New feature time! Instead of taking the standard “review” route for Assassin’s Creed Xav and I decided to have a little conversation about the game via email, and them post the ensuing mayhem up for the world. If you enjoy it, you might just see it pop up from time to time!

We’ve split it into two parts, one last Friday and the other today. So start with part one first then come back!

And buyer beware, there’s a minor “spoiler” in here… but it’s something that happens 5 minutes into the game so we’re not really spoiling anything… And if you’re on the fence about the game, you probably oughta know this ahead of time to help make a decision. Either way, tell us what YOU think and I hope you enjoy!

The entire sci-fi element is too distracting. While I play the game I try to forget it exists but they make it impossible. Every enemy you lock onto, every person who speaks, every item in the world that you can collect reflects this binary sequence that takes away from the realism of these cities they worked so hard to recreate.

As for the collect-a-thon flags, the effect might have something to do unlocking a larger story beyond what we initially see… considering every main target you kill seems to be more than meets the eye once they take their final breath.

The world itself is beautiful during the Crusade sections, less so during the present time sequences, but one of the best looking games available on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

The animation is fantastic for both the main character, Altiar and the NPCs (non-playable characters), while the A.I. of the enemies seems to struggle at times with the animation system in place - especially when guards attempt to chase you over rooftops (but I guess it doesn’t matter since the point is to have them behind you away from sight at all times!).

What is your impression of the battle system, when the game pulls a Metroid and takes away your abilities I went from digging it to hating it and as I’ve progressed and recovered some of my inventory I’ve gone back to enjoying the sequences.

Xav

These games that give you all these powers only to take them away make me laugh. It’s always such a contrived plot device (See the opening of God of War 2). I mean I know why they do it, to give you a little taste so you have something to work toward. Kinda like a drug dealer. But here the “reason” is pretty beyond belief.

So let me get this straight,. the clan is unhappy with you so to teach you a lesson they take away your … abilities? Yea that’s realistic. They get pissed and all the sudden you forget how to counter in a fight? Want to see how dumb that sounds? I remember when I was a kid and my parents would ground me and take away my ability to walk and chew gum at the same time. So frustrating. See? Sounds stupid doesn’t it?

The battle system works well for the most part, although the moves are somewhat limited. Sometimes it just comes down to button mashing. Though I can kind of accept it since they face-to-face fight really only should happen when you’ve done something wrong to draw that much attention. I prefer the hiding/stealth. Which brings me to this question…

Why can’t I lock onto someone without triggering the guards to come kill me? Just cause I locked onto a guy doesn’t mean I want to fight in the open. I’d like the option to lock on and follow a man to assassinate him.

As far as the rooftop jumping and climbing, how do you think that worked out? It’s definitely based on the Prince of Persia ideal, but simplified. It makes everything easier, but too much so?

DanZ

I remember a few months before launch when the media was finally able to play a build of Assassin’s Creed there were rumblings that the controls were complex. When its explained to you the game certainly seems overwhelming, but it’s quite simple. The top face button controls Altair’s head (or eyes in most context sensitive cases), the left face button controls his weapon hand, right controls his free hand and the bottom controls his feet and everything in between. Pressing the triggers changes the force of the buttons, like holding the bottom face button alone makes Altair walk - blending into the background while holding the right trigger and along with the bottom button he takes off running.

This worried me a little, at first it felt like I was never going to ‘get it,’ but now my worry is I get it all too well. I find myself holding down the feet button and the right trigger making Altair gun around the world at top speed. Possibly because it’s a virtual recreation of the memory he’s wearing his +1000 stamina robes and he never breaks a sweat - or even pause for a break.

My concern is that the controls are too simple and I’ve learned everything I’ll need to know to succeed and I don’t think being BFF with the Assassin’s Bureau chief is going to unlock that super awesome control mode.

I keep going back to my Spider-Man 2 comparison. It was a great game, but instead of taking their five amazing ideas and creating other scenarios they said “ok, that’s enough for this one!” and focused on that. Assassin’s Creed is guilty of the same thing I think, it’s all quite impressive (save for the eavesdropping nonsense) - but it seems like too little.

Now, let me make it clear — the game so far is great, but has its flaws the same way a Halo or a Metal Gear does.

Some of the design choices are great, (I’ll say it again) the recreated world during the Crusades is beautiful; some design choices are odd, being thought of as an enemy by the A.I. just for walking my horse near them at a normal pace and not the insanely slow ‘blending’ speed they set; and some are just ridiculous, the sci-fi isn’t just a part of it - its everywhere and it gets in the way!

As much as I’m complaining about the little things, and they do pile up, I just keep coming back to the game. I think, and this is from only a few hours into the game, this is a great first installment of a series. From what I’ve been told from some of my old retail contacts the game is cleaning up here in the great white north — but hey, we take care of our own and need something to tie us over till Rock Band!

Xav

I’m going to wrap my end up by completely agreeing with you that the game is great. I think the sci-fi stuff keeps it from being “fantastic” but I’d still say it’s a must-own for fans of the genre.

After playing a few hours tonight, I too also “get” the controls and have no problem darting around the city with the greatest of ease. And holy shit what a city. These 3 cities ARE alive. It’s almost mind boggling how well done they are. If Assassin’s Creed is remembered for anything, it’ll be pushing the industry forward when it comes to crowd interaction. For a simulation inside a game they sure appear to be living and breathing!

My issues aside I’d still recommend the game. My own expectations and some odd design choices will keep this out of the running for my game of the year (unless the end blows my socks off) but I still sit it solidly in the “Buy” column.

DanZ