What Order Should I Play The Dishonored Games

Play the Dishonored games in this order: Dishonored, Dishonored 2, then Dishonored: Death of the Outsider.

So, you’re diving into the world of Dunwall and beyond, that’s awesome! You’re probably wondering, what order should I play the Dishonored games? It’s a valid question, as the narrative unfolds across a few titles.

Playing them in release order makes the most sense. The story progresses naturally from the original game, to its sequel and then the standalone expansion, this will give the best experience of the lore. Starting with the first Dishonored is recommended.

What Order Should I Play the Dishonored Games?

Okay, so you’re ready to dive into the world of Dishonored, a place filled with magic, cool gadgets, and sneaky assassinations! That’s awesome! But with a few games and some downloadable content (DLC) to explore, figuring out where to start can feel a bit confusing. No worries, we’re going to break it all down for you, making it super easy to figure out the best way to experience the story and gameplay. Let’s get started.

The Release Order: A Good Starting Point

The simplest way to tackle the Dishonored games is by playing them in the order they were released. This gives you a natural progression of gameplay mechanics and story. It’s like watching a movie series in the order the movies came out—you see how everything develops. Here’s the release order:

Dishonored (2012)
Dishonored: The Knife of Dunwall (DLC) (2013)
Dishonored: The Brigmore Witches (DLC) (2013)
Dishonored 2 (2016)
Dishonored: Death of the Outsider (2017)

This way, you experience each game as the developers intended, with the gameplay building upon the previous entry, you will witness new powers, locations, and characters unfold bit by bit. But let’s see why this method works so well.

Why Start with Dishonored (2012)?

The original Dishonored is where it all begins. You play as Corvo Attano, a bodyguard framed for a crime he didn’t commit. The story starts in the city of Dunwall, which is very stylish and cool. The first game introduces you to:

The basic gameplay mechanics like stealth, combat, and using powers.
The powers given by the Outsider.
Key characters that become important throughout the series.
The political and social problems of Dunwall, which set the stage for later games.

It’s a good idea to start with this one because it teaches you how to play and enjoy the world of Dishonored. Without playing the first game, the second game would not make much sense.

Delving into the Dunwall City With the DLC’s

After the first game, it is time to jump to the DLC’s that further develops the story and introduces some new characters. The next step is playing the DLCs, The Knife of Dunwall and The Brigmore Witches. These are like extra chapters in the story that run alongside the events of the first Dishonored game, but we are in the perspective of a new playable character – Daud.

Dishonored: The Knife of Dunwall: You play as Daud, the assassin who killed the Empress, and experience the story from his perspective, this lets you see what were his motives and what led him to his decision.
Dishonored: The Brigmore Witches: This DLC concludes Daud’s story. it adds more to the story, provides closure for Daud, and connects to the ending of the original Dishonored.

These DLCs add important story elements and gameplay improvements. Playing these after the main game provides a complete picture of the events in Dunwall and is definitely suggested.

Moving On To Dishonored 2 and Death of The Outsider

Now that you’re experienced with Dunwall’s world, gameplay, and story, you can now experience the Dishonored 2. The time is right to jump to the second main game in series.

Dishonored 2: Stepping Into Karnaca

In Dishonored 2, you travel to a new city called Karnaca. This game picks up the story 15 years after the first one, you can choose to play either as Corvo or his daughter Emily Kaldwin. Dishonored 2 introduces:

Two playable characters with different powers and play styles.
New gameplay features.
A new city with a unique atmosphere.
A deeper story that develops the themes and characters from the first game.

Dishonored 2 expands on the foundations of the first game with new and fresh ideas, and a more developed gameplay that makes it the peak of the series, with a good level design and a unique experience that sets it apart from its predecessor.

Dishonored: Death of the Outsider: Wrapping Up

The final game, Death of the Outsider, is a standalone story that follows Billie Lurk, a character you may recognize from the DLCs. It focuses on the mysterious Outsider and concludes the narrative of Dishonored. Playing this last allows you to see how the whole Dishonored storyline comes together. This game provides:

A new perspective on the events of the series.
A unique set of powers.
A satisfying ending to the overall story.

It feels like a final chapter that provides closure for the main story and the characters we have encountered so far. If you have played all of the other games before, you will not be left disappointed.

Why Release Order is Recommended

Playing in release order has several advantages:

Narrative Progression: The story builds and develops naturally from one game to the next, with each game expanding on the last. You will not be confused with any of the details of the story.
Gameplay Evolution: You experience gameplay changes gradually, making it easier to learn new mechanics.
Character Development: You will see how characters like Corvo and Emily grow and change over time.
Full Experience: Playing in release order provides the complete picture, with all the story elements adding up.

