Ubisoft’s hugely anticipated game is out next month, and Three Speech’s Chris Burke got some quality hands-on time with this potential medieval masterpiece.
It’s 1191 AD. The Third Crusade is tearing the Holy Land apart, and it’s up to you to try and stop the conflict by killing its chief protagonists on both sides, Crusaders and Saracens. You play as Altair, a member of the original assassin’s creed, the Hashashin – who, in between smoking a lot of medieval skunk, would kill people for money, or sometimes for the greater good. Altair is one of the more honourable assassins, of course, but aside from his worthy ideals that form the main storyline, you also get to take on plenty of side contracts.
Assassin’s Creed literally puts the sand in ‘sandbox’. The game is absolutely massive. Not only do you have the run of a three massive middle-eastern cities – Jerusalem (the only city we’ve been able to play so far), Damascus and Acre - and there’s also the assassins’ home town of Masyaf. We also managed to spend a fair bit of time tearing round a huge area of countryside called The Kingdom in between. Outside the cities, you’ll need to commandeer a horse to traverse the hills and valleys, and control of your nag is the best we’ve seen. You can even rear Dobbin up in spectacular Hollywood fashion, and you can also, crucially, fight from horseback.
In the cities, your assassin can go absolutely anywhere, and climb anything – minarets, domed mosques, houses, churches, fortified walls. The detail is astounding, but the scenery is just that – where Assassin’s Creed really impresses is in the huge detail of life that populates it. The narrow streets and medieval marketplaces are teeming with people – the game boasts over a hundred different non-player characters that mill around – sometimes aiding, sometimes hindering your escape from your missions. The way you will interact with NPCs is also pretty novel. As you walk through the cities, you can literally put your head down and blend in. In this stance you can tag along with a harmless group of beggars or monks, as the otherwise suspicious guards don’t even bat an eye. As you move through the crowds in your more passive stance, you can gently shove people out of the way – alternatively if you’re in a hurry, escaping the guards for example, you can shoulder barge them and knock them flying. If you do this gratuitously, the NPCs will certainly fight back, and causing a disturbance or running and leaping around like a maniac will attract the attention of the authorities – and you won’t want the police on your back.
The game’s many story and side missions can be tackled in any way you choose. You can sneak across the rooftops, you can mingle in the crowds or just run in and kill everyone. How subtle you are is up to you, because Altair is also a pretty mean fighter. You are armed with a sword, a crafty dagger that you keep up your sleeve, and throwing knives for ranged attacks. The combat system is excellent, too. If you like, you can simply button-mash to take down the multiple enemies you’ll often face, or more patiently wait for the right moment to stylishly kill your enemies with one counter-strike blow. Most of the enemies, particularly the city guards, aren’t too bright, but you’ll still have to keep your head down or they’ll be after you in numbers.
The graphics are awesome in terms of both characters and backdrops, and from what we saw there is no pop-up, allowing for spectacular panoramic vistas over the cities and landscapes from any vantage point. Unofficially, it’s looking like a late November released date, and judging by what we’ve played, it should definitely be top of your Christmas list.
Official U.K site for Assassin’s Creed here.
looks great,i just hope it doesnt get delayed,as i heard that the console versions are having a lot of trouble…apparently,they are having trouble fitting the game onto a DVD for the 360 and also having memory problems for the PS3 version
Comment by metallicorphan — Oct 18, 2007 @ 5:38 pm
Brilliant. This is already very close to the top of my list, but was a bit worried when i heard about frate rate issues and pop ups. Looks like they’ve fixed that.
Possible Demo for us to try out?
Comment by Reza — Oct 18, 2007 @ 5:39 pm
Reza, sadly they have confirmed that the game will be released without demo. We will have to rent it to taste it.
Comment by Vicente — Oct 18, 2007 @ 5:46 pm
Ubisoft already confirmed that there will be no demo
So er…I’m gonna guess you played the 360 version? Says to me they’re afraid of showing the PS3 version - uh oh.
Comment by Dave — Oct 18, 2007 @ 5:47 pm
Well, this at least will fill my appetite for free roaming games before GTA4.
Sure, there are no helicopters, but the whole free styling concept is great.
Comment by DoggySpew — Oct 18, 2007 @ 5:48 pm
DROOL!
Comment by JohnSketch — Oct 18, 2007 @ 6:58 pm
Which console did you play this on? I would assume it was the PS3 but you made no mention of it.
Comment by parker — Oct 18, 2007 @ 6:59 pm
I have been waiting for this game since I first heard about it ( and of course MGS4 ). These PS3 screens look very nice indeed. It would be nice to see some PS3 footage as the GameTrailers.com ones are always ( or appear to be ) X360 grabs.
