Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label review. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Assassins Creed IV Black Flag Review PS3
Story
Control another of Desmonds ancestors, Edward Kenway.
In the present world, this game takes place after the events of Assassins Creed III. You, as a research analyst is employed in a project called Sample 17, and is tasked to relieve the memories of Desmond Miles ancestor for Abstergo Entertainments product.
In the relieved memory of Edward Kenway, his life events took place before Haytham Kenways and Ratonhnhake:tons stories, as Edward is the father of Haytham and the grandfather of Ratonhnhake:ton. Edward Kenway was a pirate, who wanted to find enough fortune to provide for his wife. Unfortunately, circumstances happened to both of them, and Edward was entangled in a war between two factions, which are Assassins and Templars.
I prefer Edward than his descendant, Connor a.k.a Ratonhnhake:ton due to his much more likable personality and story exposition. The pirates in the game are also memorable with their dialogues and personalities, such as Edward Thatch and Mary Reed. The same goes to the Assassins and the Templars.
The present storyline is short and weakly developed, but fills enough holes to contain average players. What actually attracts me in this game is the story of Edward Kenway, with his journey as a pirate that was filled with death, greed, regrets, but also with hope and redemption. The ending in this game is particularly touching, which I dare not spoil to any story purists.
Gameplay
i) Singleplayer Mode
a) Progression, Upgrading and Economy Section
Enjoy your experience as a Pirate and Assassin.
In this game, the games map encompasses entire Caribbean Sea, which is extremely large. Islands, towns, and ruins are separated with seas where you can freely explore and sail. Many of the games destinations require you to sail, but once you have reached the destinations, you can use Fast Travel to backtrack any locations to collect any collectibles that you have missed, or complete side activities such Assassin Contracts. As you are sailing with your ship, you may choose to fight enemy ships for extra loot, or simply ignore them. In some areas, some of it may be restricted and may cause enemy ships to be wary and hostile towards you.
The games progression is fairly linear, as you can complete Memories (a.k.a Missions) in the game a bit more freely. You may also complete Optional Objectives in the game to achieve 100% Synchronisation. Mission objectives include assassinating a target, eavesdropping a conversation, tailing a target, and others.
There are many Sequences (a.k.a Chapters) in the game, but you can also explore other parts in the game to find additional items or complete side activities.
Upgrade Edwards equipment for better advantage in both combat and stealth sections.
Upgrading is simple in this game. For example, if you want to upgrade Edwards health, you need to collect and use two same types of animal loot, such as white jaguar pelts or crocodile skins. Animals can be hunted on most settlemants and islands, or you can also harpoon sea animals such as sharks and whales. In comparison to ground hunting, hunting animals on sea is slightly difficult as you have to use a harpoon to hunt them while riding a rowboat. You may also purchase new sword sets and pistol sets by spending Reales (in-game currency), as well as ammunition. Not only you can upgrade Edward, but you can also upgrade the Jackdaws (your ship) weapons, armour, and others.
Money can be found by opening trasure chests or looting animals. However, that may be enough as many upgrades such as Jackdaws upgrades are incredibly expensive. The fastest way to get money is by looting enemy ships. Enemy ships may have materials such as sugar and rum that can be sold for high value, whereas materials like cloth, wood, and metal can be used to upgrade the Jackdaw. You may also sell animal parts for extra money as well.
b) Combat and Travelling Section
Slightly more tougher enemies than the previous games.
The games combat use similar combat system in Assassins Creed III, but is slightly more refined as enemies are slightly more aggressive than the third game. I like the games combat system a lot, until to the point where I purposely attack an enemy and fight groups of them with chain kills. You may attack enemies with your swords, hidden blades, or tools like your pistols. You may also counter enemy attacks with a counter kill, throw, or disarm. Enemy comes with different types, such as Brutes who can only be killed by breaking his defenses and instant kill him, and Captains who can only be killed after parrying his attacks or by pistol shots.
Stealth sections in this game play similarly to previous games, where enemies may detect you for doing suspicious acts or wandering around restricted areas. You can kill them to avoid nuisance by distraction, or just get past them by blending with the crowds or bushes. Assassination techniques such as double running assassination or double air assassination are still usable in this game.
Board ships to obtain rewards.
Naval combat is fully fleshed in this game, where you can board enemy ships to obtain full amount of materials loot. Once you have boarded a ship, you have three options. You may repair the Jackdaw, lower your Wanted level, or send it to your fleet for an online side mission. Regardless, depending on different situations, you may want to choose to repair your ship when you are fighting multiple ships at the same time. If you sink a ship before boaridng it, you will only gain half amount of materials compared to boarding it.
To successfully board a ship, you need a substantial amount of crew to fight off enemies. Once you are boarding a ship, you need to kill a certain amount of enemies and other objectives to fully board the ship to obtain full rewards. The bigger the ship is, the more tougher it is, and the more rewards it has. Crew can be recruited from Tavarns or saving them from enemies.
Jackdaw has access to a number of weapons, like fire barrels, broadside cannons, mortars, and others. You may use these weapons to damage ships enough. Each weapon can be upgraded so that you have better advantage against enemy ships in later Sequences. It is highly recommended to do so, as you may not have strong enough ship to battle against bigger ships such as Man O War ships. You may also ram against ships to deal damage against it, or use swivels to attack the ships weak points. Unlike ground combat, naval combat is personally more tougher as larger and tougher ships can overwhelm you easily if you are not propely upgraded.
c) Other Activities Section
Lots of side contents.
Aside from the games main Sequences, you may choose to explore the game and complete side missions or collect collectibles. Side missions include Templar Hunts, Assassin Contracts, and Naval Contracts. Templar Hunts are short series of missions which require you to help a fellow Assassin to fight off Templars. Assassin Contracts require you to kill off targets at specific places. Naval Contracts include missions such as giving loot to the recipient, sinking certain ships or escort a ship.
Collectibles in this game include treasure chests, shanties, Animus Fragments, Mayan stones, and secret letters in bottles. You may find them scattered in many places in the game. Some trasure chests can only be found underwater, where you can start the search at certain coves or ship wrecks.
ii) Multiplayer Section
Play the multiplayer mode if you are interested for a challenge online.
Like the last three Assassins Creed games, there is a multiplayer mode where you can compete against other players online. Standard matches include Wanted, Deathmatch, Assassination, Manhunt and Domination. Experience points are gained by scoring points via assassinating targets in matches or completing Challenges. Wolfpack mode is also present in the game, where you can work solo or together with other players to complete as many Sequences as possible.
Like previous games, the multiplayer mode is already good enough, but with not much additions to make it greater or inferior than the previous games multiplayer modes. If you want to learn more about how the multiplayer mode works, please read my reviews on Assassins Creed: Brotherhood and Assassins Creed: Revelations.
c) Conclusion
Refined gameplay.
