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Assassin's Creed franchise

Started by Fierce Deity, December 05, 2010, 08:39:08 PM

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Fierce Deity

Assassin's Creed is quite undoubtedly a rare gem in its own right. It being a new IP was quickly adopted as the standard for open-world platformers, even though it arrived quite late to the party. One aspect that was working against it was the setting of the game. I had remembered that the game was getting a lot of attention prior to its release, and many were considering it to be a Medieval Grand Theft Auto. When the game released, I had noticed much controversy over the actual setting. It turns out that the game took place in the near (really near in fact) future. The year 2012 if I'm not mistaken by the prophetic conjecture within the game. The main character was not the master assassin Altair, like promoted, but rather a bartender by the name of Desmond Miles. While I was still having high hopes for this series at the time that it came out, the series had taken a turn for the odd before the IP was even given a chance to succeed.

Now looking back at the release of the first Assassin's Creed, I shouldn't have had any doubt. Despite the drastic turn that the game took, it has worked out to be even better than what I was hoping for. Desmond Miles may have been a 20-something nobody from the suburbs, but the story of an assassin is still being told. I have recently finished Assassin's Creed II, and was intrigued by the entire experience all throughout from beginning to end. Without spoiling too much, I can say that things have just begun for Desmond and his misadventures through time.

I haven't had the chance to play Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, but I had read a review and the editor had referred to the multiplayer aspect as being "the best multiplayer experience that isn't Call of Duty". Not only did this humor me, but also peaked my interest. It's a pretty basic idea of being the hunter, as well as the hunted. You have to find your own personal target and kill them before your own killer finds you. It's simple, and doesn't sound very fun, but I assume it provides a distraction from playing the single-player campaign for too long. I find that to be even better than Call of Duty, considering a Call of Duty single-player campaign is relatively nonexistent these days. They even tried to tie in a story element to try and impress those who want to play the game for the story. It's not that impressive, but it's good to see they've tried.

In retrospect, this series was made for success. Ubisoft rarely puts a lot of attention towards one specific IP unless it's Prince of Persia or Splinter Cell. To see how far Assassin's Creed has come as a whole, it almost seems as if it all happened overnight. Not only did I make this thread to share my impression on the series, but I would also like to discuss where the game is going, provided we don't spoil too much for those who haven't played the games. Feel free to use this thread for anything Assassin's Creed. Nothing is true. Everything is permitted.
Freudian Slip - "When you say one thing, but mean your mother."

Ultima992

Assassins Creed is a unique game play, i plan to go through and play the first one again soon, Ive played both, and if i had to choose between the 2 id pick AC2. For me AC1 was competitive with the missions. [spoiler] between having to get a tower in every town, thief,help people,find towers,assassinate. rinse, repeat  [/spoiler] as to where part 2 you got to go out and do it all differently.

I have not gotten the chance to play AC3Brotherhood, but i watched many previews, and i think that where they are going with it all it is very awesome, the idea of what they gave about [spoiler]having personal assassins on your team[/spoiler] was very different.
I cant wait to get my hands on AC3Brotherhood

Baggins

I just replayed through the Assasin's Creed Altair's Chronicles on my Iphone 4 (I had previously played it on DS) Its not a bad game. Probably my second favorite of the portable AC's. The voicework and HD graphics in Iphone version is nice (though the control is worse). Not bad for 99 cents though (it's currently on sale).

My favorite game in the series so far is AC2 though, I like being able to swim.
Well, ya, King's Quest is on Earth. Daventry is very old city from a long time ago. It's in ruins now and people aren't quite sure exactly where it used to be. There are some archaeologists searching through the ruins, they think they know its Daventry. But its somewhere on Earth."-Roberta Williams http://kingsquest.wikia.com/wiki/File:Daventryisearth.ogg

Fierce Deity

I loved AC2. Which is why I'm going to give Brotherhood a fair shot. I just hope that the multiplayer doesn't turn Assassin's Creed into what Call of Duty has become. I'm a fan of a good story, and Assassin's Creed is definitely a good story.

