Dishonored 2: Das Vermächtnis der Maske

Visually Dishonored 2 is a step-up to its predecessor even though it still has few performance issues. In terms of the story, I find it to be relatively same to the previous title. For a more "unique" experience I recommend playing as the empress/daughter.

The map levels are insanely decorative and elaborative with almost infinite details regarding the game's world. The exotic scenery of this game is a nice change to the cold and brutal atmosphere of Dunwall, the previous game's location. Gameplaywise, a lot is improved with new abilities that also make the non-lethal approach genuinely fun as opposed to the last game.

It would have been extremely fun to play as Emily only and have her father/Corvo guide her, lecture her etc. That way the story would have had many plot opportunities. Overall, this is a good stealthy game that is accompanied with an extremely atmospheric world full of in-game stories.

This game is mesmerising up till the very last second and much better than it's predecessor. The level design and the super powers are highly enticing and insanely addictive to make you want to explore just every corner of the breathtakingly crafted world. Missions are lengthy and very well structured bringing the wonderfully written story to life.

Arkane easily became one of my favourite devs after this title.

An absolutely phenomenal game and for me the best in the series.

If you love this game, make sure to check Dishonored: Death of the outsider next which is a great addition to this one.

Dishonored 2 has a nearly identical problem to Deus Ex - Mankind Divided. Both look much better than the predecessor, both play better, both have more varied level design but both also feature a noticeably inferior story, while coming out during a way too crowded release window. Dishonored 2 fares even worse with its narrative, as the 1st game's DLC went over similar territory. Calling both of these a well done standalone add-on is fairly fitting and the ability to either play as Emily or the returning Corvo (appropriately voiced be the former Thief VA) doesn't change all that much. I even played thought the game as both, while going for opposite play styles and even forwent getting the supernatural powers for Emily. My reward were many trophies but the song mostly remained the same. I would even say that playing aggressively is more fun than trying to be a ghost but the first game had the same issue. The game is also again too cartoonishly violent for its own good. Stealth fans will obviously need to get it but the longer Definitive Edition of the 1st game feels like a more complete package and a sequel will need to break new ground in terms of setting and themes. Not that I expect one due to the middling sales. The same goes for a new Deus Ex game… (The stealth genre is apparently going through rough times.) 8/10

The graphics are gorgeous, and Stephen Russel and Erica Luttrell both do fine jobs as the protagonists' voices, but the story feels a little too parallel to the first one. The dialogue itself is kind of clunky at times, and most of the sets are, if beautiful, uninspired. Not a bad sequel by any means, but not quite the best.

There are basically two ways you can play this game and I'm pretty sure you're gonna have fun with either, especially if you enjoyed the first one. The plot is kind of simple, and it works, but this game's looks are pretty amazing.

Dishonored 2, much like the first one, is a steampunk blessing.