The gameplay is simply more refined than the third game, with substantial improvements on naval combat and exploration. Although present-day exploration and progression are slightly boring, Edward Kenways campaign simply makes up for the shortcomings of the present days story and gameplay. However, some players may feel the game feels too similar with previous Assassins Creed games, and the multiplayer mode is also only slightly tweaked to appeal hardcore fans. However, I personally think this game is still a great package with solid singleplayer and multiplayer modes, despite some issues.
Graphics
Astounding graphics.
Needless to say, this game sports incredible graphics, fairly surpasses its predecessor graphics. The sea and water in the game are beautifully animated, incredible environment designs, great looking characters, and others. Once you have the option to dive underwater as you progress in the game, you will be marveled with the games incredible underwater graphics.
Unlike Assassins Creed III, this game does not have much bugs and glitches that may impede the game much. Performance is much more smoother, with more fluid battle and running animations in the game. Bugs and glitches are still present, but difficult to notice.
Sound
Incredible soundtrack with good voice acting performances.
I like the games soundtrack, which it represented the pirates themes and eras theme in the game perfectly. The sea shanties are also worth mentioning, as it is very addciting to listen while sailing in the seas.
Voice acting is great, with fitting voice actors that give great performances, such as Matt Ryan as Edward Kenway, Mark Bonnar as Edward Thatch, and others. I have to commend Ubisoft for finding the proper voice actors to voice their characters with passion.
Replay Value
High replay value.
After finishing the game, you may attempt to unlock and complete any Side Missions, collect every collectibles, and complete challenges. Also, you may also play the games incredibly addicting multiplayer mode, where you can fight against players online or work together with them in different types of matches.
If you have the PS3, PS4 or PC version, you may attempt the Aveline DLC for extra gameplay time. It is short with only three missions, but it is still bonus content.
Conclusion
One of the best games in 2013, despite some issues.
In conclusion, I personally feel that this is the best game since Assassins Creed II. Fairly different in a way with great naval combat, interesting storyline, great graphics, good music, great characters, good combat, and good multiplayer mode. However, it does have some issues like boring present-day exploration and progression, bugs and glitches, lack of multiplayer mode additions, and some repetition or staleness when playing the same type of game all over again. Regardless, this is a great game, and one of the best games in 2013.
Score
Story: 9/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 9/10
Final Score: 36/40 or 9.0/10.0
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great story of Edward Kenway.
- Many good characters like Edward, James Kidd, Blackbeard, and others.
- Great combat.
- Large exploration for both ground and sea areas.
- Addicting and improved naval combat and exploration.
- Lots of contents.
- Astounding graphics.
- Great soundtrack.
- Great replay value.
- Addicting and good multiplayer mode.
Cons
- Boring present-storyline exploration and progression.
- Multiplayer mode lacks substantial innovations.
- Some bugs and glitches.
- Possibility of being repetitive and stale after playing so many Assassins Creed games.
**Images are from Gamespot.
Red Dead Redemption Review PS3
Story
![[IMG]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_uslf-6KpThuwpQpPKekVDNHVCLwqg39OuCgbCT4cK68z10_usIVJiAhPJ4URYFITR31778177Li4pXYT9sIsYZNcoyCX3dL_kkz8Oen9ZKCZqVTr2GmsgToAVbzeRUWXqA5ETkV5I=s0-d)
The story revolves about John Marston, an ex outlaw, who tried to search and kill his former companions in his old gang in exchange of his wifes and sons safety. However, he was shot by Bill Williamson, ex partner of him, and left for dead. As god shine upon him, a woman by the name of Bonnie McFarlane saved his life, and he must find a way to get his former companions with various help from other starngers.
The story is awesome, with no weak spots. An epic story crafted by Rockstar and will leave an impression to many people.
Gameplay

Like other GTA games, you must complete certain missions to proceed and finish the game. You can do any missions in any order, and you may complete them in any time, but some will only available in specific time.
Every objectives are varied in this game. Some you may have to eliminate thugs, some may ask you to catch horses, and etc. The variety of missions in this game are so many, that you will not be bored playing it.
![[IMG]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tZ_pli_WA5oKZUy2ApSJAWNTSWRWWlo7xJqepGajTy3Jw1OSib4bohw5suWcNMrVIJwX4G5jnQePcE4SbIB4pm20tJGkK2kU7ySwMyoQchIygBIHLYLuTOFi_sXvOEQ3AOs4hSduo=s0-d)
You have several modes of transports. Carriage, walking, running, train, and last but not least, horse riding. You can also shoot while riding your horse on in a carriage.
When fighting enemies, you will either use your revolvers, rifles, and etc to fight. When you are in target mode, you can fire at any place as long as you have the target on sight. You can fire the enemys head, legs, hands, and other body parts. It is best to shoot while you are in cover, to protect yourself, and to stay alive longer. The cover system is well implemented, like Mass Effect 2 and Gears of Wars games cover system. Like any other action games, headshots are the best way to dispatch enemy quickly.
![[IMG]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sKnifbXUZp1P-JTdgh_byR85g3xRjs6SdgantKX62Ts9XniIUIC35zhGtNLzhAUKGDtNR9mmLTX5AbTKKLsbYj-kbOzXJ7EY_SfnliOeOMwd5igGWkax1RzKlGtp2H-RbG8gqeAg=s0-d)
You also have an ability called Dead Eye. This feature allows anything moving in slow speed, and you can fire at the targets with higher accuracy. This feature is one of the most coolest ability in a game. This ability is present automatically when you are in a Mexican Standoff with an enemy, so make sure you are well practiced in it, as some missions require you to succeed in the standoff to proceed.
Like any other GTA games, you need money to protect yourself. You need money to buy new weapons, ammo, medicines, and etc to overcome challenges ahead. There are few ways to acquire money. Either you rob someone, loot from dead bodies, selling animals body parts, completing bounties, and etc.
![[IMG]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tN9eK9D_-MXtBayPESFcHVCvLd3yWgB3uzykgrlkaOGsDClMpEQTMBemSWPUKLc0MJUl6BYqjR6bSAbeMqU-xFqB-XyiO6C9Knf-Fvehn90BoUOBA-U_Sq42RNGnjgigQXLgE=s0-d)
This game features an Honor system. Killing an innocent will give you Negative Honor points, while saving someone from thugs will gain you Positive Honor points. Having positive Honor will make other people respect you, with some added bonus, while having negative Honor will make people fear you, and may be wanted by the law with a bounty, with its own added bonus. There is also a Fame system, which will raise every time you finish a mission or a side quest. Having high Fame points will also allow you to have some bonuses, like cheaper weapons price.
The difficulty is balanced, accessible to every player. Not too hard, and not too easy. However, not having proper equipment or enough ammo may getting yourself easily killed, so be prepared.
