Assassin's Creed III - Xbox 360

Staggering Scope And Breadth

Matt Miller — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:01:00 GMT

Most players will likely spend the first six hours of Assassin’s Creed III wrapping their heads around the profound size and ambition of the game. Ubisoft Montreal and its sister studios around the world have crafted a prodigious and complex game rich in theme-driven storytelling and diverse gameplay. From riding the towering waves of the Atlantic as they crash against your ship to witnessing the first shots of the American Revolution – and on to the conclusion of the present-day storyline introduced in the first franchise entry – Assassin’s Creed III delivers everything the series has promised, and throws in a little more for good measure.

Stay for the Credits

Assassin’s Creed III includes a painfully long credits sequence, but you’ll want to stick around for some important story wrap-up post credits. The first cinematic appears a few minutes into the scrolling credits, and the second appears after they conclude many minutes later.

Assassin’s Creed’s greatest allure has always been melding real history with a conspiracy-laden fiction, and colonial America is rife with moments, personalities, and events worth exploring. Colonial-era Boston and New York are the liveliest and most authentic open cities I’ve encountered in a game, from the squealing pigs to the newsboys hawking papers. The wilderness that separates the two is vast, and filled with plenty to do. Many missions are set in the frontier, and in between those missions you can hunt animals, bring down enemy forts, climb cliffs and trees, and explore hidden caves, just to name a few of many diversions. As an open wilderness zone, the frontier shines, though long runs to mission objectives can get tedious. Everywhere you go exhibits dynamic weather effects, and the world feels more varied and alive as you witness its passage from summer to winter and back again.

Along with providing a greater sense of place than its predecessors, Assassin’s Creed III is more deeply rooted in historical time as well. If new hero Connor isn’t involved in every memorable moment of the American Revolution, it’s only because he can only be in one place at a time. Flinging boxes of tea into the Boston Harbor and running between cannon blasts at Bunker Hill, the game feels more cinematic and scripted than it has before. Many times, this approach results in thrilling intensity, but some missions subtract from player agency by leading players along with a string of breadcrumb objectives. Other sequences recall the freeform assassination sequences of the first game in the series. An intriguing new approach to mission synchronization offers players more optional mission objectives, increasing replay value. Most of these objectives make the sequence play out in a cooler way, but a few seem contrary to the mission’s goals, like the need to perform a special type of assassination kill during a mission that is otherwise about stealth.

It’s a mistake to think about the game in terms of a critical path of core missions. Instead, Assassin’s Creed III excels by providing meaningful story-based content everywhere you turn. One main thread may provide the tale of Connor’s lifelong struggle against the Templars, but another line of missions describes his home life and the people who come to live beside him. A different story takes Connor out onto the seas of the Atlantic to confront a mysterious threat to the colonies. Yet another details how the men and women he gathers to join the Assassin order come to fight at his side.

The storytelling that weaves through these many threads is stellar. Rather than hiding from the complex themes of freedom versus control at the heart of the series, Assassin’s Creed III confronts them head on, and tells a nuanced and adult story about the price of liberty, the dangers of extremism, and the connections that bind family. An impressive cast of voice actors supports the thoughtful writing by bringing the characters onscreen to life. The game also fleshes out the antagonists in a way that only the interactive medium could achieve, shaping them into characters that surpass stock villainy.

Patching Recommended

Assassin’s Creed III’s unparalleled ambition comes at a price; the new game engine allows for some impressive feats, but technical bugs plague the retail release. I also played a version of the game that included the day-one patch, which resolves some of these issues, but the game still exhibits a number of technical glitches. Players should prioritize downloading the patch before they dive into the action – and even then, expect some bugs.

Combat and free-running remain gameplay staples, but both are improved. Platforming and traversal is streamlined through simpler controls, but I had more control over my character, not less. Climbing is more natural than ever, and the new tree navigation is a cool new trick in the arsenal. Meanwhile, combat takes major strides forward by giving more offensive tools to the player. Battle animations often result in incredibly cool takedown sequences, even if the new combat mechanics occasionally exhibit jarring shifts between actions.

