"Dishonored" is a disappointment and should not be played due to better alternatives.

User Rating: 5 | Dishonored PS3
The world design, (though) borrowing from some familiar sources, creates some atmosphere, but is far from being impressive. Maybe it could have fared better with a stronger narrative, but it is dragged down by the simplistic story, the empty world and its sketchy characters.

Speaking of the narrative, the exposition feels too short, the protagonist is apparently mute and the overall execution is an affront to modern story telling: get briefed in your base talking to stiff npcs - go out on your mission - return and get debriefed. Repeat this seven times. The rest of the story is told in books scattered around the world - that being one of the clumsiest narrative techniques imaginable.

Of course, there's a twist before the ending, but it feels terribly, terribly forced: the designers seem to have realized how dull the story was up to this point and desperately tried to pimp it up. Unfortunately they used the crudest of means: a reprise of the initial setup. This turn is just all wrong and happens so fast and unmotivated you loose all remaining interest in Corvo's quest.

And how are the game-mechanics, finally? Well, first off, you are too strong from the beginning on. Especially the ability to warp (or "blink") is overpowered and upgrading makes things even worse, i.e. easier. Second, if you play the hard way by trying not to kill someone and not to be detected, prepare to reload a lot: the patrol routes are often unpredictable and lead to a lot of frustration. - And of course, the artificial intelligence has not improved since, say, "Thief" in the 90s. Enemies still don't care if their colleagues disappear or a door opens without someone stepping through or a weapon is laying around etc. etc.

BOTTOM LINE: Due to its inept narrative, forgettable characters and repetitive game play, "Dishonored" is an unimmersive and unsatisfying game. If you like this genre, better stick to "Metal Gear Solid" or even "Deus Ex: Revolution" compared to which "Dishonored" feels like a downgrade.