This game has an awesome gameplay. Perfect blending of gunfight, horse riding, and etc. I have no complaints with the gameplay, because it is perfectly made.
Graphics
![[IMG]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_se08MDgmyuT_FKobfLf2mZ_wYs8gAWwstlpdkUulxBGRrTKeUHU1t_Z0dbDpjd9lg76pqibr9PVvY6Xa7PaxODPTTTSY956mXRTM8f_yKroWcR2SsvtZhi1klo2MxBJsR1Lfw=s0-d)
This game have awesome graphics. Nearly realistic graphics for every character. John Marston looks exceptionally detailed, with scars, and wrinkles present on his face clearly. Other characters have the same detailed expressions and faces, which shows that the graphics in this game overwhelming, which may rival Metal Gear Solid 4: Gun of the Patriots graphics.
The environments are exceptionally well done. Brightly made, varied and realistic depiction of old Western era and environments. When you play the game, it is as if you are playing in real world.
However, there are certain minor glitches in the game. Like the train rails disappearing in a cutscene when the train is running, and etc. However, this may happen once, and not subsequently when playing another walkthough or retrying the game.
Sound
![[IMG]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sve3mpfQoefXbXCiT1Lpns-Uenk0Qi6yUSS1iMfOWBB34yh-GTiDPxbwEwSBaG8bnemPDQNsRlZCZfH_2tilWkIHSVG8yULfgiVZMoBCdvFhKgxbzGHltXDUOy7f4qJzvL=s0-d)
The voice acting is superbly top notch. Every character are professionally well voiced, with either authentic Mexican, English, and old West accents. Rockstar did it again, hiring professional voice actors, although some or all of them are unknown to many people.
The soundtrack is extremely well made, with old Western music played to perfectness. The background music is relaxing when it is calm, but become action packed when there is action.
Replay Value

The replay value is high, with many side quests and mini games available. There is also multi-player feature where you can enjoy playing in old West with your friends.
Conclusion

This game is one of the best made games in history. Superb story, excellent characters, awesome gunplay, top notch voice acting, nice graphics, and awesome soundtrack make this game worthy as one of the best video game in 2010, and in history. Besides the minor glitches, nothing stopping this game from becoming a masterpiece. It is hard to choose whether this game or Assassins Creed II is the better game, but I chose to ignore it and these two games deserve utmost recognition from every video gamers. Whoever is looking a bloody cowboy game with tons of actions and things to do, this game should be your number one choice, without a doubt.
Score
Story: 10/10
Gameplay: 10/10
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 9/10
Total score: 38/40 or 9.5/10.0.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Superb gameplay, with great blending of gunfight, horse riding, and etc.
- Excellent soundtrack
- Professional voice acting, with authentic accents.
- Mini games and side quests are fun to do.
- Challenging bosses and enemies.
- Exceptionally well designed characters, especially John Marston, and environments.
- Replay value is high.
Cons
- Minor glitches, but will not detract you from the great experience when playing it.
Read more »
Meet John Marston.
The story revolves about John Marston, an ex outlaw, who tried to search and kill his former companions in his old gang in exchange of his wifes and sons safety. However, he was shot by Bill Williamson, ex partner of him, and left for dead. As god shine upon him, a woman by the name of Bonnie McFarlane saved his life, and he must find a way to get his former companions with various help from other starngers.
The story is awesome, with no weak spots. An epic story crafted by Rockstar and will leave an impression to many people.
Gameplay
Gunfight is always exciting, like old Western spaghetti movies.
Like other GTA games, you must complete certain missions to proceed and finish the game. You can do any missions in any order, and you may complete them in any time, but some will only available in specific time.
Every objectives are varied in this game. Some you may have to eliminate thugs, some may ask you to catch horses, and etc. The variety of missions in this game are so many, that you will not be bored playing it.
Horse riding is fun, plus when there is a guy lassoed by you on ground.
You have several modes of transports. Carriage, walking, running, train, and last but not least, horse riding. You can also shoot while riding your horse on in a carriage.
When fighting enemies, you will either use your revolvers, rifles, and etc to fight. When you are in target mode, you can fire at any place as long as you have the target on sight. You can fire the enemys head, legs, hands, and other body parts. It is best to shoot while you are in cover, to protect yourself, and to stay alive longer. The cover system is well implemented, like Mass Effect 2 and Gears of Wars games cover system. Like any other action games, headshots are the best way to dispatch enemy quickly.
Mexican Standoffs are thrilling, and exciting to engage.
You also have an ability called Dead Eye. This feature allows anything moving in slow speed, and you can fire at the targets with higher accuracy. This feature is one of the most coolest ability in a game. This ability is present automatically when you are in a Mexican Standoff with an enemy, so make sure you are well practiced in it, as some missions require you to succeed in the standoff to proceed.
Like any other GTA games, you need money to protect yourself. You need money to buy new weapons, ammo, medicines, and etc to overcome challenges ahead. There are few ways to acquire money. Either you rob someone, loot from dead bodies, selling animals body parts, completing bounties, and etc.
Make a choice: Become an honourable, good-hearted guy, or become a ruthless outlaw.
This game features an Honor system. Killing an innocent will give you Negative Honor points, while saving someone from thugs will gain you Positive Honor points. Having positive Honor will make other people respect you, with some added bonus, while having negative Honor will make people fear you, and may be wanted by the law with a bounty, with its own added bonus. There is also a Fame system, which will raise every time you finish a mission or a side quest. Having high Fame points will also allow you to have some bonuses, like cheaper weapons price.
The difficulty is balanced, accessible to every player. Not too hard, and not too easy. However, not having proper equipment or enough ammo may getting yourself easily killed, so be prepared.
This game has an awesome gameplay. Perfect blending of gunfight, horse riding, and etc. I have no complaints with the gameplay, because it is perfectly made.
Graphics
Without a doubt, this game has spectacular graphics.
This game have awesome graphics. Nearly realistic graphics for every character. John Marston looks exceptionally detailed, with scars, and wrinkles present on his face clearly. Other characters have the same detailed expressions and faces, which shows that the graphics in this game overwhelming, which may rival Metal Gear Solid 4: Gun of the Patriots graphics.
The environments are exceptionally well done. Brightly made, varied and realistic depiction of old Western era and environments. When you play the game, it is as if you are playing in real world.
However, there are certain minor glitches in the game. Like the train rails disappearing in a cutscene when the train is running, and etc. However, this may happen once, and not subsequently when playing another walkthough or retrying the game.
Sound
Perfect voice acting, with excellent soundtrack.
The voice acting is superbly top notch. Every character are professionally well voiced, with either authentic Mexican, English, and old West accents. Rockstar did it again, hiring professional voice actors, although some or all of them are unknown to many people.
The soundtrack is extremely well made, with old Western music played to perfectness. The background music is relaxing when it is calm, but become action packed when there is action.
