Dishonored 2

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Dishonored 2 are varied, but there are several positive aspects that stand out. NZGamer praises the worldbuilding and lore of the game, while Game Revolution mentions that the story is intriguing and explores themes like royalty and coup. Hooked Gamers highlights the choice of approach and characters, particularly emphasizing the impact of experiencing the story from Emily's perspective. Impulsegamer commends the storytelling for its set piece conversations and clever use of exposition through a heart that allows players to hear the inner thoughts of people. TrueAchievements also mentions that the game's story is well-crafted and seamlessly continues from the first game. However, there are also some negative opinions regarding the story of Dishonored 2. Destructoid criticizes the stilted voice acting and script issues, while DarkStation feels that the story is under-written and disappointingly banal. Metro GameCentral states that the story lacks thematic depth and is disappointingly straightforward, similar to the original game. Arcade Sushi mentions that the game doesn't bring as engaging a story or characters as its predecessor, with motivations described as barebones and conflict resolutions lacking impact. Overall, the critics' opinions on the story of Dishonored 2 are mixed. While there are positive aspects such as the worldbuilding, lore, and choice of approach and characters, there are also criticisms of stilted voice acting, under-written plot, and lack of thematic depth. Some critics feel that the story is improved from the first game, while others find it disappointing or lacking compared to its predecessor. However, it is worth noting that the majority of critics acknowledge the game's intriguing narrative and its ability to seamlessly continue the story from the first game.

The majority of the critics have praised the gameplay of Dishonored 2, with many considering it to be a significant improvement over the first game. The game offers a variety of gameplay options, allowing players to choose between stealth and direct combat, and providing multiple playstyles and approaches to missions. Critics such as IBTimes UK and Game Revolution highlight the ability to choose between stealth and action, while Easy Allies and Game Informer mention the freedom to approach missions in a variety of ways. The gameplay mechanics are described as solid, with responsive combat and intuitive sneaking mechanics, as noted by Cheat Code Central and Game Over Online. The inclusion of different powers and abilities for each playable character, Emily and Corvo, adds variety and depth to the gameplay experience, as mentioned by MMORPG.com and Hooked Gamers. The levels are broader and offer more exploration, providing players with numerous ways to tackle every situation, as noted by DarkStation and ZTGD. The gameplay also rewards situational analysis, patience, and experimentation with supernatural powers, according to Game Informer. While the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive, there are a few criticisms mentioned by some critics. The increased difficulty and more suspicious enemies in Dishonored 2 are noted by NZGamer and Slant Magazine, which may make evasion and stealth more challenging. Some critics, such as TrueAchievements and GameCrate, mention that the combat system feels weighted towards stealth, and the parry system could be improved for melee combat. Additionally, Gaming Nexus mentions some issues with powers not working as expected, which could affect the overall gameplay experience. Overall, the critics' opinions indicate that the gameplay of Dishonored 2 is highly enjoyable and offers a significant improvement over the first game. The game provides players with a variety of options, allowing them to choose between stealthy approaches or more aggressive playstyles, and rewards creativity and adaptability. The inclusion of different powers and abilities for each character, as well as the expansive levels and multiple approaches to objectives, adds depth and replay value to the gameplay experience. The gameplay mechanics are praised for their solid execution, with responsive combat and intuitive sneaking mechanics. The positive consensus among the critics highlights the overall success of the gameplay in Dishonored 2.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Dishonored 2 are overwhelmingly positive. The majority of the critics praised the game's visuals, with many highlighting the unique and beautiful art style. NZGamer mentions the use of the Void engine and the evolution of the game's art style, while GameCritics describes the visual design as incredible, with masterful level construction and design masterpieces like the Clockwork Mansion. The attention to detail and cohesive design of the game's setting, Karnaca, is also highly praised by critics such as IBTimes UK and Hooked Gamers. The lush greens and heavily populated environment, as mentioned by Gaming Age, further add to the positive reception of the game's visual design. However, there are a few critics who have raised some negative points about the graphics of Dishonored 2. DarkStation criticizes the inconsistency in graphics, with convincing light and architectural detail in the environment but less impressive human figure models. GameCrate also mentions optimization issues and the need for high-end hardware for optimal performance in the PC version. Additionally, DarkZero mentions the consistent art style but does not provide any specific negative points. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the graphics and visual design of Dishonored 2 are very good. The positive opinions outweigh the negative ones, with critics like MMORPG.com and Game Informer praising the beautifully rendered world and diverse environments. The immersive atmosphere, unique art style, and level design are also highlighted as strong points of the game's visual design. The majority of the critics appreciate the attention to detail, the distinct sense of place, and the immersive experience created by the visuals of Dishonored 2.

