u/Other_Airport7860

Guys, I just finished ‘Death of the Outsider’ and I feel really deflated. It’s more Dishonored, which is never a bad thing, but I feel like it strays so far away from what made the first 2 really special. I know it’s more of a stand alone expansion, however, it still doesn’t hit the same notes for me as the first two.

In my opinion, now that I’ve completed the series, including all DLC’s the first one is GOAT’ed. The level design was amazing, but I think the thing that really nailed it for me was the atmosphere. The dark and decrepit streets of Dunwall feel home to me. The powers were simple but really interesting and allowed so much replay value, the mystery of the outsider was intriguing, and the overall plot and chaos system were peak gaming I think. It was a game I’m excited to play again, probably more so than D2.

That being said I loved the innovation in map design in D2. The clockwork mansion is hands down the best map in gaming imo, it’s so intricate and carefully designed. The devs really took their time in crafting that experience and I think it pays off. I also did like Emily as a protagonist and her powers were a nice change of pace to Corvo’s and the dual protagonist system added so much replayability.

But DOTO … the premise was really interesting, the voice acting was solid, the return of Daud was exciting too. It earns some cool legacy points. But I think it takes a sidestep with the level design. It didn’t feel as organic as the previous two and everything is guided through UI markers. That organic feeling of exploration isn’t there for me like the previous games and it made me genuinely sad. And the void powers are interesting but there’s only 3 of them and in NG+ they just get replaced with older powers? I just don’t get that game design logic. Idk, I feel like the replabaility isn’t there like the last two. Glad I played it but I don’t think I’ll be as eager to play it as I am with D1 or 2. Idk if you guys think the same or I’m just being very pedantic :L

So I dropped my thoughts on the first game and thought we had some really cool discussions. As I’m playing through all three games I thought I’d do the same because I loved learning about all your experiences 😃

So I finally sat down with Dishonored 2 this year, late to the party I know, and I wasn’t prepared for how much it would grab me.

The Clockwork Mansion completely blew my mind, the Dust District felt alive in a way few games manage, and Emily’s powers made me rethink how I approached every mission. Even the quieter moments, like wandering Karnaca’s streets, hit me harder than I expected.

I put together a breakdown of my first playthrough, covering the missions, the atmosphere, and the surprises, and honestly it was one of the most rewarding gaming experiences I’ve had in years.
Curious how everyone else’s first time with Dishonored 2 went.

Did you play as Emily or Corvo, and which mission stuck with you the most? Also, what did you think of Delilah?

I finally played Dishonored for the first time in 2026, and I genuinely wasn’t prepared for how much this game would grab me. I went in expecting a cool stealth title, but the moment I stepped into the Distillery District, it hit me that Dishonored doesn’t funnel you anywhere. Every alley, rooftop, sewer, window — all of it is a valid path. I ate a rat, panic‑killed a guard, saved Martin by accident, and suddenly realised the game was reacting to my version of Corvo. It felt like the game was constantly asking, “Alright… how do you want to do this?” and then actually letting me answer.
The Golden Cat mission sealed it for me. Slackjaw giving me options, multiple ways in, multiple ways out, and multiple ways to deal with the Pendletons — I messed up, improvised, regretted things, and somehow still felt like the game was shaping itself around my choices. And don’t get me started on the rewire tool. Watching guards sprint into their own death pylons thinking they’re safe? Peak comedy. By the time the ending rolled around, I realised Dishonored wasn’t just fun — it made me rethink how much freedom modern games don’t give you anymore. Would love your thoughts :)

Hey everyone,
I’ve been replaying Dead Space recently and ended up making a long‑form retrospective about why the game’s atmosphere and worldbuilding still hold up so well today.

It’s not a review but more of a slow, cosy deep dive into the themes, the Ishimura’s design, and why the game’s horror feels so personal.
If anyone here enjoys reflective breakdowns or lore‑heavy commentary, I’d genuinely love your thoughts.

Not trying to spam, just sharing something I put a lot of care into.
If you do check it out, let me know what your favourite moment or area on the Ishimura is. I love hearing how different people experienced this game.

Thanks for reading, and keep stomping necromorphs.

There’s something quietly powerful about the way A Plague Tale: Innocence handles Amicia and Hugo. They’re not written like typical game protagonists; they feel like two real people trying to hold onto each other while the world around them falls apart in my opinion. What struck me most is how awkward their relationship is at the start, Amicia wants to be gentle, wants to be patient, but you can feel how unfamiliar she is with Hugo. She’s suddenly responsible for this little boy she barely knows, and that discomfort makes her early protectiveness feel so human.

Hugo, on the other hand, is this tiny spark of innocence in a world that’s collapsing and decaying. He notices beauty in places where adults only see danger, for example the simple act of looking at the flowers. He asks questions at the worst possible moments. He gets excited about things Amicia is too stressed to appreciate. And instead of treating that innocence as a weakness, the game treats it like something worth fighting for. Hugo isn’t just someone Amicia needs to protect, he’s the thing that keeps her grounded, the reminder that she’s still allowed to feel softness in a world full of cruelty.

What really stayed with me is how messy their bond is. They tend to argue. They snap. They apologise, it's a cyclical structure. They cling to each other when everything else falls apart. It’s not a clean, cinematic relationship, it’s raw, and tender, and mostly painfully believable. Amicia doesn’t become a hero as much as we would like to see her as such, however, she becomes a sister who refuses to let the world take one more thing from her. And Hugo doesn’t become a burden, he becomes the emotional centre of the story, the reason any of this matters. The reason for their epic, miraculous and often tragic journey.

In a game full of plague, fear, and darkness, their love becomes the quiet light that keeps everything warm. It’s the kind of relationship that lingers long after the credits roll.

If anyone’s interested, I’m doing a reflective Let’s Play series where I talk about these themes as I go, I’ll drop the link in the comments rather than the post itself to keep things tidy.
If you want more character analysis, I’m also working on a deeper Amicia & Hugo breakdown soon :)