What are the differences between the four main endings in RDR2?

Red Dead Redemption 2 features four main endings, each determined by the player''s honor level and a critical choice made in the final mission, ''Red Dead Redemption.'' The endings are divided into two honor-based categories: high honor and low honor. Within each category, there are two variations based on a key decision Arthur Morgan makes during the final confrontation with Micah Bell. Understanding these endings requires a grasp of the game''s honor system and the choices that shape Arthur''s fate.\n\nTo unlock the high honor endings, players must maintain a high honor level throughout the game. This is achieved by helping strangers, donating to camp, sparing enemies, and making morally upright decisions. Conversely, low honor endings are triggered by committing crimes, antagonizing NPCs, and making selfish choices. The honor bar, visible in the player''s HUD, reflects Arthur''s moral standing. Building high honor requires consistent effort, while low honor can be gained quickly through negative actions.\n\nIn the final mission, ''Red Dead Redemption,'' Arthur faces Micah Bell on Mount Hagen. The player is given a choice: go back for the money or help John Marston escape. This decision, combined with Arthur''s honor level, determines the ending. If Arthur has high honor and chooses to help John, he dies peacefully while watching the sunrise, symbolizing redemption. If he chooses to go back for the money, he dies in a knife fight with Micah, but his sacrifice ensures John''s survival.\n\nFor low honor endings, the outcomes are darker. If Arthur has low honor and helps John, he is shot in the face by Micah, reflecting his lack of redemption. If he chooses to go back for the money, Micah stabs him in the back, and Arthur dies alone, emphasizing his moral downfall. These endings highlight the consequences of Arthur''s actions and the importance of the honor system in shaping the narrative.\n\nTo achieve the high honor endings, players should focus on positive actions throughout the game. For example, completing side missions like helping the veteran in ''The Veteran'' stranger mission or aiding the Downes family in ''Money Lending and Other Sins'' boosts honor. Additionally, greeting NPCs in towns like Valentine or Saint Denis increases honor, while antagonizing or robbing them decreases it. Players should also avoid unnecessary violence and prioritize helping camp members with chores and requests.\n\nFor those aiming for low honor endings, the path is simpler but less rewarding. Robbing trains, killing innocent NPCs, and ignoring camp needs will quickly lower honor. However, players should be cautious, as low honor can make certain missions more challenging due to increased hostility from law enforcement and NPCs. For example, committing crimes in Saint Denis will result in a higher bounty and more aggressive pursuit by lawmen.\n\nPractical tips for managing honor include regularly checking the honor bar and adjusting gameplay accordingly. Players can also use the ''Honor'' section in the pause menu to track their progress. For high honor, focus on completing honorable stranger missions and avoiding unnecessary conflict. For low honor, embrace the outlaw lifestyle but be prepared for the consequences. Ultimately, the endings reflect Arthur''s journey and the player''s choices, making each playthrough unique.\n\nIn summary, the four main endings in Red Dead Redemption 2 are shaped by Arthur''s honor level and his final decision in ''Red Dead Redemption.'' High honor leads to more peaceful, redemptive conclusions, while low honor results in darker, tragic outcomes. By understanding the honor system and making deliberate choices, players can experience the full emotional depth of Arthur''s story.