The plot revolves around the protagonist, John Marston, a former outlaw forced to hunt down members of his former gang in order to save his family.
The game takes place in the American frontier in 1911, a time of lawlessness and rapid change. The government has captured John Marston's wife and son and demands that he track down and eliminate his former gang members to secure their release.
As John embarks on his quest, players are immersed in a vast and dynamic world, filled with towns, wilderness, and a variety of characters, each with their own stories and motives. John must navigate treacherous landscapes, face dangerous outlaws, and confront the harsh realities of the fading Wild West.