dansaren

Setting: You are Corvo Attano, former royal protector of the empress, and wrongfully framed for her murder for which you find yourself in jail. Set throughout in the fictitious Victorian-era city of Dunwall and its surrounding isles, you have two goals in mind: to bring justice (in any way you please) to those who murdered the empress and conspired against you, and to restore order by instating Emily, kidnapped daughter of the empress, at the throne.

Set in an alternate, plague-ridden industrial revolution, this game is visually staggering, and the atmosphere constantly foreboding. It is a very personal experience, and the freedom to think and act creatively during the highly diverse missions allows for a multitude of approaches. If you find the game boring or repetitive, you should therefore ask yourself: am I exploring all my options?

This game is about moments. Moments that at times are so dark, picturesque and mysterious that I on several occasions stood mesmerized in awe of what was unfolding around me. For example: standing on the rooftop while observing an electrified, whale-oil powered wagon dropping plague victims into a pit, accompanied by a shrill musical vignette, sent chills down my spine. And, equally astonishingly, such truly evocative moments are not forced upon you through cut-scenes, but subtly just happening whether you observe them or not.

Dishonored is not for the purist. It shamelessly, and seamlessly, blends a variety of influences and genres into a game that in many ways evades category. It is dystopian and sinister, but also remarkably clever, satiric and witty. But even if you consider yourself a purist, whether for role playing games, first person shooters, or any other category: if you open yourself up to the experience, take your time to explore the environment and familiarize with the characters, you will realize that this game is much greater than the sum of its parts, and allows for a truly immersive experience. However, if you focus or expect too much of any one aspect of this game, like gameplay, plot, combat, characters, or weapons, you will miss out. This is not because it does not deliver on these things – in my opinion it even excels at many of them - but it is so much more than that. It is like exploring a living painting, or finding yourself in an dark and twisted interactive novel from a grimy, less fortunate era.

Breaking Bad is a work of genius - I realize that is a word thrown around somewhat haphazardly at times, but this show truly is brilliant in my view. The cinematography is beautiful and often ingenuous, the acting fantastic, the storyline and subplots enthralling and the soundtrack cleverly chosen to the point where it becomes an integral, organic part of the show. As an example, David Costabile's (Gale) singing with the record player as he attends his domestic duties is delightfully integrated - a scene I happily admit to have watched and listened to several times.

It has been said a lot (and duly acknowledged by awards) already how great the acting is in this show, but it won't hurt to say it again: Bryan Cranston is a joy to watch as Walter White, whose increasingly polar double life is mesmerizing to follow as it evolves throughout the series. Aaron Paul is also spectacular as Jesse Pinkman and complements Walter White in a way that approaches yin-and-yang like qualities. Dean Norris, Anna Gunn, RJ Mitte and Betsy Brandt are also truly praiseworthy; Dean Norris' part as Hank Schrader gives a particularly stunning performance in my view as he develops into a complex and vulnerable character who feels the need to hide his increasing frustration and sense of alienation from his wife and colleagues. A great actor. Giancarlo Esposito, another actor well worth mentioning, is perfect as the enigmatic Gus.

This is a show that works on is own terms - it is brave (lung cancer, rampant drug abuse, methamphetamine manufacture and distribution - hardly easy content to pitch at any network) and balances perfectly between the darkly sinister and the absurdly comical in my opinion. It is a show that grows with every episode.

Highly recommended!