Begin with a charged identity
Arkane and Bethesda describe Dishonored 2 through a supernatural assassin, first-person action and a story of revenge. The word assassin does considerable work before a player makes a decision. It suggests a relationship to power, purpose and other people.
A role is a set of expectations
An assigned role gives the player a set of expectations before the first decision. We might accept its purpose immediately, or become interested in the distance between a character’s assigned identity and our own interpretation of it. That tension can matter even before discussing a particular choice.
Consider the invitation you are accepting
When a description names a forceful role, ask whether you are attracted to performing it, understanding it or questioning it. Those are different reasons to enter the same fiction. You need not resolve the question in advance.
Sources
Arkane / Bethesda · Official descriptionEditorial essay · Sources checked 2026-10-24
Suggest a correction