Dishonored 2 vs The Last of Us Part II

• Perspective: First-Person
• Multiplayer: None (Single-Player Only)
• Setting: Dunwall (Empire of the Isles) & Karnaca (Serkonos)
• Platforms: PC (Windows), PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• Unique Feature: Play as Emily or Corvo with Unique Powers, Deep Stealth & Combat Systems, Choice-Driven Narrative & Chaos System, Intricate Sandbox Level Design, 'Play Your Way' Philosophy.

• Perspective: Third-Person
• Multiplayer: None (Single-Player Only, with 'No Return' roguelike mode in Remastered)
• Setting: Post-Pandemic United States (Jackson, WY; Seattle, WA; Santa Barbara, CA), ~25 years after outbreak
• Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 (Remastered)
• Unique Feature: Dual Playable Protagonists with Intertwined Stories, Unflinching Narrative on Revenge & Trauma, Groundbreaking Animation & Detail, 'No Return' Roguelike Mode (Remastered), Industry-Leading Accessibility Options.

• None (Persistent AI Combat Companions): Dishonored 2 is primarily a solo experience for the chosen protagonist (Emily or Corvo). While they interact with many allies who provide support from their base (The Dreadful Wale) or during specific scripted story moments, there are no persistent AI companions that follow the player and actively participate in general combat or stealth throughout missions.
• Meagan Foster / Billie Lurk (Narrative & Transport): As the captain of The Dreadful Wale, Meagan Foster provides transportation between major mission locations and serves as a key ally offering intel, support, and her own perspective on events. She does not accompany the player directly into mission areas as a combatant.
  Human
• Anton Sokolov (Intel & Support): Once rescued, Sokolov resides on The Dreadful Wale and provides valuable information, insights into targets, and technological assistance. He does not join in active missions.
  Human
• Supernatural Summons (Corvo's Devouring Swarm, Emily's Doppelganger - Temporary): Some supernatural powers allow for the summoning of temporary allies. Corvo can summon a swarm of rats to attack or distract enemies. Emily can create a shadowy doppelganger of herself to fight alongside her or create a diversion. These are player-controlled abilities, not independent companions.
  Rats / Shadowy Construct

• Dina (AI - Ellie's Path): Accompanies Ellie for a significant portion of her journey in Seattle. Provides combat support with her weapons, assists with environmental interactions (e.g., boosting Ellie, opening doors), engages in dialogue, and is central to Ellie's emotional arc. She can be downed and require revival.
  Human
• Jesse (AI - Ellie's Path, Temporary): Joins Ellie (and sometimes Dina) for certain missions in Seattle. A capable fighter who provides combat assistance and participates in story events.
  Human
• Lev (AI - Abby's Path): Accompanies Abby for a large part of her storyline. Skilled with a bow and agile, providing ranged support and assistance in traversal. His relationship with Abby is a core element of her character development. Can be downed.
  Human (Seraphite Apostate)
• Yara (AI - Abby's Path, Temporary): Lev's older sister. Joins Abby for a period, providing combat support despite a severe injury. Her medical knowledge is also relevant.
  Human (Seraphite Apostate)
• Manny Alvarez (AI - Abby's Path, Temporary): Fights alongside Abby during several WLF-focused missions. Provides covering fire and participates in squad-based combat scenarios.
  Human (WLF Soldier)
• Various WLF Soldiers (AI - Abby's Path, Temporary): During missions where Abby is operating with her WLF squad, other unnamed soldiers provide general combat support.
  Human (WLF)
• Dogs (Alice - WLF, Bear - Rattlers, temporary companions to Abby/Ellie in some contexts): Alice is a WLF dog Abby interacts with. Bear is a Rattler dog. In some limited gameplay sequences or interactions, a dog might temporarily act as an ally or detection unit.
  Canis familiaris

• Runes: Carved pieces of whalebone infused with Void energy. Found hidden throughout all levels, often requiring powers or clever exploration to reach. Used to unlock and upgrade supernatural powers for both Emily and Corvo.
• Bonecharms (Standard, Corrupted, Black): Small trinkets made of bone or other materials that provide passive buffs or unique abilities when equipped (e.g., faster movement, quieter footsteps, chance to regain health on kills). Standard Bonecharms have positive effects. Corrupted Bonecharms offer powerful benefits but also come with a negative side effect. Black Bonecharms are rarer and typically stronger versions of standard charms. Can be crafted with the right skill.
• Blueprints: Schematics found in levels, often in workshops, safes, or restricted areas. Unlocking a blueprint makes new upgrades for weapons (sword, pistol, crossbow) and gadgets (mines, grenades, rewire tools) available for purchase at Black Market shops.
• Paintings (Sokolov & Delilah Paintings): Collectible works of art created by Anton Sokolov or Delilah Copperspoon. Finding all of them in a playthrough unlocks an achievement/trophy and can be displayed in the Dreadful Wale. They also provide Coin when collected.
• Audiographs: Recordings that play back conversations or messages, providing lore, story details, or clues. Found in various locations.
• Notes, Books, Letters & Journals: Readable documents scattered throughout the world. They provide extensive backstory on the characters, locations, history of the Isles, political situations, an d the lore surrounding the Void and The Outsider.
• Outsider Shrines: Small shrines dedicated to The Outsider, often hidden. Interacting with them usually yields two Runes and sometimes a short interaction or vision related to The Outsider.

