I can't believe I havent reviewed this masterpiece already but I cant see a more fitting time to do so than now, whilst I am installing the second game.

Dishonored is one of my favourite games of all time. I preordered it back in early 2013 and have completed it many many times since then. It combines a dark, interesting and immersive world with interesting characters and huge level of detail, to the extent that I have still been finding areas of the game and details that i have never seen before on my countless replays. One if my favourite things about Dishonored is the choices you make actually matter (unlike so many games) as they have impacts on the way certain missions are approached, the way people percieve you and of course the plot especially the end of the game.

Dishonored also has a huge amount of variability which leads to huge replayablity potential, this includes: a wide range of powers which allow you to approach a situation in different ways, challenges and achievements such as never be spotted or never kill anyone and the huge plot and level design variety such as having several routes to a key objective as well as several means to achieve the target such as aiding an ally so that they can dispose of the target for you, or a non lethal approch such as blackmail, or a stealth assassination or going loud and causing chaos with your powers and gadgets, the list goes on and on. The mechanics of the game are also really strong, stable and fun. I am a big fan of stealth games in general and i feel that Dishonored approaches stealth in the right way by offering many ways to accomplish it and rewards for doing so such as characters thanking you for sparing their relative who was a target (via a non lethal approach) and giving you runes, bonecharms or money for doing so. The combat is very fluid and stable and looks very cool with the combination of Corvo's powers and gadgets as well as finisher moves and other similar effects. The game has moments where you can pull off crazy kills and provides an opportunity for fun at any level of skill due to its numerous approaches to everything, meaning there is still fun to be had several playthroughs in by going for hard to pull off kills or attempting challenges such as not using any powers all game.

*minor main game and DLC spoilers*
The story of Dishonored is also very interesting and is multi-layered with lots of small details which really add to the whole game when found and explored including the motivations of characters and their backstory. With as few spoilers as possible the story of Dishonored involves Corvo Attano (you, the Empress' body guard) being framed for her murder which you witness. The game then sees you uncover the truth mission by mission as you tackle higher profile targets and various other tasks to clear your name and unveil the conspiracy behind you. The game also establishes lots of really great memorable characters such as Emily (the soon to be Empress), Daud (the assassin), The Outsider and Samuel the boat man who takes you to and from missions. The game does a great job of showing the close relationship between Emily and Corvo which is a core part of the game and this is sure to be a core element of Dishonored 2. I also really liked 'The Knife of Dunwall' and 'The Brigmore Witches' DLC campaigns which take place parallel to the main story but see you playing as Daud, the Empress' real assassin who as well as Corvo has powers from the Outsider. The DLC saw Daud tackling a strong threat which at first may have seemed out of character for the way he was portrayed in the main game but as the DLC goes on Daud's motivations and reasons become more compelling. He and Corvo are both very deep and interesting characters, I particularly like Daud's understanding and insight of the Outsider compaired to Corvo. These DLC campaigns also offer the wide variety of many ways to complete them and a list of new powers and approaches and the campaigns are nearly as strong as the main story and are a great addition to the game overall. It is rare that game DLC is actually good and adds meaningful content but this is certainly and example of DLC done right. There is also a challenge map DLC which is personally not my cup of tea but I do understand the appeal of wanting to use abilities outside of missions and take on time trial challenge maps etc.

Overall I would 100% recommend this game, especially if you are a fan of stealth games or story rich games with immersive worlds and plots. This is one of the best games i have ever played and I cannot wait to get started on #2 in a few hours.

I've now finished the 2nd game and it is incredible too, a worthy sequel to a great game.

I can't believe I havent reviewed this masterpiece already but I cant see a more fitting time to do so than now, whilst I am installing the second game. Dishonored is one of my favourite games of all time. I preordered it back in early 2013 and have completed it many many times since then. It combines a dark, interesting and immersive world with interesting characters and huge level of detail, to the extent that I have still been finding areas of the game and details that i have never seen before on my countless replays. One if my favourite things about Dishonored is the choices you make actually matter (unlike so many games) as they have impacts on the way certain missions are approached, the way people percieve you and of course the plot especially the end of the game. Dishonored also has a huge amount of variability which leads to huge replayablity potential, this includes: a wide range of powers which allow you to approach a situation in different ways, challenges and achievements such as never be spotted or never kill anyone and the huge plot and level design variety such as having several routes to a key objective as well as several means to achieve the target such as aiding an ally so that they can dispose of the target for you, or a non lethal approch such as blackmail, or a stealth assassination or going loud and causing chaos with your powers and gadgets, the list goes on and on. The mechanics of the game are also really strong, stable and fun. I am a big fan of stealth games in general and i feel that Dishonored approaches stealth in the right way by offering many ways to accomplish it and rewards for doing so such as characters thanking you for sparing their relative who was a target (via a non lethal approach) and giving you runes, bonecharms or money for doing so. The combat is very fluid and stable and looks very cool with the combination of Corvo's powers and gadgets as well as finisher moves and other similar effects. The game has moments where you can pull off crazy kills and provides an opportunity for fun at any level of skill due to its numerous approaches to everything, meaning there is still fun to be had several playthroughs in by going for hard to pull off kills or attempting challenges such as not using any powers all game. *minor main game and DLC spoilers* The story of Dishonored is also very interesting and is multi-layered with lots of small details which really add to the whole game when found and explored including the motivations of characters and their backstory. With as few spoilers as possible the story of Dishonored involves Corvo Attano (you, the Empress' body guard) being framed for her murder which you witness. The game then sees you uncover the truth mission by mission as you tackle higher profile targets and various other tasks to clear your name and unveil the conspiracy behind you. The game also establishes lots of really great memorable characters such as Emily (the soon to be Empress), Daud (the assassin), The Outsider and Samuel the boat man who takes you to and from missions. The game does a great job of showing the close relationship between Emily and Corvo which is a core part of the game and this is sure to be a core element of Dishonored 2. I also really liked 'The Knife of Dunwall' and 'The Brigmore Witches' DLC campaigns which take place parallel to the main story but see you playing as Daud, the Empress' real assassin who as well as Corvo has powers from the Outsider. The DLC saw Daud tackling a strong threat which at first may have seemed out of character for the way he was portrayed in the main game but as the DLC goes on Daud's motivations and reasons become more compelling. He and Corvo are both very deep and interesting characters, I particularly like Daud's understanding and insight of the Outsider compaired to Corvo. These DLC campaigns also offer the wide variety of many ways to complete them and a list of new powers and approaches and the campaigns are nearly as strong as the main story and are a great addition to the game overall. It is rare that game DLC is actually good and adds meaningful content but this is certainly and example of DLC done right. There is also a challenge map DLC which is personally not my cup of tea but I do understand the appeal of wanting to use abilities outside of missions and take on time trial challenge maps etc. Overall I would 100% recommend this game, especially if you are a fan of stealth games or story rich games with immersive worlds and plots. This is one of the best games i have ever played and I cannot wait to get started on #2 in a few hours. I've now finished the 2nd game and it is incredible too, a worthy sequel to a great game.