Dishonored

Well, Arkane, you did what so few games have done this generation: you got me to want to come back to play Dishonored annually. Very, very few games have that honor, but I just can't imagine ever getting tried of Dunwall. What a wonderful game.

A world of unparalleled potential, married to an Orwellian tale of deception and redemption. Adventures this epic only come along once in a generation. [Dec 2012, p.90]

Not only is Dishonored a strong game set in a fascinating universe, it's one of those rare and incredible titles that holds the player's attention right from the start and then leaves them wanting more as the credits roll.

A lot of imagination, work, and care has gone into it, and your best bet is to slow down, explore it, and see what you can find. It's one of the better games this year, and will probably still be discussed ten or twenty years from now.

The solid story, the fantastic voice performances, the unbelievably well designed city, the attention paid to every small detail, the sheer amount of ridiculously fun skills, and the focus on player creativity is all amazing.

Dark, difficult, and deliberately ambiguous, Dishonored asks you to forget much of what you know about the modern blockbuster, tossing flashy gameplay sequences and heavily scripted moments to the wayside in favor of exploration, tension, and eventual triumph over foes who genuinely deserve a knife to the neck.

Dishonored is an easy contender for the best game of the year. It does so much right that it's easy to overlook its few flaws and weaknesses.

The massive amount of choice given to players keeps the game interesting through multiple replays, proving that multiplayer isn't necessary to be a hit. In a year, and an industry, stricken with a plague known as "sequelitis", Dishonored is the perfect cure, and should etch its name into every Game of the Year discussion with a sharply-tipped assassin blade.

Dishonored is the thinking man's first person shooter but throw those guns away as there are so many more interesting ways to take on your enemies. With a great protagonist, interesting characters and well-written story, it's games like Dishonored that really make you sit up and take notice. It's original and gives almost total control to the player on how the story and game will play out. With elements of RPG meets first person shooter, Dishonored is the game to all fans of both these genres and beyond.

Dishonored basks in artistic brilliance. Dunwall unravels at your feet, reacting organically to your in-game actions in a way that you feel rooted in its rich lore. Stealth has never been so satisfying as it is in Dishonored. One of 2012's finest.

Players who really take the time to enjoy the experience are rewarded too. The more runes, bone charms and money you find, the more you can augment and upgrade your character, and the more bad-ass you'll become.

Overall, Dishonored is absolutely worth your time, and provides an excellent stealth focused game that's actually fun to play, as opposed to feeling like a punishing chore.

You can combine Corvos weapons and superpowers in an almost infinite of ways, which can result in some pretty satisfying outcomes. Throw a proximity mine, called a spring razor, on a rat. Then take possession of the rat and walk up to the nearest guard. Then watch the limbs fly. [November 2012, p.66]

It is a major accomplishment and for all its ambition it succeeds where it counts, by transporting you to a world and empowering you to do with it you wish, creating unscripted and unexpected moments that feel unique to you. It is at these times that it becomes more than just an enjoyable stealth action game, but something truly special.

We can't say why Dishonored exceeds all expectations in a few sentences. Just buy it and lose yourself into the city of Dunwall, the most interesting videogame setting since BioShock's Rapture.

A simple story, that is enjoyable and well told, is mixed perfectly with great gameplay. The difficulty levels are spot on, and despite some saying the game is too short, it must be remembered that the story can be played through multiple times, using different methods with each go. Add to this all of the little touches to be found, that are simply too numerous to list, and this is a game where the effort really shows. Dishonored is a must play, and is up there as one of the best games this year.

Dishonored may not contain the depth of Skyrim or the unrivaled beauty of Uncharted, but it does present something new, innovative and engaging. It makes the player think about the effect their choices, both in terms of narrative and gameplay, may potentially have on the world around them.

Dishonored probably could have done a little more with its narrative – but that shouldn't detract from its otherwise incredible achievements. The ability to elect different play styles is not merely a bullet-point here; it's the purpose of the entire game. And while you might not fall in love with the title immediately, allow Dunwall's rat-infested suburbs to crawl beneath your skin, and you'll eventually succumb to its charms like a plague.

A game full of options, Dishonored puts choice in the hands of the player in nearly every element--gameplay, level progression, even storytelling. Dishonored is one of the greatest new IPs in recent history, and one of the best games of the year.

Dishonored respects its audience by not only trusting them with a myriad of options, but also having the courtesy not to stand in their way. Its gameplay systems are open and intuitive, and reaching their potential feels special in a manner unrealized by any of its contemporaries.

Perhaps the most striking thing about Dishonored is the way the later stages of the game change, depending on how you've approached earlier missions. If you go through killing everyone and blowing things up, you'll invoke a lot of chaos in the game world and later missions will be darker and more difficult to navigate stealthily.

Dishonored's engrossing world and intoxicating interplay of supernatural powers make it a game you'll want to play more than once.

The buzz Dishonored will give you is unrivalled, and the spontaneous moments of brilliance you'll experience will be unique. It's a wake-up call for first-person gaming, resurrecting long-lost values and casually plunging a knife into the neck of the generic sequel.

Every player can choose his path and skill his own favorite skills. The setting and the light-shadow-effects are pretty cool, but on the other side there are graphical weak points and a quiet hero. Both kill a bit of the awesome atmosphere but all in all it's an immersive game with a deep gameplay experience and many ways to complete the missions. It's a must-have for all action-fans this fall.

The steampunk-inspired technology is fascinating, and the art direction superbly establishes a distinct visual style to accompany the dark and disturbing lore lurking behind the city. I hope this isn't the last time I play a game set in Dunwall.

Dishonored nails the Thief-style gameplay while missing the BioShock-quality story that would've elevated it into something truly special. It'll have to settle for amazingly cool instead. The impressive depth, range, and balance earn this one an easy recommendation despite a few hiccups and one dreary, excessively long level.

Strangely, what holds this title together is not its gameplay, but its place. As a stealth-action game it has its flaws. But sometimes experience wins out over action. Dunwall is full of death, disease, and dishonour. Just being there is enough.

When it comes to art design, the architecture and fashion in Dishonored are among the best I have seen in recent years. The stealth-action starts promisingly but you become too powerful too soon. Nonetheless, this is a thoroughly entertaining game.

First-person hand-to-hand combat feels a bit awkward, and the lack of boss battles means this method also feels a bit repetitive - especially if you're not the inventive type. [Dec 2012, p.75]

If you're a fan of atmospheric games, espionage or FPS games in general, you should definitely give this one a try.

While the world may be a tad derivative, Corvo's powers more than make up for it. Blink becomes second nature, and it's obviously informed the level design's go-anywhere approach. There's just enough inventiveness here to elevate Dishonored above its numerous competitors, and it's quite hard to imagine going back to games where you can't teleport to the rooftops, or possess fish to access buildings' cellars. [November 2012, p74]

Dishonored plays like a dream. Whether you're jumping from roof to roof unseen, stopping time with magical powers, going berserk like gunman Terry or sneaking up on someone for a silent kill, it all makes sense. The unlimited freedom feels great. Dishonored doesn't rise to greater heights due to its story. It's being told, but you never really experience it. Consequences of your actions are only heard, not seen.

Dishonored's open-ended approach is a commendable one, but we felt the way it cheats the player out of the best ending if they choose the 'wrong' play style to be a bit frustrating. However, while it's a little short, Dishonored is ultimately a very enjoyable experience, with a vivid, unique world that will surprise whoever steps into it.