• Artifacts (Notes, Letters, Diaries, Maps, etc.): Numerous documents found throughout all environments. They provide rich backstory on the world before and after the outbreak, personal stories of survivors, insights into faction ideologies, clues for safes, or context for ongoing events. Crucial for understanding the game's deep lore.
• Trading Cards (Ellie's Sections): Collectible superhero-themed trading cards hidden in Ellie's playable sections. Each card features unique artwork and a short character bio. Finding all of them unlocks a trophy.
• Coins (Abby's Sections): Collectible US state quarters found by Abby during her playable sections. Each coin represents a different state. Finding all of them unlocks a trophy.
• Journal Entries (Ellie): Specific points of interest, emotional moments, or significant discoveries trigger Ellie to write or sketch in her journal. These are automatic story-related collectibles that provide insight into her thoughts and feelings.
• Workbenches: Locations where Ellie and Abby can upgrade their weapons using scavenged Parts. Finding all workbenches contributes to completion.
• Safes: Locked safes that require finding a combination clue (often in a nearby Artifact) to open. Contain valuable resources, supplements, or sometimes Training Manuals.
• Training Manuals: Found in specific locations, often hidden or in safes. Each manual unlocks a new branch in the player's skill tree, allowing them to learn new abilities.
• Strange Artifact (Pendant - Precursor Orb): A unique collectible referencing Naughty Dog's Jak and Daxter series, found in a specific location.

• Revenge & Justice
• Power & Corruption
• Choice & Consequence
• Stealth vs. Chaos
• Supernatural Abilities
• Intrigue & Conspiracy
• Oppression & Rebellion
• Family Legacy
• Industrial Revolution & Decay (Karnaca)
• The Outsider & The Void

• Revenge & Obsession
• Cycles of Violence
• Trauma & Grief
• Empathy & Perspective
• Tribalism & Factionalism
• Moral Ambiguity
• The Cost of Survival
• Loss of Innocence
• Humanity in a Post-Apocalypse
• Love & Relationships

• Folding Blade (Sword): Primary Melee
  The protagonist's primary melee weapon. Used for lethal combat, parrying, and assassinations. Can be upgraded for damage and other properties.
• Pistol (Standard & Silenced Variants): Firearm (Sidearm)
  A flintlock-style pistol for ranged combat. Can be upgraded for damage, accuracy, magazine size, and equipped with different ammo types (standard, explosive bullets). Silenced variants available for stealth.
• Crossbow (Standard, Sleep, Incendiary, Stinging Bolts): Ranged (Silent/Utility)
  A versatile ranged weapon. Standard bolts for lethal takedowns. Sleep Darts for non-lethal incapacitation. Incendiary Bolts for fire damage. Stinging Bolts for distraction. Can be upgraded for accuracy, reload speed, and scope.
• Grenades (Fragmentation, Sticky): Throwable Explosive
  Standard fragmentation grenades for area damage. Sticky Grenades adhere to surfaces or enemies before detonating. Upgradable for blast radius or damage.
• Mines (Springrazor, Stun Mine, Howling Bolt - if considered mine-like): Deployable Trap
  Springrazors are lethal traps that shred enemies. Stun Mines incapacitate enemies non-lethally with an electrical charge. Howling Bolts (crossbow ammo) can disorient groups. Mines can be upgraded for effectiveness.
• Supernatural Powers (Offensive - e.g., Devouring Swarm, Windblast, Shadow Kill, Doppelganger attack): Magical Abilities
  Many of Corvo's and Emily's supernatural powers have direct offensive applications, serving as powerful magical 'weapons' alongside their conventional arsenal.
• Gadgets (Rewire Tool): Utility/Environmental Weapon
  The Rewire Tool allows players to hack and reprogram enemy security systems (Walls of Light, Arc Pylons, Watchtowers) to turn them against foes or disable them.

