Assassin's creed 3 often gets bashed for it's slow start and very serious protagonist Connor Kenway. As a native american myself I see there is this stereotype of the stoic stone-faced "indians". There is some truth to this just like most stereotypes but obviously not all natives are like this. Connor's attitude and demeanor directly impacted by his life and heritage, Connor has absolutely no reason to connect with his white heritage because the colonials and British treat natives as lesser beings. It's hard to be a lovable rapscallion when your constantly persecuted. Also his attitude fits the character considering the decisions he has to make and the loss he endures.
The only good things in Connor's life come from his native heritage, he can't even use his real name. If Connor had any type of other attitude it would not be right, he has a right to be angry and act like a jerk(although sometimes his anger and impatience gets in the way of people trying to help him like Achilles). This guy has a huge chip on his shoulder and things just keep getting worse for him and his people. No matter what is done by the player the natives are doomed by the Americans or the British. The part where Connor learns that Washington plans to remove his people just hit it home that no matter what you do things are not going to work out.
When I first started Assassin's creed 3 when it came out it really bummed me out that you played as Haytham for such an extended period of time, and then going through yet another tutorial with Connor. There was just too much tedium in the early game that most people just quit and I can't blame them I did the same thing for a bout six months(I was able to go back and finish Revelations though). This really hurt the game because when you really get past the very lengthy tutorials it is a great game with a great story albeit depressing. I have to say it is a guilty pleasure using a tomahawk to kill redcoats and even later early Americans. The native weapons in this are just great, it's a shame there is no scalping. The developers has stated that scalping was too brutal, but considering the fact that i can stab someone in the face pause for effect then stab them one more time for good measure kinda invalidates that argument for me. Nothing beats the knife and tomahawk for me in any assassin's game but I may be a bit biased.
In my opinion nothing about native Americans does really well considering how in the minority we are but I don't think that is the reason for the low opinion of Assassin's creed 3. Having two tutorials and a very slow burn of a story, not to mention the no fun attitude(rightly so) of the hero really hurt the game. I forgot to mention the new family Connor starts at the farm with achilles. I loved this aspect of the game to at least give Connor something since his whole life he is just losing everything. Achilles dying a natural death at the end and everyone gathered around was a nice epilogue considering how everyone else was taken from Connor. Also the end scene with Connor standing at the docks and smiling at the British ships departed back for Britain seemed like a happy ending until he looks over and sees a man selling slaves, I feel this is a perfect way to end it. The entire game you are working to make things better but you never seem to come out on top. I think this scene depicted Connors plight well, It never ends.
Notice I did not mention anything about desmond or ancient aliens that's because I don't really care and have never cared about desmond. Just my opinion. It would also be interesting how man other native have played this and their opinions.
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