Replay Value
Try out the multiplayer mode.
The replay value is high, with many side quests and mini games available. There is also multi-player feature where you can enjoy playing in old West with your friends.
Conclusion
When you have the money, and if you are already considered as an adult by law, play this game.
This game is one of the best made games in history. Superb story, excellent characters, awesome gunplay, top notch voice acting, nice graphics, and awesome soundtrack make this game worthy as one of the best video game in 2010, and in history. Besides the minor glitches, nothing stopping this game from becoming a masterpiece. It is hard to choose whether this game or Assassins Creed II is the better game, but I chose to ignore it and these two games deserve utmost recognition from every video gamers. Whoever is looking a bloody cowboy game with tons of actions and things to do, this game should be your number one choice, without a doubt.
Score
Story: 10/10
Gameplay: 10/10
Graphics: 9/10
Sound: 9/10
Total score: 38/40 or 9.5/10.0.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Superb gameplay, with great blending of gunfight, horse riding, and etc.
- Excellent soundtrack
- Professional voice acting, with authentic accents.
- Mini games and side quests are fun to do.
- Challenging bosses and enemies.
- Exceptionally well designed characters, especially John Marston, and environments.
- Replay value is high.
Cons
- Minor glitches, but will not detract you from the great experience when playing it.
The Pet Girl of Sakurasou Short Review

The plot revolves around Sorata Kanda who was kicked out of the dorms and moved to Sakura Hall for taking care of a cat and meets Mashiro Shiina who is a very talented artist but so inept of taking care of herself that Sorata has to do it for her thus you sort of get the idea where the title of this anime comes from. Sorata ends up inspiring the other students of Sakura Hall with his actions and in the process they become friends and work on projects together(mostly anime and video game related) which strengthens their bonds and friendships as they experience success and failures pursuing their goals.
The story is well told, the animation is really nice to look at, and voice acting really well done. I certainly hope they decide to continue the anime with a second season as this first season was definitely one of the best anime for winter 2013.
5/5
Monday, March 16, 2015
Assassins Creed Revelations Review PS3
Story
![[IMG]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tW89oEOLLARwwHcR6M48JveJAD0XjU5oywnECx2Z8Iov-TBnh7fagJBv37BMpfwX9njYw3Glud26dL_u5cL6p2ENqDQ94VyqK_i0S7lDh027cayy1RLqdiWWiZbZDow3lwRAQ31u_z8dk1o-lEB0SA0iguQn-X6iHa=s0-d)
The game takes place directly after Assassins Creed: Brotherhood, where Desmond fell into coma after being forced to kill Lucy in the Vault at Rome. While in the Animus, he met Subject 16, whos mind somehow survives in the Animus, and told him in order to wake up from the coma, Desmond needs to relieve both of his ancestors memories until there is nothing more important to be shown, both Ezios and Altairs memories.
As for Ezios storyline, he went to Masyaf to find clues about the Assassin order and other secrets. Little did he know that Masyaf is crawling with Templars, who fought Ezio, and caught him and was about to kill him. Ezio managed to escape, and he needs to find the keys to enter Atairs library, a secret room in Masyaf.
Heres the thing about the storyline. I love Ezios and Altairs storyline in the game, but the main storyline in the present day is very disappointing. Not much development about it, and once you finished the game, you will feel that the game ends too soon. You will be saying or asking things such as: "Wait, thats it?", "What the hell just happened?", "The ending sucks!", or etc. To avoid spoilers, some of the revelations in the game can be shocking, but not enough of it.
Characters interaction and development in the game is quite good, but only for the Ezios and Altairs era. In the present day, dont expect to talk to much people since Desmond is stuck in a coma. My favourite new characters in the game would be Yusuf, another Master Assassin, Prince Suleiman, prince of Istanbul, and Sofia, a rather charming young girl who would be love interest of Ezio after knowing each other for quite some time. I do feel sympathetic about Altair a lot more in this game compared to the first game, and I always endear Ezio since he is one of my favourite characters in games.
Gameplay
![[IMG]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_tYAHUzWYp9dhBGT_8ke4lqlk5FOi5xY1YjrMGBnhN_jSqWRQImwcY6IbzKTyhfWgIrx85jsj9BzHhD5Y5cNTX6YE8UzCUyCY31zUYFcN1MosAfgNXuUXBSjXzhCnsQWaHp6O2Emk6tjjb5UtqH4zZOxjiVgvxCBJ7X=s0-d)
The gameplay is pretty much the same as the previous Assassins Creed games. You have access to your signature hidden blades to assassinate people in stealth or public, a sword, a short weapon, hidden gun, crossbow, etc. There are several new stuffs that Ezio can use in his adventures to fight his enemies. You also can still hide in the crowd to avoid pursuers, sit on a bench to hide, or etc. Same old hide and fight techniques.
![[IMG]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_vUbUZeNN-DdZTsHlrcg63ea_IYt48kcbF70z6ep_w7Z5Vg9jgG_XRJYXoMudkrPHeTVdbPSMk4gcEfMZ2VLkhxyvx1b9PgCBi6YCU3b1AVvfuZmHJGXnd4V7MwkBXhg4c4OphGVT27A24AfozM0Al3l-hG0WGm_VNK=s0-d)
Firstly, you have now access to hookblade, which will acts as both navigation tool and killing tool. The hookblade replaces and acts as your second hidden blade, and it allows you to show off several new moves in the game, such as hook and run, an evasive maneuver, or hook and throw, an offensive maneuver that allows you to kill an enemy, and etc. It also acts as climbing tool that allows you to climb buildings, walls much faster, and allows you use ziplines to travel quickly from one place to another.
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Secondly, you can now choose and customise bombs to fight your enemies. There are three categories of bombs, one is for killing, one is for tactical, and one is for diversion. Creating bombs is a new to this series, since you can mix and match the ingredients used to make a different type pf bomb. For example, by mixing a Datura powder, any type of gunpowder, and any types of bomb casing will result a bomb that allows you to poison your enemies. You can even customise your bombs to be a tripwire bomb or even a timed bomb. Experiment each ingredients to create bombs that is effective for certain missions. For example, missions that require you to be stealth will often leads you to create more diversion bombs such as Cherry Bombs to distract enemies. Although it is not necessary to use bombs to complete missions, but they are essential in getting 100% Synchronisation for each Memory in the game. However, you are mandatory to use bombs in certain missions since you cant progress in the game without using it. Other than that, it is optional.
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You now have access to Eagle Sense, an improved version of Eagle Vision from the previous games. This time, you can track enemies patrol routes while you use that ability, which allows you to set a trap or anticipate their coming and kill them one by one. Eagle Vision also allows you see through smokes, so use it when you are using Smoke Bombs to mask your killings in the game.
