After playing as Empress Emily Kaldwin during the prologue of the game; players can decide whether to play as either Emily Kaldwin or Corvo Attano, respectively the princess and the protagonist from Dishonored. Players can also choose whether or not to play stealthily, and can finish the game without killing. The developers have stated that there will be a ‘third’ path, although its purpose for now is unknown. Like in the original game, the player works to save the Empire of the Isles, but from an “otherworldly usurper”.[1] Corvo Attano and Emily Kaldwin will each undergo the same set of missions, although both will have different perspectives, react and execute it differently, which allows for higher replay value. Corvo Attano will retain his supernatural powers from the original game, although it is confirmed that there is room for more upgrades as well as it being more ‘deepened and extended’. A more enhanced upgrading system will also be in place, such as an upgrade skill tree. Emily Kaldwin will be embraced with a new set of powers such as ‘Far Reach’ which allows the player to travel further distances without physical movement, similar to Corvo’s ‘Blink’ power from the original game, and ‘Shadow Walk’ which allows her to become a shadowy cloud that can move swiftly and change tangibility at will. The developers have also confirmed that the game will be more difficult and challenging than its predecessor, as well as a wider variety of options and settings to enhance the difficulty for the player and the game itself, such as being seen by guards while peering behind a wall for a stated period of time.
15 years after The Dunwall Plague, the Empire begins to plunge into chaos after Empress Emily Kaldwin is suddenly dethroned by an ‘otherworldly usurper’, and becomes an outlaw to society. Determined to claim it back, Emily follows the steps of her royal protector, Corvo Attano, in becoming an Assassin. Armed with the Outsider’s mark, She intends to reclaim her title and restoring power to what had been lost.
