Red Dead Redemption 2’s snowy tutorial is the most important part of the story

Red Dead Redemption 2‘s snowy tutorial in Colter puts a unique spin on teaching. It’s got all the usual things you’d expect from an opening segment — explainers for how to use the controls, how to not get shot, what most of those little icons on the screen mean. But it also goes a step further and teaches you what the game is about. Whether you know what to expect from the first Red Dead or not, the gang’s time in Colter makes it plain the sequel-prequel is about the slow, inexorable decay of hope.