Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China 2.5D of freshness - Mepfistamor

Assassin's Creed is a series that has been seriously and thoroughly explored. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but unless the formula is changed it can get "same-y". Oh look I've played this before but now I get a boat. Holy cow I'm warping through time and space.... Memories. I'm here to tell you that they have finally added fresh flavors into the mix.

First let me start by saying Shadow Complex is one of my favorite XBLA games, and ranks highly among all games especially "Metroidvanias". Secondly allow me to say that Assassin's Creed 3 and it's Tyranny of King Washington DLC specifically are my favorite AC titles. As usual this blog and my statements are opinion and should be taken as thus. Also a grain of salt might be advised.

This new AC takes place in an era and location we have always needed but didn't know to ask for (Japan was highly in demand due to ninjas, as a nature fit). The first of 3 parts of AC:Chronicles takes place in China. Its artwork, music, sounds, characters, and items all stem from this core. Which is vital as the artwork is what allows you to immerse yourself in a side scrolling AC game.

2.5D is a seldom explored approach to creating a game. It forced you to think and look in depth which is extremely effective as this is one of the first AC games that I feel has a strong "puzzle solving" element. In previous AC games you had some freedom of approach. Kill target A but you can do this through pure undetected stealth, you could try and swash buckle your way through, or in later entries you could take a ranged or even hands off approach. Even though a side scroller would seem to limit you, it in fact makes you think harder to achieve massively distant routes. Do you want to brawl your way through all opposition? Would you prefer to assassinate all enemies but do so purely invisible, or would you wish to remain as a shadow and not once be seen by the opponents? This is possible and more thought through than finessed through. Timing and approach surpass finesse and reaction time.

We will have to see how the next 2 parts play out, covering Arabian locations and Russian locale. For now I recommend the 10 dollar cost for a fleshed out and stimulatiing Assassin's Creed experience.

Mep