AbstractPlayers, assuming the role the assassin Altair, who has the power to shape events during this pivotal moment in the era of the Crusades.
ESRB rating
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Blood, Strong Language, Violence |
Full descriptionThe paradoxical life of a man dedicated to death comes to the PlayStation 3 in the form of Assassin's Creed. This is no Hitman clone however, as Assassin's Creed plants gamers in the midst of the Third Crusade as a member of the sect responsible for the creation of the word "assassin." Gamers take control of Altaïr, a young Assassin who begins his quest shortly after the Christian capture of the city Acre. With avian traits (Altaïr is Arabic for "eagle") and a ritualistically severed finger replaced by a talon-like dagger, he is out to expedite the Assassin's goal of bringing an end to the Crusades with as little bloodshed as possible. But it's up to gamers to decide just how much blood he spills.
Featuring the sort of open-ended storytelling, gameplay, and side-missions as the Grand Theft Auto games, Assassin's Creed is designed to immerse gamers in the medieval world of religious conquest. Set between July and September of 1191, the game features three full cities to explore in Acre, Damascus, and Jerusalem, as well as Masyaf, the smaller base of Assassin operations, and a sprawling wilderness area which connects the four cities. Each city has a distinct atmosphere, and nearly every part of the world is interactive. This lets gamers use Altaïr's acrobatics and strength to bound around rooftops, scale walls, and interact with anything that juts out more than two inches from its surroundings. The game also makes use of a unique control system where buttons correspond to appendages rather than particular actions.
Developed by a Ubisoft Montreal team that features many of the people responsible for creating the fluid character graphics of the Prince of Persia games, Assassin's Creed is designed to feature the most realistic and lifelike characters ever seen in a video game. Altaïr's movement is governed by over 4,000 character animations, and NPCs (non-playable characters) are all designed to have their own needs and concerns, which will lead some characters to aid him, while others may fight him or run away. Similarly, if Altaïr dispatches a few soldiers quickly, other soldiers are more likely to flee for their lives or run for help than eagerly attack and meet the same fate as their fallen brethren.
There are nine central targets who must be eliminated to end the Crusades. After each assassination the dying victim relays some bit of information to Altaïr, moving the narrative along and giving gamers a fuller understanding of the overall mission. There are also dozens of side missions spurred by communication with peasants and merchants, and a number of flags for Altaïr to track down. Assassin's Creed features one final twist that brings gamers back to the present and takes them into the future, opens the door for sequels to come, and gives some insight into the Assassin's creed: "Nothing is true. Everything is permitted."
Editorial reviewSource:
AmazonAssassin?s Creed is the next-gen game developed by Ubisoft Montreal that will redefine the action genre. While other games claim to be next-gen with impressive graphics and physics,
Assassin?s Creed merges technology, game design, theme, and emotions into a world where you instigate chaos and become a vulnerable, yet powerful, agent of change.
The setting is 1191 AD. The Third Crusade is tearing the Holy Land apart. You, Altair, intend to stop the hostilities by suppressing both sides of the conflict.
You are an Assassin, a warrior shrouded in secrecy and feared for your ruthlessness. Your actions can throw your immediate environment into chaos, and your existence will shape events during this pivotal moment in history.
Key Features
- Be an Assassin: Master the skills, tactics, and weapons of history?s deadliest and most secretive clan of warriors. Plan your attacks, strike without mercy, and fight your way to escape.
- Realistic and responsive environments: Crowds react to your moves and will either help or hinder you on your quests.
- Action with a new dimension - total freedom: Eliminate your targets wherever, whenever, and however. Stalk your prey through richly detailed, historically accurate, open-ended environments. Scale buildings, mount horses, blend in with crowds. Do whatever it takes to achieve your objectives.
- Relive the epic times of the Crusades: Assassin?s Creed immerses you in the realistic and historical Holy Land of the 12th century, featuring life-like graphics, ambience, and the subtle, yet detailed nuances of a living world.
- Intense action rooted in reality: Experience heavy action blended with fluid and precise animations. Use a wide range of medieval weapons, and face your enemies in realistic swordfight duels.
- Next-gen gameplay: The proprietary engine developed from the ground up for the next-gen console allows organic game design featuring open gameplay, intuitive control scheme, realistic interaction with environment, and a fluid, yet sharp, combat mechanic.
Special featuresUse acrobatic skills and the art of stealth to assassinate nine historical figures
Travel through populated cities of Jerusalem, Damascus, and Acre
Pedestrians react to your movements and can help or hinder your progress