The combat in the game feels the same as the previous games combat, but I felt that the enemies are slightly more aggressive than the previous Assassins Creed games, which is a good thing. The killing streak also returns, which allows you to kill enemies instantly if you are not interrupted while doing it.
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Den Defense is a minigame that allows you to protect your Dens from being taken by the Templars again. You need to place your Assassins in certain places to overcome several waves of Templars. After winning several Den Defenses, it will become much harder, and there will be more powerful Templar units that can devastate you, such as Stalkers, that will kill the Assassins on the rooftops. You can also shoot your hidden gun to kill any Templars left, kill Stalkers, and use it to concentrate the attack force on a specific target, like a cannon barricade. You can use your cannon to kill multiple enemies at the same time. This is a unique addition to the game, but it can be overpowering since the minigame will become much more harder, and the Templars will always retake the Den you control, forcing you to kill the Den Captain(s) again and again. It is highly recommended to quickly train your Assassins to Master Assassin level to avoid your Den being overtaken by the Templars.
In order to Renovate shops such as Bank, Blacksmith, or etc, you need to take over a Den from a particular district by killing the Den Captains. Also, by renovating shops, you can gain a certain amount of income per 20 minutes. The more shops you renovated, the more income you can get. This is important because money is not easy to get in the game, other than completing Memories for every Sequences. You can use the money to buy new weapons, armours, equipment, medicines, etc. Buying good armour is highly recommended to have a better chance in fighting tougher enemies like Janissaries in later Sequences.
Please be noted that having your Notoriety level at the maximum will cause Templars to attack one of the Dens. Bribe Heralds or kill a certain Templar target to lower your Notoriety.
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As in Assassins Creed: Brotherhood, you can recruit Assassins by helping innocent civilians from danger or complete their challenges. You can recruit up to more than 10 Assassins, and you can recruit more as you takeover more dens. You can call them to help you to kill unsuspected enemies on the roof, or help you in a fight between you and multiple enemies. You can only train up to 7 Master Assassins. Each Assassin have their own levels, and will gain Experience needed to rank up a new level by fighting an enemy in a battle, kill an enemy stealthily, or by sending them on missions in Mediterranean Defense. Sending them to Mediterranean Defense missions is the fastest way to gain quick levels. The success of a mission will depends on the Assassins level. The higher the level, the better the success rate.
Sending multiple Assassins to a high level missions is a great way for them get experience, but be noted that they will share experience equally. For example, if the mission is worth 1500 experience points, sending an Assassin alone to the mission will net him/her full experience points, whereas sending three Assassins to the mission will net them 500 experience points each. Missions will be completed via the required time shown in each mission details. Low level missions will take less than 10 minutes (real time) to complete, whereas high level missions will take more than 15 minutes to complete.
Once they have reached certain level, they will initiate a certain side mission which requires you to kill a target. However, these side missions have two parts, which will be initiated when they reach level 10 or 11, and another in level 14. Another requirement for them to become Master Assassin is to place them as the Den Captain for any Den. Once they become Master Assassin, that particular Den will not be attacked or taken over by Templars. Take note that having Master Assassins are quite formidable in fighting large group of enemies when called.
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At certain points in the game, you need to control Altair to complete certain Memories in the game. Unlike Ezio, he has access to a rather limited equipment. However, he has the maximum health from the start, so it is understandable. He now has access to Kill Streaks as well, unlike in the first game, as well as can use his Hidden Blade as a fighting weapon.
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In this game, you can play some first person view platforming missions using Desmond. However, it can be rather boring since it did not offer much playing value except getting from point A to point B. However, when you reach certain points in the stage, you can hear Desmonds narration about his past life. His narration on his past life is rather interesting, but does not offer any new information about himself or others. In order to play all of his FPV (first person view) missions, you need to collect a certain amount of Animus Data Fragment in the game to unlock a new FPV mission.
The gameplay is more or less refined with unnecessary new features such as Den Defense and Desmonds first person view platforming missions. The core gameplay mechanics is good as always, with some new aggressive enemies unlike previous Assassins Creed games. Unfortunately, it did not offer much new gameplay mechanics, except the addition of the useful Hookblade, bombs customisation as well as Den Defense and Desmonds FPV missions. The latter two can be rather boring to play and indulge, but the hookblade is a great new tool as well as the freedom of customising your bombs is rather great. However, players who played previous Assassins Creed games should not expect that this game is anymore different or better than the previous games.
Graphics
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The graphics leap from Assassins Creed II and Assassins Creed: Brotherhood is almost unnoticeable, but the graphics leap between Assassins Creed: Brotherhood and Assassins Creed; Revelations is rather big. This game features more improved graphics such as better details on the face, clothing, etc. As you can see, Ezio looks great in this game, and his age is showing by having wrinkles on his face and some white hairs. Other characters also look great. The only thing I dont understand is why does Desmond looks old compared to his appearances in previous Assassins Creed game. Either way, the graphics in this game rather superb.
Sound
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One thing I like about Assassins Creed games is the great voice acting. The voice acting in the game is rather awesome, thanks to Roger Craig Smiths role as Ezio, as well as many other voice actors. It is sad to see that Altairs and Subject 16s voice actor are replaced, but their replacement voice actors did a great job as well in the game. Altairs new voice actor give the character much better characterisation and emotion compared with his previous voice actor in the first game.
The musical score is awesome, with a lot of great electronic and orchestral tracks in the game itself. The main theme of the game is simply awesome, full of emotion and epic. Great ambient tracks played while roaming the districts of Istanbul, exhilarating action played in action scenes, and emotional, heart-wrenching tracks played in emotional scenes.
Replay Value
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As in previous Assassins Creed games, the replay value is high. You can collect all Animus Data Fragments in the game, find the secret Armour of Ishak Pasha, or get 100% Synchronisation for every Memory in each Sequence. There is a lot of things to do in the singleplayer mode itself, and the multiplayer is not an exception as well.
As in Assassins Creed: Brotherhood, this game also features a unique multiplayer mode, except an improved version compared to the previous games multiplayer mode. As in the previous game, you will control one of many Templars Persona in the game to fight other players online.
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This time, you can customise each Personas appearance, stun moves, or taunts if you have enough credits by completing online matches. You can now also customise your own title, and avatar in online multiplayer mode to differentiate yourself from others.
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All online matches mode have the common and basic objective: Kill a target. Wanted mode is one of the popular and simple online match, where you will be hunting someone while being targeted by another online players. My most favourite match type in the online multiplayer would be Manhunt, which allows me to concentrate on hiding on the first or second round with my teammates, and then concentrate on killing a target with my teammates on the first or second round.
There are several new type of matches introduced in this game, such as Steal The Artifact, Deathmatch, Simple Deathmatch, Escort, and Artifact Assault. This provides flexibility and variety to players who wish to experience new type of online matches in Assassins Creed multiplayer.
