The final – or is it? – installment of the Assassin’s Creed series it out and selling astoundingly. Some of us can’t make up our minds as to whether or not to get it though. Should I end everything I have loved of the franchise so far? Is it worth shattering what I know and love? Read further, and make the decision for yourself…
The look
This game is the most beautiful of all of them yet, no question. I have so far only experienced it on the 360, but I’ve noticed the PS3 and computer versions tend to look better. So if I was playing the ugly game, the rest can only be even more amazing aesthetically.
Each game likes to add new things to the last. We started with awesome hopes, moved on to hand cannons, had Leonardo da Vinci teach us how to fly; where could we go from there? Simple, a hook. That’s it. Nothing more, nothing less: a simple hook that allows you to grab onto buildings and flip over/throw people! It’s a hook of awesome!
The series has always allowed you to go everywhere and climb anything, but Etzio’s body isn’t as young as it once was. In his age, he has mastered his craft, but the implementation is getting harder and harder. How do you get back that extra foot of jump he used to be able to get in his teen years? A hook, to latch onto things. After a quick climbing tutorial, you are able to even implement the tool in combat.
The Feel
As someone who has participated in martial arts for ages, I love playing fighting games. The Assassin’s Creed series has always delivered. MY favorite weapon in the first game? The throwing knives. The first installment allowed us to use them as a hand-to-hand weapon, and the finishing moves/counters were beautifully monstrous…the next one took my favorite weapon from me. It did, on the other hand, introduce the ability to take someone else’s weapon and kill them with it, so that was nice.
The combat mechanics get better and better with each installment, both aesthetically and with the feel of them. Revelations requires you to actually time things for best results. Yes, button mashing will get the job done, but nowhere near as satisfyingly. Moreover, the options this game presents are astounding. A hammer and a mace of the same size will control and finish in different ways, two knives will have separate fighting styles even though they are in the same genre, and they input differences between a rapier and a saber.
The free running hasn’t changed, just the area that you are in has added a few new challenges. The puzzles have gotten more complex, which is always nice. When you are in what can only be described as ‘acid trip mode'(to be addressed shortly) you have to build your way to the next checkpoint, and touching certain things instantly kills you. As Etzio, you go back and play as Altair, which feels like a more simplistic, easier time. As Desmond you play as Etzio…who relives the memories of Altair…and as Leonardo DiCaprio, you play as Desmond, who plays as Etzio, who plays as Altair.
The Issues
This game gives me a headache sometimes. The entire time, you are Desmond, trapped within his own mind and trying to reclaim sanity to break out. Oh, and someone else is magically there as well. You play through your genetic memories as Etzio, who then plays as Altair. That was the reasoning for the DiCaprio joke: this may as well be ‘Inception: Assassinations’. That really is my only solid issue with the game though.
In short? Don’t rent this game. Don’t borrow it from your friend. You go earn the money it takes to get it, and dedicated 2 days of your life to it like I did, then play it anytime your significant other allows it. Trust me when I say, it’s worth the bed sores.