Set 15 years after “Dishonored,” Emily Kaldwin takes her late mother’s place as empress. Corvo Attano serves as her bodyguard. One day, a powerful witch named, Delilah Copperspoon reveals herself as Emily’s aunt. Delilah claims to be the real heir. She takes over the throne, separates Corvo & Emily. It’s up to either Corvo or Emily to stop Delilah. They’ll need the help they can get.
“Dishonored 2” was officially released in 2016 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. It received positive reviews from critics and gamers alike. Plus, the sequel sold enough copies in both physical and digital format. As I’ve mentioned on my review of the first game, Arkane Studios is working on a game based on Marvel’s Blade. Before The Daywalker’s solo game comes out, I wanna share my thoughts on Dishonored 2.
This review contains no SPOILERS.
Rich & Poor Qualities
Rich: Rosario Dawson, Sam Rockwell, Pedro Pascal, Robin Lord Taylor & Vincent D’Onofrio all did a terrific job for their respective performances.
Graphics create an immersive 19th Century steampunk world to life as well as character models, fluid movement, lighting, animations and environmental locations.
Gameplay/Mechanics retain core elements from the previous game. Here’s what’s new.
- Presented as a first-person action-adventure stealth game, you play as either Corvo Attano or Emily Kaldwin. Both characters have unique powers. If one of them’s selected like Corvo for instance, Emily turns into stone. He must defeat Delilah in order to break the spell. If you select Emily, she takes over Corvo’s role as the main protagonist.
- “Bone Craft” customization gives you a wide variety of options mixing Bone Charms augmenting a perk or two.
- New Game Plus retains all your powers, gear and arsenal. Replay as Corvo or Emily. Short answer, replay value.
- Skill Trees expands powers and equipment. Find a black market, wisely spend your coins on what best suits your playstyle.
- Custom Difficulty Setting allows you to modify certain settings.
- Beating the game in Low Chaos (low body count) has a positive ending. If you beat the game in High Chaos (high body count) you get a dark ending. Remember, your actions/decisions will affect the status quo.
- More options to takedown enemies in non-lethal combat with a no-killing rule like Batman or Batgirl, gadgets including stun grenades and darts forcing enemies to flee.
- Non-lethal takedown on an enemy by dropping in the air.
- Besides guards, Darkvision allows you to see hidden items and runes.
- Clockwork Soldiers are pretty tough. Their robots programmed to hunt your down. A steampunk version of “The Terminator.”
TIP: Before you make a move, always save before you take out a guard or sneak pass. If you make a mistake, load your save file and formulate your plan. Trial and error improve your strategy. I learned from my mistakes.
We learn who Emily’s father really is. Looks like somebody needs to go on “Maury” for a parental DNA test. “YOU ARE THE FATHER!”
I played as Corvo in my first playthrough. After that, I played as Emily on my second playthrough. They’re equally great in terms of characterization and gameplay.
Unlike the previous game, Corvo can talk. Adding more in-depth emotion.
It took me 16 hours to beat the game as Corvo. Replay Value adds more hours if you wish to 100% as Corvo and Emily upgrading all their powers, gear and weapons. Search for blueprints, unlock a lightheaded or downer ending. Add all content and including standalone DLC story, “Death of the Outsider” you get 60+ hours worth every penny.
My favorite level is “A Crack in the Slab.” My favorite artifact is the Timepiece. Which lets you shift between two timelines without heavily relying on powers.
Primary Themes are Power, Corruption, Consequence & Choice. Each one’s handled carefully.
Poor: I couldn’t find nothing wrong. I’m giving Arkane Studios for making a flawless game as possible
The Final Verdict: A, for APEX!
Arkane Studios outdid themselves making a sequel better than the original. I had a blast playing the second game. Maybe someday, Arkane Studios will make a third game once they finished developing Blade’s solo game. If you’re already caught up on the first game, the sequel’s a must-buy for anybody who enjoys playing first-person games.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 