New features are scattered throughout the game, from hunting, exploration, and fighting clubs to a detailed but time-consuming crafting and trade mechanic. However, none of these additions comes close to the fun of the new naval experience. I love the brief but tense sea battles, and both the ships and the high seas look gorgeous. Naval fights offer the perfect break from the normal game flow; they’re rousing and exciting, but simple and short enough to not keep you away from the rest of the gameplay.

Whether running along rooftops or calling for a broadside from your ship, the memory sequences of Assassin’s Creed III once again are framed within a larger story set in present day. Desmond’s previous sessions in the Animus completed his training, and we finally get some dedicated mission and exploration content with him, not to mention plenty of new revelations about what’s going on in the world. Ubisoft doesn’t cop out; as the end of 2012 approaches here in our real world, the looming 2012 catastrophe in the game world is finally addressed, and Ubisoft delivers the conclusion we’ve been anticipating. The questions you’re left with are new ones, not the same batch you’ve carried for five years.

When you’re done with the story, you owe it to yourself to engage with the exemplary multiplayer. Most of the excellent modes of previous entries return, but everything feels refined and the interface doesn’t get in the way of the mental game of cat and mouse. I love the new competitive Domination mode and its constant give and take as teams capture territories and flip the tables on their opponents. I’m an even bigger fan of the new four-person cooperative Wolfpack mode, which encourages teams to race around the map eliminating targets, with giant bonuses for coordinating your strikes in one deadly moment. As you play any mode, you complete challenges, earn points for customization, and unlock a new multiplayer story. It’s a rich and engaging multiplayer experience that is unlike any other online game.

Assassin’s Creed III is the culmination of a story and gameplay model that’s taken five years to polish. While not perfect, it makes a convincing case for the freedom and storytelling potential inherent to games over other mediums. An overwhelming experience in its own right, Assassin’s Creed III is the crown jewel on an already excellent series, and it sets the mind reeling about the potential for where the story goes from here.

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Above: Our Test Chamber for Assassin's Creed III.

Assassin's Creed III Launch Trailer

Jim Reilly — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:09:57 GMT

Assassin's Creed III hits stores tomorrow for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. In preparation, Ubisoft released the final launch gameplay trailer. It's out November 18 on Wii U and November 20 on PC.

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Desmond's Role Put Into Perspective

Jeff Cork — Fri, 19 Oct 2012 15:11:00 GMT

Ubisoft is well aware of the lukewarm fan response that Desmond has garnered in the Assassin's Creed series. The game's creative director says that by the end of Assassin's Creed III, those same players could very well change their opinions. If you haven't yet formed an opinion on the character, Ubisoft has released a new trailer that chronicles Desmond's journey throughout the series.

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“The story of Assassin’s Creed, AC II, Brotherhood and Revelations was to build Desmond up,” creative director Alex Hutchinson told Edge. “He’s this guy who’s a bit of a nobody when it starts out, and gets new abilities through reliving the lives of his ancestors.

“So we’ve built this guy up over the course of the games, and I really believe that we can pay that off, and in retrospect he’ll be terrific. I don’t think anyone really liked Luke Skywalker in [Star Wars] A New Hope, but by the end of his character arc, this journey that he goes through, makes him amazing.”

One thing's for sure: Players will be able to pick up the game on October 30 and make up their own minds.

Assassin's Creed III Multiplayer Trailer

Jim Reilly — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:45:00 GMT

A new trailer showcasing the multiplayer modes for Assassin's Creed III details locations, characters, abilities, perks, and more. You also get a look at Deathmatch and co-op modes Wolf Pack and Domination work. Assassin's Creed III is out on October 30 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The PC version is due out November 20. The Wii U version is releasing on the console's launch.

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The Weapons Of Assassin's Creed III

Jim Reilly — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 16:39:00 GMT

Assassin's Creed III offers a variety of ways to kill stuff. A new trailer highlights many of the weapons at your disposal, including tomahawks, rope darts, guns, axes, and more. Oh, there are also the trademark hidden blades if you like stabbin'.

