arthur Morgan just about clears leather first, if only because Red Dead 2’s much larger script allows for a broader range of emotions and deliveries.