Dishonored 2 Review Roundup

Dishonored 2 released late last week, and the critics have started delivering their verdicts on the stealth-action romp.

Arkane's followup to 2012's Dishonored picks up many years after the events of the first game. Players can choose to control Corvo or Emily Kaldwin, who both employ unique powers. Corvo's more closely stick to what he was capable of in the first game, while Emily introduces a bunch of new powers such as Domino, which allows her to link enemies so they all share the same fate.

We've collected a handful of review scores and editor opinions and compiled them in a list below. For a wider view of the critical reception, check out GameSpot sister site Metacritic.

• Game: Dishonored 2
• Developer: Arkane Studios
• Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PC
• Release Date: November 11
• Price: $60

GameSpot -- 8/10

"If you use your powers creatively and judiciously, you can be in complete control. It feels exceptionally empowering, especially since when you mess up, you realize your enemies really are smart and powerful enough to kill you quickly. Dishonored 2 might lack challenge in its later levels, but the basic tools are a joy to play with regardless. And with two characters and two basic play styles to choose from--both of which noticeably impact the story and the world as you go--there's a lot of longevity to be wrung from the campaign. It's an incredible shame you can't restart the campaign with all your powers intact once you beat the game, but you can, at least, bring up old saves, adjust the difficulty, and see what unfolds." -- Scott Butterworth [full review]

NZGamer -- 9.4/10

"In the end, I love this game. While it's a slow starter plot-wise, Dishonored 2 builds up wonderfully to a satisfying conclusion, with plenty of memorable challenges along the way. But more than anything else, it's fun. It's a gorgeous, deep, enjoyable piece of work, and I highly recommend it if you like stealth, exploration, or cool steampunk Portugal. See you in the Void." -- Brian McDonald [full review]

IGN -- 9.3/10

"With two unique sets of skills to play with across 10 themed chapters that keep things interesting and a gorgeous, evocative world that feels alive, Dishonored 2 is a remarkable experience. Though I would have liked a little bit more originality in its central story, which again revolves around a usurper to the throne, it's the stories that I've created on my own using its many creativity-enabling powers that I'll remember, every graceful, fumbling, and hilarious one of them. I'm compelled to create many more in the months to come." -- Lucy O'Brien [full review]

GamesRadar+ -- 4.5/5

"In the end, any criticisms of Dishonored 2 feel like nitpicks of a thoroughly entertaining, mechanically complex, impressively realized world, just like the first. My primary playthrough as a stealthy, non-violent Emily clocked in at over 15 hours--and though I sometimes found myself wishing for more character development in the overcrowded story, I was never for a moment bored with the otherworldly abilities of my agile assassin. With the potent possibilities inherent to its gameplay, ample replay value, and mesmerizing environments, Dishonored 2 certainly feels like more of the same--and that's a very good thing indeed." -- Lucas Sullivan [full review]

Twinfinite -- 4.5/5

"Dishonored 2 is the bigger, badder, and bolder version of the original game, thanks to its densely packed world and wonderfully enjoyable mechanics. Even though the experience only has nine main missions, the amount of replayability and exploration offered allows this title to always feel exciting. This is only enhanced by the interesting characters and story that string each level together, which makes Dishonored 2 a more than worthy sequel to the first title. Even with a few technical hiccups and lack of new powers for Corvo, this trip to Karnaca is one worth taking again and again--just make sure to steer clear of Bloodflies." -- Collin MacGregor [full review]

CGMagOnline -- 8/10

"While Dishonored 2 takes multiple strides to improve off of the original I'm left feeling only half of them hit the mark. The gameplay and the world hooked me in exactly as before, and I had high hopes for the story, but the decisive part Arkane Studios wasn't able to execute on was the choice between playing as one of two characters. Since they have to experience the exact same missions, Corvo and Emily's monotone dialogue and lack of diverse endings only resulted in them feeling merely like different ability sets when I reached the credits for a second time. I believe Dishonored 2 will still be loved by fans of the original who have been craving for more since the game's reveal at E3, just don't expect an Assassin's Creed II jump in quality." -- Cole Watson [full review]