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Assassin's Creed III: Becoming An Assassin

Jim Reilly — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:28:51 GMT

Ubisoft released a new trailer today for Assassin's Creed III that gives fans a glimpse of how Connor became an assassin. The video goes a bit into his background and motivation while revealing some of the storyline.

Assassin's Creed III is out October 30 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It's available on November 20 for PC and November 18 for the Wii U launch.

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Assassin's Creed III Crashes The Boston Tea Party

Matt Bertz — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 17:54:00 GMT

A new trailer for Ubisoft's blockbuster franchise teases "another revolution – the one that mattered" amid the backdrop of the colonial uprising.

Part history lesson, part gameplay teaser, the latest Assassin's Creed III trailer does nothing to diminish our excitement for the game. Enjoy:

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If you want to join the revolution, you won't have to wait long. Assassin's Creed III releases for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 on October 30. The Wii U version comes out alongside the console launch on November 18, and the PC version hits November 20. To read more about this bold re-imagination of Ubisoft's top franchise, check out our cover story hub.

Inside Assassin's Creed III Documentary Looks At The Game's Environments

Kyle Hilliard — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 03:51:00 GMT

The fourth episode of Ubisoft's Inside Assassin's Creed III documentary series shows off lots of gameplay, and expands on the environment of the world.

Along with interviews with the developers, this video documentary also speaks with assorted historians about Assassin's Creed III's accuracy.

Assassin's Creed III is coming to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 October 30, with PC and Wii U arriving shortly after.

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Roughing Up Redcoats With Style

Tim Turi — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 02:20:00 GMT

Connor displays his acrobatic knack for murder in a sneaky rampage through Revolutionary War-era Boston. In the PAX Prime 2012 demo I saw today, the assassin employs new means for evading and dispatching the redcoats, including a few devastating close-quarters executions.

The demo begins with Connor perched on a rooftop in the colonial city as rain pours down. A horse passes on the street below, dragging along hay cart. True to the series’ tradition, Connor leaps off the building into the hay bail. Hidden from view, he stealthily dispatches a redcoat as the cart passes by, silently killing and dragging the body into the hay. A woman notices this murder, but instead of sounding the alarm, this enemy of England summons Connor to follower her.

The player is seamlessly pulled into a sidequest as they follow the lady down a narrow alleyway. She tells Connor to wait around corner while she lures over a redcoat. She provokes a passing sentry towards her, allowing Connor to spring from the shadows for a quick kill with his hidden blade.

Connor continues down the alley and comes upon two redcoats guarding a passage and one lone patrolman. He crawls through tall shrubbery to avoid being seen, then deftly scales a tree and walks out onto a branch high above the guard. Connor uses a spring-loaded projectile to fire a long tether into the man’s back. The assassin leaps off the tree, looping the rope over the branch and pulling the soldier into the air like a macabre piñata. The two guards see their friend levitating and come to investigate, opening up the previously barred gateway.

The passage opens up into a bustling market. Players can now blend with any two nearby strangers, no longer requiring large groups to go incognito. He stops by two gentlemen chatting by a shop and strikes a casual pose against a rack of farm equipment. Connor waits until a redcoat passes by then grabs him by the head and shoves his face onto the business end of a pitchfork. A fight breaks out as more soldiers rush in.

Connor dual wields a tomahawk and dagger against the attackers. The redcoats’ muskets are clumsy at close range, and the soldiers are no match in melee combat against Connor. The assassin swings his blades, hacking an enemy in the back with the hatchet here, and stabbing one in the face with the dagger there. He pulls out his twin flintlock pistols, dispatching two guards simultaneously with a ringing report. The hero retreats when an overwhelming number of reinforcements rush him.

Just as hope seems to be lost for Connor, a pack of his buddies rush up to him, disguised as redcoats. Connor places his hands behind his back, pretending to be under arrest. Escorted by his faux captors, Connor is able to sneak past enemy lines into a previously inaccessible section of Boston. After a moment Connor leaves his friends and scales a building. A large sailboat sits docked in a nearby bay.

