Game review: Dishonored 2

Taking its cue from the likes of Bioshock and Thief while having a style all of its own, you play as Empress Emily Kaldwin or Corvo Attano, the royal protector from the first game, in the Empire of the Isles. Mostly set in a fictional coastal city, based on southern European countries like Greece, Italy, and Spain, every detail has been lovingly crafted by the French team at Arkane Studios.

The game’s vivid and yet familiar setting is juxtaposed with things like forcefields and clockwork robots adding to the sense of otherworldliness. You also get that sense attacking with a sword at the same as using supernatural abilities. The visuals and gameplay are great.

But despite this inventive setting, the story is daft with the protagonists again finding themselves betrayed and overthrown – just like in the original. Dealing with more backstabbers than a season of Game of Thrones, the first-person adventure sees you unravel the plot against you and deal with the culprits. Again.

Dishonored 2 is all about choice. You play as either Emily or Corvo who have different powers. You unlock and upgrade your abilities based on your play style. Missions can be approached and problems can be solved in numerous ways with multiple outcomes and you can choose whether to be stealthy and merciful or loud and lethal.

This is where the game falls down. Because despite all the talk about playing your own way, you get the equivalent of a slap on the wrist for killing your foes or being spotted.

At the end of each level is a rating based on your conspicuousness. Taking lives will also cause your allies to grow more cynical, lead to an infestation of creatures called bloodflies and prompt a darker ending to your story. So much for choice. Technically brilliant, Dishonored 2 lives up to its ambitions but an original story and more of a balance in terms of choice is needed next time.

RATING: 7/10

DAVID MORGAN