Does Killing Change the Ending in Dishonored?

Absolutely, killing fundamentally changes the ending of Dishonored! The game employs a Chaos system that directly reflects the player’s actions throughout the campaign. High levels of violence and death lead to a High Chaos ending, characterized by a bleak, depressing outcome for Dunwall. Conversely, a playthrough with minimal kills results in a Low Chaos ending, offering a brighter, more hopeful future for the city and its inhabitants. Your choices have weight; Dishonored makes that abundantly clear.

The Chaos System: A Moral Compass

The Chaos system isn’t just a simple kill counter. It’s a dynamic representation of Corvo’s impact on Dunwall. Each mission contributes to the overall Chaos level, which is then assessed at the end of the game to determine the final outcome. Numerous factors contribute to your total Chaos level, not just the number of people you eliminate.

Factors Influencing Chaos

• Lethal vs. Non-Lethal Actions: Obviously, killing anyone contributes to high chaos. However, Dishonored offers numerous non-lethal alternatives, from choking out guards to creatively disabling targets.

• Alerts and Body Discoveries: Even if you don’t kill, being detected or leaving bodies where they can be found can still raise your Chaos level, though to a lesser extent than outright murder. No alert + no body found = low chaos.

• Mission Objectives: The way you complete mission objectives can also affect Chaos. Certain side objectives might involve more violence or destruction, leading to a higher Chaos rating.

• Overall Atmosphere: The environment itself changes. More weepers (plague victims), more rats, and more oppressive security patrols are indicators of a high-chaos playthrough.

High Chaos: A Grim Reality

A High Chaos playthrough is a dark descent into brutality. Dunwall becomes overrun with disease and despair. The city guards grow more ruthless and vigilant. The environment itself reflects Corvo’s violence, becoming more dangerous and oppressive.

• Ending Consequences: The High Chaos ending often involves the death of key characters, a bleak future for Emily, and a generally hopeless outlook for the city. Corvo becomes a hardened, cynical figure, and Dunwall crumbles under the weight of plague and tyranny.

• Gameplay Changes: Expect more guards, more weepers, and a tougher overall gameplay experience. Enemies will be more aggressive and observant.

Low Chaos: A Beacon of Hope

A Low Chaos playthrough focuses on stealth, non-lethal solutions, and minimizing collateral damage. Dunwall remains relatively stable, the plague is less severe, and the city retains a semblance of order.

• Ending Consequences: The Low Chaos ending offers a much brighter outcome. Emily remains virtuous, Corvo redeems himself, and Dunwall begins to heal. The city has a chance to rebuild and prosper.

• Gameplay Changes: Expect fewer guards, fewer weepers, and a more forgiving gameplay experience. Enemies will be less alert, and the environment will be less hostile.

The Middle Ground: Striking a Balance

Dishonored isn’t strictly black and white. A player can successfully navigate the game using both lethal and non-lethal methods, especially if they are careful. This is because the game rewards players with fewer rats, fewer soldiers, and a happy ending if they keep it nonlethal. As long as you’re not killing more than half the guards in a level, you shouldn’t get the tougher version of the next level.

Impact of Dishonored’s Gameplay on Learning

The dynamic moral choices and consequences highlighted in Dishonored provide a potent example of how video games can facilitate learning. Players must constantly evaluate the ethical implications of their actions, manage resources, and adapt strategies based on evolving game conditions. This active engagement in decision-making and problem-solving aligns with the core principles of the Games Learning Society which seeks to understand and enhance learning through game design and play. Check them out at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can you kill targets and still get the “good” ending in Dishonored?

Yes, you can kill targets and still achieve the Low Chaos ending, but it’s a balancing act. The game offers non-lethal options for most major targets, which are always the safest route to a good ending. Killing them outright will nudge your Chaos level higher.

2. How many people can I kill and still get the Low Chaos ending?

A general rule of thumb is to kill less than 20% of the characters in a mission. However, even a few kills can tip the scales if you are not careful to stay out of sight, so it’s more about the overall impact of your actions and how many alerts you trigger.

3. What happens if I kill no one in Dishonored?

If you complete the entire game without killing anyone, you unlock the “Clean Hands” achievement and are guaranteed the Low Chaos ending. The game world will be significantly less hostile, with fewer rats, fewer guards, and a more positive overall atmosphere.

4. What happens if I kill too much in Dishonored?

Excessive killing leads to the High Chaos ending. The city deteriorates, the plague spreads, and the ending is generally bleak. The environment becomes more dangerous, and the gameplay more challenging.

5. Do animals like dogs and rats count towards my kill count?

Interestingly, dogs, rats, hagfish, and river krusts do NOT count towards lethal kills in mission summaries. You can kill them without affecting your chances of getting the “Clean Hands” achievement or the Low Chaos ending.

6. How can I lower my Chaos level during a mission?

Certain actions can lower your Chaos level. Saving specific characters, like Curnow in the High Overseer Campbell mission, or completing certain side objectives non-lethally can reduce your Chaos rating for that mission.

7. Is it better to play Dishonored with Corvo or Emily?

The core story remains the same, but playing as Emily in Dishonored 2 provides a different perspective and set of powers. Many players recommend experiencing both characters’ stories for a complete understanding of the world and its conflicts. Since only Corvo is the playable character in Dishonored, it is best to replay the game at least twice utilizing a low chaos and high chaos playthrough.

8. Which Dishonored ending is considered canon?

The Low Chaos ending is widely considered the canon ending for Dishonored. This is supported by details and references in Dishonored 2, which assumes a relatively peaceful transition of power and a more optimistic outlook for Dunwall.

9. Do the Dishonored 1 DLCs have multiple endings?

Yes, both the Knife of Dunwall and The Brigmore Witches DLCs have multiple endings that are determined by your Chaos level, similar to the main game.

10. What factors contribute to a higher Chaos level besides killing?

Beyond killing, being detected, leaving bodies where they can be found, and completing objectives in a destructive manner all contribute to a higher Chaos level. Even alerting guards unnecessarily can have an impact.

11. Does knocking out Paolo count as a kill?

No, knocking out Paolo does not count as a kill. However, he will disappear as if he was, and you can still complete the Paolo three-death trophy by taking him out non-lethally each time.

12. Does killing rats in Dishonored do anything?

Killing rats is generally inconsequential and does not affect your Chaos level. You can kill them to prevent them from eating unconscious bodies, but it doesn’t have a significant impact on the game.

13. What is the maximum body count Dishonored allows per level?

Dishonored attempts to maintain a maximum of five bodies per level, with an absolute maximum of ten. This can lead to bodies disappearing if you kill too many people, though this is unlikely in a low chaos run.

14. How long does it take to 100% complete Dishonored?

Completing the main objectives takes around 12 hours. Aiming for 100% completion, including all achievements and side content, can take up to 46 hours.

15. Can you lower chaos in Dishonored?

Yes, lowering chaos can be accomplished by saving special characters and completing additional mission objectives, the player’s chaos level will decrease.