Death of the Outsider the first game?

Death of the Outsider: The First Game or Not?

Answering the Question: "Death of the Outsider" the First Game

When discussing the Dishonored franchise, it is important to clarify the question mark above. Death of the Outsider, an standalone expansion to Dishonored 2, often spark controversy among gamers as some wonder if it should be considered the first game or not. In this article, we will dive deep into the franchise and determine if Death of the Outsider is indeed the first game.

Franchise History

The Dishonored franchise began in 2012 with the first game, Dishonored, developed by Arkane Studios. The game became a critical and commercial success, praised for its challenging gameplay, rich narrative, and immersive world. It introduced players to Corvo Attano, the legendary Royal Protector, as they embark on a mission for revenge against those responsible for his wife’s death. Dishonored’s success led to a sequel, Dishonored 2, which concluded the story of Emily Kaldwin and Corvo Attano.

The standalone expansion to Dishonored 2, Death of the Outsider, took some time to clarify whether or not it was part of the main storyline or if it was a completely different experience. After reviewing gamer reactions and official statements from the developers, we discovered that Death of the Outsider can indeed be played as the main game.

Revisiting the Release Information

To settle this issue once and for all, we must look back to the release information and trailers. According to GameSpot, Death of the Outsider was announced during the Bethesda E3 showcase in 2017 and released on September 14, 2017, making it an integral part of the franchise timeline, especially considering it expands upon the story of the events after Dishonored 2.

Distinguishing Features

Despite confusion among gamers, Dishonored 2 is still considered the standalone sequel. This was reinforced by game designers and developers at Arkane Studios in an interview, where they clarified that:

"The game was never initially planned as a full Dishonored game… In retrospect, it could’ve been a standalone title called Dishonored 1.5."

As demonstrated above, the gameplay changes, world settings, and even Corvo Attano return, making Death of the Outsider an addition, rather than a spinoff or a remake of a game.

Comparisons with Other Games in the Franchise

If it weren’t for key gameplay mechanics, new game+ features, and specific missions, one could even consider Death of the Outsider as the sequel after Dishonored. So, what are these vital features that separate the title? Here are the highlighted key differences:

Different Setting: Different Main Protagonist, and Alternate storyline in an alternate timeline, taking place in an exclusive realm.
Improved Graphs: Enhanced mechanics and surgical strike with updated toolset.
Alternative Timeline: The death of the Outsider can significantly impact the narrative from the previous games, revealing alternate endings and influencing your gameplay choices.
Conclusion and Significance

Death of the Outsider is an independent continuation of the Dishonored saga, a worthy inclusion to the franchise that will likely be cherished by hardcore fans. In reality, there is no real game without a main antagonist nor any game with less "impact" as these crucial components are woven tightly.

While some gamers were worried that Death of the Outsider wouldn’t be as meaningful or impactful as previous stories in the Dishonored series, I feel like it will certainly capture hearts and keep those captivated by the action-strategy gameplay experience once.

Here’s the order suggested in which you play games within the franchise for max immersive impact, from the story timeline perspectives, and also according the time of release. There you go, fellow lovers of stealth-action- strategies:

1. Dishonored (2012)
2. Dishonored 2 (2016)
3. Death of the Outsider (2017)

Let’s enjoy Dishonored’s dark history where action and strategy rule for fans of this enchanting genre.