• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Assassin's Creed III Review Thread [Embargo Over, Reviews Coming In]

ironcreed

Banned
EDGE - 8.0

http://www.edge-online.com/review/assassins-creed-iii-review/

Great score, considering their full usage of the 10 point scale. Hell, good score period.

*Edit*

Not sure what to make of this, though.

"This sense of restrictiveness filters through to ACIII’s mission design. There are surprisingly few assassinations here, and relatively little freedom to plan an approach to them. It’s mostly eavesdropping, tailing, chase sequences and battle scenes. Those battles drop Connor right in the middle of events that would only happen offstage in Ezio’s games, and the variety means ACIII is never dull, but the business of assassinating people seems to have fallen by the wayside. "
 
Way to judge an epic sprawling game based on the tutorial. Shouldn't be a surprise here, each of the AC games have a multi-hour prologue/introduction sequence that opens the story and serves as a gameplay tutorial.
Please. They teach you to tail people, bribe town criers and rip down wanted posters 60% of the way through the game.
 

Zeliard

Member
My game is all delivered and I'm waiting to get home but this is what I'm most scared about.

Streamlining combat is exactly the opposite of what this franchise needed, and that's very disappointing if true. The problem is that there is no deep strategic backbone to compensate for a lot of that too, so I'm praying to god they've stepped up their encounter design tenfold, but I doubt it.

More difficult and generally improved combat is the #1 thing I wanted to see from the series, and it's unfortunate that Ubisoft's apparently not only not gone in that direction, but taken a step back of all things. If there's one thing this series needed it's certainly not easier combat.
 

Plasmid

Member
I can definitely understand some of the mission design gripes, i'm only a few hours in and it's very well done but the missions needed a little polishing.
 

Blimblim

The Inside Track
My review is up, only in French though. I just had time to translate my final word, but I also have 4 long videos. Last one is a location spoiler for Desmond, beware :)
http://www.gamersyde.com/news_the_first_10_minutes_ac_iii-13541_en.html

I can definitely understand some of the mission design gripes, i'm only a few hours in and it's very well done but the missions needed a little polishing.

Many things need a little or more polishing. Still a great game, but sometimes it can be annoying.
They loved it. I think that poster just means the game looks rough graphically..and it definitely does.

To my eyes, it looks like it's a step down from 2/Brotherhood/Revelations in terms of visuals. So much for the new engine.

Well you can definitely tell where the engine has gotten upgrades, and what they had to do to still make it work with a meager 512 MB or RAM. I can't wait to see what the PC version will look, assuming the port will be well done, and also what the next-gen consoles will be able to do with this engine.
 
What's up with reviewers doing their job recently? When did this happen? I'm like, reading actual complaints about an anticipated game. I don't know how to handle this.
 

Vire

Member
Just watched the GT review. Great review, naval battles look pretty spectacular.

Gamespot's review is also very good.
 
First time I've watched footage of this, new movement animations looking good.

Can someone explain to me what's new about the combat?

You can't really stream line the old combat anymore, or can you?
 

x-Lundz-x

Member
They loved it. I think that poster just means the game looks rough graphically..and it definitely does.

To my eyes, it looks like it's a step down from 2/Brotherhood/Revelations in terms of visuals. So much for the new engine.

Sorry, I just meant graphically. It looks like AC with some RDR hunting thrown in to me. I'm sure it's enjoyable.

Oh ok. That is what I thought I was just curious if it was GT contradicting themselves again lol.
 

Scrabble

Member
What's up with reviewers doing their job recently? When did this happen? I'm like, reading actual complaints about an anticipated game. I don't know how to handle this.

Ya i agree but I really wish we could come up with a more standard method for scores. That 1up excerpt was just one big criticism but then you see they gave it a b-. I get that the game was highly anticipated but a positive score should sill read positively right?
 
First time I've watched footage of this, new movement animations looking good.

Can someone explain to me what's new about the combat?

You can't really stream line the old combat anymore, or can you?

It's similar yet different. You now have to time your counters more so like in the Batman games. Enemies that are going to shoot at you showcase a yellow symbol above them, quickly run to an enemy and grab them to use as a shield. The dart rope is fun as well. Overall it feels a bit different but after some time with it, you will be countering like a king!
 

Blimblim

The Inside Track
Ya i agree but I really wish we could come up with a more standard method for scores. That 1up excerpt was just one big criticism but then you see they gave it a b-. I get that the game was highly anticipated but a positive score should sill read positively right?

I could spend pages and pages writing about the stuff that lacks polish and things like that in AC3. But in the end, considering the incredible (really, it's staggering) amount of content in this game, and that nothing is actually broken, it's still a great game.

If you play this game by rushing through the main story and not doing any of the secondary stuff, it's a very dull game. Mostly because Connor is such a boring character, bad-ass, but boring.
 
Haha wow @ Hardcore Gamer quotes.
Hardcore Gamer said:
Assassin’s Creed III is one of those rare games conceived to be revolutionary from the beginning. Games like this only come around once in a generation. One of the most, if not the most, ambitious titles ever created. An inspiring testament to what can be accomplished with unbridled devotion, it’s possible that nothing of this magnitude will ever be attempted again. It’s a truly definitive event that will be looked-back as a crucial step in gaming evolution.
Everything is magnificently awesome and revolutionarily perfect, not a single blemish to be pointed out or criticized.

