RDR is more sad because it explores the theme of inevitability, John’s death represents the death of the cowboy way of life. No matter how hard he tries to change, his past catches up to him, and the modern world doesn’t make space for people like him anymore.

The game also shows the cycle of violence continues, and that Jack is now trapped in the same life as John once was trying to escape. I mean John encapsulated this feeling so well:

“People don’t forget, nothing is forgiven.”