• Pistols (Semi-Automatic, Revolver): Sidearm
  Ellie and Abby use various pistols, including semi-automatics and revolvers. Can be upgraded for stability, fire rate, capacity, and equipped with silencers (craftable for some).
• Rifles (Bolt-Action, Semi-Automatic): Primary Firearm (Long/Mid Range)
  Includes hunting rifles, military-style semi-auto rifles. Good for medium to long-range engagements. Upgradable with scopes, stocks, etc.
• Shotguns (Pump-Action, Double Barrel, Semi-Auto): Primary Firearm (Close Quarters)
  Devastating at close range. Different types offer varying fire rates and capacities. Ellie uses a pump-action, Abby can find others like a double barrel.
• Bow (Ellie): Silent Ranged
  Ellie's signature silent weapon. Can use standard arrows, craftable explosive arrows, and later, poison arrows (DLC/Remaster). Arrows can often be retrieved.
• Crossbow (Abby): Silent Ranged
  Abby's primary silent ranged weapon. Fires retrievable bolts. Can be upgraded with a scope and stability improvements.
• Submachine Guns / Automatic Weapons (Limited): Primary Firearm (High Rate of Fire)
  Some automatic weapons like SMGs or military rifles are available, particularly for Abby. Ammo can be scarce.
• Melee Weapons (Pipes, Machetes, Hammers, Baseball Bats, Switchblades, etc.): Close Quarters Combat (Upgradeable)
  A wide variety of improvised and dedicated melee weapons. Can be upgraded by attaching blades or bindings to increase damage and durability. Break after extended use.
• Explosives (Molotov Cocktails, Pipe Bombs, Trap Mines): Throwable / Deployable
  Craftable explosives for area denial, crowd control, or dealing with tough enemies. Trap mines can be placed strategically.
• Utility Items (Smoke Bombs, Stun Bombs, Health Kits): Tactical / Survival
  Craftable items for creating diversions (smoke bombs), incapacitating enemies (stun bombs), or healing (health kits).
• Flamethrower (Abby - Late Game): Heavy Weapon
  A powerful, fuel-based weapon found by Abby, effective against groups of infected or heavily armored humans.
• Silencers (Craftable): Weapon Attachment (Stealth)
  Can be crafted and attached to certain pistols and SMGs to allow for silent ranged takedowns. Have limited durability.

• Protagonist's Attire (Corvo's Coat & Mask, Emily's Outfit): The primary outfits worn by Corvo and Emily. While visually distinct, they do not offer direct stat-based armor values that can be swapped or upgraded in the traditional RPG sense. Protection is based on player skill, health upgrades (via Runes for Enhancements), and potentially some Bonecharm effects.
• Bonecharms (Defensive Perks): While not armor pieces, many Bonecharms provide defensive benefits, such as increased health, faster mana regeneration (for powers), reduced damage from specific sources, or a chance to deflect projectiles. These are equipped in limited slots.
• Character Enhancements (Via Runes): Players can spend Runes on passive Character Enhancements that improve survivability, such as increasing maximum health, mana, or improving stealth, effectively acting as character-level 'armor' upgrades.
• No Traditional Armor System: Dishonored 2 does not feature a system where players loot or craft different pieces of armor (helmets, chest plates, etc.) with varying defense stats. The focus is on powers, gadgets, stealth, and combat skill rather than gear-based damage mitigation through swappable armor items.

• No Equipable Armor System: Neither Ellie nor Abby equip traditional armor pieces that provide direct stat bonuses or can be upgraded. Their survivability is determined by their base health (which can be increased via skill upgrades for Abby, and finding Training Manuals that unlock health skills for both), player skill in combat/stealth, and the use of health kits. Clothing changes are purely cosmetic and tied to story progression or unlockable skins in the Remastered version.
• Crafted Items & Skill Upgrades (Implied Protection/Resilience): While not 'armor,' skills related to damage resistance, faster healing, improved dodging, or increased health act as a form of defensive progression. Crafting potent health kits is crucial. Some weapon upgrades might improve handling, indirectly aiding defense by allowing quicker enemy dispatch.

• Corvo Attano's Attire: Corvo wears his signature long, dark coat and iconic assassin mask. While the player doesn't customize individual clothing pieces for Corvo, his outfit is a distinct and recognizable part of his character design throughout the game.
• Emily Kaldwin's Attire: Emily wears a more practical, royal-but-functional outfit suitable for stealth and combat, including a fitted jacket, trousers, and often a scarf or bandana covering her lower face. Like Corvo, her primary outfit is fixed for her playable role, though it might have subtle variations or appear different in flashbacks/formals.
• No Direct Clothing Customization System: Dishonored 2 does not feature a system where players can collect and equip different clothing items or armor pieces to change stats or appearance beyond the default outfits of the chosen protagonist. Character progression is through powers, enhancements, bonecharms, and weapon/gadget upgrades.

• Ellie's Outfits: Ellie wears several distinct outfits throughout the game, reflecting the different environments and stages of her journey (e.g., Jackson winter gear, Seattle casual/combat attire, Santa Barbara outfit). These are story-dictated and not directly customizable by the player in the base game beyond what's equipped for a chapter. The Remastered version adds unlockable cosmetic skins for Ellie.
• Abby's Outfits: Abby also wears different outfits based on her role and location (e.g., WLF soldier uniform, more rugged attire later). Similar to Ellie, these are tied to story progression. The Remastered version adds unlockable cosmetic skins for Abby.
• Backpack Customization (Minor): While not extensive, Ellie can find and attach keychains to her backpack, which are small cosmetic collectibles.
• Unlockable Skins (The Last of Us Part II Remastered): The PS5 Remastered version introduces a variety of unlockable cosmetic skins for both Ellie and Abby, as well as weapon skins. These are earned by completing challenges in the 'No Return' mode or through other means, and can be applied in Story Mode or No Return.

