{"id":2025,"date":"2012-11-07T23:52:51","date_gmt":"2012-11-08T07:52:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-dishonored-the-discreet-charm-of-dystopia\/"},"modified":"2025-05-09T19:10:07","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T17:10:07","slug":"review-dishonored-the-discreet-charm-of-dystopia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.senses.se\/en\/review-dishonored-the-discreet-charm-of-dystopia\/","title":{"rendered":"Review: Dishonored \u2013 The discreet charm of dystopia"},"content":{"rendered":"

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One of the most discussed titles this fall<\/strong> has been Bethesda\/Arkane’s FPS stealth game, Dishonored<\/em><\/strong>. Players assume the role of Corvo Attano, the Queen’s loyal bodyguard, who is wrongfully accused and convicted<\/strong> of the assassination<\/strong> that results in her death<\/strong>. Simultaneously, the heir to the throne is kidnapped<\/strong>, a child Corvo regards as almost his own daughter<\/strong>. The narrative follows Corvo’s journey from imprisonment<\/strong>, driven by shame and anger, as he seeks to rescue the heir and exact revenge. That is the core premise of Dishonored<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Players familiar with titles like BioShock<\/em> will recognize the game’s style<\/strong>. The first-person perspective<\/strong> allows players to experience the world through Corvo’s eyes<\/strong>, with only his arms<\/strong> visible, which are used to control and equip weapons<\/strong> and items<\/strong>. While the game features a relatively linear narrative<\/strong>, players are given the freedom to decide how<\/strong> they want to approach each situation<\/strong>. A stealthy, non-lethal approach<\/strong> yields a more favorable ending<\/strong>, whereas a more aggressive, Rambo-style approach with swords, explosives, and firearms<\/strong> results in increased rat infestation<\/strong>, a more widespread plague<\/strong>, a more challenging final confrontation, and ultimately a darker conclusion<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Several aspects of Dishonored<\/em> warrant immediate attention. The game presents a significant challenge and demands patience<\/strong>, for several reasons. Firstly, stealth gameplay<\/strong> is an art that requires precise timing<\/strong> and, in some cases, trial and error<\/strong>, since strategic planning is limited by unfamiliar environments. Secondly, Corvo is easily killed<\/strong> (particularly on normal or hard difficulty settings<\/em>), and the load times between attempts can reach 20-30 seconds<\/strong>. This delay is noticeable<\/strong>, especially when attempting to overcome a difficult section multiple times.<\/p>\n

The pre-release screenshots<\/strong> showcased at E3 were visually impressive<\/strong>, demonstrating exceptional color palettes, lighting, and detail. It appears that these assets were captured from the PC version<\/strong> running with high-end hardware and maximum settings<\/strong>. The PS3 version<\/strong>, which was the focus of this review, is visually appealing, but does not quite reach the level of fidelity I anticipated<\/strong>. Character models exhibit relatively simple facial features<\/strong>, and while the water and lighting effects are well-executed<\/strong>, many textures appear somewhat unrefined<\/strong> for a modern title (e.g. foliage<\/em>).<\/p>\n

The audio design, however, is exceptional<\/strong>. The atmospheric soundscape and sound effects significantly enhance the immersion<\/strong>, allowing players to, for example, hear guards conversing around corners<\/strong> to inform their tactical approach. Combined with strong voice acting<\/strong>, it provides a satisfying auditory experience<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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Overall, Dishonored’s<\/em> ambition is commendable<\/strong>. The game is set in a dystopian, quasi-historical setting<\/strong> reminiscent of 19th-century England<\/strong>, yet imbued with elements of cyberpunk<\/strong> through advanced technology<\/strong>, and a plague<\/strong> that transforms individuals into zombie-like creatures<\/strong>. It is a demanding game<\/strong> that requires a significant time investment<\/strong>, and the consequences of direct combat versus stealth are not always immediately clear in terms of achieving the “good” ending. However, most challenges offer multiple solutions<\/strong>, encouraging creativity and enhancing replayability<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

I enjoyed Dishonored<\/em>, though I did not find it to be a groundbreaking experience<\/strong>. Personally, I would have preferred more opportunities for direct action<\/strong> (or at least greater tolerance for chaotic gameplay<\/em>) and perhaps a third-person perspective<\/strong>. The game places a strong emphasis on stealth<\/strong> and trial-and-error<\/strong> gameplay. However, I am impressed by the player’s freedom<\/strong> to choose their own solutions<\/strong> and the intrigue<\/strong> of discovering the next stage of the story<\/strong> (even if it largely revolves around “go to X and eliminate Y” objectives<\/em>). While it may not be another Half-Life 2<\/em><\/strong>, it is above average for the genre<\/strong>. If you appreciate stealth-based gameplay<\/strong> and open-ended problem-solving<\/strong>, it is an essential purchase<\/strong>. However, if you prefer fast-paced action<\/strong> in the style of The Darkness<\/em><\/strong>, you should consider trying it<\/strong> first.<\/p>\n