Alternative Approach: Chronological Order?

While release order works well, let’s see if chronological order would make a good option for those interested in the timeline of events. Chronological order means starting with the events earliest in the story and playing through to the end of the series. It looks like this:

Dishonored (2012)
Dishonored: The Knife of Dunwall (DLC) (2013)
Dishonored: The Brigmore Witches (DLC) (2013)
Dishonored 2 (2016)
Dishonored: Death of the Outsider (2017)

As you can see, the chronological and release order are almost identical, however, it is still important to note that they are not the same thing. The chronological order does have its own set of advantages, however, it is still recommended that the player first plays the series with release order, to fully understand the story and gameplay elements. Now lets explore why chronologically is not always the best idea.

Why Chronological Might Not Be Ideal

Here are a couple of reasons why following chronological order exactly might not be ideal for a first time player.

Game Improvements: The original Dishonored introduced many new mechanics, and then they were improved in Dishonored 2, which is why it is best to play them in the order they were released, so the player does not have a downgrade in gameplay from the second to the first.
Pacing: Dishonored 2 is bigger and has more complex game systems compared to the first one, if played first, it would overwhelm a new player.

A Deeper Dive Into Character Arcs

Let’s take a look at the key character’s arcs in the series. How each game affects their stories and how they have developed over the course of the series.

Corvo Attano

Corvo starts as the loyal bodyguard in Dishonored. As a player, you watch him grow into a person who is seeking justice and is out for revenge. In Dishonored 2, he is a seasoned master of combat, and you can choose to play as him or Emily. You will see his transformation from a loyal person into a legendary killer. You will see him evolve and learn more about him as the series progresses.

Emily Kaldwin

Emily begins as a young princess in Dishonored and has a very important part to play, as she is the key of the story in the first game. In Dishonored 2, you can see the full development of Emily as she becomes either a powerful empress or a ruthless killer, you will have full control over her decisions, and shape her into who she will become. Her powers and abilities will also be drastically different compared to the first one. Her story and character is a major point of the second installment of the series.

Daud

Daud is the first main antagonist of the series and is the assassin who killed the Empress in the first game. But the DLC’s shows another side of him, from his perspective. He has a redemption arc throughout the two DLCs and gets more developed. He feels regret for his actions, and seeks to make up for his mistakes. The DLC’s play a big part in developing him as a good person.

Billie Lurk

Billie is Daud’s apprentice and a very important side character in the DLCs. Then, in Death of the Outsider, she becomes the main character, you can see the full potential of her powers as a powerful and skilled killer. In the last game, you will learn more about her past and what drives her, her story provides great context to the lore and adds another layer to the story.

Considering Gameplay Experience

Let’s think about gameplay. How does the game mechanics improve throughout the series? In the first game, you are introduced to the core gameplay which involves stealth, combat, and the use of powers. As the series goes on, more mechanics are added, so it’s best to play these in the release order.

Dishonored

Simple stealth and combat controls.
A straightforward powers system.

Dishonored 2

Improved stealth and combat with more options.
More detailed powers systems, and a large upgrade to the abilities.
Each playable character has its own unique abilities.

Death of the Outsider

A different approach to stealth and combat compared to Dishonored 2.
Unique abilities that are not the same as the original characters.

A Note About Difficulty

Each Dishonored game offers multiple difficulty options. The first game can be a bit harder for beginners, especially on higher settings, but as you play through the series, you will learn each games mechanics well, and will find it less difficult. Dishonored 2 is also similar and is more complex in terms of levels and enemy placements. Death of the Outsider has a similar difficulty to Dishonored 2. It is recommended to pick a difficulty that fits your style and experience with stealth action games. It’s totally fine to start on “easy” and then try out harder difficulties on subsequent playthroughs. You should start with easy if you are new to these type of games, and then bump it up as you progress through the series.

To recap, playing the Dishonored games in release order is the best approach for a new player. You get to experience the natural evolution of the story and the gameplay. If you have played them before, playing them in chronological order can be a fun way to re-experience the series.

Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Dishonored. Each game offers a unique adventure. Now you are well equipped to begin your journey, good luck, and have a great time!

Should You Play Dishonored: Definitive Edition In 2024?

Final Thoughts

Play Dishonored, then Dishonored 2, and finally, Dishonored: Death of the Outsider. This chronological order is the best way to follow the story’s progression and character arcs.

This sequence allows you to grasp the narrative effectively. Playing the games in this order is a must for the proper experience.

Therefore, when asking ‘what order should i play the dishonored games’, go with the release order. Enjoy!