Navigating Chaos: Unraveling the Endings of Dishonored
Yes, Dishonored absolutely has a “bad” ending, often referred to as the high chaos ending. This outcome is directly influenced by the player’s choices throughout the game, specifically the amount of lethal force employed and the overall chaos level generated. A high chaos playthrough leads to a grim conclusion, characterized by a city ravaged by plague and political instability, and a morally compromised protagonist. Conversely, a low chaos playthrough results in a more optimistic ending, where Dunwall recovers, and Corvo is seen as a hero.
Understanding the Chaos System
Dishonored’s brilliance lies in its reactive world. The chaos system acts as an invisible meter, tracking the player’s actions. It’s not just about the number of kills; it’s about the ripple effect those actions create. Factors contributing to high chaos include:
- Excessive Killing: Eliminating enemies, especially non-targets and guards, raises chaos.
- Alerts and Detection: Being frequently spotted by enemies and triggering alarms contributes.
- Body Discovery: Leaving bodies in plain sight for others to find.
- Plague Increase: High chaos leads to more weepers (plague victims) and rats infesting the city.
The Good, the Bad, and the Murky
Dishonored doesn’t offer a simple binary choice between good and bad. There are three main endings, falling into two categories:
- Low Chaos Ending (The “Good” Ending): Achieved by minimizing kills, staying undetected, and helping those in need. Dunwall experiences a brighter future, Emily rules justly, and Corvo earns respect.
- High Chaos Ending (The “Bad” Ending): Results from widespread killing, frequent alerts, and general mayhem. Dunwall plunges further into despair, Emily becomes a tyrant (if she survives), and Corvo is viewed with disdain.
- Mixed Chaos: It’s possible to achieve a state somewhere in between Low and High Chaos, where the city is more stabilized than the High Chaos ending, but more unstable than the Low Chaos.
The Crucial Role of Choices
Every decision in Dishonored matters. From choosing lethal or non-lethal takedowns to intervening in side quests, your actions shape the world around you and ultimately determine the ending you receive. The game encourages creative problem-solving and rewards players who find alternative solutions to violence.
The Significance of Samuel’s Judgement
Samuel, Corvo’s loyal boatman, serves as a moral compass. His reaction at the end is a strong indicator of the player’s choices. In the low chaos ending, Samuel praises Corvo’s restraint. In the high chaos ending, he expresses disgust and disapproval, highlighting the consequences of Corvo’s actions. This adds a powerful emotional weight to the ending and reinforces the impact of player choices.
Is Dishonored 2 better?
Dishonored feels like a more great introduction to the series’ world, while Dishonored 2 polishes the mechanics, adds more synergy, makes the world more lively and its levels far bigger – essentially adding way more options, after the first game already became loved for how many options you had as a player.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Dishonored’s Endings
1. Can you kill and still get the good ending in Dishonored?
Yes, it’s possible to achieve the low chaos ending while still killing some enemies. The key is to keep the number of kills below a certain threshold, generally accepted as less than 20% of the map’s population per mission. Focus on non-lethal options whenever possible and avoid indiscriminate killing.
2. Which ending is canon in Dishonored?
The low chaos ending is generally considered the canonical ending. This is supported by Dishonored 2, which assumes Emily is a benevolent ruler, suggesting Corvo made choices that led to a stable and just Dunwall.
3. What happens if you kill Samuel in Dishonored?
If Samuel is killed, Corvo will visit his grave.
4. What is the low chaos ending in Dishonored?
In the low chaos ending, Dunwall is recovering from the plague and political turmoil. Emily is restored to the throne and rules with wisdom and compassion. Corvo is viewed as a hero, and Samuel expresses his respect for Corvo’s actions.
5. Is Corvo canonically high chaos?
No, Corvo is not canonically high chaos. The low chaos ending is confirmed to be the canon.
6. Can you beat Dishonored without killing anyone?
Yes, it is possible to complete Dishonored without killing a single person, earning the “Shadow” and “Merciful” achievements. This requires a full ghost run, utilizing powers like Blink, Possession, and Stop Time to avoid detection and bypass enemies.
7. Is it worth not killing in Dishonored?
The value of a non-lethal playthrough depends on your playstyle. It offers a greater challenge, encourages creative problem-solving, and leads to the more optimistic low chaos ending. The Games Learning Society emphasizes the cognitive benefits of such strategic gameplay: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
8. Does killing matter in Dishonored 1?
Yes, killing significantly impacts the chaos level, which in turn affects the game world, the availability of resources, and the ending you receive.
9. Do choices matter in Dishonored?
Absolutely. Every choice you make, from how you deal with targets to whether you help civilians, has repercussions on the story and the world around you.
10. Should I play as Emily or Corvo first in Dishonored 2?
If you’re new to the series, Emily may offer a slightly more natural narrative experience in Dishonored 2, but both characters provide unique perspectives and gameplay styles.
11. What did Corvo canonically do?
Canonically, Corvo rescues Emily and restores her to the throne, suggesting he made choices that aligned with a low chaos approach.
12. What happens if you kill too much in Dishonored?
Excessive killing leads to a high chaos level, resulting in a darker, more depressing world, more enemies and rats, and the “bad” ending.
13. Does killing affect Dishonored?
Yes. Killing increases the chaos level and makes it harder to achieve the good ending. Killing innocents has a much higher impact on the chaos level, therefore it is best to try to avoid killing them.
14. How many kills do you need for a good ending in Dishonored?
Aim to kill less than 20% of the characters in each mission to maintain a low chaos level and secure the good ending.
15. Does killing a dog count in Dishonored?
According to the official forum, dogs do not contribute towards chaos.
Dishonored is a game about choices and consequences. By understanding the chaos system and embracing non-lethal alternatives, you can shape Dunwall’s destiny and achieve the ending you desire.