Dishonored games in order: how to play the series
The Dishonored games in order are: Dishonored (2012), its two story DLCs The Knife of Dunwall and The Brigmore Witches, then Dishonored 2 (2016), and finally Dishonored: Death of the Outsider (2017). Release order and chronological order are the same, except that the Daud DLCs run parallel to the first game's story. Each game builds on characters and choices from the one before.
The full order
- Dishonored (2012) — Corvo Attano, the Empress's bodyguard, is framed for her murder and seeks revenge or justice.
- The Knife of Dunwall and The Brigmore Witches (2013) — a two-part story about Daud, the assassin from the first game, running alongside the main plot. Daud returns in Death of the Outsider, so these are worth playing.
- Dishonored 2 (2016) — set 15 years later; you choose to play as Emily Kaldwin or Corvo.
- Dishonored: Death of the Outsider (2017) — a standalone game, not a DLC, starring Billie Lurk and closing the Outsider's storyline.
The Definitive Edition of the first game includes Dishonored plus all of its DLC, so it is the easiest way to start.
Tips
- Dishonored 2 assumes the "low chaos" ending of the first game, where Emily survives as Empress; your save does not carry over.
- Low chaos (fewer kills) and high chaos change the world and the ending in every game, so a second playthrough is worthwhile.
FAQ
How long does it take to complete Dishonored?
Roughly 12–15 hours for a normal first run of the original; stealthy players who explore take longer.
How many endings does Dishonored have?
Two main ones, low chaos and high chaos, with small variations. For the good ending, kill as few people as possible and use non-lethal options for main targets.
Should I choose Emily or Corvo in Dishonored 2?
Either works; the story is nearly the same. Emily has new powers for a fresh experience, Corvo plays like the first game.
Should I play Dishonored 1 before 2?
Yes, if you can. Dishonored 2 opens with a short recap and works on its own, but Emily, Corvo and the Outsider mean much more if you've played the first game.