Assassin's Creed
Review
Move over console brethren, PC gamers get to play too
by Sergio Brinkhuis
reviewed on PC
Gameplay (cntd.)
And this is where the patience comes in. The preparations are… mandatory sub-quests (for lack of a better word). Without fulfilling them, you won’t be able to reach your target. You may for example need to eavesdrop on some unsuspecting blabbermouths, or rough someone up to get the information you require to progress to the next stage in the assassination process. Fortunately these sub-quests are relatively varied and a few new ones, such as the Archer Assassination and the Merchant Stand Destruction missions, have been added especially for the PC version.
Stunning
While the game looked fantastic on the consoles, it looks even better on PC. I have been playing the game on Windows XP and even under DirectX 9 the game plays incredible. I can only imagine what it will look like under DirectX 10. Even up close people, buildings and other objects have an unbelievable level of detail. In-game characters are equipped with many different facial expressions which add a lot to their authenticity. The cities of Damascus, Acre and Jerusalem are beautifully rendered and filled to the brim with street vendors, soldiers and other city folk. Stalls, baskets, conveniently placed haystacks and other objects make the picture of prosperous bristling cities complete.
As part of your investigations, you will be climbing towers to scout the area. Jumping or using the already legendary Leap of Faith is fun and will on occasion probably have your stomach do a leap of its own. While on top of the tower, you get a feel of the vastness of the maps. Both city and countryside maps offer a view rarely seen in any game.
What surprised me was the ease with which the engine rendered the magnificent graphical splendor. Even with dozens of citizens on a busy street, the game doesn’t show so much as a hiccup. This is especially impressive when you consider that the game has to render each and every rooftop as well, because you will probably be spending a lot of your time on them. Navigating the busy streets when you are in a hurry can be a bit of a chore so jumping onto the Thieves Highway will make your life a little easier.
Patience
Assassin's Creed falls under the Action Adventure genre and while there is a good amount of action to be found in the game, it is hard to see it as action oriented. The gameplay is reminiscent of Thief or even Hitman. Stealth, patience and preparation are of infinitely more value to Altaïr than his two blades could ever be and that is exactly as it should be.
The DNA-based time travel is a cute touch that is sure to offer Ubisoft a lot of wiggle room for a sequel. And it is not just a gimmick either. The storyline that unfolds involves both the historical and the modern day scenes. Everything about the game is superbly done and the love and devotion of the developers for their game is palpable. Assassin's Creed is a truly remarkable that is especially suited to those who love to sneak around and gather information. For them, the patience will all lead up to the ultimate settlement of a flawlessly carried out assassination.
8.0
fun score
No Pros and Cons at this time
