More than a few screenshots of the upcoming steampunk-assassin title Dishonored, so it’s quite a feat to completely surprise us with the first gameplay trailer. But with a mixture of supernatural propaganda and cyberpunk enemies – not to mention a disturbing vocal backing – it’s becoming clear that we still don’t know what to expect from Arkane Studios‘ next project.
When Dishonored first appeared on the scene, it proved that there are still plenty of unique worlds left in which to place video games. The first cinematic trailer showed off the blend of steampunk, colonial and supernatural mythology being crafted for the game’s narrative, and the screenshots that followed re-emphasized the dark and adult content at work.
The section of gameplay recently released via GameTrailers TV shows the unique urban landscapes and enemies in motion, and the result is more than a little jarring. Not due to the graphic violence that can be inflicted via the dual-wielded blades and pistols, but more due to it resembling the fantastical realm of Fable 3 crossed with The Darkness 2. If there was any doubt that this would be a game that earned its M-Rating, this trailer should take care of that.
While the most intriguing aspect of the game may continue to be the unique blend of genres, obviously punctuated with some stunningly brutal combat, the story itself is only hinted at. Signs warning of a mysterious ‘plague’ tied to the occult, and ‘Wanted’ posters bearing suspects accused of regicide point to a mysterious and much grander plot.
The development team making it clear that they are interested in making a directed experience as opposed to an open-world, the fiction at play seems to be up to the challenge. That doesn’t mean there isn’t some convincing left to do on Arkane’s part. Showing the player’s abilities to execute helpless opponents or use stealth to gain the upper hand is satisfying, but could become repetitive quickly.
With the incredibly intense pace of the first cinematic trailer implying some serious gunplay and supernatural showdowns, this trailer is somewhat at odds with that assumption. The musical accompaniment shows that the team is trying to give a sense of the bleak and tumultuous world of the game more than a sample of gameplay, which will have to do for the moment.
Hopefully more of Dishonored will be shown at E3 2012, and we’ll see if Bethesda can repeat history and surprise us as much as last year’s Prey 2.
Dishonored will be released on October 9, 2012 for the PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.
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i find it weird how they went for realistic yet gallons of blood pour out unrealistically from victims necks, heads and limbs. i need to see some actual gameplay and not a bunch of kills and scenery spliced together…
i hate how all these publishers are just splicing bits of action and ultra violence together for their trailers, it’s as if all they care about is appealing to kids and hysterical rejects… there are people out there that are interested in things like narrative, innovation and depth and dont just want to play for the over the top and excessive violence that the devs think everyone wants.
i hate the current generation of kids and gamers >:(
Its a “Gameplay trailer” not a “Narrative trailer.” If you want that, watch the tales of dunwal trailers or the developer diaries. Besides, half of the trailer is just scenery, which I would consider “depth,” since it tells the story of where it is, when it is, and why someone might kill another in this time period. Look at the plague, or when the soldiers or dropping bodies into the barges. It builds atmosphere. Besides, I did two things in this game, stalking and then pouncing, and this is the pouncing, the stealth trailer was the stalking, and the powers trailer was the between.
make s me think of bioshock
@mario
Yes, I second that, the whole using powers with the left hand and holding a weapon in the right totally reminds me of Bioshock 2… I’m very surprised you guys didn’t compare this to that game…
gameplay wise it’s pretty similar to assassins creed in terms of using the environment and being able to take out enemies via different ways, but this is more detailed in the assassination department, there are always at least 4 different methods of getting a contract done in this game which makes it really interesting.
i personally will more then likely pass this in favour of hitman absolution b/c that by far looks like a downright epic stealth/assassination game (the lighting and voice acting make it all the more alluring to me).
Had that running thru my head when I saw him use his left hand powers
As a rivet-head it does slightly annoy me that the writer used cyberpunk in his description of the game. The visuals are clearly mostly steampunk but with a coating of rivet-head(aka industrial goth). An example of cyberpunk being the new Syndicate, clearly very different.
(I do apologize for being annoying by way of my complaint)
now on to business
ME WANT GAME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
K, game does look intriguing and looks kinda fun here and there, except all that retarded blood and closeups on these crappy graphics sorta ruined the trailer for me.
Speaking about bad graphics, how is it that on the new Tomb Raider trailer article, the writer complains that the graphics and animations are dated and not fluent and are not good for “today’s standards” when games like Skyrim, Mass Effect, and hell, even this game, looks much worse than Tomb Raider. Granted the other article was written by another writer, still, this level of stupidity…lmao
Am I the only one who can’t wait for a game that is sold on it’s complex and character-driven story as opposed to the violence and action? Only game that comes to mind is Metal Gear Solid, Rising ruined that for me completely.
I was watching the part where he’s stabbing people over and over and started thinking “What the hell? Why am I interested in this?”
I can’t even think of any games recently that fits that bill, lol.
Alan Wake is the game u want. If u haven’t played it, u should. You’d probably be surprised at how good it is.
Yes, Alan Wake, as well. Great game!
Honestly this reminds me of Half Life 2, right down to the graphics from 2004. I hope it’s good, but until I see someone demoing it, the jury is still out for me.
This looks ok….but I just have to say…Alan Wake is amazing.