Anyway, I'll wait for the PC version. Although I'll probably cancel my pre-order and wait for impressions in case it's a buggy, unoptimized piece of crap.
 

Biggzy

Member
I could spend pages and pages writing about the stuff that lacks polish and things like that in AC3. But in the end, considering the incredible (really, it's staggering) amount of content in this game, and that nothing is actually broken, it's still a great game.

If you play this game by rushing through the main story and not doing any of the secondary stuff, it's a very dull game. Mostly because Connor is such a boring character, bad-ass, but boring.

That's a shame.
 

Blimblim

The Inside Track
I really honestly think that Revelations soured people a bit.

Maybe. I thought ACR lacked in actually useful new stuff, but since I really liked Ezio and the city I didn't really mind.
For me in terms of all the mainline AC games it would go like this
AC Brotherhood > AC2 ~ AC3 > AC Revelations >>> AC1
I know that many people will disagree with me putting ACB at the top, but I really liked that game and thought that the brotherhood stuff added a lot.
That's a shame.

Well, a fellow French reviewer was telling me a few hours that for him what made AC3 great was that Connor was awesome, for basically the same reasons that make him unappealing for me. So I guess it's a matter of taste :)
 

Papercuts

fired zero bullets in the orphanage.
Buggy? Sigh, AssCreed 2 team, where are you.

Yes, the team that made the game that I ran into a bug where a guard would infinity multiply and make the game shit itself, where are you? :p

The AC games have always had a lot of minor bugs. Big open games in general will probably never get over that.
 

Vire

Member
Maybe. I thought ACR lacked in actually useful new stuff, but since I really liked Ezio and the city I didn't really mind.
For me in terms of all the mainline AC games it would go like this
AC Brotherhood > AC2 ~ AC3 > AC Revelations >>> AC1
I know that many people will disagree with me putting ACB at the top, but I really liked that game and thought that the brotherhood stuff added a lot.


Well, a fellow French reviewer was telling me a few hours that for him what made AC3 great was that Connor was awesome, for basically the same reasons that make him unappealing for me. So I guess it's a matter of taste :)

Is Connor just boring? Similar to Altair in 1?

Shame since Ezio was an interesting character.

Still the setting for this game really interests me and I look forward to playing it shortly...
 

GolazoDan

Member
Is Connor just boring? Similar to Altair in 1?

Shame since Ezio was an interesting character.

Still the setting for this game really interests me and I look forward to playing it shortly...
He seems kinda boring in comparison to Ezio but considering our intro to Ezio is him being a smooth devil, wooing the ladies, how can Connor compete.
 
Is Connor just boring? Similar to Altair in 1?

Shame since Ezio was an interesting character.

Still the setting for this game really interests me and I look forward to playing it shortly...

For me, I felt the set up of Connor was really well done and different enough from Ezio. I like the appeal Ezio had, but I didn't want a copy of him and Connor isn't. I enjoy Connors different attitude and approach in character. As Blim said, depends on who you ask really.
 

Blimblim

The Inside Track
He seems kinda boring in comparison to Ezio but considering our intro to Ezio is him being a smooth devil, wooing the ladies, how can Connor compete.

I wouldn't say he is boring, just very narrow minded. His goal is to save his people, whatever the cost basically. Nothing else matters for him.
 
IGN said:
Assassin’s Creed III can feel very scripted and dictatorial, fettering you with rigid objectives and punishing you harshly when you step outside their boundaries – chase sequences are particularly infuriating on this front

What the fuck is this? This unanimous criticism is clearly resonating and now all my hype is dying down the toilet. How they significantly managed to be more linear than linear games the more "open" the franchise is just so astounding. Continuing on from the reviews it now begins to sound less "assassin" and more like Thugs n' Creed.

What's worse is that the more I read the reviews, the more these defining moments act something like they cherry pick the best moments they can find in scripted, linear games and place them through missions and decided to call it a day. When has game design become so arbitrarily benign that some random dude may actually come up with a game mechanic so relatively stupid and yet may have a better chance of actually innovating the game franchise.
 

Hari Seldon

Member
Since this is presumably the end of the Desmond story line, hopefully they can reboot this franchise with a tighter story and more interesting historical scenarios. American Revolution is not that great, and with all of the sub games and shit I have no idea where the story is anymore. They need to keep this shit tighter so there is much more incentive for sticking with the yearly releases.
 

sflufan

Banned
Assassin’s Creed III is one of those rare games conceived to be revolutionary from the beginning. Games like this only come around once in a generation. One of the most, if not the most, ambitious titles ever created. An inspiring testament to what can be accomplished with unbridled devotion, it’s possible that nothing of this magnitude will ever be attempted again. It’s a truly definitive event that will be looked-back as a crucial step in gaming evolution.

Jesus Christ.
 
