RDR2: Is fundraising for gangs really worth it?

Red Dead Redemption 2's camp is an important location for the story, but beyond that, it offers little that really makes or breaks the game.

As the stronghold of the Van der Linde gang, the camp is one of the most important recurring locations in Red Dead Redemption 2. Players can choose to invest money in the camp and improve the camp with various supplies and functions. However, the system may not be as advertised.

Regardless of who the player is, the Van der Linde faction provides one essential service: story missions. The value of this camp in the Red Dead Redemption 2 story cannot be underestimated. However, in addition to this, it also provides players with a few other benefits. Players can go there to pick up supplies, refill cores with camp soup, and change Arthur Morgan's clothes.

What Upgrading RDR2's Camp Does

As the game progresses, the player has the option to deposit money into the gang's donation box in RDR2 (or bring the prey to Pearson). Depositing these funds allows players to use nearby Ledgers to upgrade their camp. Upgrades include better supplies, a fast travel system, and cosmetic add-ons that boost gang morale.

However, there was one major problem with this system. While upgrading RDR2's camp has its benefits, there's no real incentive to influence players to One primary way (except for unlocking Red Dead Redemption 2's map fast travel).

Camp supplies - ammunition, medicine, and food - can be found in almost any other area of ​​the game. Looting corpses from normal shootouts will grant all of these bonuses, plus some payout changes. At the same time, hunting and crafting can also help players maintain their core, and players can change their character's clothes at almost any grocery store or hotel in the game.

Giving RDR2's Camp Money Won't Change the Story

Also, the game does a poor job of making players feel the impact of their actions on the camp. Purchasing camp upgrades for RDR2 may provide a "morale boost" and access to supplies, but there's nothing specific against players not participating in this part of the game. They may gain a small amount of honor after being out of camp for a while, but the camp itself will not be affected by it.

Camp Van der Linde is still there for the player to return to regardless of whether the player purchased all of the camp upgrades for Red Dead Redemption 2, completed all the chores, and talked to every NPC Continue the story as if nothing happened. They can even deposit enough cash in the donation box to settle the gangster plot money and business goes on as usual.

Pros & Cons of Spending Money on RDR2's Camp

While the inevitably irrelevant nature of upgrading the RDR2 faction does have its downsides, there is a silver lining in this cloud. Red Dead Redemption 2 is able to accommodate players with an alternate experience if they choose to roleplay instead of being an active member of the Van der Linde gang.

For example, players who prefer to play as homeless lone gunmen in RDR2 are not bound by any camp responsibilities. This really makes the game more versatile, giving players a wider experience. But on the downside, Red Dead Redemption 2's alignment becomes even shallower because it can't punish players for ignoring it. Plus, once they stop ignoring it for the sake of side quests, their unique role-playing experience shatters as Arthur reverts to a "gang supremacy" mentality.

Ultimately, this means that investing in Red Dead Redemption 2 camps is only really necessary for players who actively want to join the gang. if they enjoy interacting Playing as a responsible gang member with RDR2's NPCs and then attending camp events is a reward in itself - no additional rewards required. But if players stray from that mold, training camp becomes unnecessary and can actually hurt their experience.