REPLACED vs Dishonored

• Runes: Hidden throughout levels; used to acquire and upgrade supernatural powers. The Heart reveals their locations.
• Bonecharms: Found in various hidden spots or carried by specific NPCs; provide passive buffs to Corvo's abilities. The Heart reveals their locations.
• Sokolov Paintings: Collectible artworks by Anton Sokolov hidden in each mission level. Collecting them provides coin and contributes to completion.
• Outsider Shrines: Hidden shrines dedicated to the Outsider, usually containing a Rune and offering lore insights.
• Books, Notes, and Audiographs: Scattered throughout the world, providing lore, character backstories, hints, and world-building details.

• Stealth
• Revenge
• Supernatural Powers
• Plague
• Oppression
• Political Conspiracy
• Moral Choices
• Whalepunk Aesthetic

• The Huxley: Hybrid Pistol
  A charge-based energy weapon that builds power through melee combat and unleashes devastating ranged finishers.
• Mechanized Pickaxe: Tool/Weapon
  Used for armor-breaking heavy strikes and scaling specific industrial walls.
• Free-flow Fists: Melee
  Fluid, Arkham-style melee strikes used to chain combos and build Huxley charge.

• Corvo's Folding Blade: Melee
  Corvo's signature collapsible sword, used for lethal combat, stealth takedowns, and parrying attacks.
• Pistol: Firearm (Ranged)
  A flintlock-style pistol. Can be upgraded for damage, accuracy, and reload speed. Standard and explosive bullets available.
• Crossbow: Ranged (Stealth)
  A silent ranged weapon. Fires standard bolts, sleep darts for non-lethal takedowns, and incendiary bolts.
• Grenade: Throwable (Explosive)
  Standard fragmentation grenade effective against groups or for creating diversions.
• Spring Razor: Trap (Lethal)
  A deployable trap that, when triggered, unleashes a whirlwind of sharp wires, shredding nearby enemies.
• Sticky Grenade: Throwable (Explosive)
  A grenade that adheres to surfaces or enemies before detonating.

• Royal Protector Uniform: Corvo's signature dark, masked attire. Not customizable beyond its inherent design.
• City Watch Uniform: Blue and grey uniforms worn by Dunwall's guards, varying slightly by rank.
• Overseer Uniform: Distinctive masked uniforms of the Abbey of the Everyman's militant order.

Progression is tied to both hardware and software upgrades via the 'Wingman' handheld device. Players can unlock the 'Heavy Strike' capability using a mechanized pickaxe to break armored enemy shields. The 'Huxley' gun can be upgraded to deflect bullets and perform double-jumps. Narrative upgrades are earned through side quests in hubs, such as improved 'Medstims' for health recovery and AI processing enhancements that unlock new dialogue choices or hacking capabilities for environmental puzzles.

Corvo gains supernatural powers like Blink (teleportation), Dark Vision, Bend Time, Devouring Swarm, and Possession. These powers are unlocked and upgraded using Runes found in the world. Bonecharms provide passive buffs. Weapons and gadgets like the pistol, crossbow, grenades, and rewire tools can be upgraded using money at Piero Joplin's workshop.

The world is divided into distinct districts and social tiers. Phoenix-City serves as the primary urban hub, featuring high-tech corporate offices and the heavily guarded 'Wall.' Beyond the city lie the Industrial Wastelands, crumbling shanty towns like Prospero (built in an abandoned train station), and subterranean Termite Hideouts. While the gameplay is side-scrolling, these regions feature 'Open World Hubs' where players can freely walk, interact with NPCs, and discover lore, transitioning from linear action sequences to exploratory narrative environments.

The game features distinct, large, and intricately designed mission levels rather than a single continuous open world. Key locations in Dunwall include Dunwall Tower, the Hound Pits Pub (hub area), Kaldwin's Bridge, Boyle Estate, and the Flooded District. Each level offers multiple pathways and secrets.

• Samuel's Boat: Watercraft (Transport)
  Samuel Beechworth's small motorboat, used to transport Corvo to and from mission areas along Dunwall's waterways.
• Whale Oil Powered Rails/Carts: Automated Transport (Environmental)
  Some levels feature automated rail carts or lifts powered by whale oil, which can be used for traversal within specific areas.

• Rat: Rattus norvegicus (Plague Rats)
  Environmental Hazard (swarms), Can be possessed, Source of Devouring Swarm power
• Hagfish: Fictional Aquatic Creature
  Aquatic Hazard, found in water bodies, can be possessed.
• Wolfhound: Canis lupus familiaris
  Enemy Type, Guard Animal, often accompanies City Watch.

