Does Chaos Matter in Death of the Outsider? The Definitive Guide
The answer, in short, is both yes and no. Death of the Outsider is unique within the Dishonored franchise because it lacks the traditional Chaos system found in the other titles. There’s no meter tracking your overall body count and affecting the world state in a sweeping manner. However, your choices still matter and have repercussions, creating a more nuanced and localized effect. While there isn’t a ‘high chaos’ or ‘low chaos’ ending in the same way as Dishonored or Dishonored 2, certain actions, particularly whether you choose to kill or spare key targets, will lead to different story outcomes and dialogue. It is a blend of gameplay experiences found throughout the franchise.
The Absence of the Chaos System: A Closer Look
The Chaos system in Dishonored and Dishonored 2 acts as a moral compass, reflecting the player’s choices through environmental changes, NPC behavior, and ending variations. A high number of kills leads to a grim, rat-infested world and a bleak ending, while a more merciful approach results in a brighter Dunwall and a hopeful conclusion.
In Death of the Outsider, this system is absent. There is no overarching meter quantifying your actions. This means you can engage in more lethal tactics without fundamentally altering the game’s overall trajectory in a dramatic sense.
Choice and Consequence: A Subtle Shift
Despite the absence of the Chaos system, Death of the Outsider still presents players with meaningful choices that carry consequences. These consequences are often more subtle and character-driven than the sweeping environmental changes seen in previous Dishonored games.
The most notable example is how you deal with the main targets. Whether you choose to eliminate them or find non-lethal alternatives has a direct impact on the dialogue you hear and the game’s narrative resolution. Other characters may react differently based on your past actions. These interactions with the environment and the characters play a pivotal role in the character relationships and the overall understanding of the universe.
The Outsider and Morality: A Philosophical Dilemma
The game’s focus on the Outsider himself highlights this shift in moral emphasis. Instead of a simple good-versus-evil framework reflected by the Chaos system, Death of the Outsider explores more ambiguous questions about power, responsibility, and the nature of divinity. Your choices regarding the Outsider’s fate are paramount to the overall story.
Stealth and Lethality: Finding Your Playstyle
Death of the Outsider gives players the freedom to experiment with both stealthy and aggressive playstyles. You can embrace lethal tactics without fear of dramatically shifting the world into a state of high chaos. This makes the game appealing to players who enjoy the power fantasy aspect of the Dishonored series.
However, players aiming for a specific narrative outcome, or those who simply prefer a more moral approach, can still choose to prioritize stealth and non-lethal solutions. The game offers the tools and flexibility to cater to a wide range of playstyles.
Gameplay and Learning: Educational Value of Choice
The subtle consequences within Death of the Outsider offer a unique learning experience, allowing players to contemplate the impact of their decisions in a less overtly moralistic setting. Exploring these subtle nuances can be just as rewarding as managing a chaos meter. The Dishonored series as a whole, and its approach to player choice, has been the subject of academic study. Visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org to see more on learning through games.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
H3 Does killing guards affect the story in Death of the Outsider?
While killing guards doesn’t trigger a high or low chaos ending, it can affect the difficulty and the overall feel of the game. More kills can attract more attention and make stealth more challenging. Also, a higher body count may trigger specific dialogue from other characters, expressing their concern or disapproval of BIllie Lurk’s increased violence.
H3 Are there different endings in Death of the Outsider?
Yes, the ending of Death of the Outsider is influenced by your choices, particularly regarding the Outsider himself. Whether you choose to kill or spare him determines the narrative resolution you’ll experience.
H3 Does completing contracts non-lethally matter?
While completing contracts non-lethally may not affect the major ending, it can lead to unique rewards, different dialogue options, and a sense of accomplishment for players who prefer a stealthy and merciful approach. Certain side quests will also be easier to complete if you are not attracting a lot of attention.
H3 Does being detected affect anything?
Being detected in Death of the Outsider primarily affects your immediate gameplay experience. It can make it harder to progress through levels undetected and potentially lead to combat encounters. However, it doesn’t have a significant impact on the overall story or ending.
H3 Does using Semblance to impersonate someone have consequences?
Using Semblance allows you to gain access to areas and conversations you wouldn’t otherwise have. While the act of impersonation itself doesn’t directly lead to any specific consequences, the choices you make and actions you take while disguised can certainly have repercussions.
H3 Can I get Clean Hands in Death of the Outsider?
While Death of the Outsider doesn’t have a “Clean Hands” achievement in the same way as other Dishonored games, it is still possible to complete the game without killing anyone. This is a challenging but rewarding experience for players who prioritize stealth and non-lethal solutions.
H3 How does the “Original Game Plus” mode affect choices?
“Original Game Plus” mode allows you to play through Death of the Outsider with the powers from Dishonored 2. This offers new ways to approach challenges and potentially find non-lethal solutions, but it doesn’t fundamentally change the consequences of your choices.
H3 Do alarms raise chaos in any way?
There is no direct chaos system that alarms would influence. Alarms would only affect gameplay, and if more guards are summoned and you kill them, it could influence story a little bit, but not very much.
H3 Does sparing the Eyeless affect anything?
Sparing the Eyeless leader and other members is a thematic choice that aligns with a more merciful approach to the game. While it doesn’t drastically alter the ending, it does contribute to the overall sense of BIllie Lurk’s character development and potential for redemption.
H3 How does Billie Lurk’s backstory influence my choices?
Billie Lurk’s backstory as a former assassin and her relationship with Daud provide a compelling context for the player’s choices. Her past experiences can inform your decisions and add depth to your understanding of the Dishonored universe.
H3 Does killing Overseers have an impact?
Killing Overseers will contribute to a higher body count, which might lead to altered dialogue from other characters, expressing their views on Billie Lurk’s methods.
H3 Does killing rats count as kills?
No, killing rats, river krusts, or hagfish does not count as kills and will not prevent you from completing the game with a low kill count or achieving the goal of “clean hands.”
H3 Does poisoning enemies increase chaos?
There is no chaos meter to increase. Poisoning enemies will increase your kill count and may lead to different interactions with characters.
H3 Are there moral choices besides killing or sparing targets?
Yes, there are numerous smaller moral choices throughout the game, such as deciding whether to help certain NPCs, steal from others, or exploit vulnerabilities. These choices may not have major consequences, but they add depth to the game world and allow players to express their own moral compass through their actions.
H3 Is Dishonored 3 in the works?
While there have been rumors and speculation about a Dishonored 3, there has been no official announcement from Arkane Studios or Bethesda Softworks.