16 Reasons Why Assassin's Creed Franchise Is So Awesome
There are plenty of games out there with engaging storylines and frantic action, so what makes the Assassin’s Creed titles so special?
When Ubisoft Montreal released the original Assassins Creed game in 2007, they gave gamers around the world an experience which remains to this day unique and unparalleled. Players take on the role of Desmond Miles, a New York bartender who is kidnapped by a sinister corporation revealed to be the modern, corporate face of the Knights Templar and forced into a machine called an Animus. This high tech piece of kit is capable of accessing the memories of Desmonds ancestors through his DNA, presenting them in the form of a computer programme think The Matrix and you wont be far off. The reason for Desmond being singled out as the guinea pig for these experiments is simple; he is descended from a bloodline of notable assassins, who have at various points in history possessed artefacts from a previous civilisation capable of granting its holder immense power and control. Its a little difficult to précis the entire plot here, but suffice to say that its well researched, tremendously written and reaches levels of scope and depth which are not often seen outside of literary and cinematic epics. In the first game Desmond revisits the life of Altaïr ibn La-Ahad, an assassin master who lived during the time of the Third Crusade. Assassins Creed 2 takes him to Renaissance Italy and the life of Ezio Auditore De Firenze, a teenage boy born into a wealthy banking family with a hidden secret. Assassins Creed 3, set to be released in the UK on 31st October 2012, will take Desmonds journey even further towards the present day through the life of a Native American / British protagonist named Ratohnhaké:ton (or Connor for short), who fought the Templars during the American War of Independence. Additional games for PC, console and handhelds serve as expansions and continuations on these stories, adding to the lore of the Assassins Creed universe and building a vibrant and vivid world in which players can roam free and explore. So what is it exactly that makes these games so appealing? There are plenty of games out there with engaging storylines and frantic action, so what makes the Assassins Creed titles so special? Below are sixteen reasons, in no particular order, explaining why this franchise is worthy of your playtime. If you feel like Ive missed anything and want to contribute some additional points, please comment and let us know!
1) Free Running / Parkour
As an assassin, being able to move quickly and silently while remaining hidden from view is imperative. Much of the game relies on your ability to outmanoeuvre the opposition to gain an advantage - and if youre spotted it will be necessary to escape an area as soon as possible. For these reasons Desmond, Altaïr, Ezio and Connor can all use parkour to avoid - or evade - their enemies. The landscapes in each game are crafted to suit this purpose, with handholds, ledges, sills, ladders, market stalls and haystacks strategically positioned in every conceivable location. In addition, the free running controls are accessible to all on Xbox 360, holding the A button and moving the left thumb stick in the desired direction is enough to pull off a variety of intricate jumps, slides and vaults. Put simply, its a mechanic which makes the player character look like a total badass while introducing an element within the game play which is easy to use and which offers a level of flexibility not seen in many other titles. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1EXgwgsEAdg2) Kill Animations
If theres one thing that makes violent video games and action movies worth playing or watching its the variety of acrobatic, brutal and stomach churning ways in which the protagonist(s) can dispatch their enemies. Assassins Creed is no exception: Altaïr and Ezio can both break necks, arms, legs and kneecaps as they wade through city guards, paladins, bandits and high ranking members of the Catholic Church. Weapon selection is equally diverse, the tools of the assassins trade including daggers, short swords, claymores, maces, axes, throwing knives, crossbows and the now legendary hidden blades, all with their own unique strengths and weaknesses. The result of such diversity is that it keeps the action fresher for longer, with the possibilities for destruction nigh on endless.3) Diverse Locations
From the heat and dust of the Middle East to the bustling cities of Italy, each game provides a different environment for players to explore and incite trouble. Each individual city has its own unique atmosphere and culture, a feature perhaps best demonstrated in Assassins Creed 2 Ezio can traverse the urban streets of Florence, the lush arable farmland of Monteriggioni and the winding waterways of Venice, all with their own distinct challenges and opportunities. The differences go much further than simple cosmetics, however; every setting lives and breathes, with market traders touting their wares, guards patrolling their routes, civilians going about their daily business and minstrels and jesters entertaining the crowds. Not only that, but nigh on every structure is climbable, a feat which gives the series much of its charm and appeal and allows for the comprehensive parkour mentioned earlier. 4) Counter History
Some of the greatest fictional stories are based on historical fact; indeed, it is all writers really have to go on when they sit down and create their narratives. Even more intriguing are those which take history and consciously alter it, not only producing something fresh and engaging but also remaining credible and believable through their references to real people, places and events. Cases in point are Assassins Creed characters including Rodrigo Borgia, Robert De Sable, Leonardo Da Vinci and Machiavelli, all of whom lived at the time the games are set and could well have met the protagonists had the latter existed. Admittedly, they may not look or sound exactly as they truly were, but the fact that the games stories revolve around past events and their effects means that they offer a type of immersion that other titles simply cannot match. More impressive still is the way that events including the Crusades, the American War of Independence and even the assassination of John F. Kennedy are all given a twist to tie them into the overarching storyline and make them a part of the franchises universe. 5) Lairs and Memories
