I feel so lucky to have discovered Dishonored. It was way back in the day, 2015 or 2016, when I had just gotten my first laptop. I distinctly remember searching for games similar to InFamous, because that was one of my favourite games growing up. I had no idea how different they would be, aside from superpowers. Together with a recommendation from Playstation Access & a GOTY award, I decided to give Dishonored a try.
I disliked the game on my first playthrough. And the second. And the third. It took me 4 playthroughs to properly appreciate this game. Crazy, in retrospect. I attribute my initial disapproval to the Chaos system, my lack of experience and interest in stealth, and my expectations of Dishonored to be an "action" game. Let me elaborate.
Halfway through my first playthrough as a murderous psychopath, I learned of the Chaos system. Way too late for me to understand that I'd be getting the bad ending if I continued on my rampage across Dunwall. And thus, I spent the second half of the game painfully restricting myself to non-lethal stealth, just to end up with everyone hating me anyway. Bad first impression, I'd say.
So I tried again. Full stealth now. I hate sneaking around, and I hate being spotted and not being able to kill. Second playthrough botched.
Third playthrough. Trying to be flexible. Mixing stealth & action, lethality with mercy. Still didn't do it for me.
Fourth playthrough. After a break from the game, came back with no expectations. Took my time. Explored the whole map from top to bottom. Read everything. I loved it. Taking in the beautiful world that Arkane crafted, hearing the stories that are buried in every nook & cranny. Absolutely masterful. That time, I learned that sometimes, there is a right & a wrong way to play. And I'm glad that I stuck with Dishonored long enough to love it.
I disliked the game on my first playthrough. And the second. And the third. It took me 4 playthroughs to properly appreciate this game. Crazy, in retrospect. I attribute my initial disapproval to the Chaos system, my lack of experience and interest in stealth, and my expectations of Dishonored to be an "action" game. Let me elaborate.
Halfway through my first playthrough as a murderous psychopath, I learned of the Chaos system. Way too late for me to understand that I'd be getting the bad ending if I continued on my rampage across Dunwall. And thus, I spent the second half of the game painfully restricting myself to non-lethal stealth, just to end up with everyone hating me anyway. Bad first impression, I'd say.
So I tried again. Full stealth now. I hate sneaking around, and I hate being spotted and not being able to kill. Second playthrough botched.
Third playthrough. Trying to be flexible. Mixing stealth & action, lethality with mercy. Still didn't do it for me.
Fourth playthrough. After a break from the game, came back with no expectations. Took my time. Explored the whole map from top to bottom. Read everything. I loved it. Taking in the beautiful world that Arkane crafted, hearing the stories that are buried in every nook & cranny. Absolutely masterful. That time, I learned that sometimes, there is a right & a wrong way to play. And I'm glad that I stuck with Dishonored long enough to love it.