Assassin’s Creed
I just started playing this on the 360 today, although I had some experience with the PC version a while back. I would say the pros to this game are the gorgeous visuals, the freedom you have to explore the world, and the unique blend of stealth and action the game presents. However, the cons are almost entirely related. Although the game is always pretty to look at, there isn’t much variety in the areas you explore, and the same bleak, dry, mountainous climate gets repetitive, as do the cities you explore. And the “freedom” to explore is usually limited to a specific area. It’s not until you are a good ways into Assassin’s Creed that you are given a large enough amount of the world to interact with. And while the combat is awesome the first time you do a stealth kill, it gets old very quickly. It’s a fun game, but also a bland game. Once I’ve played it more I’ll update this as I see fit, with some Achievement tips as well.
*Update 1*
Although this game is much more enjoyable (to me) on the console (I’ve never owned a good mouse, and since I primarily use a laptop I wouldn’t have room to use one if I had one), I’m beginning to remember why I dropped this game earlier. The game starts off really fun, but once you get past the tutorial “phase” (the actual tutorial and the ensuing first memory block), you’re immediately stripped of all your weapons, combat skills, and generic abilities. You no longer have the option to break away from enemies grabs, you cannot counter-kill enemies, you cannot grab onto ledges from a jump, and the list goes on. You’re left relatively helpless and it takes a long time to get these abilities back.
The main reason I chose to write on this game, and also chose to rent this game, was because I just finished Prince of Persia, and I thought I would compare the two. I know of plenty reviews that compared Prince to Assassin, but I figured I would go the other way. The free-roaming element in Assassin’s Creed trumps that of Prince of Persia by far. There is a much larger world, and the climbing and running elements are much stronger. Rather than look for the generic and easy to spot ivy/ring/fissure in Prince of Persia, you actually have to look for foot and handholds in walls to climb up. The character animations are also superbly fluid and realistic while this climbing is going on. The only places I think Prince of Persia comes out ahead is in the combat and overall fun. I love open-ended sandbox games as much as the next guy, but there is a LOT of space in Assassin’s Creed, and not too many different activities to do in that huge space. Although Assassin’s Creed’s combat is more realistic, the grandeur of the different combos in Prince of Persia is really what makes it fun. That, and the fact that you aren’t doing the same exact counter-kill move 9 times in the span of passing 3 houses.
As bad as I’m making it out to be, Assassin’s Creed is still a good game. I think it gets very repetitive very quick, but then again I think most sandbox games do. This game is definitely worth checking out, and it is still fun. More of my PoV to come, as well as some tips on Achievements. For now, once you finally get into the world in Assassin’s Creed, you can nab an easy 5 gs by finding a merchant stall, holding RT, and then running forward towards the side of the stall. You should dive through the stall. Repeat 19 times. Also, the very first time you blend in with a pack of scholars, ram on the A button for a good minute. You should blend in and out of the group, and once you have blended IN 20 times you will get another 5 gs. Also check out “www.assassinscreed-maps.com”. Maps of all the flags and Templars, with built in checklists (enable cookies in your browser if you want the lists to save!).
*Update 2*
Once again, I’m enjoying this game MUCH more on the 360 than on the PC. I’m currently running around the generic overworld (the “Kingdom”) collecting flags and killing Templars, and as much fun as it is, it still feels like a chore underneath. The assassinations are already becoming boring, and once you learn how to counter-kill and combo-kill enemies the game becomes a breeze. I think I’ve said all there is to say on how the game plays, and most of the Achievements are pretty self-explanatory. The only one that might cause trouble is the “fight 25 guards at once” Achievement. The fight itself is not difficult, just finding 25 guards is. If you don’t want to have to slowly back away from one or two guards while searching for more, head to the Kingdom, to the area right by the entrance to the Acre zone. Just north of this entrance is a large guard camp (there is a huge pit in the middle of it with 2 flags inside). There are way more than 25 guards here. Enjoy.
Assassin’s Creed is fun and worth checking out, although it’s more of a time-passer to me than anything. Hopefully next week I’ll have a copy of Afro Samurai. See you then! ~Kaz
