Corvo or Emily: Which Dishonored 2 Protagonist is Right for You?
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So, you’re ready to dive into the intricate world of Dishonored 2, but a crucial question looms: Corvo or Emily? The choice isn’t merely cosmetic; it impacts your narrative experience, gameplay style, and overall understanding of the game’s themes. Here’s the definitive guide to help you decide.
The simple answer is this: If you’re a newcomer, Emily Kaldwin offers a more compelling narrative introduction. Her story arc is perfectly tailored to the game’s events, making her playthrough feel more like the “canon” experience. However, veterans of the original Dishonored might appreciate revisiting Dunwall and Karnaca through the eyes of the familiar Corvo Attano, experiencing the world from a protective, paternal perspective. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your personal preferences and what you seek from the game.
Understanding the Protagonists
Before diving into the specifics, let’s briefly introduce our contenders:
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Corvo Attano: The Royal Protector, framed for murder in the first game, Corvo is a seasoned assassin and master of the arcane. His powers are familiar to players of the original Dishonored, offering a sense of comfortable mastery.
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Emily Kaldwin: The Empress, forced to flee her throne, Emily is a younger, more idealistic protagonist. Her powers are unique and reflect her personality, focusing on control and manipulation of space and time.
Narrative Implications
The choice between Corvo and Emily significantly alters the narrative’s focus and emotional impact.
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Emily’s Perspective: Playing as Emily provides a powerful “coming-of-age” story amidst political turmoil. The game becomes a journey of self-discovery as she transitions from a pampered Empress to a hardened survivor. The storyline emphasizes her growth, resilience, and the burden of leadership. As the article mentions, “From a narrative perspective, it makes sense to play as Emily. After being the kidnap-ee repeatedly during the first Dishonored, it is great to see her get the chance to return the favor and save her father this time. It is a fantastic character arc that works well as a follow-up to the previous game.”
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Corvo’s Perspective: Playing as Corvo offers a contrasting paternal dynamic. The narrative shifts to focus on protecting Emily and reclaiming her birthright. He’s a protector, a father figure, and a man driven by loyalty and vengeance. It’s a story about experience, sacrifice, and the difficult choices necessary to safeguard his loved one and his legacy. As the article mentions, “As fans of the original Dishonored already know, Corvo is an ex-soldier who became the Royal Protector, essentially the bodyguard to the Emperor. Corvo quickly came to be known as the most capable soldier/assassin in the world. Quiet and calculating, he is also a brilliant spymaster who trained with the best.”
Gameplay Mechanics
Both characters share fundamental gameplay mechanics like stealth, combat, and exploration. However, their powers significantly impact your approach to challenges.
Corvo’s Powers
Corvo’s powers, honed over years of experience, are about mobility and raw power.
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Blink: A short-range teleportation ability, essential for traversal and quick escapes.
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Possession: Allows Corvo to inhabit the bodies of animals and humans, offering unique stealth opportunities.
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Bend Time: Briefly slows or stops time, enabling strategic maneuvers and overwhelming enemies.
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Dark Vision: Shows enemies through walls. Both characters have this power.
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Devouring Swarm: Summons a swarm of rats to devour enemies.
Corvo’s abilities are generally more aggressive and straightforward, lending themselves to a more direct, action-oriented playstyle.
Emily’s Powers
Emily’s powers reflect her regal nature and focus on control and manipulation.
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Far Reach: A grappling ability that allows Emily to traverse distances and pull objects or enemies towards her.
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Mesmerize: Summons a void spirit to distract enemies, allowing for stealthy movement.
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Domino: Links the fates of multiple enemies, causing actions performed on one to affect the others.
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Shadow Walk: Transforms Emily into a shadow creature, enhancing stealth and movement.
Emily’s abilities encourage a more strategic and creative approach to gameplay, rewarding players who think outside the box and utilize the environment to their advantage.
