Nearly a thousand years ago the Wars of Fire raged across the face of Ashan. Men, Elves, Dwarves, and their allies pitted themselves against the hordes of Demons. Great devastation was wrought, but in the end the allied forces were victorious.

After being framed for the murder of the Empress, bodyguard Corvo Attano is offered the chance to exact vengeance against the Lord Regent and others responsible by The Outsider. The Outsider grants Corvo its mark, imbuing the disgraced bodyguard with magical abilities.

Fifteen years after the events of the Rat Plague, the Empire is plunged into chaos when Empress Emily Kaldwin is suddenly dethroned by an “otherworldly usurper”, and becomes an outlaw to society.

The player has access to supernatural abilities, which cost energy to use; this energy regenerates to full over a short amount of time. Unlike previous games in the series, these abilities are all unlocked at the same time.