Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider Review: A Bold New Chapter in the Series

Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider Review: A Bold New Chapter in the Series

Introduction

Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider, released on September 15, 2017, is a standalone expansion to the critically acclaimed Dishonored 2. Developed by Arkane Lyon and published by Bethesda Softworks, this game offers a fresh perspective within the Dishonored universe. Set in the same richly detailed world as its predecessors, Death of the Outsider introduces players to new characters and gameplay mechanics, focusing on a narrative centered around the enigmatic Outsider. In this review, we’ll explore what makes this expansion a unique and compelling experience.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider takes a daring approach by allowing players to control Billie Lurk, a character introduced in Dishonored 2. Known also as Megan Foster, Billie is a former ally of Corvo and Emily, and now she embarks on a mission to eliminate the mysterious figure known as the Outsider.

The gameplay retains the core stealth and action elements of the series but introduces new abilities and mechanics. Billie's powers, granted by the Outsider himself, include:

• Semblance: This ability allows Billie to take on the appearance of any character she touches, making it easier to bypass enemies and navigate through heavily guarded areas.
• Displace: A variation of the Blink ability, Displace lets Billie teleport to a location she marks, offering a new level of tactical maneuverability.
• Foresight: This power enables Billie to temporarily enter a vision where she can scout the area and plan her next move without being detected.

The game emphasizes a more aggressive approach to stealth, allowing players to take down enemies with greater ease and flexibility. Billie’s unique abilities encourage experimentation and creative solutions to various challenges, offering a fresh gameplay experience even for veterans of the series.

Visuals and Performance

Death of the Outsider maintains the high-quality visual style of its predecessors, with intricate level design and a dark, atmospheric setting. The expansion's environments are as detailed and immersive as those found in Dishonored 2, featuring the same steampunk-inspired aesthetics and richly textured worlds.

The game runs smoothly on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows, with stable performance and minimal technical issues. The graphics and art direction remain a highlight, showcasing Arkane Lyon’s talent for creating visually striking and atmospheric settings.

Story and Characters

The narrative of Death of the Outsider delves deeper into the lore of the Dishonored universe, focusing on the Outsider, a central figure whose presence has loomed over the series. Billie Lurk’s quest to assassinate the Outsider introduces new layers of intrigue and provides a more personal stake in the ongoing conflict.

Billie Lurk’s character is well-developed, with a complex backstory that adds depth to her motivations and actions. The story explores themes of power, identity, and revenge, providing a satisfying conclusion to her character arc. The writing and voice acting are top-notch, with engaging dialogue and well-crafted plot twists that enhance the overall experience.

DLC and Additional Content

Death of the Outsider is a standalone expansion, meaning it does not require the base game to play. It offers a complete experience with a self-contained story and all necessary content. While there are no additional DLCs for this expansion, the base game’s content is rich and offers ample gameplay without needing extra purchases.

Replayability and Value

The expansion is designed to be replayable, with multiple approaches to missions and a variety of ways to utilize Billie's powers. Players can experiment with different strategies and playstyles, making each playthrough unique. The choice-based mechanics and branching storylines also add replay value, encouraging players to explore different outcomes and tactics.

Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider FAQ

1. What is Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider?

• Answer: Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider is a standalone expansion for the Dishonored series, developed by Arkane Lyon and released on September 15, 2017. It follows Dishonored 2 and centers around Billie Lurk, who is on a mission to assassinate the Outsider.

2. Is Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider a sequel or a standalone game?

• Answer: The game is a standalone expansion and does not require the original Dishonored or Dishonored 2 to play. However, it builds on the lore and characters introduced in the previous games.

3. What platforms is Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider available on?

• Answer: Death of the Outsider is available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows PC.

4. Who is the protagonist of Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider?

• Answer: The protagonist is Billie Lurk, also known as Megan Foster. She is a former ally of Corvo Attano and Emily Kaldwin from the previous games and is now on a quest to eliminate the Outsider.

5. What new abilities does Billie Lurk have in this game?

• Answer: Billie Lurk has three new abilities:
  • Semblance: Allows her to assume the appearance of any character she touches.
  • Displace: Lets her teleport to a marked location.
  • Foresight: Allows her to enter a vision mode to scout areas and plan her moves.

6. How does Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider compare to the previous Dishonored games?

• Answer: While it retains the core stealth and action gameplay of the series, Death of the Outsider introduces new abilities and mechanics specific to Billie Lurk. The game continues the series’ emphasis on player choice and flexible approaches to missions.

7. Does the game include all the content from Dishonored 2?

• Answer: No, Death of the Outsider is a separate story and does not include content from Dishonored 2. It focuses on a new storyline and does not require the previous game to understand the plot.

8. Are there any significant changes to the visual style or performance in this expansion?

• Answer: The visual style and performance are consistent with Dishonored 2. The game features the same high-quality graphics and detailed environments, running smoothly on the supported platforms.

9. Does Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider feature any additional downloadable content (DLC)?

• Answer: Death of the Outsider is a complete standalone expansion and does not have additional DLCs. It includes all content necessary for the full experience within the expansion itself.

10. Can I use save files from Dishonored 2 in Death of the Outsider?

• Answer: No, save files from Dishonored 2 are not compatible with Death of the Outsider. The expansion is designed to be played independently.

11. How long is the gameplay in Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider?

• Answer: The gameplay length can vary depending on playstyle and exploration. On average, the main story can be completed in about 8-12 hours, with additional time required for side missions and exploration.

12. What are the main themes explored in Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider?

• Answer: The game explores themes of power, identity, and revenge, focusing on Billie Lurk’s quest to confront and eliminate the Outsider, who is a central figure in the series’ lore.

13. Does Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider support any special features like HDR or 4K resolution?

• Answer: The game supports enhanced graphics for its respective platforms but does not specifically include HDR or 4K resolution support. The visual improvements are consistent with the high standards set by the previous games.

14. Is there replay value in Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider?

• Answer: Yes, the game offers replay value with its multiple approaches to missions and various ways to utilize Billie's abilities. Players can experiment with different strategies and playstyles to experience different outcomes.

15. Are there any notable differences in content between the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC versions?

• Answer: The core content is the same across all platforms. Differences may include platform-specific performance and graphical settings, but all versions offer the same gameplay and story experience.

Conclusion

Dishonored®: Death of the Outsider is a compelling and innovative addition to the Dishonored series. Its fresh perspective, engaging narrative, and new gameplay mechanics offer a satisfying experience for both new players and fans of the franchise. The expansion successfully builds on the strengths of its predecessors while introducing new elements that keep the gameplay exciting and unpredictable.