First included in Assassins Creed 2, but also present in Brotherhood and Revelations, the Templar Lairs and their equivalents offer an interesting change of pace from the sneaking, hacking and slashing which makes up much of the main plot. With an emphasis on free running, problem solving and beating the clock, the lairs also provide a chance to procure valuable loot and unlock stronger and more reliable armour sets. Challenges like these really expand the longevity of the games, offering an opportunity to see how Ubisoft can create immersive linearity alongside rendering astonishing vistas and architecture in an open world environment. Would I want an entire game consisting only of these puzzles and time trials? No, as this would take away the novelty of it all. Still, they way that these sections have been implemented thus far makes for a more than entertaining diversion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gs2qYNT_yBw6) Customisation
Its true that when compared with titles like Fallout, The Elder Scrolls and Saints Row, Assassins Creed doesnt offer much in terms of customisation. However, this level of detail would be quite difficult to achieve in a game like this, where there is such a heavy focus on plot and character development, so instead Ubisoft offers players a diverse choice of armour, weapons and fabric dyes to suit their tastes. First introduced in Assassins Creed 2, but carried on throughout the sequels, armour can become stronger and more ornate, weapons can become deadlier and lighter and the dyes can allow Ezio to better blend in with his surroundings. One occasion which immediately comes to mind is the time when, on my first play through of Assassins Creed Brotherhood, I needed to infiltrate the Vatican in order to pursue a target. Bearing in mind that the majority of the Holy Citys inhabitants wear red, choosing the corresponding fabric dye made the entire mission so much more believable after all, whos going to ignore the only man in a five mile radius wearing Masyaf white? 7) Templar Knights
As villains go, few are as imposing or as brutal as the Templar Knights from the original Assassins Creed. Standing at over six feet tall, clad in heavy armour and wielding a variety of weapons including two handed claymore swords, they patrol the cities of Jerusalem, Damascus and Acre on the hunt for assassins. They are much easier to avoid or evade than they are to fight, as they will actively engage Altaïr if they see him, but defeating sixty of them earns an achievement. On a side note, Assassins Creed Revelations offers the Crusader as a playable multiplayer character well worth a look. 8) Desmonds Story
Following the stories of Altaïr and Ezio are entertaining enough as they are, but by centring the story on Desmond Miles Ubisoft have created a much larger meta-narrative in which to set their games, with far more scope for exploration, development, intrigue and the ability to set each game in a completely different location and time period. Its true that the Desmond sections of each respective game are not as immersive or as comprehensive as those of his ancestors, but they offer a different perspective on the action and also serve to link the series instalments coherently and fluidly. 9) Leonardo Da Vinci
One of the most charismatic individuals in this generation of gaming, Leonardo Da Vinci meets Ezio when they are both in their teens / early twenties. He then helps the assassin throughout his adventures by providing a range of useful gadgets and weapons, including metal gauntlets for climbing, dual hidden blades for stealth kills and the use of his experimental flying machine and wooden tank for certain missions. The fact that he is presented far younger in the game than he is often depicted in paintings and sculptures make it seem much more believable that he could have done some of these things before growing into the sage old man of popular memory. The fact that there are constant references to his own work and personal life is also well implemented - historians used to think that the cadavers whom he dissected for research actually came from morgues... One word of warning though; in Assassins Creed 2, when given the chance to hug him, dont refuse the look he gives Ezio if you ignore him will haunt you for the rest of the game... 10) Assassin Signals
As effective and deadly as Altaïr and Ezio are, there are times when its helpful to have an ally... or nine. In this respect, those gamers who get the chance to play Assassins Creed Brotherhood or Revelations are in for a treat. As he reaches the rank of Master Assassin, Ezio begins recruiting new blood into his free running, hidden blade wielding fraternity men and women who can be sent across the globe to fight for the assassins cause and bring back coin and goods in the process. Not only does this earn the player more money to spend, it also trains the recruits up to higher levels and makes them more effective when called into combat (highlighting an enemy and pressing LB on Xbox 360). The recruits can only be called in when not on a mission, and the Assassin Signals need to be recharged before they can be used again, but they provide some much needed aid when youre in a tight spot and produce some of the coolest moments in game theres nothing better than being cornered by guards before each one, in turn, is flattened by a hail of arrows or a recruit jumping down from a rooftop. Its unclear as to whether or not this feature will make a return in Assassins Creed 3, but I certainly hope it does as its an excellent addition to the franchise.11) Humour
The breathtaking vistas, fast paced action and historical backdrops have already been mentioned, but theres also plenty of humour throughout the series which makes it enjoyable for players; the phrases used by the city guards, remarks made by the main characters, Ezios unfortunate and long suffering rival Duccio and the performances from the minstrels all provide comic relief in spades without detracting from the overall experience. One particular highlight occurs in Assassins Creed Revelations, when Ezio is aided in his mission by a group of minstrels brought in from Italy I wont spoil it for any of you that havent played it, but rest assured youre in for a treat.12) Multiplayer
