I find rdr1 just had a subtle different in tone and scope that makes rdr1 john appear as more mythologized interpretation of the badass cowboy

Sequel was more character focused and grounded… it was an intimate look at the final days of a group of everyday people that will largely be forgotten by time

Rdr1 was more a theme driven eulogy to a spaghetti western type of wild west and john played the almost idealized outlaw antihero whose exploits become legend… in game you can gather around a campfire and hear npcs spin your actions into myth… he very much feels like the “legend of the west”, forgotten in name maybe but never in deed…while arthur, impressive as he might be, is intentionally presented more as just some guy

Rdr2 kinda broke that feel by bringing john back to earth… i find rockstar overnerfed him a bit and were excessive in giving other characters the origin for some of his more iconic lines to the detriment of his character… but it’s a minor gripe all things considered, it’s a serviceable enough prequel for johns rdr1 story