Dishonored 2 (PC) Review

In my opinion the first Dishonored is one of the best single player games ever made. Sequels have a tendency to be not as good as the original, such as Crysis 2, F.E.A.R 2, Doom Eternal, Deus Ex Invisible War etc. I was cautiously optimistic about Dishonored 2

Going into Dishonored 2, I didn't know much about the story or the gameplay changes. I wanted to experience the game without knowing much about it.

I finished Dishonored on Monday, July 1, 2024, at 5:49 AM, and its DLC on Saturday, August 10, 2024, at 7:29 AM. I started Dishonored 2 in 2025 and finished it on Saturday, October 11, 2025, at 11:03 PM.

When I started the game, everything felt familiar in a good way. It genuinely felt like I picked up where I left off. The UI was slightly different, but the customization options were just as great.

The gameplay itself felt mostly the same, which is good. But the level design is where Dishonored 2 truly shines and I think its better than the original. This game features one of the best levels I have ever played in a single player game. When I think of great level design, this particular level will always come to mind.

The graphics are noticeably nicer, and the art style benefits from the new setting. The game takes place on a Mediterranean island, which is much different than Dunwall. I've always been partial to this kind of environment. Witcher 3 Blood and Wine, Just Cause 3, Caesar III, Caesar IV are among my favorites.

Dishonored 2 captures both the beauty and the ugliness of Karnaca. The bright coastal areas look incredible, while the dingier districts show the unpleasant side of life. The coastal mansion level in particular is stunning.

In hindsight, I probably should have played as Emily. Her new abilities would have given me something different to experiment with. Playing as Corvo felt familiar, but it also meant I wasn't doing much beyond what I already knew from the first game.

One of the things I've always loved about Dishonored is how unexpected gameplay moments can emerge naturally. For example, I was sneaking through a mansion and encountered a clockwork soldier. I shot its head off, and while it couldn't see anymore, it was still alive and flailing around. That led to a completely unexpected chain of events. In most games, this would have been a fail state. In Dishonored 2, it's just another moment you adapt to.

The PC version had issues at launch, but I played it nine years later on hardware far beyond the recommended specs. I had zero technical problems. The game ran smoothly on ultra settings at 3440x1440.

The story is fine. Within the first 15 minutes, Emily Kaldwin is deposed by her aunt, who claims to be the rightful heir. It feels contrived. There's also the Crown Killer mystery, which is resolved in the most boring way possible. None of this ruins the experience, but I do remember the story being goofy in places. Still, the gameplay more than makes up for it.

Dishonored 2 is a better game than the original, and fans of single player stealth/action games should absolutely play it. It is one of the best games ever made.

This review is written on Amtrak, en route from Austin to Fort Worth, TX and published at Amtrak station 1001 Jones St, Fort Worth, TX 76102 on 3/29/2026 via free Greyhound WiFi.