Assassin's Creed III Remastered
In Assassin's Creed III the series jumps forward, once again, as we're transported in time and space from middle ages Europe to revolutionary America.
While the mission-based structure of the game is retained, the 'Animus' characters and environment are all new. The main protagonist of AC3 is a half Native American, half English man born Ratonhnhaketon, who goes by the English name of Connor Kenway. Connor's real-world modern counterpart is still Desmond Miles, who has been a constant part of the AC series. Continuing a trend that began in the last AC title, AC3 features more playable sections featuring Desmond.
As has been the recurring theme of the series, the Templar/Assassin conflict is the subtext that is being played out both in the modern world as Desmond, and in-game as Connor. As one would expect from the later timeframe, firearms feature more heavily in the game this time. But in line with the North American location, hunting bows and the Tomahawk also take their place in Connor's armoury alongside the traditional hidden blade.
It's the American revolutionary war that gives the game its main drama and drives the narrative. Connor inhabits the world of and interacts with characters such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Paul Revere while travelling between his native Mohawk village, the colonial frontier, Boston and New York. The Eastern seaboard will also be a theatre of conflict, and Connor can captain a ship and take part in naval combat. Connor does battle with the forces of evil as a member of the Assassin's brotherhood.
Assassin's Creed: Liberation
The year is 1765. As the events leading up to the American Revolution heat up in the north, Spanish forces plan to take control of Louisiana in the south - but they have yet to reckon with Aveline, a deadly Assassin who will use every weapon and ability in her arsenal on her quest for freedom. Whether eliminating her enemies with her multiple assassinations technique or luring them into deadly traps using her tools, Aveline strikes mortal fear into the hearts of those who stand in her way.
As an Assassin, Aveline soon finds herself on an unforgettable journey that will take her from the crowded streets of New Orleans to voodoo-haunted swamps and ancient Mayan ruins. She will play a pivotal role in the turbulent New Orleans revolution and the beginning of a new nation. As she fights for freedom, not for herself, but for those whose life and hopes have been squashed.
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
This time the series alights in the Caribbean during the golden age of piracy - the early 18th century. As you may expect, the adventure relies heavily on the nautical battle aspects of the game that were first introduced in Assassin's Creed III.
Otherwise, the game features the same free roaming, adventure combat game style that players of the series have come to love. But as usual Ubisoft has tweaked things to make it a fresh and exciting experience.
The game is more open, more quickly, preventing the user having to complete too many linear missions before unlocking extra areas of the game world. This leads to a more free-roaming and exploratory game style from the beginning. As you are more victorious in combat, you will be able to use your spoils to upgrade your ship. And you'll be able to recruit your crew from captured boats, or add the vessel to your fleet. But beware, as your notoriety rises, pirate hunters will begin to try and capture you for a reward.
Combat has been changed to allow for "free aiming" rather than being target-lock based. And you can carry multiple weapons and chain attacks.
Assassin's Creed: Rogue
Assassin's Creed: Rogue is a canny blend of the familiar and the unfamiliar. The game builds on the assets and mechanics established in AC3 and Black Flag, but gives them a serious twist. It's set, once again, during the Seven Years War for control of the colonies. The difference is that this time you're not playing on the side of the assassins - you're a templar. Our (anti)hero is Shay Cormac, an assassin who's an assassin either turning bad or finally picking the right side, depending on where in Rogue's many shades of grey you fall.
While much of the game will feel faintly familiar to longtime fans, the developers at Ubisoft Sofia have been able to focus squarely on content thanks to the groundwork laid in previous games. Alabama and Quebec are now part of the picture, providing a change of scenery. Perhaps the biggest change comes from playing as a templar, though. Missions that would previously have been assassination attempts become assassination prevention attempts, with the aim being to keep a target alive.
The sailing mechanics that were so popular in Black Flag make a reappearance, with players getting the Morrigan, a slimmer, more manoeuvrable vessel than the Jackdaw. New bits and pieces have been brought in too. Most notable is the air rifle, which allows players to take out enemies with a fresh range of ammo types.
Rogue offers up plenty of the good stuff that Assassin's Creed fans love, with a big enough dash of the new to add spice to proceedings.
