Settle in everyone for the futuristic stealth action game
“Dishonored”, set in the fictional industrial city of Dunwall, players take on
the role of Corvo Attano who was everything that a loyal solider should be
until he is blamed for the murder of the Empress and the kidnapping of her
daughter. Corvo must unravel the truth of what really has happened to him as he
takes up the mantle of an assassin to take down the corrupt people who framed
him and left him to take the fall for their crimes. Players are quickly thrown
into the action as they begin sneaking and ducking their way through levels,
the action and enjoyment of the game comes from the ability to take any number
of ways to maneuver through a level and stealthily take down your opponents.
While the option to charge head first into each level is there players will
miss out on what truly makes “Dishonored” the truly incredible game that it is,
the main storyline revolves around a series of self-contained missions that
allow for multiple avenues and multiple ways to play. Players will also quickly
find out that they are no ordinary assassin; you are given a unique gift in the
main story campaign that allows you to use supernatural abilities which come
incredibly in handy for an assassin such as yourself. Abilities in your arsenal
can do a variety of useful things like “Blink” which allows you to quickly
travel across short distances along with other incredible powers that allow you
to freeze time, repel objects and even have the ability to possess people and
animals like fish or rats. These abilities can be further increased and made
stronger through finding hidden “runes” that can be found in hidden areas
throughout levels or even be bought from any number of characters spread
throughout the city of Dunwall. To add even more power to your already
impressive arsenal and abilities you can increase your characters abilities
with items known as “bone charms” that like runes can be found in various
location throughout levels, these charms can do anything from increase your
ammo capacity or prevent rats from attacking you and many other abilities to
aid in your assassin activities. Now while in decision making games of the past
have followed the premise of judging the actions and choices you make in the
game to either be good or evil which causes people and the things around you to
respond to what you have done, “Dishonored” takes this idea to a different
level. The game features a “chaos” meter that measures the collateral damage,
deaths and violent actions that players cause; this in turn alters the world
around you whether it be how the story unfolds, how certain characters react to
you and even how the city around you becomes a much darker and harsh place to
be in. This in turn provides a truly unique experience where in other games the
decision making element felt lack luster and that it truly doesn’t affect how
the story plays out, “Dishonored” is a completely different story and whether
you are stealthy assassin or ruthless killer completely alters your gameplay
experience completely.
“Dishonored” provides an experience like no other game on
the market today whether it is the unique and gorgeous graphics, the incredible
gameplay freedom to travel and find your own personal way into each and every
mission or the insanely fun super natural powers you wield, players will find a
lot to love. The game does have its faults in maneuverability, getting slowed
down or stuck for a moment on a doorway will happen from time to time but with
all the game has to offer this one problem can easily be overlooked. The
“chaos” system makes playing the game over again something new entirely;
“Dishonored” hits the nail on the head and finally makes decision making in a
game something that actually affects the game completely. For those assassin
loving, alternate future world playing and supernatural power using gamers,
“Dishonored” is a must have for you.
Good:
-Incredible graphics and art style
-Highly enjoyable experience finding the hundreds of avenues
in missions that you can take
-“Chaos” system makes it so no two play throughs are alike
-Crazy supernatural powers
Bad:
-Minor difficulty with moving your character from time to
time
(Game Reviewed on Xbox360)
Scully rating: 9.5
out of 10
