How do I unlock the “help the Marston family” ending?

To unlock the ''help the Marston family'' ending in Red Dead Redemption 2, you must make specific choices during the game''s final chapters that prioritize honor and loyalty. This ending is tied to Arthur Morgan''s moral alignment and his relationship with John Marston. The key to achieving this ending lies in maintaining high honor throughout the story and making decisions that reflect Arthur''s desire to redeem himself.\n\nFirst, you must progress through the main story until you reach Chapter 6, where the narrative begins to focus on Arthur''s declining health and his efforts to secure a future for John Marston and his family. During this chapter, you will encounter several missions that directly impact the ending. One of the most critical missions is ''My Last Boy,'' where Arthur helps the Marston family escape from the Pinkertons. Completing this mission successfully is essential to unlocking the ''help the Marston family'' ending.\n\nAnother pivotal moment occurs during the mission ''Red Dead Redemption,'' where Arthur must decide whether to return for the money or help John escape. To unlock the desired ending, you must choose to help John. This decision is influenced by your honor level, so it''s crucial to maintain high honor throughout the game. High honor can be achieved by helping strangers, donating to camp funds, and making morally upright choices during missions.\n\nIn addition to these story-driven choices, you must also complete specific side missions that contribute to Arthur''s redemption arc. For example, helping Sister Calderón in Saint Denis and aiding the Downes family in Annesburg are actions that boost your honor and align with the ''help the Marston family'' ending. These missions are optional but highly recommended for players aiming for this conclusion.\n\nGame mechanics also play a significant role in unlocking this ending. Your honor meter, located in the player menu, must be in the high range (above 75%) by the time you reach the final missions. If your honor is too low, Arthur will prioritize selfish actions, leading to a different ending. To maintain high honor, avoid unnecessary violence, help NPCs in need, and make choices that benefit others over yourself.\n\nPractical examples of maintaining high honor include sparing enemies during missions, donating money to the camp ledger, and assisting strangers in random encounters. For instance, if you encounter a stranded traveler on the road, offering them a ride or giving them money will increase your honor. Conversely, robbing or killing innocent NPCs will lower your honor and make it harder to achieve the desired ending.\n\nFinally, it''s important to note that the ''help the Marston family'' ending is only available if you choose to help John during the final mission. If you decide to go back for the money instead, you will unlock a different ending. This choice is presented during the mission ''Red Dead Redemption,'' and your decision will determine the outcome of Arthur''s story.\n\nIn summary, to unlock the ''help the Marston family'' ending, maintain high honor throughout the game, complete key missions like ''My Last Boy'' and ''Red Dead Redemption,'' and make choices that prioritize John Marston''s safety. By following these steps, you can ensure that Arthur''s story concludes with a focus on redemption and loyalty.