How Bad Is the Bad Ending in Dishonored?
The “bad” or high chaos ending in Dishonored is, well, pretty darn bleak. It’s not just a slightly less happy version of the “good” ending; it’s a stark and unsettling vision of a city consumed by plague, political turmoil, and moral decay, all fueled by Corvo Attano’s excessive violence. The key difference lies in the degree of suffering and the ultimate fate of Emily Kaldwin.
In the high chaos ending, Dunwall is in utter ruin. The streets are teeming with weepers, plague victims driven mad, and rats are a constant, swarming threat. The once-proud nobility are now reduced to infighting over the remnants of power. The city is choked by despair and the promise of a hopeful future is utterly extinguished. The worst part? Emily, having grown up surrounded by such violence, internalizes it. She becomes a ruthless and vengeful empress, mirroring Corvo’s actions and perpetuating a cycle of brutality. The throne room is not a symbol of hope or justice, but a reminder of the decay of power and the corruption of innocence. It’s a potent and disturbing image, demonstrating the real weight of Corvo’s choices and the terrible consequences of unchecked violence.
The Factors Influencing the Ending
The chaos level in Dishonored acts as a morality meter, influenced by several factors beyond just the number of kills.
- Lethal vs. Non-Lethal Actions: Obviously, killing directly increases chaos. However, consistently choosing non-lethal alternatives like choking out guards or using sleep darts keeps the chaos low.
- Alerts and Detections: Even if you don’t kill anyone, being spotted, triggering alarms, and causing widespread panic among civilians contribute to chaos. Stealth is key!
- Body Discovery: Leaving bodies lying around, even if they were knocked out, also increases chaos, suggesting a lack of concern for the well-being of others.
- Overall Kill Percentage: A general rule of thumb is that keeping the number of kills below 20% of the characters in a mission helps maintain low chaos. However, that percentage is just a guideline, and the cumulative effect of multiple actions is what truly matters.
Beyond the Cutscene: The In-Game World’s Reflection
The high chaos ending isn’t just a cutscene that plays at the end. The game world itself changes based on your actions.
- Increased Enemy Presence: The more chaos you cause, the more guards and enemies will be present in later levels, making stealth more challenging.
- Changes in Enemy Behavior: Guards become more alert, aggressive, and paranoid. They are more likely to investigate suspicious noises and search for the player.
- Environmental Changes: The city itself reflects the high chaos state. There will be more rats, weepers, and overall filth. The atmosphere becomes oppressive and hopeless.
The Impact on Characters and Story
The ending isn’t simply about Dunwall’s physical state but also about the impact on the main characters.
- Emily’s Transformation: The most devastating consequence of high chaos is Emily’s development. She becomes cold, calculating, and authoritarian, losing her innocence and sense of compassion.
- Relationship with Allies: Even your allies, the loyalists, may react differently to you based on your chaos level. Their dialogue might become more distrustful or critical.
- Moral Ambiguity: The high chaos route can make you question Corvo’s motivations. Is he truly acting in Emily’s best interest, or is he simply unleashing his rage?
Ultimately, the bad ending in Dishonored is more than just a disappointing conclusion. It’s a powerful commentary on the consequences of violence, the corrupting influence of power, and the importance of choosing a path of compassion and restraint. It emphasizes that your actions have weight and ripple throughout the game world, shaping the characters and the narrative in profound ways.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many people can you kill in Dishonored without getting the bad ending?
There’s no magic number. The game uses a chaos system, influenced by your actions in each mission. Keeping kills below 20% of the NPCs in a mission generally helps, but stealth and non-lethal options are more reliable strategies for low chaos.
2. Does killing in Dishonored affect the ending?
Absolutely! Dishonored’s ending hinges heavily on your chaos rating. High chaos leads to the “bad” ending, characterized by a grim Dunwall and a corrupted Emily. Low chaos results in a more hopeful outcome.
3. Is it worth it to not kill in Dishonored?
If you’re aiming for the “good” ending and a less depressing experience overall, then yes, it’s worth it. A low chaos playthrough also presents unique gameplay challenges and encourages creative problem-solving.
4. Is it possible to not kill in Dishonored?
Yes, it is! While challenging, a non-lethal playthrough is entirely possible and rewarding. You’ll need to rely heavily on stealth, non-lethal powers, and clever maneuvering.
5. Does Corvo kill anyone in the canon ending?
The canon ending is generally considered low chaos, implying minimal killing. However, some sources suggest Corvo does eliminate key targets, but not enough to significantly raise the overall chaos level. For example the Pendleton twins level.
6. Is it okay to kill dogs in Dishonored?
Luckily for animal lovers, dogs (wolfhounds), rats, hagfish, and river krusts do not count toward lethal kills in mission summaries. Feel free to dispatch them without impacting your chaos level.
7. What happens if you kill too many people in Dishonored?
Killing too many people significantly raises your chaos level. This leads to a darker world state, more enemies, increased rat swarms, and ultimately, the “bad” ending.
8. Can you be evil in Dishonored?
Yes, you can definitely embrace your dark side in Dishonored. A high chaos playthrough allows you to unleash your violent impulses and witness the bleak consequences of your actions.
9. Which ending is canon in Dishonored?
The low chaos ending is generally considered the canonical outcome, though there’s room for interpretation regarding specific kills. It aligns better with the overall narrative themes of redemption and justice.
10. Does killing assassins raise chaos in Dishonored?
Yes. According to the strategy guide, killing assassins counts towards your chaos level. Aim for non-lethal takedowns whenever possible.
11. Does killing weepers raise chaos?
Yes, killing Weepers increases chaos. They also count for detection, so avoiding them is best for a low-chaos playthrough.
12. Should I kill Billie Lurk?
The choice to kill or spare Billie Lurk is a matter of personal preference and depends on your chaos level and desired ending. The decision will carry over into Dishonored: Death of the Outsider.
13. Does killing rats count as kills in Dishonored?
Generally, no, killing rats does not count as kills unless you summoned them yourself using the “Devouring Swarm” power. In that case, the kills attributed to the rats will impact your chaos level.
14. Do enemies killing each other count in Dishonored?
Thankfully, enemies killing each other does not count towards your kill count or chaos level. Feel free to manipulate situations to let them do the dirty work for you!
15. Can you not kill Campbell in Dishonored?
Yes! Thaddeus Campbell can be dealt with non-lethally by branding him as a heretic. This is just one example of the many creative non-lethal options available in the game.
Understanding the nuances of the chaos system and the consequences of your actions is crucial to experiencing Dishonored to its fullest. Whether you choose the path of stealth and mercy or embrace a more violent approach, remember that every choice matters and shapes the world around you. Game-based learning highlights how games can be used to educate and engage. Discover more about the benefits of learning through games at the Games Learning Society, GamesLearningSociety.org.