• Corvo Attano: Protagonist / Royal Protector
  The Empress's loyal bodyguard, framed for her murder. Granted powers by the Outsider to seek revenge and clear his name.
• The Outsider: Supernatural Entity / Narrator
  A mysterious, amoral god-like figure from the Void who grants supernatural powers to individuals he finds 'interesting', observing their choices.
• Empress Jessamine Kaldwin: Ruler of the Isles
  The beloved Empress murdered at the start of the game, setting Corvo's journey in motion.
• Emily Kaldwin: Heir to the Throne / Damsel
  Daughter of Empress Jessamine, kidnapped after her mother's assassination. Rescuing her is a primary objective.
• Hiram Burrows (Lord Regent): Primary Antagonist / Usurper
  The Royal Spymaster who orchestrates the Empress's assassination and seizes power as Lord Regent.
• Daud: Antagonist / Assassin Leader
  The infamous 'Knife of Dunwall', leader of the Whalers assassin gang, responsible for carrying out the Empress's murder.
• Samuel Beechworth: Ally / Boatman
  A loyalist boatman who ferries Corvo to and from missions and offers moral guidance.

• The Great Escape: Main Quest
  Flee the Phoenix Corporation research wing after the fusion.
• Arcade Repair: Side Quest
  Find a rectifier to help Susan fix the broken arcade machine in Prospero.
• The High Score: Side Quest
  Beat Susan's high score in the functional in-game arcade mini-game.

• Dishonored (Prologue)
  Witness the Empress's assassination, get framed, and escape Coldridge Prison.
• High Overseer Campbell
  Eliminate High Overseer Thaddeus Campbell or find a non-lethal solution to neutralize him.
• House of Pleasure
  Infiltrate the Golden Cat bathhouse to deal with the Pendleton twins.
• Lady Boyle's Last Party
  Infiltrate a masquerade ball at the Boyle Estate to identify and eliminate one of the three Boyle sisters (or find a non-lethal alternative).
• The Loyalists
  Return to the Hound Pits Pub only to face betrayal.
• The Light at the End
  Infiltrate Kingsparrow Island lighthouse for the final confrontation with the Lord Regent and to rescue Emily.

Standard Edition ($24.99) includes the base game. Xbox Game Pass Edition provides day-one access for subscribers on PC and Console. A Physical Deluxe Edition has been teased, potentially including a digital soundtrack by Igor Gritsay and a handcrafted pixel-art book detailing the game's 2.5D technical pipeline.

Sad Cat Studios is currently focused on the core release. No specific DLC has been announced, but the developers have expressed interest in expanding the lore of Phoenix-City and potentially adding new arcade mini-games or challenge modes for the combat system post-launch.

**Dunwall City Trials:** Challenge maps. **The Knife of Dunwall:** Story DLC playing as the assassin Daud. **The Brigmore Witches:** Continues Daud's story. **Void Walker's Arsenal:** Pre-order bonus pack with additional bonecharms and resources.

• Q: What is the release date for REPLACED?
  A: The game is scheduled to launch on April 14, 2026.
• Q: Is REPLACED coming to Xbox Game Pass?
  A: Yes, it will be available on Xbox Game Pass for both Console and PC on Day One.
• Q: What are the minimum PC requirements?
  A: At minimum, you need an Intel i5-8400, 16GB RAM, and a GTX 1060 (6GB).
• Q: Why was the game delayed from March to April?
  A: The final 5-week delay was for polishing and addressing UI scaling/performance on handheld devices like the Steam Deck.
• Q: What is the meaning of the 21:9 aspect ratio in the game?
  A: It is a fixed cinematic widescreen format designed to mimic 1980s sci-fi films; it increases pixel demand by ~31% over standard 1080p.

• Q: What is the Chaos system in Dishonored?
  A: The Chaos system tracks Corvo's lethal actions. Killing more characters increases Chaos, leading to a darker world, more plague victims (Weepers), more rats, pessimistic dialogue, and a bleaker ending. A low Chaos playthrough (minimal kills) results in a more hopeful outcome.
• Q: Can you complete Dishonored without killing anyone?
  A: Yes, it is possible to complete the entire game, including eliminating all main targets, without killing anyone (non-lethal playthrough). This often involves finding alternative methods to neutralize targets.
• Q: What are Runes and Bonecharms used for?
  A: Runes are used to unlock and upgrade Corvo's supernatural powers. Bonecharms are trinkets that provide passive buffs, such as increased health/mana, faster movement, or enhanced stealth.
• Q: Is Corvo a silent protagonist?
  A: For the most part, yes. Corvo has very few spoken lines in the base game, primarily making choices through player actions. He is more vocal in the DLC and Dishonored 2.

The game uses a unique 2.5D 'modernized pixel art' style. It features 3D geometry textured with pixel assets, allowing for real-time volumetric shadows, dynamic smoke, and anamorphic lens effects. The fixed 21:9 aspect ratio creates a cinematic, widescreen feel reminiscent of 80s sci-fi film.

Utilizing a heavily modified Unreal Engine 3, Dishonored features a distinct 'whalepunk' art style characterized by exaggerated Victorian-era architecture, industrial elements powered by whale oil, and painterly textures. The game is known for its strong art direction and atmosphere rather than raw graphical fidelity by modern standards.

Composed by Igor Gritsay, the soundtrack is a moody, synth-driven experience that blends 1980s retro-wave with dark, industrial undertones. Notable tracks include 'Void' and 'Take Me Back,' featuring haunting vocals by Marina Thorik that emphasize the game's somber atmosphere.

