It’s been too long since we hid in the shadows of a fantastical world, aiming an arrow at our mark and waiting for the right moment to strike. The Dishonored series has stuttered to a stop, it seems, and that leaves a gap wide enough for a new challenger to skulk in. And that challenger is Winter Ember.
There is a bit of an asterisk here. While Dishonored was a first-person opus, this is an isometric action game. But wait! While it might not be as AAA as that fantastic series, it still captures a lot of what makes it so special.
The story pits you as a noble who was long thought dead. That’s useful, as it means you can take to the streets and collapse several different tyrannical factions without them knowing who you are. Your city is Anargal, which has a proud history that has recently been dragged through the mud. It suffers under the auspices of Greater Heaven, a zealous religious faction who want to purge the world of darkness. But as these organisations often are, they have a dark underbelly, and you want to stick a dagger in it.
Luckily, you have a hefty skillset. You can lurk in shadows and alleyways, remaining unnoticed. You can make use of your trusty bow, with a quiver full of arrows that you have crafted yourself – tipped with elemental fire, no less. Like a certain bald hitman, you can distract, shock, infiltrate via ziplines and all manner of other incursion opportunities. It seems that you’re only limited by your imagination.
Aside from some top quality visuals that belie the budget of Winter Ember, we’re most taken with the focus on exploration. There is an open-world here to explore, full of nooks, passageways and bookcases with that one book that will open up to a musty alley. The city of Anargal has secrets, and they’re yours if you can find them.Â
Key game features include:
- A True Stealth Experience – As Arthur, you must stick to the shadows, infiltrate homes and explore hidden passageways; but, be careful not to be spotted! Choose your playstyle: knocking out enemies may keep them quiet for some time, but they will eventually wake up; a quick slice to the throat may be a more permanent solution, but the bloodstain you leave on the carpet might be a dead giveaway! Keep your wits about you, dispose of bodies, peek through keyholes and pickpocket unsuspecting victims.
- Deep Arrow Crafting System – Prepare for your mission by planning your loadout. With over 30 arrows to craft, experimentation is key to your success! Do you craft a smoke arrow to blind your opponent, or do you add on a poison element to create poisonious gas? Use your arrows offensively or defensively: break down weak walls with a blunt arrow to surprise your enemy, or use a rope arrow to reach a higher place and take out your enemies from a distance.
- Skill Tree – Customize your playstyle from 3 distinct skill trees – stealth, combat, and utility. Unlock over 70 unique passive and active skills to choose from and seek vengeance your way.
- Explore A Dark World – Return home to the cold Victorian town of Anargal, on the verge of technological breakthrough. Infiltrate and explore vast environments brimming with treasure and mystery. From rival gangs to unique characters, approach each scenario in a myriad of ways. Take advantage of the environment, find solutions to every problem, and move past any challenge standing in your way.
Winter Ember is out now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, PS4, PS5 and PC. You can expect a review from TheXboxHub as soon as we stop altering guards. It starts at £18.99 from the Xbox Store.
Game Description:
You are Arthur Artorias – the sole survivor of a massacre that devastated your family’s legacy and tore them out of the history books. Thought to be dead, you emerge from exile 8 years later, the faceless man kindled by the flame and seeking vengeance. Embark on an adventure unravelling a dark tale filled with twisted characters, centered around a militant religion hell bent on keeping control.
