Assassin’s Creed III Review

Assassin’s Creed 3 is the brand new open-world action adventure title developed by Ubisoft. Shifting away from Europe, which was depicted in the Ezio trilogy, Assassin’s Creed 3 is set during the American Revolution. During the ongoing war between the Patriots and the Loyalists, an untold war still rages between the Templars and the Assassin’s order. This time players will control Connor, a half English-half Native American male who seeks to learn the ways of the Assassin.

Let’s take a look at the HOTs and NOTs

HOTs

Variety
Many gamers would agree that the original Assassin’s Creed title majorly lacked variety in its gameplay. The Ezio trilogy came and variety was added yet there was still the underlying feeling that more could be done. Well gamers you will be overly joyed to know that Assassin’s Creed 3 almost goes out of its way to offer variety. Variety in Assassin’s Creed 3 is best explained with a mission example. The tailing missions were ten to a dozen in the original in Assassin’s Creed 3 within the first 5 hours, only a couple of tailing missions are in the main storyline; resulting in even the before dull and tedious tail missions becoming an enjoyable change of pace.

The variety doesn’t just stop at missions and side missions. The in-game world of the United States is extremely different compared to previous titles, providing ample variety. While the change seem small, even the increase of widths in streets means that the gameplay is different from Assassin’s Creed 2: with more street based running than rooftop escapes.

Living World
Once again an Assassin’s Creed title has pulled off creating a living breathing game world, which frankly other developers should strive to match. The sounds of the city make it feel alive populating the world with noises and discussions. Walking around the city players will once again overhear conversations and town criers talking of ‘real time’ events helping submerge gamers into 18th century America.

The update in graphics which make the game truly pleasant on the eye brings the historical cities to a whole other level. The textures and details of the cities and the countryside result in stunning views and mean that doing every single synchronisation point is once again a challenge most will be happy to complete.

The weather system also helps make the world feel real. Despite having the same land and layout of towns, not only does snowfall bring a differently designed frontier region that feels completely unique it also helps the game world to be more believable. With the game spanning twenty years it would seem weird if even when time had advanced in months that the country still had the same weather; this is what the snowfall does well as it affects gameplay.

Combat Pacing
In previous titles in the Assassin’s Creed series, combat was almost a separate affair. Altair or Ezio would be free running along rooftops and streets but instantly slow when in combat, which broke the fluidity of the title. Things have changed for Assassin’s Creed 3 and undoubtedly for the better. Combat can now be as fast paced as it is kept at the same speed allowing Conner to sprint in assassinate someone and run out all in one swift motion. It truly suits Connor’s fighting style, which is much more brutal than previous assassins. Often armed with his Tomahawk, Conner interchanges between swiftly killing and more of a brutal slash.

These more brutal and fast paced actions flow well with the rest of the title due to this tweak for combat and it opened the door for one of the most impressive features. Counters used to be one at a time but this is no longer the case. Frequently players will still find that enemies attack separately although occasionally two will take a lunge towards Connor. Countering at the perfect time will see Connor blocking the lunges, despatching one enemy before leaping back across to take down the second attacker. The tweaks may be small but they add up to make the game flow better, thus increasing the overall quality of the title.