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You can customise your Abilities set by using a variety of Abilities, Perks, etc to kill your target or to escape from your pursuer. For example, the ability Smoke Bomb allows you to stop your pursuers for short period of time and escape. There are various types of abilities in the game, so try to experiment each to choose which one is the best for you. Abilities such as Disguise, Morph, and Smoke Bomb are useful defensive techniques whereas Templar Vision, Poison and Firecrackers are good offensive techniques.
Another new addition in the game is the new Score bonus called Honourable Death. By pressing the Stun button at your pursuer who is killing you, you can reduce his/her score dramatically. However, confronting your pursuers directly is not a wise move unless he/she is not aware that you are the target. Also, you can freely stun civilians if you are being pursued by another Templar. It is a good way to change your current target to a new one if you think that target is very tough to spot or kill, but be aware that by stunning a civilian, your pursuer will know that is his/her target.
Your kill score will be determined by various factors, such as killing while hiding in a crowd, the targets awareness of your presence (Silent, Incognito, etc), or performing a kill streak. The Detection Meter returns to allow you to find your correct target in a midst of many similar looking civilians. The nearer you are to the target, the Detection Meter will become full circle. If your target is on sight, the Detection Meter will glow brightly. Use this when you are not sure if your target is nearby or using a Disguise or Morph to hide himself/herself. In this case, Templar Vision or Firecrackers are perfect to find the hidden target among the similar looking civilians around. For certain types of matches like Deathmatch, Detection Meter will not be available for you to track your target, which is much harder than playing Wanted matches. To win those types of matches, you need to rely on your sight and check whether your Targets portrait glow or now. If it is glowing, then it means your target is nearby, and vice versa.
Unlike in the previous game, the multiplayer mode has a storyline where you will be one of recruits who will train himself to become a Templar Agent. For every few levels, there will be a video that will show your progression in the Animus. Surprisingly, one of the characters in the Assassins Creed comics make two appearances in the online multiplayer videos. It is a great twist, and the storyline is a good incentive for you to keep playing the online multiplayer mode. By ranking up levels, you can have access to Abstergo Files which provides some background information about Abstergo itself, which is linked to Templars. Most of the files provide nothing new information about the series itself, but some of it can be mind twisting, depending on your expectancy of the series itself.
I love the online multiplayer, because it has various improvements that makes it much better than the previous games multiplayer mode. Also, when you try to create a custom match, you can check whether which type of mission objectives have high or low activity. If the particular mission objective have a high activity, you can join it easily, and vice versa. Play the online multiplayer mode when you see there is High Activity in the team-based objective or solo-based objective.
As a result, the replay value is high, thanks to the improved and addicting multiplayer mode. It is a shame that Ubisoft does not take the time to improve the singleplayer mode, though...
Conclusion
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I have no idea why Ubisoft did not develop the present storyline more further. Fortunately, Ezios and Altairs stories are concluded with satisfying endings. Perhaps the weak development in the storyline of Desmonds time what held the game from being great as well as its repetitive gameplay mechanices from its previous games as well as some unnecessary new minigames. The only two areas that I see that have improvements are the graphics and the multiplayer mode. Other areas such as gameplay more or less the same as the previous Assassins Creed games. Perhaps if they remove the Den Defense and Desmonds FPV missions, make improvements to the singleplayer game such as including hard and challenging bosses in the game, and develop the present storyline much further, then this game will be awesome. Unfortunately, this did not happen. It is a great action-adventure game, but for Assassins Creed fans standards, this game can be major disappointment to most of them, and can be a masterpiece to others. As for me, I am more or less neutral towards the game itself.
Score
Story - 7/10
Gameplay - 7/10
Graphics - 10/10
Sound - 10/10
Final Score: 34/40 or 8.5/10.0.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Ezios and Altairs storyline are awesome.
- Great and memorable characters such as Yusuf and Sofia.
- Altairs ending can move your heart in a very sympathetic way.
- Superb voice acting by all voice actors. The new voice actors for Altair and Subject 16 did a great job.
- Improved graphics compared with Assassins Creed: Brotherhood. Beautiful environments such as greatly detailed characters and buildings.
- Non-repetitive mission objectives.
- Extremely high replay value.
- Improved online multiplayer mode with new types of online matches and more customisation options.
- Bombs customisation is fun.
- Great soundtrack.
Cons
- Very, very disappointing storyline for Desmonds storyline.
- Minor glitches and bugs.
- Den Defense and Desmonds FPV missions are unnecessary additions.
- Reused gameplay mechanics from the previous Assassins Creed games.
- Disappointing ending.
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Desmond is now in coma, and is placed in the Animus to save his mind from being deleted.
The game takes place directly after Assassins Creed: Brotherhood, where Desmond fell into coma after being forced to kill Lucy in the Vault at Rome. While in the Animus, he met Subject 16, whos mind somehow survives in the Animus, and told him in order to wake up from the coma, Desmond needs to relieve both of his ancestors memories until there is nothing more important to be shown, both Ezios and Altairs memories.
As for Ezios storyline, he went to Masyaf to find clues about the Assassin order and other secrets. Little did he know that Masyaf is crawling with Templars, who fought Ezio, and caught him and was about to kill him. Ezio managed to escape, and he needs to find the keys to enter Atairs library, a secret room in Masyaf.
Heres the thing about the storyline. I love Ezios and Altairs storyline in the game, but the main storyline in the present day is very disappointing. Not much development about it, and once you finished the game, you will feel that the game ends too soon. You will be saying or asking things such as: "Wait, thats it?", "What the hell just happened?", "The ending sucks!", or etc. To avoid spoilers, some of the revelations in the game can be shocking, but not enough of it.
Characters interaction and development in the game is quite good, but only for the Ezios and Altairs era. In the present day, dont expect to talk to much people since Desmond is stuck in a coma. My favourite new characters in the game would be Yusuf, another Master Assassin, Prince Suleiman, prince of Istanbul, and Sofia, a rather charming young girl who would be love interest of Ezio after knowing each other for quite some time. I do feel sympathetic about Altair a lot more in this game compared to the first game, and I always endear Ezio since he is one of my favourite characters in games.
Gameplay
Expect a lot of climbing buildings, killing a lot enemies, etc.
The gameplay is pretty much the same as the previous Assassins Creed games. You have access to your signature hidden blades to assassinate people in stealth or public, a sword, a short weapon, hidden gun, crossbow, etc. There are several new stuffs that Ezio can use in his adventures to fight his enemies. You also can still hide in the crowd to avoid pursuers, sit on a bench to hide, or etc. Same old hide and fight techniques.
Hookblade is useful to travel from one place to another quickly.
Firstly, you have now access to hookblade, which will acts as both navigation tool and killing tool. The hookblade replaces and acts as your second hidden blade, and it allows you to show off several new moves in the game, such as hook and run, an evasive maneuver, or hook and throw, an offensive maneuver that allows you to kill an enemy, and etc. It also acts as climbing tool that allows you to climb buildings, walls much faster, and allows you use ziplines to travel quickly from one place to another.