I wanted to get 100% on AC2, but because the DLC was taken out before the game was released and the exclusive maps in the collector's edition remained exclusive, I got less than a perfect sync with Ezio Auditore. I had to settle for getting the Platinum Trophy on the PS3 version.  :-[

I think the PC version on Steam comes with all of the extras required for a 100% sync. I'm such a fan of Assassin's Creed, I'll consider it.
Freudian Slip - "When you say one thing, but mean your mother."

kindofdoon

I liked AC1 and 2 very much, but not enough to spend lots of money on what appears to be extra content for AC2. I will wait until AC3.

Daniel Dichter, Production/PR
daniel.dichter@postudios.com

Fierce Deity

Quote from: kindofdoon on December 05, 2010, 10:11:21 PM
I liked AC1 and 2 very much, but not enough to spend lots of money on what appears to be extra content for AC2. I will wait until AC3.

This would be the logical, money-saving method that I should be using. I played the majority of the game, but I'm curious as to what happened during Sequence 12 and 13. I'll probably just see a video walkthrough on Youtube or something. I thought it was such a copout to exclude both of those chapters and then have the characters say, "Oh, it seems our data is corrupted. Maybe if you buy the DLC, those sequences will come back." Still, I'll probably do the same as you and wait for AC3. I'm just feeling unfulfilled.  :-\
Freudian Slip - "When you say one thing, but mean your mother."

kindofdoon

I read a rumor that AC3 might take place in Feudal Japan...Such a game could really be amazing if the developers pushed it to its fullest potential.

Daniel Dichter, Production/PR
daniel.dichter@postudios.com

Baggins

QuoteI think the PC version on Steam comes with all of the extras required for a 100% sync. I'm such a fan of Assassin's Creed, I'll consider it.

Well I don't know if they changed, it but all the extras were initially given out as preorders on Steam for AC2.

Obviously there is also no way to get the PS3 exclusive weapons, which is a bit annoying.

The developers said they wanted to release all the extra content  (at least the levels) later on long after the release (so that everyone would have equal versions)... But I doubt they ever got around to it? I think you can access a version of those levels in DLC content btw, since at least one of the bonus areas is used as part of the story.

I got the steam release early on, infact its superior to all American versions, since it has the extra level that only came with the European Black Edition.
Well, ya, King's Quest is on Earth. Daventry is very old city from a long time ago. It's in ruins now and people aren't quite sure exactly where it used to be. There are some archaeologists searching through the ruins, they think they know its Daventry. But its somewhere on Earth."-Roberta Williams http://kingsquest.wikia.com/wiki/File:Daventryisearth.ogg

Lambonius

#8
Assassin's Creed is the single best reason to own a current generation video game console.  No question.

Not since Zelda: Ocarina of Time has a game literally enthralled me and kept me sucked into the story, gameplay, and details of the setting as much as AC2.  And AC:Brotherhood improves on AC2 in just about every way, including looks.  The reviews are correct in saying that it's not quite as much of a revolutionary leap over AC2 as AC2 was over AC1, but it is not--I repeat, NOT--just more of the same or "extra content for AC2."  The reasons it doesn't seem as revolutionary are not because AC:Brotherhood is bad, but because AC2 was already SO FRIGGIN' GOOD.  :)

I do think the multiplayer is well thought-out, but I don't see it ever becoming the draw that some are saying it will be--but then, I've never been much for online multiplayer.  If you're a fan of the series though (and even if you're not), the multiplayer component won't be your reason for buying the game anyway--continuing the amazingly deep single-player story will be.

I just can't say enough good things about the series.  The first game had its missteps, and if it had ended there, it would be a forgettable experience.  But the second game was so good, and provided such an amazingly good story with memorable characters, that the series is thankfully here to stay and only getting better.  Long live Assassin's Creed.

kindofdoon

Hm, I don't think that AC1 without AC2 would have been a forgettable experience. Though it lacked any plot development for most of the game, leaving that to the exposition and conclusion, it still had excellent combination of gameplay and visuals, which, in my opinion, trump story in terms of importance to the overall experience of the game.

Daniel Dichter, Production/PR
daniel.dichter@postudios.com

Lambonius

Quote from: kindofdoon on December 06, 2010, 06:31:01 AM
Hm, I don't think that AC1 without AC2 would have been a forgettable experience. Though it lacked any plot development for most of the game, leaving that to the exposition and conclusion, it still had excellent combination of gameplay and visuals, which, in my opinion, trump story in terms of importance to the overall experience of the game.

