Recent reviews by Etch

That's a cool game. Great job lads.

Even at full price, this game is worth every penny. If you're thinking about bagging it in a sale, don't even hesitate!
Provided you enjoy platform games and want to explore a whole new mechanic of stealth and climbing around... This is the game you need. As a child, playing NES and SNES games, I always wished for a platform game like this. Ninjas, lurking in the shadows, fast... It's a lot of fun.

The graphics are 10/10. Incredible art direction throughout. The cutscenes are excellent and beautifully animated. All in all, this is a fantastic game that I would happily sink double the time into. I hope there's a sequel or more DLC on the way!

This is a great game, better than I'd imagined it would be. Which is bro-tacular considering I paid less, for this updated remake, than I've spent playing the original in arcades.

However, like many of these old-school remakes, they haven't added much to it or drastically modernised the control options. I know some people would say this is a good thing and get all butthurt if certain tweaks were made. Regardless, some things that really annoy me are that you cant jump and latch onto ladders, or press up to walk through a door. Simple tweaks which would make it a seamless transition into a modern game. I understand that is breaking away from the traditional format and/or potentially adding an unfair advantage. Still, it would be good to at least have these options available. It would be nice if some of these remakes thickened the plot a little; extra cutscenes or background. Rather than a nearly linear copy that throws you directly into the the brawl, just like those quickfire arcade machines. It would be amazing to see some FMV or walk around in the shops... To have a little den or even additional sub-challenges.

All in all, WayForward are putting out some awesome remakes. Something I'm glad is happening. I hope they can keep the classics coming and in time, have full reign to re-invent a true classic - rather than just remake them!

Not very often that an entirely new game comes along and truly holds up to the hype. If anything, this game was almost too unnoticed and under hyped – for how good it is. The storyline is actually decent and well written. Great voice actors and characters too. Awesome design. Unique art style. Brilliant controls and character movement/interaction. A lot of thought and passion went into this considering there wasn't much coverage. Such atmosphere and emotion. It's easy to get completely absorbed into this plague ridden corrupted game-world of scandal and perjury.

No game is without drawbacks though. Nothing major; rather leaning towards improvements I'd like to see as this series progresses. The fact it's split into missions instead of than more open world is a shame. While understandable (really well optimised for low end machines), this format does mean that areas are split into levels opposed to a giant sandbox. It would be much cooler to really see the effect of your chaos physically causing chain reactions throughout Dunwall in realtime. Still, they've done really well to disguise the spawned events and breaks in continuity.

Overall, fantastic game. If you're a casual gamer who enjoys stealthy assassinations and huge plot twists, this is an absolute must. If you're a hardcore gamer looking to perfect your technique, face challenging achievements and optimise your run.. Also great. Definite replay value. A bit like a steampunk Deus Ex. You can opt for stealth and rely on your magic, or go in guns and knives blazing. Your path also has an effect on the outcome and how people react to you. After all, you play a respectable upstanding figure of the community, who has been Dishonored.

For a long time I was indifferent about this game. It lacks the gritty, intricate feel and emotion of fallout 3. Perhaps what the now deceased Adam Adamowicz was responsible for. It is supposed to be more humorous and a different type of game but it just feels as if there's nowhere near as much backstory, particularly to individual characters in the game. Rather, it just draws from the history of previous games and throws in a bunch of local loonies with a few key characters. Sometimes it feels as if things are being explained for the sake of it, rather than your character wanting or needing to know.

Recently I purchased the DLC and started a new character. For me, this is sadly where the game redeems itself. I'm not a fan of DLC or pay-to-win type models so, while dubious, it was very worthwhile. You get some more backstory and all kinds of fun weapons. Even with hardcore mode on, I felt about as free as I did in 3 (aside from the abundance of invisible walls in this game). Plus, the new features such as crafting, iron sights and kill cam make this game a real treat. I'm really excited to see where they take all that in the next one and what else will be added... I just hope they work on the UI and make it all a bit simpler/quicker. It seems I spend forever looting and sorting my stuff, especially when I accidentally tap A in a loot menu.

Anyway, even without DLC this is a great game. 9/10. There's so much to do and discover. You can play it again and again, there are very few scripted events so no two things will ever happen the same way. V.A.T.S just never gets old. There are dozens of perks and ways to play. A great selection of companions to help you and save your behind in the early levels. I suppose the qualms I have with this game are simply down to the fact that it's vegas baby and that place is never going to be normal. Though it is great to see they have thought about how an existing city may continue to function the way it did. The closest thing to The Strip in 3 was Rivet City. A much tamer community and stark contrast, so that is great to see. They pulled it off.

Just a note; on my first play through I went for NCR and a good karma character. I would thoroughly advise against that, as it's probably the most boring, linear and dull storyline this incredible game has to offer. Also, Raul is a great and amusing companion. Especially compared to Boone.

Insane.

Truly brilliant and innovative game with unique, addictive gameplay.