You can customise your bombs to suit the current missions nature.
Secondly, you can now choose and customise bombs to fight your enemies. There are three categories of bombs, one is for killing, one is for tactical, and one is for diversion. Creating bombs is a new to this series, since you can mix and match the ingredients used to make a different type pf bomb. For example, by mixing a Datura powder, any type of gunpowder, and any types of bomb casing will result a bomb that allows you to poison your enemies. You can even customise your bombs to be a tripwire bomb or even a timed bomb. Experiment each ingredients to create bombs that is effective for certain missions. For example, missions that require you to be stealth will often leads you to create more diversion bombs such as Cherry Bombs to distract enemies. Although it is not necessary to use bombs to complete missions, but they are essential in getting 100% Synchronisation for each Memory in the game. However, you are mandatory to use bombs in certain missions since you cant progress in the game without using it. Other than that, it is optional.
Ezio now have Eagle Sense, an improved version of Eagle Vision.
You now have access to Eagle Sense, an improved version of Eagle Vision from the previous games. This time, you can track enemies patrol routes while you use that ability, which allows you to set a trap or anticipate their coming and kill them one by one. Eagle Vision also allows you see through smokes, so use it when you are using Smoke Bombs to mask your killings in the game.
The combat in the game feels the same as the previous games combat, but I felt that the enemies are slightly more aggressive than the previous Assassins Creed games, which is a good thing. The killing streak also returns, which allows you to kill enemies instantly if you are not interrupted while doing it.
Den Defense is a unique minigame, but can be too hard for some players and felt unnecessary.
Den Defense is a minigame that allows you to protect your Dens from being taken by the Templars again. You need to place your Assassins in certain places to overcome several waves of Templars. After winning several Den Defenses, it will become much harder, and there will be more powerful Templar units that can devastate you, such as Stalkers, that will kill the Assassins on the rooftops. You can also shoot your hidden gun to kill any Templars left, kill Stalkers, and use it to concentrate the attack force on a specific target, like a cannon barricade. You can use your cannon to kill multiple enemies at the same time. This is a unique addition to the game, but it can be overpowering since the minigame will become much more harder, and the Templars will always retake the Den you control, forcing you to kill the Den Captain(s) again and again. It is highly recommended to quickly train your Assassins to Master Assassin level to avoid your Den being overtaken by the Templars.
In order to Renovate shops such as Bank, Blacksmith, or etc, you need to take over a Den from a particular district by killing the Den Captains. Also, by renovating shops, you can gain a certain amount of income per 20 minutes. The more shops you renovated, the more income you can get. This is important because money is not easy to get in the game, other than completing Memories for every Sequences. You can use the money to buy new weapons, armours, equipment, medicines, etc. Buying good armour is highly recommended to have a better chance in fighting tougher enemies like Janissaries in later Sequences.
Please be noted that having your Notoriety level at the maximum will cause Templars to attack one of the Dens. Bribe Heralds or kill a certain Templar target to lower your Notoriety.
You can recruit Assassins like Assassins Creed: Brotherhood. Only this time, training them to Master Assassins have their own side missions.
As in Assassins Creed: Brotherhood, you can recruit Assassins by helping innocent civilians from danger or complete their challenges. You can recruit up to more than 10 Assassins, and you can recruit more as you takeover more dens. You can call them to help you to kill unsuspected enemies on the roof, or help you in a fight between you and multiple enemies. You can only train up to 7 Master Assassins. Each Assassin have their own levels, and will gain Experience needed to rank up a new level by fighting an enemy in a battle, kill an enemy stealthily, or by sending them on missions in Mediterranean Defense. Sending them to Mediterranean Defense missions is the fastest way to gain quick levels. The success of a mission will depends on the Assassins level. The higher the level, the better the success rate.
Sending multiple Assassins to a high level missions is a great way for them get experience, but be noted that they will share experience equally. For example, if the mission is worth 1500 experience points, sending an Assassin alone to the mission will net him/her full experience points, whereas sending three Assassins to the mission will net them 500 experience points each. Missions will be completed via the required time shown in each mission details. Low level missions will take less than 10 minutes (real time) to complete, whereas high level missions will take more than 15 minutes to complete.
Once they have reached certain level, they will initiate a certain side mission which requires you to kill a target. However, these side missions have two parts, which will be initiated when they reach level 10 or 11, and another in level 14. Another requirement for them to become Master Assassin is to place them as the Den Captain for any Den. Once they become Master Assassin, that particular Den will not be attacked or taken over by Templars. Take note that having Master Assassins are quite formidable in fighting large group of enemies when called.
Control Altair in his young and old days at certain points in the game.
At certain points in the game, you need to control Altair to complete certain Memories in the game. Unlike Ezio, he has access to a rather limited equipment. However, he has the maximum health from the start, so it is understandable. He now has access to Kill Streaks as well, unlike in the first game, as well as can use his Hidden Blade as a fighting weapon.
Playing Desmonds own FPV missions can be rather boring, except his own narration about his past life.
In this game, you can play some first person view platforming missions using Desmond. However, it can be rather boring since it did not offer much playing value except getting from point A to point B. However, when you reach certain points in the stage, you can hear Desmonds narration about his past life. His narration on his past life is rather interesting, but does not offer any new information about himself or others. In order to play all of his FPV (first person view) missions, you need to collect a certain amount of Animus Data Fragment in the game to unlock a new FPV mission.
The gameplay is more or less refined with unnecessary new features such as Den Defense and Desmonds first person view platforming missions. The core gameplay mechanics is good as always, with some new aggressive enemies unlike previous Assassins Creed games. Unfortunately, it did not offer much new gameplay mechanics, except the addition of the useful Hookblade, bombs customisation as well as Den Defense and Desmonds FPV missions. The latter two can be rather boring to play and indulge, but the hookblade is a great new tool as well as the freedom of customising your bombs is rather great. However, players who played previous Assassins Creed games should not expect that this game is anymore different or better than the previous games.
Graphics
Improved graphics compared to the previous game.
The graphics leap from Assassins Creed II and Assassins Creed: Brotherhood is almost unnoticeable, but the graphics leap between Assassins Creed: Brotherhood and Assassins Creed; Revelations is rather big. This game features more improved graphics such as better details on the face, clothing, etc. As you can see, Ezio looks great in this game, and his age is showing by having wrinkles on his face and some white hairs. Other characters also look great. The only thing I dont understand is why does Desmond looks old compared to his appearances in previous Assassins Creed game. Either way, the graphics in this game rather superb.
Sound
Great voice acting, and the musical score is phenomenal, thanks to the contribution of a new composer, Lorne Balfe.
