Dishonored is a great stealth game with errors few and far between.
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Let's make it clear from the outset of this review: Dishonored is definitely one of the best games of this generation. If you're the type of person that really enjoys the Bioshock series, then this is the game for you! No matter your taste in games, though, Dishonored gives the player such control over the proceedings that I'll bet any gamer can find a playing style that suits their taste.
The story of dishonored is the kind of masterpiece one would expect to see on the big screen. Though the game isn't extremely long (a single playthrough will last slightly longer than your typical Call of Duty campaign run), the character development found in Dishonored, along with the many plot twists, will keep you invested in the story while making you care about the outcomes of all those involved. The game is linear, though there are quite a few choices to make and optional tasks the player can take on. I won't give away any of the story, but rest assured that you will be on the edge of your seat throughout most of the game. The story is actually influenced by your playing style, too, so that there are multiple endings in play depending on multiple things, such as if you play with stealth or kill many enemies, and if you choose to save certain characters or let them die. You'll definitely want to experience the game again to see the different paths the story can take.
The graphics in the game are very good, though not the focal point. Most environs are like a dark and gloomy Bioshock Infinite, with a slight cel-shaded look. The game makes use of the Unreal Engine, and the framerate stayed smooth throughout the entire game for me, with the exception of a few small hiccups near the end. That bugginess did not take away from the experience, though, and I think almost everyone will like the games visuals quite a bit. The sound is perfect, with incredible voice acting, tons of atmospheric sound effects, and a great soundtrack that really set the mood for the game. I really enjoyed listening to two people talking to each other about how they are bored right before I kill them, and there are plenty of other "little" things that add so much to the overall world that Dishonored creates.
Although the story is the main reason to buy this game, the gameplay is so diverse that it is hard to discuss it completely in just a single review. This is because the game lets you do almost anything you want to do. Dishonored provides everything you need to make it through the game without killing a single person at all, but the game also gives you the tools to kill everyone that stands in your way. Each mission can be replayed multiple times so as to explore the branching pathways each area provides. For instance, you can use stealth by going in the sewers or on the rooftops to reach your objective. Or, you can walk right through the main entrance, guns blazing. Throughout the game you will acquire special powers, and you're able to choose which powers you'd like to acquire and upgrade. This too, will shape how you play the game. I feel as though the special powers you obtain, although not so diverse, are very necessary no matter how you plan on going through the game. I enjoyed the fact that you needed to use your environment to move through a level. I also like that the creators did not over use that factor in the game as it would most likely get tired. The weapons are not very abundant either, but this is not a bad thing. Weapons like the crossbow and the power to summon rats were really useful in advancing, but the limited selection of weapons is a good thing that forces you to plan and think your way through each level.
In many other reviews, I have heard people discuss the controls as being hard to get used to. I didn't find this to be true at all. After the first mission, you should have a good handle on how to control Corvo, the story's protagonist. The game does a great job of slowly giving you new powers, so that you're never overwhelmed with learning lots of new moves at once. Once you get everything down, it's an awesome feeling to bewilder enemies with the vast array of tricks at your disposal. This game is a joy to play, and you couldn't say that if the controls weren't great.
All in all, I feel that Bethesda really outdid themselves by creating Dishonored. I think it's one of the best games of this generation, not to mention one of the best games I've ever played. Give it a chance, and I know you'll have a blast with it, too.
