In blockbuster sequel Dishonored 2, you don’t have to accept the mark of The Outsider and all its powers, but why would you do that?

Player choice is at the heart of the Dishonored series, and it’s even more expansive in the coming sequel than it was in the 2012 original. Due for release for PS4, Xbox One and PC on 11 November, Dishonored 2 adds a second playable character to the mix in original hero Corvo’s daughter, Emily. Both these characters play in different ways and have access to unique powers, so will present you with different options for getting through a level and to a target. As well as the multitude of routes and assassination strategies, you can excel at different powers, go high or low chaos, use stealth or all-out attack and more – it all adds up to ensure no two play experiences will be the same.

In fact, it’s even possible to ignore The Outsider altogether; it’s this mysterious being that gives both Emily and Corvo “the mark,” and in doing so bestows them with magical powers. When Emily is offered these powers by The Outsider, she can refuse, giving players the opportunity to try and complete the game via stealth and traditional weapons only. This approach even has a name: the “flesh and steel” play through. But why would you want to play Dishonored 2 without any of its awesome powers?

During a recent interview with the game’s co-creative director, Harvey Smith, I asked that very question and it set the industry legend off into an interesting discussion about player psychology. This is what he said: