Savior Gaming

Of this entire series, 3, which isn’t really 3 when you think of it, is probably the game I’m most on the fence about. Following Assassin’s Creed: Revelations , Desmond’s story comes to it’s final climax where he has to stop the Apocalypse and face Abstergo as well as another soul like himself. Meanwhile, we follow a new ancestor in half Native American/ half British Conner as we see his village destroyed, his people turned against him as he learns to be an Assassin during the American Revolution as he faces off against his father, a Templar.

Ok, while fun, I’m going to say Desmond’s part of this lost me though the end finishes his story well enough. Graphically the Revolution period looks great and as for gameplay, there are new additions like naval combat, hunting, and of course there is the Assassin’s Creed staples. Combat is touched up a bit and done better than previous installments but it’s a good step forward. Conner’s story is really good in my opinion; where as Ezio and Altair’s stories felt more cut and dry, Conner’s feels more grey and it becomes hard to define good and evil. It does take it’s sweet ass time getting to be an Assassin and I have to say the pacing feels off, either dragging more in the middle or rushing at the end. In the end, it’s not the best or the worst of the series but I will say it’s the last really relevant game in the series and a good conclusion. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

Here we come to the finale of the Ezio trilogy in my Assassin’s Creed reviews and well, it’s there. Essentially I feel like before the climax that would be Assassin’s Creed 3, this is just there to tie up lose ends until then. Ezio is old and in the twilight of his years; we see what happened to Altair after the first game; and Desmond is in a coma and we get to experience his memories leading up to his abduction by Abstergo in the first game. As I said, it’s the loose end tie-er so 3 could start epic.

After the first, this my second least favorite of the series because it’s short as hell and feels kinda rushed. I’m still not invested in Altair so his stuff had no real effect peaking my interest. Desmond’s stuff was interesting but really weirdly constructed for level designs. His stuff are these really trippy puzzles through his subconscious. Ezio’s stuff feels very much like the other two games but the biggest addition are the defense missions, which have a cool strategy aspect to them. They take a little getting used to but are pretty fun and fulfilling once you get the hang of them. And you can ride ziplines. Other than that, that’s about it. Years later, these are all the things I really can really recall from it, which says volumes really. It’s a forgettable game in my opinion but is ok if you feel inclined to pick it up. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

We continue our thread of Assassin’s Creed reviews with the third game that ain’t 3. Though there is a 3 but it’s really 5 I guess. Ah well. So Brotherhood is the second part of Ezio’s trilogy and a pretty good entry. It picks up almost exactly where it leaves him at the end of Assassin’s Creed 2 where sadly, the Borgia family reigns hell down on him, kill uncle Mario, and Ezio is understandably pissed, but this time he can’t do it alone. By rescuing the weak and down trodden from the Borgia’s bullying, he pulls them into his newly developing Assassin brotherhood…oh and did I mention Desmond does stuff with that Lucy chick who totally ain’t a Templar…

Ok, as far as the series goes, it’s a good game. In fact, it really does feel like a huge epilogue to 2 in a lot of ways. The biggest new addition is the ability to now call for back up from assassins you saved and train, getting some really badass attacks in time. Another really cool thing is the side quests where you have to destroy Da Vinci’s prototype war machines, that was a lot of fun. Something I didn’t like were the QTEs they snuck in there, especially towards the end. Another thing I got to say is Desmond’s stuff while not bad and fun does feel like filler and breaks immersion  bit. That twist at the end I don’t really buy either but alright. In the end, it’s a fun game and a good continuation to 2. May the gaming gods bring you glory.

I say this right now: Assassin’s Creed 2 is the very definition of a superior sequel in every freaking way I can think of. Better game play, better story, more varied combat, a much more interesting, likable character, and a hell of a lot more to do. Plus, it’s my favorite time period covered in the series so far.

Desmond and Lucy escape Abstergo after Desmond discovers he acquired Eagle Vision and we quickly discover he has learned a bit of fighting prowess from his ancestor. The Bleeding Effect is taking place- where the skills of his ancestors is being transmitted through him via the Animus. He connects with a group connected with modern day Assassins, who want to take down the Templars running Abstergo. There plan is to relaunch Desmond into the Animus and have him relive the early days of another ancestor and gather training as he himself learns how to be an Assassin. This ancestor is Ezio Auditorie de Firenze. Ezio’s had the perfect life until his father is betrayed, his father and brothers hung for treason, family broken and wanted and Ezio left hapless until his uncle Mario (yes, they do make a joke about Mario) gives them refuge and helps Ezio discover a family secret and we see Ezio’s transformation from carefree playboy to badass Assassin…

As I said in the intro, this is a superior sequel in every way. Ezio is a much more deeper character with a lot more personality than Altair. Fighting mechanics royally improved; water doesn’t kill you anymore. Graphics are hugely improved and the Italian Renaissance is  gorgeously rendered. For side missions, we can carry separate contracts, do courier  missions, beat up cheating bastards, solve fascinating glyph puzzles, traverse hidden area puzzles for rare armor or just pimp your homestead. I loved being able to use Da Vinci’s inventions as well, that was so epic. I seriously recommend this as your first entry into the series and it is worth buying again. May the gaming gods bring you glory.