Dishonored 2: Parental Guide

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The game has a pretty strict rating M or Mature in ESRB system. PEGI and USK features 18+ rating as well. We agree that there are a lot of violence, some filthy language, and light sexual innuendos. But this doesn’t mean that you should prohibit this game for your children. In the guide, we will cover all aspects that parents should know about the described game.

What is the game about?

Dishonored 2 is the game about stealth, steampunk and unique powers. At the beginning, you will face the supernatural creature which can award you with his mark. Accept or decline it and then choose your playable character. It can be Corvo who is the protagonist of the first game or Emily, his daughter. Your goal is to bring peace to the world and to overthrow the queen-usurper. It’s highly suggested to finish the first game to understand what is happening.

How to play the game?

The gameplay features both combat and stealth strategies. You can improve your battle powers and destroy foes with one hit as well as boost stealth abilities and pass missions remaining in shadows. Note that combat playthrough will not make you immortal. Enemies can kill the protagonist with a pair of hits. Stealth strategy is more interesting and challenging as you should find new hidden ways and rooms to complete tasks.

Special powers are your best helpers. Corvo and Emily have different unique abilities, but some of them are similar. For example, you can quickly teleport to a new place or turn an enemy into a live voodoo doll. Supernatural skills can be upgraded with in-game items which you will find in hidden locations. However, at the beginning heroes can decline powers from the Outsider. This choice makes the game harder.

What is in the game at all?

Well. Dishonored 2 is an action with elements of RPG. Protagonists want to protect their country, to restore justice and bring peace back. You know, every game may include some special topics and features. We have played this game and now can estimate every feature:

  • Positive messages – low, 2/5.

The game features the overall theme of protecting your home and relatives, fighting against evil and saving innocent people. In the role of protagonist, you should make your country peaceful and safe. But on the way to this goal, you should harm antagonists or even kill them. The game offers you a lot of moral choices which determine playthrough and endings.

  • Positive representation – low, 2/5.

Both protagonists live by their own code of honor which includes support and protection for all who need it as well as ruthlessness to enemies. Almost all allies accept this ideology, but neutral NPCs can be coward and weak. During your playthrough, you can follow or ruin this moral basis but remember about effects of your every choice.

  • Ease of play – medium, 3/5.

Tutorial in the game helps a lot as it teaches how to move, fight, interact and use special powers. These supernatural abilities facilitate playthrough, but you also can decline them. Be ready to face several difficulties if you are playing without powers. All in all, after a little training, the game becomes way easier.

  • Violence – high, 4/5.

So far as the game is first-person action you will literally face all violence. Almost every kill is finished with special fatality. There are decapitations, tearing off hands and legs, blowing up bodies etc. Stealth and non-lethal strategy decreases violence strongly, but you anyway will see scenes with tortures and executions. The game is bloody and pretty cruel, remember it.

  • Sexual content – low, 2/5.

Well, here are not sexual scenes or nudity at all. But some dialogues or phrases which you can hear on the streets are about sex. It can be veiled allusions to sex or some preferences, for example. Also, NPCs sometimes wear revealing clothes, but no more. The game is absolutely safe in this aspect as there is no nudity.

  • Filthy language – high, 4/5.

We evaluate this feature as 4/5 and you can imagine that bad language is everywhere similar to violence. But don’t worry too much. Filthy words are frequent but less than gore and blood. Players can hear simple rude or swear words both in random dialogues and plot scenes. If you want to protect children from profanity this game isn’t for them.

  • Alcohol, smoking, and drugs – low, 1/5.

Maybe, it’s the least frequent mature aspect of the game. Some NPCs and playable characters may be shown with a bottle of wine or so on as well as with a cigarette. But this happens hardly ever. Violence and bad language are way more frequent so you can be calm about it. Oh, drugs are not shown at all.

In conclusion, the game has extreme violence which can be seen even during stealth playthrough. There are a lot of kills and tortures as well as bloody monsters and other enemies. Profane language is less often, but also strong. You may play without sound and music, but this method ruins the charm of the game. Sexual content here is very rare and includes only light innuendos or particularly revealing outfits.

Long story short, we accept with ESRB and other ratings but propose to set a 16+ mark.

Topics for talk with kids

As the bonus, we have some themes that can help you and your kids during the game playthrough:

  1. Violence in games. Talk about cruel and gore moments and how to avoid them. Tell your children about health and pain. Declare that every life is priceless.
  2. Effects of every choice. While the game offers both lethal and non-lethal strategies ask your children what they will choose. Show different endings and link the chaos level with violence, kills and plot changes. Claim that every choice has effects.
  3. Female protagonists. The game also offers two playable characters including a woman. Talk about the role of females in games and world history, about gender equality.

We hope that our guide will help you and your children to enjoy the game!

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