The development costs for AAA titles have skyrocketed in recent years with consumers expecting a higher level of graphical prowess. As a result, major publishers are extremely apprehensive to invest in a risky and untested, Intellectual Property which may not sell adequately. The end result, is a wealth of sequels to popular franchises that pretty much guarantees a profit to please shareholders. However, the anomaly to this has to be Dishonored, a stealth orientated action game containing an original environment. Its sales were surprisingly impressive from the start, attaining the number 1 spot according to UK PC sales charts. Since the initial release, there has been some additional content to extend your enjoyment within the Dishonored world. Does this latest piece of DLC hold up to the formula which made the base game so special?
The Brigmore Witches expansion immediately follows events in The Knife of Dunwall. You play as Daud, Corvo’s greatest nemesis who managed to assassinate Empress Jessamine Kaldwin during the main story. Without giving too much away, your quest revolves around Delilah Copperspoon, a supernatural figure who controls the devastatingly dangerous Brigmore Witches clan. This occult setting is wonderful and terrifically haunting which heightens the tension when approaching each group of enemies. The theme is so well executed, that I actually prefer this spooky and at times, eminently eerie scene to the original.
Daud isn’t your typical primitive miscreant who lacks a moral compass. He is a multi-layered character who is thoroughly intriguing. Despite the atrocity he has committed, Daud’s conscience is aware of his actions, and how they plunged Dunwall into anarchy. There is a fascinating dynamic in playing as the individual who opposed you during the original game. Arkane Studios deserves credit for formulating a story in which it’s possible to reevaluate your opinion of an adversary.
To understand the nuances and backdrop of Daud’s character, it is advisable to have completed The Knife of Dunwall. Unfortunately, the plot can be complicated otherwise. It’s better to treat these additions as episodic content, rather than individual stories. This idea is further developed by the ability to import your save from the previous DLC, allowing you to keep your current upgrades and chaos level. If you do not own any of the existing DLC, I would wait until a pack becomes available in an inevitable sale.
To get the most out of this particular story, I would advise you to hunt through every drawer, cupboard and hidden crevice for blueprints and books. This includes superb musings such as, “Now our resources are strained. Some of the men are grumbling. I see the strain on Daud’s face. Killing the Empress, handing over her daughter – those are not easy burdens to bear. And Lurk’s betrayal weighs on him heavily. His sleep is troubled by curses and shouts”. As you can see, the writing is nothing short of spectacular and a joy to read. I found the story significantly more engaging reading through these pieces of literature which increased my attachment to Dunwall and its population.
A notable criticism of Dishonored’s former DLC was the amount of recycled art assets which made for an experience that was perhaps, too similar when compared with the original. Fortunately, this latest piece of content contains new backdrops which are a blast to explore. The final mission, in Brigmore Mansion is stunning, and extraordinarily different to other areas. Its idyllic setting with beautiful shrubbery was a major cause for concern when playing, as it seemed unbelievably cheerful.
The gameplay ultimately relies on which approach you decide to adopt. In turn, this encourages multiple playthroughs using varying methodologies. In a similar vein to the original, I chose a patient and stealthy technique which I found to be the most rewarding.. What I adore about Dishonored, is the opportunity to replay certain sections through trial and error before discovering how to successfully achieve a covert ranking. This freedom to play the game as you intend adds to the enjoyment level. It’s a saving grace the story has replayability because the plot only lasts around 3 hours, over 3 missions. If you’re the sort of person who engulfs themselves in a world and finds vast exploration exhilarating, the number of hours could rise to 7.
While some games profess the option to play from a different perspective, very few can entice you to return towards what is essentially the same apologue. This is not the case here as playing through contrasting styles alters the gameplay exponentially to an extent which makes each run through feel different. There is even an achievement for complete the DLC without being detected, a feat which is bordering on impossible. Overall, there is nothing groundbreaking here which separates the additional content from the original, but the classic Dishonored gameplay is perfectly recreated.
Conclusion – Is It Worth Your Money?
Dishonored: The Brigmore Witches can only be described as a fitting end to the first game. The supernatural backdrop is glorious and genuinely creepy. I enjoyed this new theme so much that I would like to see a new series developed entirely around this new chapter. Yes, this game on its own is relatively short, but The Brigmore Witches is designed to be played as an episode of a 2 part story alongside the previous DLC. There is a substantial amount of replay value if you decide to attain high and low chaos run throughs. Dishonored is game of notoriety, and the downloadable content is no different. At £7.99/$9.99, the price is a bit steep especially considering you need to purchase The Knife of Dunwall as well (£7.99/$9.99) to get the complete experience. However, there’s no denying how amazing this content is, which does justify the higher cost. I cannot wait to see what Arkane Studios has in store for the next iteration.
