Nova Roma vs Dishonored 2

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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.

• Q: Why are my citizens starving even though the granaries are full?
  A: Nova Roma simulates physical paths. Transporters may be stuck in a loop or the walk distance to the market is too long[cite: 532, 1085].
• Q: How do I prevent city-wide plagues?
  A: Place 'dirty' industry like tanneries and clay pits downstream from your primary water intake[cite: 807, 1843].
• Q: What is the most efficient housing layout?
  A: A 6x6 residential block with a central Market and Fountain maximizes coverage and land value[cite: 546, 804].
• Q: How do I gain Divine Favor?
  A: Complete 'Divine Tasks' assigned by the gods or host Festivals in Large Temples[cite: 980, 986].
• Q: Does gravity affect water flow?
  A: Yes, aqueducts require a consistent downward slope to function; the game includes an elevation overlay for planning[cite: 850, 1835].

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

• Nova Roma is heavily CPU-bound due to individual citizen pathfinding. Performance impacts occur as the population scales regardless of GPU power[cite: 534, 1821].
• Laptop Performance Note: Ensure 'High Performance' power profiles are active to prevent CPU throttling during peak pathfinding calculations in high-population cities[cite: 535, 1831].
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Low impact; 60W+ is sufficient for the stylized visuals[cite: 1827].
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: High CPU usage requires effective thermal management to avoid stuttering[cite: 535, 937].
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: Standard PL1/PL2 limits on mid-range laptops may struggle past 5,000 citizens[cite: 937].
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Not critical given the CPU-bound nature of the simulation[cite: 1821, 1831].
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: DLSS and FSR are supported to maintain framerates in Fidelity Mode[cite: 946].
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Citizen Simulation Distance and Citizen LODs have the highest impact on CPU and FPS respectively[cite: 938, 940].
• Game Name: Nova Roma

• 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

• Upscaling Tech: DLSS and FSR are supported to maintain framerates in Fidelity Mode[cite: 946].
• Key Settings Impact: Citizen Simulation Distance and Citizen LODs have the highest impact on CPU and FPS respectively[cite: 938, 940].

• 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.

• G P U T G P: Low impact; 60W+ is sufficient for the stylized visuals[cite: 1827].
• Cooling Thermals: High CPU usage requires effective thermal management to avoid stuttering[cite: 535, 937].
• C P U Power Limits: Standard PL1/PL2 limits on mid-range laptops may struggle past 5,000 citizens[cite: 937].
• M U X Switch Optimus: Not critical given the CPU-bound nature of the simulation[cite: 1821, 1831].

• 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.