True...it would definitely have been memorable--and the story was still pretty interesting.  I guess what I meant by that was just to point out that AC1 was so far from reaching its full potential compared to its sequel.  :)  I still like AC1, and you're right, the audio-visual delivery is still excellent.

kindofdoon

Definitely. AC2 is an improvement in almost every area (except, in my opinion, the dual hidden blades, which seem to me like a cheap enhancement to an iconic weapon). I hope AC3 can expand AC2 just as AC2 expanded AC1.

Daniel Dichter, Production/PR
daniel.dichter@postudios.com

Melook

I love assassins creed. Everybody I know who got brotherhood says that it is great, a lot bett than AC2. The multiplayer is amazing to.
Signature's are over-rated!

Baggins

I'm awaiting the steam version of Brotherhood. I'm hoping they include the bonus Harlequin skin in that version, and whatever extras exist for the game.
Well, ya, King's Quest is on Earth. Daventry is very old city from a long time ago. It's in ruins now and people aren't quite sure exactly where it used to be. There are some archaeologists searching through the ruins, they think they know its Daventry. But its somewhere on Earth."-Roberta Williams http://kingsquest.wikia.com/wiki/File:Daventryisearth.ogg

Fierce Deity

Brotherhood (from what I heard) had expanded a lot of the gameplay elements to AC2, but a lot of them seem like something that only Ezio would accomplish. [spoiler]For instance, the actual recruitment for the Brotherhood. The system sounds nice, but if Ezio is the one who reestablished the Brotherhood after Al Mualim was the one who disestablished it after betraying everyone, I can assume that this gameplay element won't be recurring unless another crazy Templar weasels his way into the Assassins and breaks it apart from the inside. Destroying Leonardo da Vinci's crazy inventions that he was forced to make for the Templars. It sounds fun, but it would only fit in the Renaissance with Ezio. Also, collecting the feathers was something that provided a memento to Petruccio after his death. The next Assassin in line probably won't be picking those up. Safe to assume that there will be another collectible that the next Assassin will have to pick up though. [/spoiler]

Brotherhood sounds awesome, but a lot of the stuff in the game is building on top of AC2, rather than the series. So I may expect AC3 to go in a different direction, cause it'll need to redefine itself for a new era and a new Assassin. Regardless, it's going to be pretty awesome, no doubt.
Freudian Slip - "When you say one thing, but mean your mother."

Lambonius

I don't see why AC3 couldn't have the main character recruiting assassins.  I mean, even a fully established guild always needs new recruits, right?  Personally, I'd love to see the game set in revolutionary era America.  Just think of all the possible tie-ins with the whole Founding Fathers + Freemasons history (look it up! ;))  History nerd overload!  ;D

kindofdoon

That sounds dangerously like National Treasure...

Daniel Dichter, Production/PR
daniel.dichter@postudios.com

Lambonius

Quote from: kindofdoon on December 06, 2010, 07:50:16 PM
That sounds dangerously like National Treasure...

Ha, true...but I have confidence in the AC writing team to keep the story fresh and interesting.  Besides, it'd have the whole historical adventure thing going for it, being actually partly set in the Revolutionary era, rather than just modern day yahoos traipsing around old ruins and such.  :)  Plus we wouldn't have to suffer through Nick Cage's terrible acting.

kindofdoon

You know, I actually kind of like Nicholas Cage in the National Tresure series...He's not an especially stand-out actor, but he plays the part well enough to provide a solid impression of his character.

Daniel Dichter, Production/PR
daniel.dichter@postudios.com

Lambonius

Quote from: kindofdoon on December 06, 2010, 08:06:53 PM
You know, I actually kind of like Nicholas Cage in the National Tresure series...He's not an especially stand-out actor, but he plays the part well enough to provide a solid impression of his character.

He does well enough when the characters are written specifically for him, but he basically plays the same character in every movie.  You know--the gruff, cynical, slightly-past-his-prime, slightly goofy hero?  I could probably count the amount of roles that he's played where he stands out in marked contrast to that description on one hand.  :)