The current state of the mainstream videogame industry consists of sequels and remakes all running amuck. Not all of these are horrible, and some of them are even pretty good, but where is the fresh blood? In a perfect world, I would like to see original series coming out in the triple-A game space more often, but because games like “The Dead Undead” still exist, it is clear that we do not live in a perfect world. So until then, we will have to make due with “Dishonored,” a game about the sweet satisfaction of revenge.
Dishonored takes place in the fictional city of Dunwall, the capitol of a vast sea empire currently afflicted by a plague. The player takes control of Corvo Attano, the bodyguard of the empress, who gets framed for the empress’ assassination moments after returning from a diplomatic mission and playing a rousing game of hide and seek. Needless to say, Corvo is quite miffed and busts out of prison to exact his revenge with the addition of some rebels and some magical powers granted to him by a guy who is clearly Satan. The game has a stealth focus, sending Corvo into certain free-roaming sections of the city to explore slums, make it past guards and whack some poor guy who was stupid enough to betray a guy backed by Satan.
Some people do not like stealth gameplay. They claim it is no fun to sneak past bad guys when you could just attack them instead. Others say that creeping around like a ghost with kleptomania is vastly superior to “running and gunning.’ Dishonored meets both parties half way with incredibly tight sneaking mechanics and strong combat. There is fun to be had for either group, the game’s upgrade system allows for both styles of play. And the world that the game sets the player loose in is both unique and engaging.
The game’s biggest shortcoming comes in the form of Corvo himself. Corvo is a silent protagonist, so he is not interesting, but I suppose this choice in characterization does compliment the open nature of the game. There is no morality system, but moral choices do come up. The game just does not judge you on it. Go kill a bunch of people if you think that is the right thing to do. Steal from every man and woman stupid enough to get within two feet of your sticky fingers. Corvo is any kind of man you want him to be. Keep in mind that more chaotic action, which includes sending mobs of rat to gnaw on guards like some twisted version of the Pied Piper, leads to a more chaotic ending. In any case, I am glad we have a quality new IP to follow in the future. “Dishonored” definitely is a front-row contender for game of the year.