The opinions of the critics regarding the sound design and music of Dishonored 2 are varied. Some critics, such as Easy Allies and Cheat Code Central, appreciate the sound design and its contribution to the gameplay experience. Easy Allies mentions that the sound design adds to the tension of stealthy moments, while Cheat Code Central highlights the importance of sound cues in tracking guards and providing information about the environment. These positive opinions suggest that the sound design effectively enhances the immersive and strategic aspects of the game. However, several critics express negative opinions about the voice acting in Dishonored 2. MMORPG.com, Critical Hit, COGconnected, and TrueAchievements all mention issues with the voice acting, ranging from lacking conviction to being stilted and emotionless. These criticisms indicate that the voice acting fails to meet the expectations of these critics and may detract from the overall experience of the game. Additionally, DarkStation points out that the aural design struggles with accurately placing enemy sounds in the world, which can impact the gameplay and immersion. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While some critics, like ZTGD, GameCrate, and We Got This Covered, praise aspects of the sound design and voice acting, others, such as DarkStation and TrueAchievements, express disappointment with the music and voice performances. DarkZero, God is a Geek, USgamer, and We Got This Covered provide positive comments about the atmospheric soundtrack and immersive sound effects. However, the negative opinions regarding the voice acting are more prevalent, suggesting that it is a notable drawback of the game. Despite the mixed opinions, it seems that the sound design and music of Dishonored 2 contribute to the overall atmosphere and gameplay experience, but the quality of the voice acting is a divisive aspect among the critics.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in Dishonored 2 are quite varied. Some critics, such as Cheat Code Central and We Got This Covered, highlight the positive aspects of the voice acting. They mention that the main characters, Corvo and Emily, are well-voiced and bring depth to their roles. Additionally, the enemies and side characters are praised for their fantastic characterization and the determination they evoke in the player. These positive comments suggest that the voice acting in Dishonored 2 successfully adds to the ambience of the game and enhances the overall experience. However, there are also several critics who express negative opinions about the voice acting in Dishonored 2. Critics like Destructoid, Easy Allies, and Critical Hit mention stilted voice acting, a lack of conviction, and emotionless performances. They argue that these drawbacks detract from the game and make the voice acting feel lacking in passion and authenticity. Metro GameCentral even goes as far as describing Corvo's voice acting as silly, indicating a lack of satisfaction with the portrayal of this character. These negative comments suggest that the voice acting in Dishonored 2 falls short in terms of delivering convincing and engaging performances. Overall, the consensus among the critics regarding the voice acting in Dishonored 2 is mixed. While some critics, like Game Informer and GameCrate, appreciate the unique voiceovers of Emily and Corvo, others, such as MMORPG.com and TrueAchievements, find the voice acting to be rough and mediocre. The presence of notable actors like Vincent D'Onofrio and Rosario Dawson does not seem to compensate for the lack of conviction and passion in the performances, as mentioned by DarkStation and Critical Hit. However, there are still positive comments from critics like Cheat Code Central and We Got This Covered, who commend the quality of the voice acting and its contribution to the overall atmosphere of the game. Ultimately, the overall sentiment towards the voice acting in Dishonored 2 appears to be divided, with both positive and negative aspects being acknowledged by different critics.

In terms of the technical performance of Dishonored 2, there are some positive aspects mentioned by the critics for each gaming platform. IBTimes UK, who played the game on PC, did not encounter any technical issues. Critical Hit, who played on PS4, states that the PlayStation 4 version runs well. God is a Geek, who played on Xbox One, mentions that while there are occasional glitches and AI inconsistencies, they are forgivable and not too frequent. These positive comments suggest that the game performs relatively well on all platforms, with minimal technical issues experienced by some reviewers. However, there are also negative aspects mentioned by the critics for each gaming platform. Destructoid, who played on Xbox One, mentions problems with choppiness, uneven framerate, and the need for optimization. Gaming Age, also playing on Xbox One, criticizes the technical performance, highlighting framerate dips, slow load and transition times, and freezing issues. DarkZero, who played on PS4, mentions that the PC release had low frame rates and crashing issues initially, but recent patches have addressed most of the problems. Game Over Online, playing on PS4, states that the game feels buggy, with instances of falling through the world and AI issues. COGconnected, playing on PC, mentions framerate inconsistencies and some bugs. GameCrate, also playing on PC, notes optimization issues, frame rate drops, and graphical performance problems, even after patches. Metro GameCentral, who played on PS4, describes the game as quite buggy and in need of more development time. TrueAchievements, playing on Xbox One, mentions small issues with the accuracy and reliability of certain powers. The overall consensus among the critics is that Dishonored 2 has some technical performance issues across all gaming platforms. While some reviewers did not encounter significant problems, others experienced framerate dips, slow load times, freezing issues, and even falling through the world. The PC version, in particular, received criticism for low frame rates, crashing issues, and optimization problems. However, it is worth noting that some of these issues have been addressed through patches, as mentioned by DarkZero and GameCrate. Despite the technical issues, there are positive comments regarding the game's performance on each platform, suggesting that the issues are not game-breaking and can be forgiven to some extent. Overall, the technical performance of Dishonored 2 seems to be a mixed bag, with some reviewers having a smoother experience than others, but with room for improvement across all platforms.

The majority of the critics agree that Dishonored 2 has excellent replay value. They highlight several positive aspects of the game that contribute to its replayability. One of the main factors mentioned is the ability to make different choices and playstyles, which leads to different outcomes and endings. Critics such as New York Daily News and DarkZero emphasize the multiple pathways to victory and the impact of player actions on the game's world. The inclusion of two playable characters with unique abilities, as mentioned by DarkStation and GameCritics, also adds to the game's replay value. The ability to unlock different upgrades, customize bone charms, and even play in a no-powers mode, as mentioned by Game Informer, further enhances the replayability of Dishonored 2. The presence of side quests, collectibles, and the upcoming New Game Plus mode, as mentioned by Game Revolution and Gaming Nexus, also contribute positively to the game's replay value. While the overall consensus is that Dishonored 2 has great replay value, there are a few criticisms mentioned by some critics. Easy Allies mentions the lack of mission replay and New Game Plus mode as a strange omission, which could potentially limit the game's replayability for some players. COGconnected also points out that not all abilities are useful for every playstyle, leading to a surplus of unused runes. These criticisms, however, are relatively minor compared to the overall positive sentiment expressed by the majority of the critics. In conclusion, Dishonored 2 is widely praised for its replay value by the majority of the critics. The game offers multiple playstyles, choices, and different outcomes based on player actions, as well as two playable characters with unique abilities. The presence of side quests, collectibles, and the upcoming New Game Plus mode further enhances the game's replayability. While there are some minor criticisms, such as the lack of mission replay and some unused abilities, the overall consensus is that Dishonored 2 provides a highly replayable experience that offers ample reasons for players to return to the game.