Xbox 360 Assassin's Creed

So, anybody else get Assassin's Creed on launch day? Thoughts?

I'm liking it so far, although I only got about an hour's worth of play in as I had to help a friend with computer problems.
The "twist" so to speak isn't really too bad. I was expecting worse from the preview here, and although it's a little odd, it's kind of cool, too.
So far the plot seems pretty interesting, but I don't game much, so I guess others would be better at grading it. I'm happy with my purchase.

 

Launch day is friday

 

Uk always behind on launch days I have it preordered with play but it does not show its been despatched yet and therefore assume I wont be getting it friday. When they despatch on a saturday I usually get it the following friday. so im now looking at early next week

But limited edition tin for £35 maybe worth the wait.

 

ah, didn't know that UK release was behind....anybody else from the US playing it? The fluidity of movement animations, especially mounted, is amazing me. The graphics are awesome.

 

I'm still waiting on my copy to arrive at GameStop.

 

mine got posted from Play yesterday so im looking at getting it saturday or monday at the earliest

 

Gabe from penny arcade has some words about Assasins Creed. Worth a read.

http://www.penny-arcade.com/2007/11/14#1195073220

From what he says, if you were one of the people that blindly chased the arrow in Bioshock you wont like the game, but if you (like me) searched every nook and cranny to find out new and interesting titbits about the story you will enjoy it a lot.

 

I share Gabe's sentiments on the reviews of the game. I have only killed the first major target so far, but beforehand I reached every vantage point, saved every citizen, and completed every investigation (not just what was needed) in Damascus before I returned to HQ and grabbed the final mission. I took my time and enjoyed it, instead of rushing to the final kill and every ounce of it was enjoyable. Also by skipping some of the extra investigations not only to do you miss out on some extra information regarding the target, but you lose out on increasing your synchronization (health) with Altier.

 

FFS!!! TOO MANY GOOD GAMES TO PLAY!!



What is this? No rain for a year then a Tsunami?

I've still got ZELDA to do.

 

I understand what the PA fella has to say, but looking down the list of reviews on Metacritic, some of those 7-8's are coming from some reasonably reliable sources. I think it seems to be the general consensus that it's not the revolution in AI and game structure that was hoped - I am still looking forward to playing it, but I've dropped my expectations quite a bit over the last few weeks. It sounds far more structured than I was hoping.

 

I think the point he was making is that if you are playing this game without exploration, ie under a deadline, like most reviewers will be it really isn't fun. Reviews are based on the reviewers opinion of their experience and if they did not enjoy it they say that. So if they weren't on a deadline and had plenty of time its quite possible they would have played differently and really enjoyed it.

 

Yeah but it's a sandbox game, and the player is meant to do things their own way. I see his point, but surely the gamer should be able to thoroughly enjoy a game regardless of how they play it? I personally think that there is some flaw in the games structure if a gamer expects to be able to complete it on their own terms, but the developer has almost a hidden agenda in regards the way they think it should be played. The two ideas don't seem to be compatible to me.

I think Crackdown is the perfect example of how a sandbox title should be structured and pitched at the player. It said here is your playground, the city. Here are some people you need to kill. Right, off you go. We don't care how you do it.

With Assassins Creed (and I'm not speaking from first hand experience here...) it seems to be that the designers have tried the same approach, but in fact the game displays shortcomings if you don't try and unearth all the content they placed there. I think Gabe has a very good point - games can be ruined by players who try and rush through it without fully enjoying their surroundings, and what it has to offer. But if the game gives you the choice of how to proceed, encourages you to make that choice, about what content to seek out and what to avoid, then it's difficult to then say "well you didn't enjoy it, you didn't play it the way we wanted you to." Sandbox should be about a lack of rules and boundaries, and not just stuffing a free roaming game area with collectable bonuses and hidden areas.

I followed this one for a while now, and it seems to me that the rather lofty goals originally stated by the developer, have not quite come together as anticipated. I think number two in the series will be the really important one.

 

My order from GAME arrived today Played it practically non-stop since I got home at 4pm.

Loving every moment, the free-running is so much fun, I've pissed off guards a few times just for the sake of it.
I've got up to the first proper assassination. But couldn't seem to assassinate him =/ so just had to get in a sword fight with him then I won.

 

Sounds like a cool game, I'll have to steal my friends 360 and his copy for a week or two to play it though.

 

TBH, I know some of the reviewers PA mentions and I know they devote some serious time to the game. Not as much as bit-tech does, because they don't do graphics, but they do spend the time on it and they don't rush through like Gabe says.

My concerns for the game are different to other peoples, you can check my preview for specifics. In the end, I think it's more likely that a group of seasoned and fair journalist who span the globe and have a lot of experience reviewing games in certain conditions are going to be more reliable than a single cartoonist who comes across as nothing but a fanboy and who does have advertising for the game on his site. That's not to say the game is bad, just that it isn't as good as he says.

 

Oooh, harsh words Joe

Well, when I get the PC version I'll make up my own mind.

 

I think I may get this one then as I'm one of those people who likes to explore the crap out of a game.

 

Same here.

Games don't have to cater to everyone. Otherwise I should be thoroughly disappointed with the Sims franchise.

 

Mine came this morning which was a surprise because I was expecting it Saturday. I played the first 30 mins making myself late for work hehe.

Spoiler

In that time I only got through the training and first few cut seems up until the castle got attacked. I was not expecting this game to be set in the future and that some bloke is probing your mind for information and the your basically re-enacting your ancestors past and that your jumping from memory to memory.

Strange twist which I never read about before getting the game. The training reminded me of the training bit in the Film Matrix. Where it teaches you movement and combat inside your mind. The glitches you see every so often look good which reminds you that your interacting in a virtual world in your head and its not real. Like the Matrix.

The controls are strange to me as I dont feel I have complete control and I have to remember combos. I cant wait to play tonight and unfortunately im unable to leave work early today So im going to have to wait longer.

so far what Ive seen I like, it looks beautiful and smooth.

 

mike - perhaps spoiler tags might be a good idea in your post? I'm not too bothered about this game so I don't mind knowing the "twist" that much, but to be honest i would rather have found out for myself - I'm sure others will feel the same.

AH