In 2012, Arkane Studios launched what would become its breakout hit, Dishonored. Billed as a modernized take on the immersive sims of old, the first-person action game had players control assassin Corvo Attano, who must prove his innocence after being framed for the murder of the empress he was sworn to protect. Sporting a mix of assassin weaponry and supernatural powers, players could infiltrate areas using a variety of methods and pathways. The game also boasted a striking “whalepunk” aesthetic that stood out from other titles at the time. Dishonored was well received at launch by players and critics alike, and it would lay the groundwork for Arkane’s future immersive sims, including Dishonored 2 in 2016, Prey in 2019, and Deathloop in 2021.
Join senior associate editor Marcus Stewart live on Twitch and YouTube starting at 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET as he revisits the opening hours of Dishonored for the first time in 16 years.


