Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider™
" Immersive action stealth game with creative powers and level design but shorter campaign "
Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider™ Review
Dishonored: Death of the Outsider offers a refined and satisfying gameplay experience that continues the legacy of the Dishonored series. It preserves the slick, stealth-focused mechanics with a fresh twist on powers, emphasizing strategic planning and player creativity. The game features exquisitely designed levels that reward experimentation and lateral thinking, providing a sandbox feel filled with secret paths and clever obstacles.
However, the narrative and protagonist received mixed reactions. While the story attempts to provide closure to the series with Billie Lurk as the lead, some players found her character less engaging compared to previous protagonists like Emily or Corvo. The story's emotional impact is somewhat diminished for newcomers or those unfamiliar with prior entries. Additionally, the game is shorter than its predecessors and lacks the depth of customization and progression fans might expect. Despite these, it remains a worthwhile experience, especially for series fans craving more Dishonored content.
Highlights
Players praise the game's tight and creative gameplay mechanics, especially the unique powers like Displace and Semblance that enable diverse stealth strategies. The level design is highly regarded for its flexibility and rewarding exploration, with standout missions such as the bank heist.
The atmosphere, sound design, and voice acting receive commendations for enriching the immersive experience. Fans appreciate the game's focus on player freedom without moral penalties, allowing varied playstyles. Overall, the game is seen as a polished, stylish finale to the Dishonored supernatural stealth trilogy.
Criticisms
Common criticisms focus on the story and characters, particularly Billie Lurk's lack of emotional resonance and some weak narrative beats. The game’s shorter length and abrupt pacing toward the end leave some players feeling underwhelmed.
The reduced customization options and absence of an upgrade tree limit player build variety compared to Dishonored 2. Additionally, reused levels with minimal changes and some unpolished features, like the "Original Game +" mode, detract from the experience. Newcomers may find the story less impactful without prior series knowledge.
Pros
- • Exquisitely designed levels that reward creative exploration and multiple approaches.
- • Unique powers like Displace and Semblance offer fresh stealth gameplay mechanics.
- • Strong atmosphere and immersive sound design enhance the game world.
- • Freedom to experiment without moral consequences encourages varied playstyles.
- • Focused narrative providing closure to the Dishonored supernatural storyline.
- • Smooth and satisfying movement mechanics improve player control.
- • High replayability due to flexible level design and power combinations.
Cons
- • Lead character Billie Lurk fails to emotionally engage many players.
- • Shorter campaign length and abrupt ending reduce narrative impact.
- • Lack of power upgrades and limited customization compared to previous games.
- • Reused levels with minimal changes lessen the sense of novelty.
- • Some narrative elements rely heavily on prior series knowledge.
- • Original Game + mode feels unpolished and restricts alternate paths.
- • Story pacing is uneven, with weaker final missions.
Rating Criteria
From the award-winning developers at Arkane® Studios comes Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider, the next standalone adventure in the critically-acclaimed Dishonored® series.