The majority of modern video games are centred predominantly on either a single or multi player experience Skyrim and Battlefield are the two which immediately come to mind right now. Still, thats no bad thing, as games which try to tack on a poorly programmed multi experience often take a lot of criticism for doing so. What Ubisoft have done with Assassins Creed, however, is take the unique elements that make the single player so entertaining and used them to create a range of challenging multiplayer modes for those with a competitive streak (and an internet connection). Players can choose from a variety of characters including courtesans, knights, priests and thieves, using the compass on screen to locate and dispatch their enemies while hiding in crowds, hedges and haystacks to avoid their own pursuers. Kill animations are dependent on character selection and points are awarded for the use of stealth, deception and the environment to gain an advantage. All of this makes for an enjoyable addition to the franchise, worthy of a look if you have the game and have exhausted the offline modes potential. Is it free from bugs? Filled with mature players? Gifted with an amazingly fast matchmaking system? No, no and, most regrettably of all, no. However, its a feature which was definitive in Assassins Creed Brotherhood, improved in Assassins Creed Revelations and is, in my opinion, well deserving of a revival in future instalments. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6V_R-zH0jlY13) Guilds
Thieves, mercenaries, courtesans; all can be used by the protagonists in order to distract or destroy their enemies. Some may consider them to be redundant, especially in those games which also feature Assassin recruits, but the courtesans and thieves in particular offer a different approach to the hack and slash tactics of the orders newest members, thus allowing a greater degree of variation regarding how objectives can be accomplished. One particular example which comes to mind involved a treasure chest protected by three city guards. Sending courtesans to keep them occupied allowed Ezio to scramble down the wall behind them and borrow the loot. No noise, no bloodshed and no witnesses was, to me at least, a far better way of accomplishing my goal than it would have been if Id have bludgeoned everyone to death and caused a ruckus. In this respect, guilds can be incredibly useful; plus they provide the player with a range of challenges to accomplish in order to unlock unique weapons and the like. 14) The Assassins Creed Universe
Up to now, this article has focused solely on the Assassins Creed games, but there is much more to the franchise than you can find on a console. Lineage, a short film based around the events preceding Assassins Creed 2 and centred on Ezios father, Giovanni Auditore, uses a combination of live action and digitally rendered backdrops to ground the story and set the tone for the main game. In addition, author Oliver Bowden has written four books relating to the escapades of Altaïr and Ezio by chronicling their escapades across their respective titles. By keeping the content of the novels fast paced and descriptive, while removing Desmond in order to keep the stories centred and focused on one protagonist, Bowden adds to the series lore and provides a better insight into the minds of each character. Similarly, graphics novels including The Fall allow an insight into the lives of other members of the order as they fight the Templars across the globe. The one which I am most interested in reading, The Fall features the assassin Nikolai Orelov, who operated during the Russian Revolution and made occasional use of the legendary Mosin Nagant rifle to dispatch his enemies. Its additional content like this that allows players to really immerse themselves within the Assassins Creed universe, using a variety of media to expand and define their experience. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcE8xJkK6t415) Stealth
The ability to use cover, crowd based distractions, architecture, weapons and gadgets to achieve a kill is the deciding factor in every Assassins Creed game. Those who want to hurl themselves into the action with reckless abandon are free to do so, although it wont do a lot of good during the latter stages of each title, nor do a great deal to help the player achieve full synchronisation (only possible by completing missions in a silent and unobtrusive manner). Instead, much of the satisfaction gained by playing the games is found by blending in, attacking quickly and concisely and escaping before anybody can tell that something is wrong. It demands a great deal of strategy and patience, but its proof, if proof were needed, that good things come to those who wait.16) Glyths, Puzzles and Collectables
When it was first released, much of the hype regarding Assassins Creed centred on its story. However, for those who enjoy collecting items and racking up stats there are hundreds of different flags dotted all over the Holy Land, as well as several cryptic messages and symbols placed all around the Animus room and its adjoining sleeping quarters. The idea of hidden items has since been taken further with the introduction of glyths and puzzles throughout Assassins Creed 2, with Ezio able to use Eagle Vision to view them and Desmond able to use his knowledge of both past and (from Ezios perspective) future events in order to solve them. Using the counter history mentioned earlier, Desmond uses Ezios adventures around Italy to unlock The Truth Subject 16s video which documents the creation of the world and the events which followed. To view each segment of video feed he first has to solve puzzles revealing the Apple of Eden at various points throughout history, gradually revealing the part that it has played along the way. Assassins Creed Revelations uses Desmonds additional memories, this time of his own life, to present a similar set of optional yet entertaining riddles and puzzles, all of which contribute immeasurably to the depth of the story.