Game Review: Assassin's Creed III

Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC

Price Range: £29.99 - £39.99

Age Rating: 18

Genre: Adventure, Action

Design:

This month sees the arrival of one of the most anticipated games of the year Assassin's Creed III. Set straight after the previous title the story continues where AC: Revelations left off, in the present day Desmond, his father and their two trusted allies set up camp in a temple in a hidden forest and soon after Desmond is dropped once again in to the timeline of his Assassin ancestors. This time around you play as Connor, a young man of  Native American decent who joins the Assassin order after his family is torn apart. The game starts out painfully slow playing as Connor's father Haytham who is an influential member of the English movement and travels to America in search of a mystical key, it's a storyline that really takes some getting used to and at points you find yourself wondering what you are actually doing and why but it does pick up later on in the game when Connor is finally introduced. The ability to jump in and out of the Animus at will is something else that Ubisoft have brought back this year enabling you to take a more futuristic look at the Assassins as you play as Desmond as he searches for power cores to power the mysterious temple that he has set up camp in, its a refreshing move from the 1700's and does give a bit more depth to the game. This year Ubisoft is boasting a new game engine and it works perfectly, the fight sequences don't feel as repetitive as previous games and there definitely feels as if there is a lot more freedom in your kills. There is a vast world to explore with areas such 'The Frontier' where you can find hidden treasures and animals to be hunted and skinned for cash in local towns, it's a refreshing twist on the previous titles which keeps the player entertained if they are getting slightly tired of the story missions.

Gameplay:

Much like all of the games before it AC III plays out much the same, but with it's brand new game engine it seems much more polished and free flowing than before. Combat has been spruced up to make it more interactive for the user. Previously in the AC games it was just a simple strategy of countering and then beating your enemy senseless with a very pointy sword however this time around enemies act in a more natural way meaning that you have to fight tactically if you have any hope of staying alive, counters work most of the time but timing your attacks after your counter can make the difference between chopping a guard to pieces or falling fowl to a bayonet up the nostril. Free running and advanced climbing make a valiant return as it just wouldn't be an AC game without them but this time only one button is needed to initiate the free run sequence which is easier meaning you can concentrate more on the environment at large. Essentially the game is much more tactical than before and stealth is still very much the main objective with optional objectives to hit in order to achieve full synchronisation in each of your ancestors memories really has you getting in touch with your inner Assassin. Multiplayer mode also makes a much welcomed return this year but aside from the two new game modes players will find themselves disappointed if they were hoping for a complete overhaul of the Multiplayer experience, it plays out just like the previous games with players walking around slowly waiting for their indicator to fill up and then making the most stealthy kill possible in the situation. The menu system is clunky and in my opinion should have been left how it was and does at times seem to detract from the experience as a whole. The depth to the various missions in this game really does need to be applauded whether it is raging naval battles on the high seas or simply teaching your best friend how to hunt for the first time, players will find something that strikes a chord for all the right reasons.

Presentation:

Ubisoft has never really failed to impress when it comes to the AC games and it certainly keeps that going with AC III  you can really see how much detail has been put in to each town and environment that you encounter. Characters look fantastic and are rich in detail, the only downside in appearance is that at times the lip syncing is out. Glitches do appear at times in the shape of guards not being able to get past a hay stack of all things and allies getting stuck behind low walls but it's nothing that can't be resolved by moving your character left or right slightly. Music plays a big part from start to finish with some of the most haunting and tense pieces of the whole AC series used at exactly the right moments to really set the tone. Voice acting is also one of the strongest points of the game apart from a slightly weaker performance from the voice actor who plays Connor but it's nothing that can't be easily overlooked and it certainly doesn't make the game any worse.

Summary:

If this is to be the very last Assassin's Creed game then Ubisoft have done themselves proud with a brilliantly vibrant and enjoyable experience for fans of the AC universe. New players will find it very difficult to play as the story is far too developed at this point. Overall it really is a fantastic game to play with brilliant graphics and gameplay mechanics it really has been pulled right out of the top drawer, yes it has it's glitches but it still doesn't take away from the experience as a whole.

Ratings:

Design: 9.4

Gameplay: 9.7

Presentation: 9.5

Overall: 9.5