9. That First Viewpoint Synchronisation
For many the first Assassins Creed was a system-seller, being that a combination of exotic locales, rooftop free-running and hidden-bladed assassinations was all too much to pass up. Some still regard the first AC as something of a misstep due to its reliance on repetitive build-ups to the main missions, however what completely sold me on the franchise from the off, was the gorgeous vistas you get to inhabit. Synchronisation is the gameplay element of darting up the side of the highest building in a given area, prodding a corresponding button, and having the camera whoosh away out and around as you take in the phenomenal amount of man-hours that must have produced such an insanely detailed cityscape. Sitting there comfortably as you breathe in the ancient world(s), a sudden thought of but how do I get down!? sinks in, just as the game prompts you dive into a tiny bale of hay that was some 250ft below. Cue the introduction of the now infamous eagle-scream sound-effect as you deftly dove down, Jesus Christ-posing as you went, into the all-catching safety of the hay, or even just a pile of grass. You were after all, in your mind at least, Lord of The Skies at this point.