Perched on a rooftop, Connor takes aim on a guard below and fires a silent arrow into his neck. Soldiers guarding the boat leave their posts to examine their fallen brother. Connor capitalizes on the opportunity and makes a dash for the ship. He grabs a musket from a nearby gun rack and rams the bayonet into the back of the first guard he encounters on the boat. The redcoat screams and his friend turns to help him. Connor fires the musket through the man skewered to the rifle and takes out the other threat. With both men dead he is free to climb scale the ropes and masts of the boat, offering him a broad viewpoint of Boston.

This is where the presentation ends, but it’s possible Connor continues his adventure by commandeering the boat for one of the high seas sailing sections we’ve seen Ubisoft tease. Everything about Assassin’s Creed III looks great, from the sprawling city to the intelligent NPCs. But what impressed me the most were the fluid, visceral assassinations. These beautiful, savage kills - along with the parkour navigation - have been the selling point of the series for me, and are looking better than ever. Assassin’s Creed III arrives on 360 and PS3 October 30.

Weapons & Warfare In Assassin's Creed III

Matthew Kato — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 17:11:00 GMT

As an Assassin, AC III's main character Connor naturally has a lot of weapons in his arsenal. The latest behind-the-scenes video for Assassin's Creed III from Ubisoft delves into the game's weapons, tactics, and their historical backstory.

Apart from showing Connor mow through a bunch of redcoats, this episode brings in a bunch of military experts to talk about what warfare and its weapons were like at the time.

This is the second part in a four-part series, with the next episode focusing on Connor himself. Check out the first installment in the series here.

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Assassin's Creed III comes out for the PS3 and Xbox 360 on October 30. It hits the PC in late November, and at an unspecified date for the Wii U.

Assassin’s Creed III Naval Video, Now With Commentary

Matt Miller — Tue, 28 Aug 2012 17:55:00 GMT

Still confused about how sea battles will work in Ubisoft’s flagship? This commentated trailer will get you up to speed.

A couple of weeks back, Ubisoft shared this trailer, depicting the new naval battles that will play a big part in the gameplay of Assassin’s Creed III. While the trailer looks exciting, it doesn’t necessarily detail how the naval combat will work.

Creative director Alex Hutchinson is here to fill you in, with a new look through the same trailer, this time with pauses to offer increased explanation of what’s going on.

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Inside Assassin's Creed III

Jim Reilly — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 17:16:12 GMT

Ubisoft released the first part of a new mini-series that goes behind-the-scenes of the development of Assassin's Creed III. The video gives you an idea about how ambitious this project is. Check it out below. We'll update this post with new videos as they get released.

Assassin's Creed III is due out on October 30 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. A PC version is coming in November. A version for Wii U is slated for the system's launch this holiday.

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Assassin's Creed III Screens Depict Gripping Naval Combat

Matt Helgeson — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:27:14 GMT

In a new batch of Assassin's Creed III screens released at Gamescom, we get to see some hectic naval combat in Ubisoft's Revolutionary War epic. We also get a glimpse of Connor Kenway battling at Bunker Hill and bow hunting. You know, this game might end up being pretty good.

Assassin's Creed III Naval Warfare Trailer

Jim Reilly — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 16:57:00 GMT

Ubisoft released a new trailer for Assassin's Creed III that highlights the type of battles players can expect to face at sea. Hope you packed your swim trunks. Assassin's Creed III is out October 30 for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The PC version hits November 20. The game will also be on Wii U at launch.

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New Trailer Highlights AnvilNext Tech

Joe Juba — Thu, 02 Aug 2012 18:00:00 GMT

Gamers have been waiting to see how Assassin's Creed III moves the series forward, but the latest video from Ubisoft doesn't focus on the characters or the gameplay. Instead, it demonstrates new technology Ubisoft has developed for this sprawling sequel.

Assassin's Creed III is powered by an engine Ubisoft is calling AnvilNext, and it improves many elements from previous entries, including character animations and the number of on-screen enemies. Watch the video below to see AnvilNext in action for yourself.

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