• The Dreadful Wale (Player Hub / Boat): Watercraft / Mobile Base
  A stolen ship captained by Meagan Foster (Billie Lurk). It serves as the player's mobile hub between missions in Karnaca. Onboard, players can interact with allies like Sokolov and Meagan, review mission briefings, and display collected paintings. It is used for travel between major coastal districts of Karnaca but is not directly piloted by the player in an open sea.
• Carriages (Environmental / Scripted): Horse-Drawn Land Vehicle
  Carriages are present in some city environments like Dunwall and Karnaca, primarily as environmental elements or part of scripted sequences. The player does not freely drive or control them for general traversal.
• Skiffs / Small Boats (Environmental / Scripted): Minor Watercraft
  Small boats or skiffs might be used for very short, scripted traversal sequences within a level or found as environmental details in Karnaca's docks, but are not general-purpose player-controlled vehicles.
• Traversal Powers (Blink / Far Reach - Primary Movement): Supernatural Locomotion
  Corvo's Blink (short-range teleportation) and Emily's Far Reach (tendril-like grapple for pulling or moving) are their primary means of advanced traversal, allowing them to quickly navigate vertical spaces, cross gaps, and access hidden areas. These powers effectively replace the need for many conventional vehicles within the dense, multi-layered levels.

• Horse (Shimmer, Callus, etc.): Mount / Land Traversal
  Used by Ellie and other characters for traversing larger outdoor areas, particularly in Jackson and some sections leading to or within Seattle. Allows for faster travel and escape.
• Motorboat: Watercraft
  Used by Ellie (and Dina) to navigate the flooded streets and waterways of Seattle. Essential for exploring certain districts and reaching specific objectives.
• Enemy Vehicles (Trucks, Jeeps - WLF/Seraphites/Rattlers): Hostile Land Vehicles
  Human factions utilize various vehicles for patrols and transport. While not typically drivable by the player for extended periods, they often feature in combat encounters, either as moving cover, obstacles, or targets for explosives.
• Traversal on Foot (Stealth & Parkour-lite): Player Locomotion
  Primary mode of movement. Involves walking, running, sprinting, climbing, jumping, squeezing through gaps, going prone, and dodging. While not as acrobatic as Dying Light, traversal is key for stealth and navigating complex environments.

• Corvo Attano: Protagonist / Royal Protector & Spymaster
  One of the two playable characters. The protagonist of the first Dishonored. Now older, he seeks to restore his daughter Emily to the throne after she is usurped. Wields his signature supernatural powers (Blink, Bend Time, Devouring Swarm, etc.) gifted by The Outsider.
• Emily Kaldwin: Protagonist / Empress of the Isles
  One of the two playable characters. Daughter of Corvo Attano and the late Empress Jessamine Kaldwin. After being dethroned by Delilah, she embarks on a quest to reclaim her empire, developing her own unique set of supernatural powers (Far Reach, Domino, Mesmerize, etc.) from The Outsider.
• Delilah Copperspoon (Claimant to the Throne): Main Antagonist / Powerful Witch
  The primary antagonist. A powerful witch with a deep connection to the Void and a claim to the throne of the Empire, asserting she is Jessamine Kaldwin's half-sister. She leads a coven of witches and orchestrated the coup against Emily.
• The Outsider: Enigmatic Void Entity / Power Granter
  A mysterious, god-like being from the Void who observes and occasionally intervenes in human affairs by granting supernatural powers to individuals he finds 'interesting,' like Corvo and Emily. His motives are ambiguous.
• Meagan Foster / Billie Lurk: Ally / Captain of the Dreadful Wale
  The captain of the ship 'The Dreadful Wale,' which serves as the player's mobile base. She aids the protagonist in their journey to Karnaca. She has a mysterious past and her own connections to characters from the Dishonored universe (revealed to be Billie Lurk from DLCs of the first game).
• Anton Sokolov: Ally / Natural Philosopher & Inventor
  A brilliant inventor and artist from the first game, now elderly. He is captured by Kirin Jindosh and becomes a key ally once rescued, providing insights and technological assistance.
• Kirin Jindosh: Antagonist / Grand Inventor to the Duke
  A sociopathic genius inventor responsible for creating the deadly Clockwork Soldiers. He resides in the intricate Clockwork Mansion and is a key ally of Duke Abele and Delilah.
• Duke Luca Abele of Serkonos: Antagonist / Corrupt Ruler
  The tyrannical and decadent Duke of Serkonos, ruling from Karnaca's Grand Palace. He is a key supporter of Delilah's coup.
• Breanna Ashworth (Curator of the Royal Conservatory): Antagonist / Witch Coven Leader
  The head of Delilah's coven of witches, based in Karnaca's Royal Conservatory. She draws power from occult artifacts and is a formidable supernatural threat.
• Aramis Stilton (Former Mine Baron): Key NPC / Figure in a Time Anomaly
  A former mine owner whose mind was shattered by witnessing The Outsider during a séance. His dilapidated manor exists in two timelines (past and present), which the player navigates using a special timepiece.
• Paolo (Leader of the Howlers) & Vice Overseer Byrne (Leader of the Overseers in Karnaca): Faction Leaders / Optional Targets
  Leaders of two rival factions in Karnaca's Dust District. The player can choose to ally with one, eliminate both, or find alternative solutions to their conflict.
• Hypatia / The Crown Killer (Dr. Alexandria Hypatia): Antagonist (Initially) / Victim / Scientist
  A brilliant but tortured alchemist at the Addermire Institute who, under duress or manipulation, becomes the serial killer known as the Crown Killer. The player can choose to cure her or kill her.

