There have been times in history when near the end of a console’s life cycle, a great game is created. A game that challenges and rewards the player while providing a story that the gamer wants to see continue into the next generation of consoles. With the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 currently nearing the end of their current lifespans, is “Dishonored” the final original gem of this console generation? The answer is . . . Yes.

In “Dishonored,” you are Corvo Attano, the protector to the empress of Dunwall, a city that has been ravaged and destroyed by an infectious plague that is transferred by rats. After being framed for her death and the kidnapping of the rightful heir to the throne, Corvo becomes a vengeful assassin focused on clearing his name and finding his empress’ murderer.

The story of “Dishonored” is very strong in the beginning. From the opening cinematic, you are thrust into a tale of revenge and mistaken identity. You meet some very interesting characters along the way that make the world of “Dishonored” real and believable.

“Dishonored” also provides players with an open sandbox style of gameplay, with numerous side missions that create optional objectives to be accomplished. I recommend experiencing some of the side missions first as they can alter your primary missions and extend the length of gameplay. While there are tons of side quests, the story begins to feel to straightforward. The ending falls flat and is too predictable. Lucky for you, the graphics and gameplay make up for that in a big way.

“Dishonored” is gorgeous, but not in the traditional sense of the word. Arkane Studios has created a beautiful disaster within the city of Dunwall. The city is ravaged, beaten down, and rats and mutilated corpses litter the streets. Instead of pushing the limits of the PS3 and Xbox 360, “Dishonored” instead focuses on a soft color pallet with a stylish flare that allows it to stand out among all other first-person action games this year.

Each enemy type also has an interesting look that sets it apart and creates a fresh feel for the game when it is played. While the graphics are not perfect and there are some frame rate issues, “Dishonored” does enough right that the players will not have a hard time overlooking the issues — especially when they are able to delve into the different and unique ways to play the game.