It doesn’t happen all too often, but when a game strikes a chord with the players in such a way, there’s an unwritten rule. That is, it qualifies for a second crack of the whip. Admittedly, over the last few years it’s become more common, but it’s rarely a bad thing. And that was the case with Dishonored and Dishonored Definitive Edition.
Dishonored was originally released in 2012, developed by the up and coming Arkane Studios, and published by the mighty Bethesda Softworks. It was only a few years later, three in fact, that the game jumped to the next generation with the Definitive Edition and brought with it all of its additional content: this being, Dunwall City Trials, The Knife of Dunwall, The Brigmore Witches and Void Walker’s Arsenal.
It’s safe to say Dishonored was received favourably by critics, and in fact went on to win over 100 Game of the Year awards. Not only this, but it sold pretty well too when it was originally released, which always helps when considering a re-release.
I remember being late to the Dishonored party, very late in fact. By chance, I picked up a physical copy of the Dishonored Game of the Year Edition presented in a striking black and gold sleeve, featuring the game’s protagonist Corvo Attano.
For the few of you out there that aren’t familiar, Dishonored is an action adventure game where you play as Corvo, a bodyguard turned assassin after being framed for murder. You obtain some arse-kicking abilities from “The Outsider”, which sets you up perfectly to seek vengeance on those that have set you up.
You may decide to summon deadly rats, possess other characters or summon a strong wind to vanquish your enemies. Whatever you decide to do and however you decide to do it, Dishonored Definitive Edition always puts the choice firmly in your hands.
The action takes place in Dunwall, which could very well have been a city in this country, albeit over a century ago. There’s more than a hint of BioShock to how the game looks and feels, mixed with gameplay elements from Thief. It’s a cracking combination. The story unfolds depending on the choices you make, as Corvo, such as how you complete each mission. In a similar vein to Splinter Cell, you can choose to take out your enemies using lethal and non-lethal force.
This means you may opt for the stealthy approach, and sneak up to enemies and dispatch them silently. Or, you could make use of your small arsenal of weapons and slash, shoot or simply blow up those that stand in your way. There are, of course, pros and cons to both approaches.
Dishonored also boasted an incredibly strong team of voice actors for a video game, featuring Susan Sarandon, Carrie Fisher and Michael Madsen amongst others. It meant that when playing the game, you’d be stopped in your tracks and listen again after convincing yourself you had heard the character’s voice somewhere before.
I’m going to take a punt and say that it’s unlikely, however if you have never played Dishonored then the Definitive Edition is the best way to experience the game (obviously). Once you get your teeth into it you can quite easily lose hours to the game, so it’s a good job there’s plenty of additional content here to keep the cravings at bay.
Dunwall is a beautifully realised, immersive world where, combined with the variation the gameplay offers, you’ll most likely want to visit again and again. It may have been five years, but Dishonoured Definitive Edition remains just as playable as the day it was released.
There is a sequel to the game, however chances of a third installment anytime soon seem unlikely. So whether you are visiting Dunwall for the very first time, or treating yourself to its finest incarnation, Dishonoured Definitive Edition on Xbox One is a game worthy of a place on every gamer’s shelf.