• Ellie Williams: Protagonist
  One of the two main playable characters. Now 19, living in Jackson. A traumatic event sends her on a brutal quest for revenge to Seattle. She is skilled with firearms, a bow, and stealth, but is deeply scarred by her past and driven by rage and grief.
• Abby Anderson: Protagonist / WLF Soldier
  The second main playable character. A strong and capable soldier in the Washington Liberation Front (WLF). Her own quest for revenge intertwines with Ellie's, and players experience a significant portion of the game from her perspective, revealing her motivations and relationships.
• Joel Miller: Supporting Character / Ellie's Surrogate Father
  Ellie's father figure from the first game. His actions at the end of Part I have profound consequences that set the events of Part II in motion. His presence is felt throughout Ellie's journey.
• Dina: Ally / Ellie's Partner & Romantic Interest
  A resident of Jackson and Ellie's close friend and romantic partner. She accompanies Ellie on her initial journey to Seattle, providing support and a contrasting perspective on Ellie's quest for vengeance.
• Jesse: Ally / Ellie & Dina's Friend
  A capable survivor and leader of patrols in Jackson, and Dina's ex-boyfriend. He follows Ellie and Dina to Seattle to help them, offering a more level-headed approach.
• Tommy Miller: Supporting Character / Joel's Brother
  Joel's younger brother and a key figure in the Jackson community. He also embarks on a quest for revenge, often operating independently.
• Owen Moore: Supporting Character / Abby's Ex-Boyfriend & WLF Soldier
  A disillusioned WLF soldier and Abby's former romantic partner. He struggles with the WLF's methods and desires a different life.
• Mel: Supporting Character / WLF Medic / Owen's Partner
  A WLF medic and Owen's pregnant partner. Her relationship with Abby is strained due to past events.
• Manny Alvarez: Supporting Character / Abby's Friend & WLF Soldier
  Abby's loyal friend and fellow WLF soldier. Provides support and some comic relief within Abby's group.
• Yara: Supporting Character / Seraphite Apostate
  A young former Seraphite who, along with her younger brother Lev, escapes the cult. Abby helps them, forming an unlikely bond that challenges Abby's worldview.
• Lev (Lily): Supporting Character / Seraphite Apostate
  Yara's younger transgender brother, whose defiance of Seraphite traditions forces them to flee. He is skilled with a bow and forms a strong connection with Abby.
• Isaac Dixon: Antagonist Figure / WLF Leader
  The ruthless and pragmatic leader of the Washington Liberation Front, focused on eradicating the Seraphites and expanding WLF control.
• Seraphite Prophet (Martyr): Antagonist Figure (Deceased) / Cult Founder
  The deceased founder and spiritual leader of the Seraphites. Her teachings and legacy continue to drive the cult's actions and beliefs, making her an indirect antagonistic force.

