Style & Design
Now this one is tricky. Arkane games always drip with style and character, and they’re built around clever and innovative level design; both Deathloop and Dishonored boast these qualities in droves — albeit on opposite ends of the scale in terms of their visual qualities.
Deathloop is vibrant and funky, while Dishonored is gritty and ambient. Both games use a semi-realistic graphical style that exaggerates certain qualities of the aesthetic, and they’re equally eye-catching as a result. In terms of level design, you could get lost for hours exploring the nooks and crannies of both Blackreef and Dunwall/Karnaca, which are detailed with intricacies that are not only stunning to look at but often serve as a catalyst for some clever feature related to gameplay.
For us, it’s a dead tie between these two games when it comes to this particular category. Which one appeals to you will likely come down to what sort of mood you’re in, but there’s no doubt that both are as stimulating to explore as they are breathtaking in complexity and intelligent design.
Winner: Tie
