Assassins Creed

There are hundreds of games that have been released since Assassin's Creed was originally released. Of those, there may be a dozen that can even be compared to it. AC is in a class of its own when it comes to gaming. There are no other games like it, not including the sequel of course. AC combines an enthralling storyline with exceptional graphics and outstanding game play. While the game includes no multiplayer or X-Box live functions, they are hardly missed.

The game follows the assassin Altair through is fall from power and along his ascension back to his former prestige. Altair is a member of the secret assassin's creed, a clandestine organization who attempt to maintain peace throughout the Middle East. Their job has become particularly difficult with the beginning of the crusades, which now threaten to tear the region apart. Simultaneously, the Creed is at war with the organization known as the Templers who are searching for holy artifacts with which they intended to control the world. All of this is experienced through a machine known as an Animus which decodes genetic "memory" into a tangible virtual reality. The genetic material is provided by kidnapped bartender (and former assassin) Desmond Miles. Throughout the game, you revert back to the "reality" in which Miles lives, which primarily serve as breaks in game play.

The game play of AC is composed primarily of several elements. There is the combat system, the movement and the stealth. The game incorporates what is commonly called "free-running" across various cities of the holy land. This means that your character is capable of leaping between buildings, scaling walls and running across beams. The free-running alone is impressive, and was very original when the game was first released. In addition to your speedy movement, you are also capable of stealth, whether you're slowly advance through an agitated crowd or disappear into a cluster of monks. Finally, there is the combat. AC has no health bar, but rather a measurement of "synchronization" between Miles and his ancestor, that is, how closely you follow the genetic memory. You retain a great deal of flexibility within your role, only action like killing civilians or falling from great heights can desynchronize you, but the measurement also serves as your health. Receive too many blows or wounds and you become desynchronized and must restart from a check point. Altair has a variety of weapons to use, a rapier style sword, a short fighting blade which also includes throwing knives (up to 15 at a time), his fist and a stealth blade used to assassinate targets. There are a variety of side missions available along with the primary objectives and hundreds of collectible flags, which didn�t seem to serve any purpose beyond their collection. Additionally, the final battle/assassination was, in my opinion, far too easy and puerile. . Most of all, remember that you're an assassin; don't charge into a crowd with your sword, the game is so much more fun if you fly through the air and stab someone through the throat.

The graphics of AC are so far beyond anything else of the time period, with exception to Gears of War. I really don't understand this. There have been games released this year with graphics half as good as these two, three years later. That it is all I have to say.

The storyline follows historic events closely; even the Creed's rules are based on an actual organization known as Hashshashin. You travel through realistic land and cityscapes as you attempt to hunt down the men you are assigned to kill. While you will probably enjoy the first few missions, you may begin to grow bored with the often repetitive nature of the missions and the enemies. In order to return to the Creed after each mission, you must travel through an area called "the Kingdom", which is contentiously annoying, but eventually you are allowed to skip this segment. Each of the nine assassinations you are ordered to perform did seemingly happen historically, each of the men did in fact disappear or die in relatively a close time frame. The historic accuracy and care taken with architectural recreation make AC stand out from other games. However, a very stupid and confusing ending may leave some people disappointed. Just go with it when you get there.

Rating:

Game Play: The game is addictive, the combat system is a work of art, even if it may be difficult for some to master. However, the general failures with the enemy AI and the repetitive nature of the missions are drawbacks from an otherwise excellent game. Oh, and that ending. 3.0 Out of 4.0 Graphics: The graphics are superior to almost every other game, and the combat cinematics leave you thoroughly impressed. 2.0 Out of 2.0 Story Line: An otherwise superb game brought down by an ending you might expect out of a Nintendo game. The factual accuracy and realism make the story line memorable. 2.0 Out of 3.0 Bonus Point: Assassin's Creed deserves this point. There are a variety of reasons it could have been given, many of them equally excellent, but the thing I most enjoyed about the game, you can kill anyone. If a random person gets in your way, whip out your sword and run them through

By Hegemon

Date: April 8, 2010