• Main Missions (Dunwall & Karnaca Chapters)
  A series of story-driven missions that take the player from the coup in Dunwall to various districts of Karnaca as they hunt down Delilah's allies and seek a way to defeat her and reclaim the throne. Each mission is set in a large, sandbox-style level with a primary target and multiple objectives (e.g., 'A Long Day in Dunwall', 'Edge of the World', 'The Good Doctor', 'The Clockwork Mansion', 'The Royal Conservatory', 'Dust District', 'A Crack in the Slab', 'The Grand Palace', 'Death to the Empress').
• Target Elimination (Lethal or Non-Lethal)
  Each main mission typically focuses on eliminating a key target allied with Delilah. Players can choose to kill the target directly or discover and execute a more complex, non-lethal method to neutralize them (e.g., stripping their powers, exposing their crimes, trapping them in their own machinations).
• Side Objectives & Exploration
  Within each mission level, there are numerous optional objectives, hidden areas, safes to crack, civilian requests, and lore items (audiographs, notes, books) to discover. Completing these can provide extra coin, Runes, Bonecharms, Blueprints, or a deeper understanding of the world and characters.
• Black Market Shop Visits
  Locate Black Market shops hidden within mission levels to purchase ammunition, health/mana elixirs, grenades, mines, weapon/gadget upgrades (using collected Blueprints and coin), and sometimes unique items or information.
• Collecting Runes & Bonecharms
  Seek out and collect Runes (to unlock/upgrade powers) and Bonecharms (for passive buffs) using The Heart (Corvo) or Void Gaze (Emily) to sense their location. These are often hidden in well-guarded or hard-to-reach places.
• New Game Plus
  After completing the game, players can start a New Game Plus playthrough, retaining all previously unlocked powers, Runes, and Bonecharm traits. A key feature of NG+ is the ability to select powers from both Emily's and Corvo's skill trees, regardless of the chosen character.

• Story Chapters (Jackson, Seattle Day 1-3 for Ellie & Abby, The Farm, Santa Barbara)
  A series of linear, narratively-driven chapters that progress the intertwined stories of Ellie and Abby. Each chapter is typically set in a distinct location or marks a specific day in their respective journeys. Missions involve exploration, stealth, intense combat encounters with human factions and infected, puzzle-solving, and highly cinematic story moments.
• Flashback Sequences
  Several chapters or segments within chapters are flashbacks, providing crucial backstory for Ellie, Joel, and Abby, revealing past events that shape their present motivations and relationships (e.g., Ellie's museum visit with Joel, Abby's experiences leading up to the main conflict).
• Optional Exploration Areas & Encounters
  Within the larger 'wide-linear' levels, there are numerous optional buildings, side paths, and hidden areas to explore. These often contain valuable resources, collectibles (Artifacts, Trading Cards, Coins), safes, Training Manuals, or trigger small, unscripted encounters with enemies.
• Puzzle Solving (Environmental & Mechanical)
  Integrated into level progression, players must solve environmental puzzles involving finding paths, moving objects (like dumpsters), using ropes for traversal, restoring power to doors, or finding safe combinations.
• Major Set-Piece Encounters & Boss Fights
  Spectacular, highly scripted action sequences and challenging boss fights against unique infected (like the Rat King) or formidable human opponents. These serve as climactic moments within the narrative.
• No Return Mode Runs (Remastered)
  In the roguelike 'No Return' mode (PS5 Remastered), each 'run' consists of a series of randomized combat encounters with different objectives (e.g., survive waves, assassinate a target, hold a position) culminating in a boss fight. Successfully completing encounters and runs unlocks new playable characters, skins, and gameplay modifiers.

A standalone multiplayer game set in The Last of Us universe (reportedly titled 'The Last of Us Online') was in development but was later announced to be canceled or significantly re-evaluated by Naughty Dog. The Last of Us Part II itself is a purely single-player experience.

Available in Standard Edition and a Collector's Edition. The Collector's Edition included a replica of Corvo Attano's mask and stand, Emily Kaldwin's ring replica, a propaganda poster, a SteelBook case, and the 'Imperial Assassin's Pack' digital items (bonecharms, lore book, in-game currency). Pre-orders often included Dishonored: Definitive Edition.

Available in Standard Edition, Special Edition (SteelBook, art book), Collector's Edition (Ellie statue, bracelet, art book, lithograph, pins, stickers, digital content), and Ellie Edition (Collector's content + Ellie's backpack replica, soundtrack vinyl). A PS5 remaster, 'The Last of Us Part II Remastered,' was released in January 2024, including graphical enhancements, new modes like 'No Return' (roguelike survival), Guitar Free Play, Lost Levels with developer commentary, and DualSense integration.

A standalone expansion/sequel, 'Dishonored: Death of the Outsider' (starring Billie Lurk), was released in 2017. For Dishonored 2 itself, a significant free update added a New Game Plus mode (allowing players to access both Emily's and Corvo's powers in a single playthrough) and custom difficulty settings.

No major story DLC was released for The Last of Us Part II. The primary post-launch addition was the 'No Return' roguelike survival mode, new skins, and Lost Levels included in 'The Last of Us Part II Remastered'. The original game received updates for difficulty modes (Grounded) and accessibility.

