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Dishonored Review: A Sneaky Success

New games are always a little bit of a hit-or-miss given the amount of sequels that fans know and love. Still, many of us crave newness, the original. Get this experience here with Dishonored from Arkane Studios. Combining elements of Bioshock, Splinter Cell & Assassin’s Creed — One of the first-person stealth action games. As next-gen consoles loom on the horizon, will Dishonored be a surprise contender for Game Of The Year — or will it leave us hoping for the next big thing?

The Story: A Quest for Revenge

You take on the role of Corvo Atano, the Lord Protector of Dunwall’s Empress in Dishonored. Our game opens with a bang. Upon returning from a mission Corvo is greeted by Emily the daughter of the Empress, who informs him that everyone needs to speak with the Empress. While they are talking, a darker figure steps down the track. Recognizing he’s in danger, Corvo swiftly brings out his sword and gun. More assassins show up, only to instantly lose a fight. Even with Corvo trying his best to save her, one assassin kills the Empress and Emily is abducted while Corvo himself is blamed for it.

Corvo begins the game in prison before being broken out a few months later by loyalists who believe he is innocent. The story is pretty basic—Corvo must kill the people who framed him and took over the city. A lot of the big twists are predictable, but this remains a very engaging story.

Dunwall: A Dark, Beautiful City

Dishonored Dunwall

The game takes place in Dunwall, a city inspired by Victorian London. Rich and powerful runs the city of Dunawall, while the poor suffer from a rat plague. The plague transforms people into “weepers”—zombie-like creatures. Despite the dark setting, the visuals are stunning. The game’s style feels like an oil painting in motion. The lower parts of the city are grim, filled with shades of gray and brown, while the upper city is vibrant and lively.

Interesting Characters in Dishonored

The game’s characters add depth to the experience. Though Corvo is a mostly silent protagonist, his relationship with Emily is heartwarming. She sees Corvo as a father figure, and it’s clear he cares for her deeply. Another interesting character is Piero, the master inventor. His odd, slow mannerisms make him seem creepy at first, but you quickly realize he’s just misunderstood.

As you go through the game, you meet many other unique characters. Some are boring, but most are well-developed and memorable.

Multiple Paths and Choices

Its main standout feature amongst the game is its sandbox-like setting. Dunwall offers different sections tailored for players to approach missions in dozens of manners. Whether you slink through sewers, traverse alleyways or scale rooftops — it lets you roam free. Every mission has other options available. Want to murder everyone in your line of sight? Go ahead. Prefer a stealthier approach? You can do that too.

The game also provides challenge in its own artistic ways of dealing with murdering others. For example, you could poison a drink the target receives or drug and interrogate them. Every mission offers open-ended gameplay, letting you replay it and experiment with a new strategy for that level.

Dishonored Game’s Flaws

While Dishonored is enjoyable, it does have some flaws. First, it takes time to get the hang of the game’s controls. Powers and weapons are mapped on the same buttons. There would be chances that you might accidentally select the wrong one, giving away your position. This can be frustrating, especially early in the game.

The bigger flaw, however, is the way the game rewards stealth. Dishonored encourages you to avoid killing, but it’s much more fun to fight your way through enemies. The game punishes you for taking the violent route, affecting the world’s environment and the game’s difficulty. It also gives you achievements for completing missions stealthily, which makes it hard to enjoy the more action-packed approach.

Sadly, sneaking around and knocking out enemies just doesn’t feel as rewarding as killing them. The two options for taking down enemies—choking them out or shooting them with a sleep dart—aren’t as fun as using your powers and weapons in combat.

Unique Powers and Combat

Corvo has unique powers that are granted to him by the Outsider, a mysterious being. Among these powers are “dark vision” (which lets you see through walls) and “blink,” which teleports you over short distances. There is even “swarm” that summons a rat pack to attack enemies. You can upgrade these powers by collecting runes and bone charms scattered around the whole game.

Dishonored Powers and Combat

With regard to combat, Corvo has a sword, bow and arrow, as well as his pistol. The sword, which you can use to speed up your code-combat against enemies. Crossbow for silent takedowns and pistol for up-close brawls. You also possess some gadgets in the form of grenades and spring razors that will assist you during weaker enemy encounters.

The gameplay is relaxing and fulfilling once you learn the controls. Perhaps the finest moment is when in rapid succession you string moves together to feel like an assassin.

Is Dishonored Worth Playing?

Despite its flaws, Dishonored is an exciting and unique game. Its memorable characters, stunning world, and varied gameplay make it a must-play for anyone who enjoys action and strategy. While the story may not be groundbreaking, the gameplay more than makes up for it. Whether you prefer stealth or action, there’s plenty to keep you coming back for more. With its high replay value, Dishonored is definitely worth your time and money.

So, if you’re in the mood for a game that lets you get creative with your choices, Dishonored is a great pick. Just remember: Revenge is always the answer. Discover more relevant gaming updates on Vgamerz. Also, follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more updates and gaming insights.

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