Dishonored Definitive Edition

Editor's Notes

Digital Xbox One version reviewed.

Introduction

First released in 2012, 'Dishonored' is the latest game to receive a next-gen remake. 'Dishonored Definitive Edition' is the Xbox One and PS4 version of 'Dishonored,' and this version includes the 'Dunwall City Trials,' 'The Knife of Dunwall,' 'The Brigmore Witches' and 'Void Walker’s Arsenal.' 'Dishonored' was developed by Arkane Studios, a French company whose previous work includes 'Arx Fatalis,' and published by Bethesda. When first released, the steampunk first-person Unreal 3 game was an instant critical and sales' success. 'Dishonored' comes to the current-gen in something of a stealth release, and ahead of the in-development 'Dishonored 2.'

The Game Itself: Our Reviewer's Take

I love a good revenge story. It is a timeless classic, despite having been beaten like a dead horse by Hollywood for the last few decades. There’s nothing like inflicting ruin and damnation on those silly pretentious souls who have wronged you. The revenge of 'Dishonored' is perpetrated by Corvo Attano, the mute bodyguard of the Empress. The Empress is the leader of the Isles, a fictional country comprising four large islands and a series of smaller ones. The game takes place in the capital city of Dunwall on the island of Gristol, where recent events have created a nearly apocalyptic state. A virulent and intractable disease called the Rat Plague has wiped out half of the city’s population. Poverty, depression, and gang violence have taken its toll on the other half. Times are so tough that the crown is sending out bodyguards as diplomats to panhandle for foreign aid, and as the game begins, Corvo is returning to Dunwall after several months abroad.

Corvo barely has time to step off the boat before the Empress is assassinated and her young daughter Emily is kidnapped in front of his eyes, and the scheming royal spymaster quickly frames him for the terrible crimes. Captured and sentenced to death, he languishes in prison for six months before a loyalist conspiracy unleashes him upon the corrupt government that has taken hold since the Empress’ death. Now known as the masked felon because of the skeletal, clockwork visage he dons, Corvo’s main goals are to rescue Emily and dissolve the spymaster’s regime.

Each mission has Corvo hunting down a particular member of the spymaster’s inner circle. To reach his target, he can employ stealth, violence, gadgets, and supernatural powers, the latter of which was recently gifted to him by a forgotten deity known as the Outsider. The missions have an open map, and not unlike early 'Hitman' games, I was free to search for different methods of disposing of my targets. Instead of taking to the streets and using brute force, I stuck to the shadows and rooftops, teleporting around some sentries and disposing of others when necessary. I had a habit of leaving civilians alone, only knocking them out when they threatened my mission. Everyone else, however, could expect a knife in their throat - the city watch, gangsters, militant monks, and even other assassins. Each assassination target offered a nonlethal method to dispose of them, but what’s the fun in that? These people successfully murdered a monarch and took control of the country. There is no need for mercy.

'Dishonored' is a very empowering experience, even on the higher difficulty settings. Corvo’s powers start out small, like the short teleport and seeing through walls, but he can eventually do crazy things like possess other people, summon packs of ravenous rats, and even stop time. His gadgets help with all playthroughs - there is a pistol, grenades, and explosive crossbow bolts for those less interested in stealth, sleepy crossbow bolts for nonlethal playthroughs, etc. My behavior in each mission influences Dunwall as the story progresses. Fewer kills means less rats, while murdering everyone leads to a very dark city. I find the rats to be very useful, as they are quite happy to dispose of any bodies in their path.