• Q: Can I play as both Emily and Corvo in one playthrough of Dishonored 2?
  A: In the initial playthrough, you choose to play as either Emily Kaldwin or Corvo Attano for the entire campaign. However, after completing the game once, a New Game Plus mode is unlocked which allows you to start a new game with access to all powers from both Emily and Corvo, regardless of which character you choose to play as.
• Q: What is the Chaos system in Dishonored 2?
  A: The Chaos system tracks the player's actions throughout the game, primarily how many people they kill. A Low Chaos playthrough (minimal kills, non-lethal takedowns) results in a more optimistic world state, fewer hostile enemies like Bloodflies, and a more hopeful ending. A High Chaos playthrough (many kills) leads to a darker world, more Bloodflies and guards, more pessimistic dialogue, and a bleaker ending. Specific character fates can also be affected.
• Q: Are there non-lethal options for all main targets?
  A: Yes, a core design philosophy of Dishonored 2 is player choice. Every main assassination target in the game has a non-lethal elimination method, often more complex or requiring more investigation to discover and execute than a straightforward lethal approach. Choosing non-lethal methods contributes to Low Chaos.
• Q: What is Karnaca?
  A: Karnaca is the primary setting for most of Dishonored 2. It's a coastal city in Serkonos, known as the 'Jewel of the South.' It has a distinct visual style inspired by southern European and Mediterranean cities, characterized by its sunny climate (though often plagued by dust storms due to silver mining), wind turbines, grand architecture, and significant problems with Bloodfly infestations and political corruption under Duke Abele.
• Q: Can I play Dishonored 2 without using any supernatural powers?
  A: Yes, at the beginning of the game, when The Outsider offers powers, the player can choose to refuse them. This enables a 'No Powers' playthrough, which is a significantly more challenging experience relying purely on stealth, gadgets, combat skills, and environmental awareness. There is an achievement/trophy for completing the game this way.
• Q: What is the 'Void Engine'?
  A: The Void Engine is Arkane Studios' proprietary game engine used for Dishonored 2 and Dishonored: Death of the Outsider. It is a heavily modified version of id Software's id Tech 5 engine, tailored to support Arkane's signature immersive sim gameplay, detailed environments, and distinct art style.

• Q: Is The Last of Us Part II a direct sequel to the first game?
  A: Yes, it is a direct sequel set five years after the events of The Last of Us Part I, continuing the story of Ellie and Joel.
• Q: Do I need to play The Last of Us Part I before Part II?
  A: It is extremely highly recommended. The Last of Us Part II's entire narrative, character motivations, and emotional impact are built upon the events and relationships established in the first game. Playing Part I first is essential for full understanding and appreciation.
• Q: Why are there two playable characters, Ellie and Abby?
  A: The game features a dual protagonist structure to explore themes of perspective, empathy, and the cyclical nature of violence. Playing as both characters allows players to understand the motivations and experiences of individuals on opposing sides of a deeply personal conflict.
• Q: Is The Last of Us Part II an open-world game?
  A: No, it is not a traditional open-world game. It features large, expansive 'wide-linear' levels that offer significant room for exploration, stealth, and finding alternate paths, but players are generally guided along a narrative through-line within these zones.
• Q: What is 'No Return' mode in The Last of Us Part II Remastered?
  A: 'No Return' is a new roguelike survival mode added in the PS5 Remastered version. Players choose a character (from a roster including Ellie, Abby, Joel, Tommy, and others, each with unique traits) and attempt to survive runs through randomized encounters, earning currency to unlock new characters, skins, and gameplay modifiers.
• Q: Are there different endings in The Last of Us Part II?
  A: The Last of Us Part II has one primary, definitive ending to its main narrative. Unlike some RPGs, player choices do not lead to branching endings for the core story, though the interpretation and emotional impact of the ending are subject to player perspective.

Developed on Arkane's Void Engine (a modified id Tech 5), Dishonored 2 features a distinct 'painterly' art style with stylized character models and richly detailed environments. Karnaca's design is inspired by southern European coastal cities, showcasing vibrant colors mixed with industrial decay and dust storms. The game is known for its intricate level architecture and environmental storytelling.

Powered by an advanced version of Naughty Dog's proprietary engine, The Last of Us Part II is renowned for its groundbreaking graphics, particularly its incredibly detailed character models, lifelike animations (especially facial animations), and meticulously crafted, dense environments. Features advanced lighting, realistic weather effects, and a stunning level of environmental detail and decay. The PS5 Remastered version offers enhanced fidelity, native 4K, and higher framerate options.

Original score composed by Daniel Licht, featuring atmospheric and often melancholic orchestral pieces that reflect the game's dark, industrial, and supernatural themes. Sound design is crucial for stealth gameplay, with distinct audio cues for enemy patrols, awareness levels, traps, and power usage. Voice acting from a notable cast (e.g., Rosario Dawson, Sam Rockwell, Vincent D'Onofrio, Pedro Pascal) brings characters to life.

Original score composed by Gustavo Santaolalla (returning from Part I) with contributions from Mac Quayle for more intense combat/Abby segments. The music is deeply emotional, often melancholic, featuring acoustic guitar, strings, and ambient textures that perfectly underscore the game's tone. Sound design is incredibly realistic and impactful, crucial for stealth (enemy callouts, footsteps), combat (visceral weapon sounds, infected screeches), and environmental immersion.