Score by Daniel Licht, creating a dark, atmospheric, and memorable soundtrack. Sound design is crucial for stealth, providing auditory cues for guard patrols and environmental hazards. Features iconic voice acting, including Stephen Russell as Corvo (though Corvo is mostly silent).

The UI is highly diegetic, centered around the 'Wingman' — an in-game CRT-style terminal. When accessed, the camera zooms into the device, showing the protagonist's thumb scrolling through text. Health and weapon charges are integrated into subtle HUD elements that mimic 1980s retro-tech aesthetics.

The game includes adjustable difficulty settings, custom volume controls, and stereo sound optimization. Crucially for accessibility, it offers a 'Keyboard Only' option and allows players to disable Quick Time Events (QTEs) during cinematic sequences.

• The game utilizes a strict 21:9 cinematic aspect ratio which increases pixel throughput by approximately 31% compared to standard 1080p.
• Laptop Performance Note: Due to heavy volumetric lighting and 2.5D physics, laptop users should ensure high TGP overhead to avoid frame-time stuttering observed in early builds.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Minimum 85W-100W recommended for stable 60FPS.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: High thermal headroom required; the 2.5D engine is GPU-intensive.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: Standard H-series processors are sufficient; focus is on GPU clock stability.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Recommended to bypass Optimus for reduced input lag in parry-heavy combat.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: Supports DLSS 3.5 and FSR 3.0.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Volumetric Lighting and Motion Blur have the highest performance cost.
• Game Name: REPLACED

• Official system requirements as per Bethesda/Arkane Studios' documentation at launch (October 2012). The game is relatively light by modern standards. An SSD will improve loading times.
• Laptop Performance Note: Dishonored runs very well on a wide range of laptops, even older ones with dedicated graphics. Modern integrated graphics (e.g., Intel Iris Xe, AMD Radeon Graphics) can often run this game adequately at lower settings. Any modern discrete GPU, including an RTX 3050 Mobile, will provide extremely high framerates.
• Laptop Consideration: G P U T G P: Not a major concern for this title on modern hardware; even low TGP modern GPUs will excel. For period-appropriate cards, ensuring they weren't severely underpowered was key.
• Laptop Consideration: Cooling Thermals: Most modern laptops should handle Dishonored without significant thermal issues. Older laptops might still get warm.
• Laptop Consideration: C P U Power Limits: The game is not very CPU demanding. Any modern dual-core or quad-core mobile CPU will be more than sufficient.
• Laptop Consideration: M U X Switch Optimus: Beneficial on older Optimus systems to ensure the dedicated GPU is used, though less critical with powerful modern hardware.
• Optimization Detail: Upscaling Tech: No native support for modern upscaling technologies (DLSS/FSR/XeSS). Standard resolution and anti-aliasing options are available in-game.
• Optimization Detail: Key Settings Impact: Shadow Quality, Light Shafts, Texture Details, and Anti-Aliasing (MLAA/FXAA) can impact performance on very low-end hardware.
• Supported Video Cards: NVIDIA: GeForce GTX 460 or better, GeForce GT 500M series or better (GT 555M for min) | AMD: Radeon HD 5850 or better, Mobility Radeon HD 5000 series or better (HD 5770 for min) | Intel: Intel HD Graphics 3000/4000 (Not officially recommended, but may run at very low settings/resolutions) | General: Laptop versions of discrete cards may work if their performance is on par with the desktop minimum. Integrated graphics were not a primary target.
• Sound card: DirectX 9.0c compatible soundcard (Standard requirement for audio output.)
• Peripherals: Windows-compatible keyboard, mouse, optional controller (Xbox 360 Controller for Windows recommended) (Supports standard PC input devices and gamepads.)
• Game Name: Dishonored

• Upscaling Tech: No native support for modern upscaling technologies (DLSS/FSR/XeSS). Standard resolution and anti-aliasing options are available in-game.
• Key Settings Impact: Shadow Quality, Light Shafts, Texture Details, and Anti-Aliasing (MLAA/FXAA) can impact performance on very low-end hardware.

• G P U T G P: Minimum 85W-100W recommended for stable 60FPS.
• Cooling Thermals: High thermal headroom required; the 2.5D engine is GPU-intensive.
• C P U Power Limits: Standard H-series processors are sufficient; focus is on GPU clock stability.
• M U X Switch Optimus: Recommended to bypass Optimus for reduced input lag in parry-heavy combat.

• G P U T G P: Not a major concern for this title on modern hardware; even low TGP modern GPUs will excel. For period-appropriate cards, ensuring they weren't severely underpowered was key.
• Cooling Thermals: Most modern laptops should handle Dishonored without significant thermal issues. Older laptops might still get warm.
• C P U Power Limits: The game is not very CPU demanding. Any modern dual-core or quad-core mobile CPU will be more than sufficient.
• M U X Switch Optimus: Beneficial on older Optimus systems to ensure the dedicated GPU is used, though less critical with powerful modern hardware.