Comment by Savage — Oct 18, 2007 @ 10:24 pm
THE game I’m waiting for…
Comment by Terry — Oct 18, 2007 @ 11:18 pm
This looks Great Im sure its going to be amazing and run really smooth on the PS3. Im happy that they are only having trouble with the 360 version. Reason i say this is becuase this game should have been PS3 exclusive from the get go. But obv everyone wants more money…Now the big question do i get it for my PS3 or for the crappy 360. (really pisses me off that games run smoother on the weaker system)
Comment by Jerry — Oct 19, 2007 @ 12:39 am
Ya this game is on my x-mas list
All single player games….Uncharted, Assassins Creed, and Heavenly Sword
Comment by cro — Oct 19, 2007 @ 2:46 am
@ Three Speech,
Any chance you can confirm which version you played?
Having read about issues for both, i’d be interested to hear which version it was that their allowing hands-on with. Every other site / mag seems to be using the 360.
Much obliged.
Comment by GIANT ENEMY CRAB — Oct 19, 2007 @ 9:04 am
already preordered!!!!!
Comment by Zoran — Oct 19, 2007 @ 10:30 am
I hope to God those screens are not from the 360 version or it could be hugely embarrassing.
Comment by Matt — Oct 19, 2007 @ 10:49 am
@ Matt (12)
Wouldn’t be too embarrasing, assuming the games will eventually look identical.
I’m more interested into which version is progressing quicker. If ‘Three Speech’ play-tested it on a 360, like everybody else is, then I’d be concerened about a delayed version for the PS3.
Any clues Three Speech?
Comment by GIANT ENEMY CRAB — Oct 19, 2007 @ 10:56 am
Why do people feel that they have a god given right for a demo of every game released?
Comment by Moi! — Oct 19, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
[…] Three Speech � ASSASSIN?S CREED: HANDS ON digg_url = ‘http://www.lazygamer.co.za/xbox-360/assassins-creed-tested-by-three-speech/’; digg_title = ‘Assassin’s Creed tested by Three Speech’; digg_skin = ‘compact’; (No Ratings Yet) Loading … […]
Pingback by LazyGamer .:: Console Gaming News ::. » Blog Archive » Assassin’s Creed tested by Three Speech — Oct 19, 2007 @ 1:08 pm
Oi! C’mon Three Speech, what console?
Makes a difference, I’m curious about a possible delay. (Seen the 360 box artwork & limited edition figure but not the PS3’s..)
The fella who played it, ask him if he was using a small black controller!
(If your answering questions by email, use the one attached - as opposed to the other one)
Comment by GIANT ENEMY CRAB — Oct 19, 2007 @ 1:12 pm
Why do people feel the need to complain about other peoples wants? A demo simply lets people know if they should actually make the effort to purchase or buy a game. Why complain anyways? Does this effect you in anyway? Does it harm you or effect your being? NO!! So leave it at that and let the people dream for whatever they want. Now, as for this game, it’s been number one on my list since it was announced and delayed. The graphics, even though should not be an issue for real gamers, look quite spectacular and were even shown in bits of gameplay in recent dev videos. The gameplay by itself should put people on the edge of their seats. It’s extremely innovative and nearly a first of it’s kind.
Comment by Stony419 — Oct 19, 2007 @ 1:29 pm
This is top of my list and has been for around 12 months. Sadly though everything i look forward to ends up disapointing me but i just cant see how this wont be a classic. *touch wood*
Comment by Jim — Oct 19, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
I’m guessing it is 720p with no 1080 support?
Comment by somebody — Oct 19, 2007 @ 3:16 pm
just because we don’t get a demo does not mean they played this on the xbox360 it’s called internal builds that they don’t release publically
Comment by Hei23 — Oct 19, 2007 @ 3:47 pm
Looks good to me. the trailer with the UNKLE track sold it for me, doubt it will be in the final game though.
Comment by Si Doob — Oct 19, 2007 @ 3:57 pm
It’s 4pm and i’m out of here!
Comment by Si Doob — Oct 19, 2007 @ 3:58 pm
yeah right this game should have been a 360 exclusive. Everyone knows that like what was said the games will be about identical.
Comment by B — Oct 19, 2007 @ 4:39 pm
“Assassin’s Creed literally puts the sand in ‘sandbox’.” - this is the worst bit of video games journailsm I have ever seen.
Comment by hamildan — Oct 20, 2007 @ 1:01 pm
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