Features a first-person HUD displaying health (red) and mana (blue) bars, equipped powers/gadgets, and contextual prompts. A radial menu is used for selecting powers and weapons. The Heart (Corvo) or Void Gaze (Emily - conceptual equivalent for finding Runes/Bonecharms) helps locate collectibles. Journal tracks quests, lore, and targets. Chaos level is subtly indicated by world state and ending outcomes rather than a persistent UI element.

Features an immersive and minimalistic HUD. Health is often indicated by screen effects and character animations rather than a persistent bar (though one can be enabled). Ammo count and equipped items are displayed contextually. Crafting and upgrade menus are accessed through Ellie's/Abby's backpack. Listen Mode highlights enemies through walls. The UI is designed to keep players immersed in the world.

Offers a range of accessibility options, including customizable controls (PC), extensive subtitle and caption customization, options for aim assist strength, options to adjust UI element size, colorblind modes, and various gameplay toggles for difficulty and visual comfort (e.g., reducing head bob).

Naughty Dog set a new industry standard for accessibility with Part II, offering over 60 options. These include comprehensive control remapping, extensive subtitle/caption customization, options for visual aids (high contrast mode, screen magnifier, traversal/combat audio cues), navigation and traversal assistance, options to skip puzzles, combat accessibility (invisible while prone, reduced enemy perception/accuracy, auto-pickup), and text-to-speech/speech-to-text features.

• Official PC system requirements from Arkane Studios/Bethesda. Performance can vary depending on specific hardware, settings, areas in-game (especially detailed city districts), and background applications. An SSD is recommended for optimal loading times.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop models of listed desktop GPUs will require comparable performance, high TGP (Total Graphics Power), and good cooling. **Dishonored 2 can be demanding, particularly at higher settings or resolutions, due to its detailed environments and complex AI.**
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Good TGP is important for consistent framerates.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Robust cooling is essential for sustained performance.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: A decent CPU is needed for AI pathfinding and complex level interactions.
• Laptop Consideration: R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM benefits performance.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: NVIDIA Ansel support for screenshots. No native widespread upscaling tech like DLSS/FSR in original release, but this could vary with patches or PC driver features.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Texture Quality, View Distance, Shadow Quality, Anti-Aliasing, Decal Quality, Water Quality, and Post-Processing effects heavily impact performance.
• Game Name: Dishonored 2

• CONSOLE GAME - PC SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ARE HIGHLY SPECULATIVE based on The Last of Us Part I PC port and expected demands for a potential Part II PC port. An SSD would be MANDATORY.
• Laptop Performance Note: Laptop models of listed desktop GPUs will require comparable performance, very high TGP (Total Graphics Power), and excellent cooling. **If ported to PC, The Last of Us Part II would be an extremely demanding title, requiring top-tier laptop hardware for high settings and resolutions.**
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Maximum TGP will be absolutely crucial.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Exceptional cooling needed to prevent severe thermal throttling.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: Laptops with sustained high CPU power limits and strong single/multi-core performance.
• Laptop Consideration: R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM (DDR5) would be essential.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus would be critical.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: Would likely support NVIDIA DLSS (Super Resolution & Frame Generation), AMD FSR 2.0+, and Intel XeSS if ported.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Texture Quality, Model Quality, Shadow Quality, Reflections, Volumetric Effects, Character Detail, Animation Quality, and Particle Effects would heavily impact performance. Ray tracing, if implemented, would be exceptionally demanding.
• Game Name: The Last of Us Part II

• Upscaling Tech: NVIDIA Ansel support for screenshots. No native widespread upscaling tech like DLSS/FSR in original release, but this could vary with patches or PC driver features.
• Key Settings Impact: Texture Quality, View Distance, Shadow Quality, Anti-Aliasing, Decal Quality, Water Quality, and Post-Processing effects heavily impact performance.

• Upscaling Tech: Would likely support NVIDIA DLSS (Super Resolution & Frame Generation), AMD FSR 2.0+, and Intel XeSS if ported.
• Key Settings Impact: Texture Quality, Model Quality, Shadow Quality, Reflections, Volumetric Effects, Character Detail, Animation Quality, and Particle Effects would heavily impact performance. Ray tracing, if implemented, would be exceptionally demanding.

• G P U T G P: Good TGP is important for consistent framerates.
• Cooling Thermals: Robust cooling is essential for sustained performance.
• C P U Power Limits: A decent CPU is needed for AI pathfinding and complex level interactions.
• R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM benefits performance.
• M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus is recommended.

• G P U T G P: Maximum TGP will be absolutely crucial.
• Cooling Thermals: Exceptional cooling needed to prevent severe thermal throttling.
• C P U Power Limits: Laptops with sustained high CPU power limits and strong single/multi-core performance.
• R A M Speed Dual Channel: Fast dual-channel RAM (DDR5) would be essential.
• M U X Switch Optimus: Using a MUX switch or NVIDIA Advanced Optimus would be critical.