Is There a Downside to Killing in Dishonored 2? A Deep Dive
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Yes, there is a significant downside to killing in Dishonored 2. While the game doesn’t explicitly punish you in a mechanical sense every time you take a life, the consequences ripple throughout the game world and significantly impact the narrative, gameplay, and overall experience. The most direct consequence is an increase in the Chaos Level, which dramatically alters the story’s ending and the world around you.
Chaos Level: The Heart of the Matter
The Chaos Level in Dishonored 2 is a dynamic system that tracks the level of violence and disorder you inflict upon the game world. It’s not just a simple kill counter; it’s a reflection of your actions and their impact on the city of Karnaca and the lives of its inhabitants. The more lethal your actions, the higher your Chaos Level becomes, and the more negative the world becomes. This system, influenced by the Games Learning Society, reflects how player choice can reshape the game world.
High Chaos Consequences
Reaching High Chaos in Dishonored 2 has a number of profound effects:
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Darker Story Ending: The most significant downside is the shift in the narrative outcome. A High Chaos playthrough invariably leads to a “bad” ending, where the world is plunged into further darkness. Key characters might die, or their lives will be irrevocably damaged. The optimistic and hopeful tones of a Low Chaos ending are replaced with despair and bleakness.
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Increased Enemy Presence: A higher Chaos Level affects the game world itself. Guard patrols become more frequent and aggressive. You’ll encounter more elite enemy types, making stealth and evasion more challenging. The increased danger creates a more hostile environment, punishing careless or overly aggressive play.
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Plague and Disease: The infestation of bloodflies and the spread of the bloodfly plague worsen dramatically. This not only makes navigation more difficult but also reinforces the visual representation of a world spiraling into chaos. The citizens are more fearful and hopeless as the streets are infested with bloodflies and corpses.
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Character Relationships: Your actions affect your relationships with other characters. NPCs will react differently depending on the Chaos Level. Key figures may distrust you or even turn against you, impacting the narrative and potential alliances.
Low Chaos Rewards
Conversely, playing with a Low Chaos approach offers considerable benefits:
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Positive Story Ending: A Low Chaos playthrough results in the “good” ending, a more hopeful conclusion where the world can recover from the initial crisis. Key characters are saved, alliances are strengthened, and the future of the empire looks brighter.
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Fewer Enemies: The game world is less hostile. There are fewer guards patrolling the streets, and the overall level of danger is reduced. This enables more stealthy and creative approaches to completing objectives.
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Reduced Bloodfly Infestation: The bloodfly plague remains under control, with fewer infested areas. This creates a more pleasant and visually appealing game world, making navigation easier and the environment less oppressive.
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Enhanced Character Relationships: NPCs are more trusting and helpful, offering valuable information, assistance, and opportunities to progress through the game.
Beyond Endings: The Subtle Downsides
Beyond the big picture effects of the Chaos Level, killing has more subtle but impactful consequences:
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Gameplay Restriction: Relying solely on lethal methods can limit your gameplay options. Dishonored 2 offers a wide range of non-lethal tools and abilities that encourage creativity and strategic thinking. Ignoring these options means missing out on a significant aspect of the game’s depth.
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Moral Implications: Dishonored 2 encourages you to consider the moral weight of your actions. While the game doesn’t explicitly judge you, it presents morally ambiguous situations where killing is not always the best solution. Choosing to kill indiscriminately can lead to a sense of detachment and disconnect from the world and its inhabitants.
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Missed Opportunities: Some missions offer unique rewards or outcomes if completed without killing. Choosing the lethal path often closes off these opportunities, resulting in a less satisfying experience.
Dishonored 2: A Masterclass in Consequence
Dishonored 2’s Chaos system is a masterful example of how player choice can dynamically affect the game world. By considering the downsides of killing and striving for a more non-lethal approach, players can unlock a more rewarding and meaningful experience, exploring the depths of the game’s mechanics and narrative. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to discover more about how games can inform learning.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What specific actions increase Chaos in Dishonored 2?
Killing human enemies (guards, civilians, targets), eliminating key targets through lethal means, and completing certain side objectives in a violent manner all contribute to an increase in Chaos.
2. Does it matter who I kill in Dishonored 2?
Yes. Killing “good” guys or innocents (like civilians) typically increases your Chaos Level more than killing corrupt guards or morally ambiguous targets. The game subtly weighs the impact of each kill.
3. How many kills are allowed before reaching High Chaos?
There’s no precise kill count threshold. High Chaos is generally triggered when you kill more than 50% of the human population within a level or across multiple levels. The key is moderation and prioritizing non-lethal options.
4. Are there any achievements related to non-lethal playthroughs?
Yes, there are achievements for completing the game without killing anyone (“Clean Hands”) and for completing specific missions without being detected (“Ghost”). These achievements encourage a more stealthy and non-lethal approach.
5. Do animal kills count towards Chaos?
No. Killing rats, dogs, clockwork soldiers, or other non-human enemies does not increase your Chaos Level. You can freely eliminate these creatures without affecting your ending.
6. Does knocking out enemies increase Chaos?
No. Knocking out or incapacitating enemies with non-lethal means (sleep darts, choking, stun mines) does not increase your Chaos Level. This is the preferred method for a Low Chaos playthrough.
7. Are there any powers that help with non-lethal gameplay?
Yes. Powers like Blink (for quick, undetectable movement), Sleep Darts, Bend Time, and Domino (linking enemies together for simultaneous takedowns) are invaluable for achieving a Low Chaos playthrough.
8. Can I still get the “good” ending if I accidentally kill someone?
Yes, it’s still possible. Even a few accidental kills may not push you into High Chaos. You need to maintain a relatively low kill count overall to achieve the Low Chaos ending.
9. What happens if I get detected during a Low Chaos run?
Being detected doesn’t automatically ruin a Low Chaos run, but it can make things more difficult. You may have to resort to non-lethal takedowns to avoid killing enemies, which can be challenging in combat situations.
10. Is it harder to play a Low Chaos or High Chaos playthrough?
Generally, a Low Chaos playthrough is considered more challenging due to the increased emphasis on stealth and the limited use of lethal force. A High Chaos playthrough allows for more direct and aggressive gameplay.
11. Does the difficulty level affect the Chaos Level?
No. The difficulty level only affects the damage you take and the alertness of enemies. It does not directly influence the Chaos Level.
12. Can I check my current Chaos Level in-game?
The game doesn’t provide a specific numerical value for your Chaos Level. However, you can get a general sense by observing the environment, enemy behavior, and character dialogue. The ending of each mission also gives an indication of your current Chaos alignment.
13. Does rewiring traps to kill enemies count as a kill?
Yes. Any kill caused by your actions, even indirect ones like rewiring traps or causing lethal environmental hazards, will increase your Chaos Level.
14. Does the choice of character (Corvo or Emily) affect the Chaos Level?
No. The choice of character does not inherently influence the Chaos Level. Both Corvo and Emily can achieve either Low Chaos or High Chaos endings depending on their actions.
15. Can I change my Chaos Level mid-game?
Yes, to some extent. The Chaos Level is dynamic and can fluctuate based on your actions throughout the game. A few missions completed with a non-lethal approach can lower the Chaos Level, but it’s difficult to drastically change it late in the game.