NIDZUMI+

After playing through the game twice and almost 100% achievements in the bag, i thought it was time for a review. Assassins Creed is set around 9 key assassinations, in 1191 and the kidnapping of your modern day character Robert Miles.

First things first, as soon as you start playing the game you’ll notice the sheer size of the cities. You may think this is a good thing, but you can really feel the slowdown at times from having to process so much. Lines crossing buildings texturing, characters appearing suddenly and Templar’s when pushed to the ground disappear and fly in from off screen. Despite all these things this game just feels great to play, the fights are balanced relying on timing rather than sheer button mashing. Climbing is realistic quite literally anything that looks like you can climb it, you can. Rooftops are easily the best method of getting from place to place, with few guards and plenty for hiding spots.

Meanwhile the AI is the best bit about the game as the NPC’s (non-playable characters) really seem to have personalities of their own, beggars hassle you for money (and will throw rocks at you if you ignore them), guards will block you off on certain alleys to hinder your escape and the way people react to your actions looks and sounds authentic.

In a game that is as open as this, it goes without saying that the game is only as hard as you make it. Assassinations can be done through stealth or through sheer brawn, but they are never boring. Escaping the clutches of the tailing guards is easy, but if you up for a challenge you can take them on but may draw more attention (and guards) to you actions. It’s a shame that the actual assassination missions are so good because with those you get cut scenes, different environments & setups that keep it entertaining but with the investigations and side missions you’ll find your self doing the same thing over and over again, its just lazy.

Story-wise its all very confusing and the twist in plot can be seen a mile off, but when it comes everything falls into place. Set up for the next game in a series of cryptic clues, is a real diamond. Although a long time to go until release i wonder if Ubisoft will give us some extra missions in the form of DLC, just to keep the spotlight on the next game? A well rounded game, with a few glitches. none the less a must play for any 360 owner.