DISHONORED

Now here's an interesting take on the steam-punk realm that's been riding high for several years now; Dishonored offers a very dark look into the twisted take on the genre. It plays like a multitude of games with different elements incorporated and it all works quite well. Those familiar with Deus Ex will recognise the exploration aspect of the game while the atmosphere and story borrows from that of a Bioshock / Assassin's Creed-esque style. It melds together to make a well structured game with suspense, an abundance of real characters that actually make you feel like you're in that world and an excellent over arcing story that paces itself.

You are Corvo Attano, the bodyguard to the Empress of Dunwall, after being sent away to search for help in curing the plague that has been crippling the city you soon return but shortly after you are betrayed by your fellow comrades and are framed and thrown in jail. Corvo soon begins his journey to seek both redemption and vengeance against the men who betrayed him. Dunwall itself is very pretty with the architecture reflecting that of an old-world London crossed with the jagged futuristic structures of the new industrial age, a good comparison would be Half-Life 2 for instance (see City 17). As you progress through the game you are faced with a variety of optional quests all of which will aid you with valuables but at the same time affecting the ultimate outcome on the games ending. For example the more city guards killed the more rats come and the more the plague worsens so the game encourages stealth and sheathing you blade for the best outcomes.

The game has some great gameplay elements that keep you enthralled and wanting to search the world for more, my favourite being the ability to possess beings such a rats, dogs and humans and control them to do your bidding. There is a good balance with all the gameplay mechanics , at first I was sceptical on a first person stealth based game but it all works well and genuinely enjoyed myself from start to finish. Overall Dishonored is a sound game that offers multiple play throughs and lots of fun. I have not played the DLC as of yet but I have heard all good things and that it still sticks true to the Dunwall world and what works best already. This is definitely something I'd be proud to have in my library if games, check it out!

Genre: First Person Stealth Based Action
Platforms: PC, PS3 & 360
Score: 9 / 10