Played Through in Fall 2009.
So…there’s this guy who…likes to SHANK a fool or two...and when he’s not playing hopscotch across the rooftops of Old Jerusalem, he’s popping in and out of the memory of his latest descendent from the future who’s trying to shack up with Kristen Bell…. a weird rubbery looking Kristen Bell, but hey, who am I to playa hate...
Assassin’s Creed impressed me. It even got under my skin a little bit…in a good way. I went into this game with a vague understand of its’ FAULTS: Repetitive Game-play, Repetitive Voice Acting, Dull A.I. and so on. But despite all of these faults I found Assassin’s Creed to be absurdly satisfying not ONLY to the eye, but also to the touch.
Maybe I’m a sucker for Atmosphere in a game, but if developers go out of their way to create beautiful lush environments that feel truly alive, I can’t help but look past the holes in the game play. When I first peered over the ledge and saw the City of Damascus from afar, and the sun silhouetted my profile while the soundtrack kicked in…I practically GASPED. Breathing in the Art Direction of this game was worth every monotonous side quest and annoying beggar lady. For me at least.
I actually STOPPED playing this game half way in and spent close to a total of 6 HOURS researching all Nine Crusades and the conquests of King Richard as well as Saladin . Few games have inspired me in such a way and by doing so, it made me appreciate the historical context of the Assassin‘s World even more.
It’s so daring for media entertainment to throw in the complex, political and heated religions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam into one pot and pull it off which a good amount of respect and honesty. Granted I think the Vision of this game is probably better than the game itself, but it’s a Vision I don’t mind seeing for more iterations and blades in dudes faces to come.