Dishonored 2 game poster and cover art

Game Introduction

Game Introduction: Dishonored 2



Dishonored 2 is a first-person action-adventure stealth game developed by Arkane Studios and published by Bethesda Softworks. Released on November 11, 2016 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC (Windows), the game is a direct sequel to the critically acclaimed Dishonored (2012). It supports both single-player and offline play, with no online multiplayer component. Later, a free next-gen upgrade and backward compatibility allowed it to run on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and modern PC hardware.

Story Overview


Set 15 years after the first game, Dishonored 2 follows Empress Emily Kaldwin (the child from the original) or her father, Corvo Attano, the Royal Protector. The tale begins when a coup orchestrated by the supernatural witch Delilah Copperspoon and her ally Duke Luca Abele usurps the throne of the island empire of Gristol. Players must choose one of the two protagonists, each with their own unique powers, voice, and perspective, as they navigate the plague-ridden, industrial city of Karnaca to reclaim the crown and uncover the conspiracy.

The narrative is driven by player choice: the level of chaos (high vs. low) determined by killing or sparing enemies directly impacts the ending, world state, and character interactions. Themes of family, legacy, loyalty, and political corruption are woven into a dark, Victorian-era steampunk and dieselpunk aesthetic.

Setting & Atmosphere


  • Karnaca - a coastal, Mediterranean-inspired city in the southern region of Serkonos. Unlike the rainy, oppressive Dunwall of the first game, Karnaca is sun-drenched but equally grim, with dusty streets, ornate architecture, and a heavy atmosphere of oppression under a brutal regime.

  • The world blends magic (the Void, an otherworldly dimension) with advanced technology: whale-oil-powered machinery, arcane bone charms, electro-pistols, and clockwork soldiers.

  • Environments include mansions, distilleries, archives, a royal conservatory, a clockwork mansion, and shipyards, all densely packed with vertical exploration and multiple pathways.


    • Main Characters


  • Empress Emily Kaldwin – Now a young woman trained in stealth and swordsmanship by her father. She can use powers like Far Reach (a grappling hook-like ability) and Domino (linking enemies’ fates).

  • Corvo Attano – The legendary Royal Protector from the first game. Returns with his own set of powers, including Blink (teleportation) and Bend Time.

  • The Outsider – The mysterious, god-like entity who grants powers to both protagonists. Now voiced by an older actor, he remains a cynical observer.

  • Delilah Copperspoon – Antagonist witch who usurps the throne. She possesses reality-warping powers and a deep grudge.

  • Meagan Foster – A smuggler and ship captain who aids the protagonists.

  • Duke Luca Abele – The corrupt Duke of Serkonos, Delilah’s puppet ruler.

  • Anton Sokolov & Piero Joplin – Returning characters (Piero only in notes) who assist with technology and inventions.


    • Core Appeal


  • Agent of Chaos – The game fully supports lethal or non-lethal playthroughs. Every mission can be completed by silent stealth, direct combat, or a mix, with the world reacting accordingly.

  • Creative Problem-Solving – Levels are designed as open sandboxes with multiple routes, hidden secrets, and interactive systems. Players can use powers, gadgets, environmental hazards, and NPC behavior to their advantage.

  • Replayability – Two protagonists, each with distinct power sets and upgrades, plus branching outcomes, encourage at least two playthroughs.

  • Immersive Sim DNA – Physics, AI, and systems all interact. For example, you can shoot a gas pipe to create an explosion, destroy a power switch to disable lights, or possess a rat to crawl through vents.

  • Art Style & Soundtrack – The painterly art direction by Sergei Karchavchuk and the haunting, Latin-tinged score by Daniel Licht contribute to a deeply atmospheric experience.


    • Target Audience


  • Gamers who enjoy stealth, tactical gameplay, and emergent storytelling.

  • Fans of immersive sims (e.g., Deus Ex, Thief, Prey).

  • Players looking for a single-player, story-driven experience with high replay value.

  • Mature audiences due to violence, blood, and dark themes.


    • Game Modes & Online/Offline Support


  • Single-Player Campaign – The only game mode. No multiplayer or co-op.

  • Offline – Fully playable without an internet connection after installation (except for updates/downloads).

  • Online – Not required for gameplay; only for leaderboards in the optional “Mission Select” scoring mode (no longer supported on all platforms).


    • DLC & Expansions Overview


    Dishonored 2 itself does not have major paid story DLC (unlike the first game’s The Knife of Dunwall and The Brigmore Witches). However, it received:
  • Pre-Order Bonus – The Royal Spymaster (a side mission set in a distillery).

  • Free Updates – New Game+, mission replay, custom difficulty options, and a Mission + mode (called “Mission Select” with scoring).

  • Expansion (standalone) – Dishonored: Death of the Outsider (2017) serves as a standalone sequel/spin-off following a new character, Billie Lurk, and concludes the story arc of the Outsider.


    • What Makes Dishonored 2 Unique


  • Dual Protagonist Powers – Unlike most games where the character choice is cosmetic, here each protagonist has completely different supernatural abilities, transforming how you approach every encounter.

  • “No-kill” Options – Every major target can be dealt with through a unique non-lethal method, often with far-reaching consequences (e.g., branding, exile, or faking death).

  • Clockwork Mansion – Widely regarded as one of the best-designed levels in gaming history, a shifting, mechanical fortress that changes layout in real time.

  • A Cracked Sequel – Rare for a game to double down on choice and consequence so thoroughly while also introducing a new, equally compelling setting and cast.

  • Penguin Iceberg Illustration – Dishonored 2 is often cited as a pinnacle of the “immersive sim” genre, where systems create emergent stories that no single scripted path can match.


In summary, Dishonored 2 is a masterclass in player-driven storytelling, world-building, and level design, offering an unforgettable adventure for those who crave freedom, creativity, and a richly detailed dystopian world.