Yes, the team that made the game that I ran into a bug where a guard would infinity multiply and make the game shit itself, where are you? :p

The AC games have always had a lot of minor bugs. Big open games in general will probably never get over that.

AssCreed 2 was one of the most polished games I had ever played. That bug you're talking about is extremely low user path. You'd have to try really hard to break the game.

These reviews are saying there are bugs that really impact user experience. Those are bad bugs, not your "spend 15 minutes to recreate" bug.
 

Acosta

Member
Assassin’s Creed III is one of those rare games conceived to be revolutionary from the beginning. Games like this only come around once in a generation. One of the most, if not the most, ambitious titles ever created. An inspiring testament to what can be accomplished with unbridled devotion, it’s possible that nothing of this magnitude will ever be attempted again. It’s a truly definitive event that will be looked-back as a crucial step in gaming evolution.

Jesus Christ.

What's that quote from?
 
Assassin’s Creed III is one of those rare games conceived to be revolutionary from the beginning. Games like this only come around once in a generation. One of the most, if not the most, ambitious titles ever created. An inspiring testament to what can be accomplished with unbridled devotion, it’s possible that nothing of this magnitude will ever be attempted again. It’s a truly definitive event that will be looked-back as a crucial step in gaming evolution.

Jesus Christ.

AKA thanks for all the free shit Ubisoft!
 

iNvid02

Member
What's that quote from?

http://www.hardcoregamer.com/

KuGsj.gif
 

Vire

Member
AssCreed 2 was one of the most polished games I had ever played. That bug you're talking about is extremely low user path. You'd have to try really hard to break the game.

These reviews are saying there are bugs that really impact user experience. Those are bad bugs, not your "spend 15 minutes to recreate" bug.

Do you play Nintendo games at all? Cause AC2 is hardly what I would call "most polished".

It's a great game no doubt, but it definitely had it's share of quirks.
 

VariantX04

Loser slave of the system :(
Hardcore Gamer said:
Games like this only come around once in a generation. Assassin’s Creed III is a beautiful, sprawling adventure that proves to be one of the most, if not the most, ambitious titles ever created. Just when you think you have it figured out, an entirely new element is introduced that enriches it further, rendering it one of the least repetitive experiences to be had with a controller. An inspiring testament to what can be accomplished with unbridled devotion, it’s possible that nothing of this magnitude will ever be attempted again. No matter if you’re a fan of the series, or even the genre, Assassin’s Creed III must be experienced; it’s a truly definitive event that will be looked-back as a crucial step in gaming evolution
i3HgMyh00BOMW.gif
 
Game is getting great reviews.

As someone who hasn't played an AC game since the first, I'm sure I won't be exhausted by the "same" feeling from the previous AC games. This''ll be a fresh experience for me.
 
Damn at those Liberation scores. 3 seems like it probably won't be getting the rush of GotY awards I thought it would based on the E3 preview which means no game has set itself as a clear standout for GotY

Every BIG game I've looked forward to this year (ME3, Payne 3, RE6, etc. and not counting Silent Hill Downpour which was a big game to me but not to everyone) has been a gargantuan disappointment, so if AC3 is even remotely good, that's a fucking blessing to me at this point.
 

Lime

Member
Assassin’s Creed III is one of those rare games conceived to be revolutionary from the beginning. Games like this only come around once in a generation. One of the most, if not the most, ambitious titles ever created. An inspiring testament to what can be accomplished with unbridled devotion, it’s possible that nothing of this magnitude will ever be attempted again. It’s a truly definitive event that will be looked-back as a crucial step in gaming evolution.

Jesus Christ.

The review even tries to advertise his/her own Ebay auction.
 

Curufinwe

Member
Game is getting great reviews.

As someone who hasn't played an AC game since the first, I'm sure I won't be exhausted by the "same" feeling from the previous AC games. This''ll be a fresh experience for me.

Playing a good Assassin's Creed game for the first time should feel very fresh.
 
Not going to lie, a lot of the side missions are much better design than the main game and more fun.

I'm surprise only Joystiq seems to mention it.
 

Blimblim

The Inside Track
AssCreed 2 was one of the most polished games I had ever played. That bug you're talking about is extremely low user path. You'd have to try really hard to break the game.

These reviews are saying there are bugs that really impact user experience. Those are bad bugs, not your "spend 15 minutes to recreate" bug.

I didn't remember any bug that really impacted my experience, except one that's listed in the day 0 patch notes as fixed.
AC3 definitely lacks polish, it seems they were overambitious in terms of content (seriously, the number of completely optional stuff in this game is *insane*) and simply had to leave many unpolished things here and there so they could ship on time.

Not going to lie, a lot of the side missions are much better design than the main game and more fun.

I'm surprise only Joystiq seems to mention it.

I agree with this, I'm much more enjoying all the side content than the main story.
 

JAY the BIRD

Neo Member
Glad to see it turned out good. Always been a fan of the series, even during the "low" points of Revelations. The story and the combat have always been interesting and fun, but to me, this series has always been about immersion, and this game looks to deliver in that regard. Can't wait to get my copy in the mail and for the PC release.
 
Top Bottom