Level Design Considerations
Dishonored 2‘s level design is intentionally crafted to accommodate both protagonists’ powers. Large, multi-layered environments offer numerous pathways and opportunities for creative problem-solving, regardless of your chosen character. However, some powers are arguably more suited to certain situations. For example, Emily’s Far Reach might offer slightly more verticality in exploration, while Corvo’s Blink excels in tight, enclosed spaces. As the article mentions, “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.”
Replayability
Choosing between Corvo and Emily significantly enhances Dishonored 2‘s replayability. Each character offers a unique gameplay experience and narrative perspective, encouraging multiple playthroughs to fully appreciate the game’s depth and complexity. Exploring different playstyles (lethal vs. non-lethal, high chaos vs. low chaos) further adds to the replay value. You can also explore the Games Learning Society for resources and discussions on game design and mechanics.
Final Verdict
Ultimately, the choice is yours. If you crave a familiar experience with proven powers, Corvo is your man. If you desire a fresh perspective and a more nuanced narrative, choose Emily. Both offer compelling stories and engaging gameplay experiences. The best advice? Play the game twice – once as each character – to fully appreciate the richness and depth of Dishonored 2.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Emily or Corvo considered the “canon” character in Dishonored 2?
While both characters are equally valid protagonists, Emily is generally considered the “canon” choice. Her story arc seems to be more seamlessly integrated into the overall narrative, and many believe the minute details are very important to the story.
2. Does the choice of character affect the ending of the game?
Yes, the choice of character can subtly influence the ending, primarily through dialogue and character interactions. The core plot remains the same, but the nuances differ.
3. Are the powers of Corvo and Emily customizable?
Yes, both characters have extensive power upgrade trees, allowing you to tailor their abilities to your preferred playstyle.
4. Can I switch between Corvo and Emily mid-game?
No, the choice of character is locked in at the beginning of the game and cannot be changed mid-playthrough.
5. Which character is easier for a beginner?
Corvo’s powers are arguably more straightforward and easier to master for beginners, especially those familiar with the original Dishonored.
6. Does the difficulty of the game change depending on the character chosen?
The game’s difficulty does not change inherently based on the character. However, the perceived difficulty may vary depending on your playstyle and how effectively you utilize each character’s unique powers. As the article mentions, “When I replayed Dishonored 1, I found it to be harder than Dishonored 2 because your abilities are less refined and sometimes jump and movement mechanics would be a little shoddy…”
7. Do Corvo and Emily have different dialogue options?
Yes, both characters have unique dialogue options and interactions with NPCs, reflecting their distinct personalities and backgrounds.
8. Does playing as one character reveal more about the story than the other?
While the core plot remains the same, playing as each character offers unique insights into the story and world, particularly regarding their relationships with other characters.
9. Are there any powers that Corvo and Emily share besides Dark Vision?
Dark Vision is the only power that both characters share completely. They also share the general usage of gadgets, weapons, and the ability to learn bone charms.
10. Is one character better suited for a non-lethal playthrough?
Both characters can be effectively used for a non-lethal playthrough. Emily’s Mesmerize and Domino powers can be particularly useful for subduing enemies without killing them.
11. What is the recommended order for playing Dishonored 2 as both characters?
There’s no strict recommended order, but playing as Emily first can provide a more natural introduction to the story. Playing as Corvo second allows you to see the world from a familiar perspective, deepening your understanding of the events.
12. Are there any missable items or secrets that are only accessible to one character?
No, all items and secrets in the game are accessible to both characters, although the path to obtaining them may differ depending on their powers.
13. Do Corvo and Emily have different relationships with the Outsider?
Their interactions with the Outsider are broadly similar, although their dialogue and reactions to his cryptic pronouncements may differ slightly.
14. Is Dishonored 2 better than the first game?
Dishonored 2 generally considered a refinement of the original, with improved mechanics, larger levels, and more diverse powers. Some players prefer the tighter focus of the first game, while others appreciate the expanded scope of the sequel. Both are excellent games.
15. Where can I learn more about game design and mechanics, similar to Dishonored 2?
Consider exploring resources from the Games Learning Society. Their website, GamesLearningSociety.org, offers valuable insights into game design principles.