Developer: Arkane Studios Publisher: Bethesda Softworks Genre: Action-Adventure/Stealth Platforms: Microsoft Windows/Xbox 360/PlayStation 3 Released: October 9, 2012 Website: www.dishonored.com

Minimum system requirements

OS: Vista/7 CPU: 3.0Ghz dual core or better Memory: 4GB Hard drive: 9GB free Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 512MB or ATI Radeon HD 5850 512MB

Ratings Story: 8.0/10 Design: 8.5/10 Gameplay: 9.0/10 Presentation: 8.0/10 Overall score: 8.9/10

However, among all the games that have come out over the past couple of years, none seem to stick to this methodology more than Dishonored, an imaginative new game that claims to let you play around to your heart’s content. Does this new saga make its mark with surprising accuracy, or are you better left unaware of its presence?

The plot

The city of Dunwall is undergoing an industrial revolution. After the recent discovery of whale oil, Dunwall has seen a rise in affluence and luxury, while also being afflicted by corruption within the government and a plague spread by animals infecting its denizens. It is in this strange world that you are thrust in as Corvo Attano, a heroic bodyguard to the regal Empress of Dunwall. After returning from a journey to seek aid in combating the plague, Corvo witnesses the murder of the Empress and is subsequently framed for her assassination. After escaping execution, Corvo meets up with a group of rebels called the Loyalists who plan to take down the new oppressive regime. He also receives supernatural powers from a mysterious figure, known as The Outsider, in order to exact his revenge.

The plot has a strong pace, leading you on an ever-progressing tale of redemption, while never really pressing in on urgency. The setting itself is intriguing, with plenty of books and audio logs present to give your surroundings personality and a distinct feel. What the game lacks in solid action, it makes up for with plenty of plot twists and entertaining moments.

Gameplay

Once you gain access to your primary set of powers and are given your first mission, you’ll soon realise that the city of Dunwall has become your own personal playground. The game is divided into multiple chapters; most involving a mission in which someone needs to disappear forever at your hands. The real beauty of Dishonored lies in the multitude of choices you can make in order to get the job done. You could walk into a room with guns blazing, use the stealth route and eliminate people without them knowing, possess victims to do your bidding, or altogether go for an entirely non-lethal approach where no one has to die.

You’ll also take part in plenty of side-missions that help flesh out the world and story, in addition to providing insight into the lives of those you meet along the way, while helping you dive deeper into the gameplay. Players favouring stealth might have to deal with many situations demanding care and patience. However, ultimately, fewer confrontations and saving up more supplies would be their reward. Conversely, barrelling through with your weapons will seem easy at first, but it will deprive you of precious items and lead to tighter security in the later acts, even going so far as to alter the game drastically towards the finale, giving you one of two possible endings.

Whatever aspect you choose to invest in, you’ll find plenty of action and a host of incredible powers and gadgets at your disposal. Corvo’s arsenal contains guns, bombs, gadgets, swords, potions and supernatural powers that all have their own uses. You’ll steadily be supplied with new equipment as you make in-game progress. Various runes and bone charms, scattered throughout the city, unlock new abilities and increase your stats respectively. You’re never overwhelmed with all the options, as the most ardent tasks can be accomplished with the simplest of powers and tools.

Players who take either approach will find that Blink, the short-ranged teleport ability unlocked from the beginning, is primarily the most versatile tool at your disposal. It allows you to hop to seemingly hard-to-reach places with ease, and can be used for quick assassinations or getaway tactics, speeding up the gameplay dramatically. Other powers that you’ll make use of include Dark Vision, which grants you the ability to see enemies through walls; Bend Time, which slows things down to a crawl, and Possession. Other weapons include pistols, crossbows, grenades and your trusty sword – should you ever wish to engage people in combat, which can have its own rewards. Taking on a swarm of attackers at once and dealing death with a clever combination of weapons and powers is quite exhilarating.

Sights and sounds

Inspired by the 17th century aesthetics of London, the visual perspective of Dunwall is a pleasant, if somewhat murky, sight to behold. The design is elegant and evocative of a steampunk atmosphere, with some futuristic touches. The designs can truly have you marvel at the level of creativity at play here, quite something like how Bioshock wowed us all back when it was released. But the experience is slightly marred with some technical glitches, including pop-ins and facial animations. Still, the world you explore is fascinating in its entirety, and the top-notch music and voice acting make it all the more enjoyable. Several well-known actors such as Susan Sarandon, Brad Dourif and Carrie Fisher lend their voices to the cast and help breathe life into an intriguing new world.

The verdict

There’s no denying that Dishonored is definitely a special kind of game. It mixes both stealth and action along with plenty of choices to deliver a very unique and refreshing experience, and encourages players to get inventive and toy around to their heart’s content. It’s a game about experimentation and constantly pushing you to try out something creative. When everything falls into place, it unfolds like a grand symphonic melody of brilliance. Whatever your choices may be, the powers of this excellent game should definitely pass through your hands this season.

Dishonored Trailer