Can I Play Dishonored 2 Before 1 Reddit?
Dishonored 2, a highly acclaimed stealth action-adventure game, is a direct sequel to Dishonored. If you’re planning to play the series out of order, you may wonder if you can start with Dishonored 2 without prior knowledge of the first game. The short answer is: yes, you can play Dishonored 2 before 1, but you might miss out on some key plot details and character developments.
Why You Can Play Dishonored 2 Before 1
In Dishonored 2, the story takes place several years after the events of the first game. While the game doesn’t rely heavily on your understanding of the first game’s narrative, you may encounter references and characters from the previous game that would be more meaningful if you’ve played the first installment.
Here are some points to consider before playing Dishonored 2:
• Understand the universe and world: While the gameplay and mechanics of Dishonored 2 are designed to be accessible, playing the game without prior knowledge of the world and universe may leave you with some questions. The first game establishes the world’s politics, history, and magic system, which is relevant to Dishonored 2.
• Some characters’ motivations: A few characters’ motivations and backstory are connected to events from the first game. While you can still understand the general gist of the characters’ intentions, their individual motivations and history would be more nuanced if you’d played the first game.
• Story twists and reveals: Without playing the first game, you may not fully appreciate certain story twists and reveals in Dishonored 2. Some key events in the second game rely on the context and implications from the first game, which might not be entirely clear without playing the series in order.
• Gameplay elements and upgrades: Dishonored 2 builds upon the gameplay mechanics and upgrades from the first game. You might notice some changes to abilities and tools without a foundation in the first game.
Conversely, Why Play Dishonored 2 First
However, playing Dishonored 2 first also has its advantages:
• Enhanced storytelling: If you play Dishonored 2 without knowing the full context of the world, you may appreciate the game’s story more without being influenced by the first game’s events. You’ll have a fresh perspective on the world, characters, and motivations.
• Independence: Dishonored 2 is designed to be a self-contained game with a distinct storyline and new characters. Playing the second game first might not leave you feeling obligated to go back and play the first game to appreciate the narrative.
Key Differences and Consequences
If you choose to play Dishonored 2 before 1, be aware of the following:
| Dishonored 2 | Dishonored 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Setting | Coastal city, a year or two after the first game | City, immediately after the murder of the Empress |
| Main characters | Corvo (protagonist), Emily | Corvo (protagonist), Lady Boils, Griffin |
| Game mechanics | Building upon Dishonored’s gameplay mechanics | Introduces core gameplay mechanics and art style |
| Plot | Focused on stopping the evil forces controlling Delilah | Dealt with uncovering the conspiracy surrounding the murder of the Empress |
| World knowledge | Dependent on Dishonored’s world-building and lore | Establishes the world and its history, magic, and politics |
Ultimately, playing Dishonored 2 before 1 will result in a unique experience with some advantages and disadvantages. If you still choose to play out of order, you’ll miss out on the rich narrative context and world-building of the first game.