One thing I like about Assassins Creed games is the great voice acting. The voice acting in the game is rather awesome, thanks to Roger Craig Smiths role as Ezio, as well as many other voice actors. It is sad to see that Altairs and Subject 16s voice actor are replaced, but their replacement voice actors did a great job as well in the game. Altairs new voice actor give the character much better characterisation and emotion compared with his previous voice actor in the first game.
The musical score is awesome, with a lot of great electronic and orchestral tracks in the game itself. The main theme of the game is simply awesome, full of emotion and epic. Great ambient tracks played while roaming the districts of Istanbul, exhilarating action played in action scenes, and emotional, heart-wrenching tracks played in emotional scenes.
Replay Value
High replay value, thanks to the addictive multiplayer mode of the game.
As in previous Assassins Creed games, the replay value is high. You can collect all Animus Data Fragments in the game, find the secret Armour of Ishak Pasha, or get 100% Synchronisation for every Memory in each Sequence. There is a lot of things to do in the singleplayer mode itself, and the multiplayer is not an exception as well.
As in Assassins Creed: Brotherhood, this game also features a unique multiplayer mode, except an improved version compared to the previous games multiplayer mode. As in the previous game, you will control one of many Templars Persona in the game to fight other players online.
Customise your Personas appearances, taunts, or stun moves.
This time, you can customise each Personas appearance, stun moves, or taunts if you have enough credits by completing online matches. You can now also customise your own title, and avatar in online multiplayer mode to differentiate yourself from others.
Blending in the crowd is one of the basic but fundamental technique for hiding from pursuers and assassinate a target.
All online matches mode have the common and basic objective: Kill a target. Wanted mode is one of the popular and simple online match, where you will be hunting someone while being targeted by another online players. My most favourite match type in the online multiplayer would be Manhunt, which allows me to concentrate on hiding on the first or second round with my teammates, and then concentrate on killing a target with my teammates on the first or second round.
There are several new type of matches introduced in this game, such as Steal The Artifact, Deathmatch, Simple Deathmatch, Escort, and Artifact Assault. This provides flexibility and variety to players who wish to experience new type of online matches in Assassins Creed multiplayer.
Making a drastic move such as running or killing the wrong target will reveal your presence to your pursuers or your target.
You can customise your Abilities set by using a variety of Abilities, Perks, etc to kill your target or to escape from your pursuer. For example, the ability Smoke Bomb allows you to stop your pursuers for short period of time and escape. There are various types of abilities in the game, so try to experiment each to choose which one is the best for you. Abilities such as Disguise, Morph, and Smoke Bomb are useful defensive techniques whereas Templar Vision, Poison and Firecrackers are good offensive techniques.
Another new addition in the game is the new Score bonus called Honourable Death. By pressing the Stun button at your pursuer who is killing you, you can reduce his/her score dramatically. However, confronting your pursuers directly is not a wise move unless he/she is not aware that you are the target. Also, you can freely stun civilians if you are being pursued by another Templar. It is a good way to change your current target to a new one if you think that target is very tough to spot or kill, but be aware that by stunning a civilian, your pursuer will know that is his/her target.
Your kill score will be determined by various factors, such as killing while hiding in a crowd, the targets awareness of your presence (Silent, Incognito, etc), or performing a kill streak. The Detection Meter returns to allow you to find your correct target in a midst of many similar looking civilians. The nearer you are to the target, the Detection Meter will become full circle. If your target is on sight, the Detection Meter will glow brightly. Use this when you are not sure if your target is nearby or using a Disguise or Morph to hide himself/herself. In this case, Templar Vision or Firecrackers are perfect to find the hidden target among the similar looking civilians around. For certain types of matches like Deathmatch, Detection Meter will not be available for you to track your target, which is much harder than playing Wanted matches. To win those types of matches, you need to rely on your sight and check whether your Targets portrait glow or now. If it is glowing, then it means your target is nearby, and vice versa.
Unlike in the previous game, the multiplayer mode has a storyline where you will be one of recruits who will train himself to become a Templar Agent. For every few levels, there will be a video that will show your progression in the Animus. Surprisingly, one of the characters in the Assassins Creed comics make two appearances in the online multiplayer videos. It is a great twist, and the storyline is a good incentive for you to keep playing the online multiplayer mode. By ranking up levels, you can have access to Abstergo Files which provides some background information about Abstergo itself, which is linked to Templars. Most of the files provide nothing new information about the series itself, but some of it can be mind twisting, depending on your expectancy of the series itself.
I love the online multiplayer, because it has various improvements that makes it much better than the previous games multiplayer mode. Also, when you try to create a custom match, you can check whether which type of mission objectives have high or low activity. If the particular mission objective have a high activity, you can join it easily, and vice versa. Play the online multiplayer mode when you see there is High Activity in the team-based objective or solo-based objective.
As a result, the replay value is high, thanks to the improved and addicting multiplayer mode. It is a shame that Ubisoft does not take the time to improve the singleplayer mode, though...
Conclusion
Another Assassins Creed game that has disappointing main storyline despite its great gameplay, awesome music, improved graphics, and well-liked characters.
I have no idea why Ubisoft did not develop the present storyline more further. Fortunately, Ezios and Altairs stories are concluded with satisfying endings. Perhaps the weak development in the storyline of Desmonds time what held the game from being great as well as its repetitive gameplay mechanices from its previous games as well as some unnecessary new minigames. The only two areas that I see that have improvements are the graphics and the multiplayer mode. Other areas such as gameplay more or less the same as the previous Assassins Creed games. Perhaps if they remove the Den Defense and Desmonds FPV missions, make improvements to the singleplayer game such as including hard and challenging bosses in the game, and develop the present storyline much further, then this game will be awesome. Unfortunately, this did not happen. It is a great action-adventure game, but for Assassins Creed fans standards, this game can be major disappointment to most of them, and can be a masterpiece to others. As for me, I am more or less neutral towards the game itself.
Score
Story - 7/10
Gameplay - 7/10
Graphics - 10/10
Sound - 10/10
Final Score: 34/40 or 8.5/10.0.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Ezios and Altairs storyline are awesome.
- Great and memorable characters such as Yusuf and Sofia.
- Altairs ending can move your heart in a very sympathetic way.
- Superb voice acting by all voice actors. The new voice actors for Altair and Subject 16 did a great job.
- Improved graphics compared with Assassins Creed: Brotherhood. Beautiful environments such as greatly detailed characters and buildings.
- Non-repetitive mission objectives.
- Extremely high replay value.
- Improved online multiplayer mode with new types of online matches and more customisation options.
- Bombs customisation is fun.
- Great soundtrack.
Cons
- Very, very disappointing storyline for Desmonds storyline.
- Minor glitches and bugs.
- Den Defense and Desmonds FPV missions are unnecessary additions.
- Reused gameplay mechanics from the previous Assassins Creed games.
- Disappointing ending.
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