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| Available for PS3, Xbox 360, and PC |
You get to encounter a mystic being known as the Outsider who grants you access to some powers. Now with your new-found profession as an assassin, you can choose to be really stealthy, and never let anyone know you're there or go in with guns blazing. Or if you prefer, crossbows. Or grenades. You can choose to kill everyone in your path or kill nobody. Every mission has options for stealth, and non-lethal means so you can choose to be a ghost and never let anyone see you, if that's more your playstyle. If you've ever played Thief or Metal Gear Solid, it's kinda like that. Some of the powers you have access to are short distance, line-of-sight teleportation, the ability to possess animals or humans to sneak around, slow or stop time, or turn bodies to ash if they don't see you kill them. There are plenty of other abilities but I don't want to ruin any surprises.
The missions are very open in how you deal with them. You're given a primary objective or target such as assassinating someone as well as optional side missions which may be finding something, other assassinations, or helping someone. How you choose to complete the mission is up to you. For example I played the game stealthy, and if I did get caught I used non-lethal means to take care of people. My friend on the other hand kicked in the door, announced his presence, and took out anyone who had a problem with it. If you're supposed to kill someone, do you want to sneak in, abduct them, and kill them later? Maybe shoot em with your crossbow so no one knows you were there? Poison their drink? Hide under the table for an ambush? Just make sure you eliminate your target however you want to do it. The game also offers multiple paths to travel along. Take the road, climb up boxes and crates, jump from rooftop to rooftop, possess a rat and crawl through tunnels, or possess a fish and swim through sewers. Climb into windows, scale walls the possibilities are near endless.
One of the biggest downsides to this game is that it's mission format instead of open world. You have a hub location you start at, where you can talk to people, rest, buy upgrades, etc. When you're ready to head out, you leave for a mission. After the mission is over and you're ready to leave, you head back to the hub again. If this game was open world it would have been near flawless. The mission system really detracts from the game in my opinion. It's still good, but it could've been better. Another downside is the campaign of the game is actually fairly short. There is about 6-8 hours of gameplay if you just play straight through the campaign without worrying about collectibles and the like. If you play it stealthy, the game does take longer because you have to wait for guards to walk their posts, and sneak up on people.
Speaking of collectibles, the game has a slew of things to look for during your missions. Collecting runes will allow you to buy and upgrade more powers, finding bone charms that you can wear will grant you additional abilities or perks such as walking quieter, increased health, etc. Many levels also have collectible paintings you can find, which are needed to unlock trophies/achievements in the game. If you play through one level and do it stealthy, maybe you want to go back through and play it chaotic.
Combining powers to achieve goals in levels is a really cool way to replay levels. Possess a guard, sneak past the other guards, then exorcise yourself to kill your target. Someone threw a grenade near you? Stop time, possess someone, and switch places with them. When time unfreezes, they die by their own grenade. Teleport to someone and choke them to sleep. Your imagination is the limit.
***Synopsis***
Dishonored is an awesome game combining elements of stealth and first person shooters. They have allowed a lot of creativity in achieving your goals, but not as much freedom in your environment or exploration. You can choose to be stealthy or bold. Assassinate everyone in your path and leave no survivors, or put guards and civilians to sleep. Use your sword and skills, or conjure magic abilities. Take back the life they stole from you, one target at a time.
Gameplay: 8.5 - Fast paced action, lots of conflict, supernatural powers. Stealth or slayer, take your pick. The game offers a lot of freedom on how to accomplish your missions and lets you combine your abilities in creative ways.
Graphics/Presentation: 8.5 - The general presentation is done well, the overall atmosphere is somewhat colonial, but with technology that's more modern or even futuristic. Walls of invisible electricity seem to fit in place right along with gunpowder loaded pistols and swords. Lighting is beautifully used with streetlights, and shadows for cover.
Story: 7.0 -The story feels predictable at some points, and didn't hold very many surprises. It's a nice tale of revenge but it's kind of dry overall. Just go to a new location, find your target, eliminate them. There are one or two twists, but overall it's the same formula.
Sound/Music: 9.0 - The voice acting is superb, sound effects are good. Music gets intense during some of the bigger fights, along with the ambiance of the environments, it really makes the game feel dark and brooding.
Replay Value: 6.0 - One of the game's weak points is that the campaign is very short and there's not much to keep you coming back. There are collectibles in every level, but it doesn't take much to get them on your first playthrough. The most replay value comes in trying out new ways to use your abilities, and different styles of finishing your missions. There are tons of trophies too, but I'll warn you...most of them are rewards for being very stealthy and non-lethal.
Overall Score: 38.5/50
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