Early Dunwall
When I recently posted about being a traditional gamer I had hopes that Dishonored would give me the scope to be that gamer again. Let me explain a little more what I class as traditional gaming and why I allude to being that type of gamer.
I prefer the single-player only experience. When I look at a prospective game purchase and see that the development team have opted for Co-Op and/or multiplayer that’s when I get nervous. I believe the SP element of a game gets sold-short once a multiplayer option is introduced. Gameplay within SP seems to always lose out to the longevity of including MP or Co-Op. Having a structured, linear but also a bold world is how I consider good traditional gaming to be.
So going back to Dishonored where, in my short time in Dunwall, I have played through the opening stages in both high and low chaos. I have to say I enjoy the sneaking and less-lethal way that is low chaos to the full on rampage that is high chaos.
The interaction with the world is good and the early quests introduce important allies that will aid you, as Corvo, by finding Lady Emily. Piero Joplin, an NPC who invents your weapons and upgrades, is excellently voiced by Brad Dourif and is my current fave NPC with Granny Rags a close second.
Dishonored has had a few nice touches and surprises already and the game has been shown love by Arkane Studios. Art direction is superbly imagined and it’s no-wonder why really when you have Viktor Antonov involved.
More to come as I get further in. How’s it been for you?
Blackened Skull 
Hello DM, I like the new blog layout. Best of luck with it.
I am with you on the importance of single player but I have long come to accept that the majority of the world doesn’t seem to feel that way. A game without multi player is dead in the water whereas many games do very well with paper thin single player campaigns.
I had hoped that the increasing age of gamers would eventually lead to a resurgence of single player. Once you get to a certain age you no longer have an instant circle of friends you can call on at a moments notice for a round of shooter mayhem. I am still waiting though. It doesn’t seem to have happened yet.
I will admit to being seduced by co-op gaming though since I discovered that my daughter like playing co-op games with me. It is a very different experience though, not quite the same thing at all as an engrossing single player campaign.
mbp
October 15, 2012 at 11:35 pm
Thank you mbp. Glad to see you’ve made it here. I’m just glad there are still games like Dishonored being made still. I’ve heard it called a gamer’s game…which I do get. Maybe we’ll see a more dedicated SP genre of gaming develop? I just hope that console gaming is not forgone.
My wife really has no interest in gaming and I agree as you age your circle of gaming friends fall away. I do believe gamers from the ’80s and ’90s appreciate a depth to their gaming experience rather than the throwaway entertainment we get today. God I sound old!
DM Osbon
October 15, 2012 at 11:52 pm