A game that begs a sequel
In the game, you play as the ruthless and somewhat insouciant assassin, during the era of the third crusade. The setting takes place in the holy land, which is basically a region encompassing 4 cities in Israel and Syria: Masyaf, Damascus, Jerusalem, and Acre. The assassin you play is named Altair, and he trained in the ways of the Hashshashin to kill his targets in any way he can.
The cities in this game are literally HUGE, and once you have gained access to all the districts in each city, it takes a good 10 minutes to cross it. However, another plus is that you can go nearly anywhere in the game. Climb a tower? Sneak onto a docked ship? Break into a Templar military camp? No problem. Chances are, you can do it.
The Combat in this game is amazing. In addition to Altair's hidden blade, your assassin can also use his sword, throwing knives, or dagger to dispatch of his enemies. The combat is violent, intense, and gets your heart pumping. Rest assured, if you enjoy some medieval combat, you will enjoy this game.
The graphics of this game are simply breathtaking. You can look over entire cities, and there is no backdrop: all of it can possibly travelled to. There has been careful consideration given to details, and even the buildings look like real buildings, not just models meant to give your character something to climb.
Now, it's time to explain why this game isn't a 10.0. First, the gameplay. For the most part, this game will not get old. You gather information, run from and fight off soldiers, travel the holy land on horseback, and assassinate special targets. However, around the last two 'stages' of the game, the gameplay will be somewhat repetitive. It isn't old or tedious, but you will basically know exactly what you must do and there won't be too many surprises left waiting for you until the end of the game.
Also, there is one more thing...the end of the game can get somewhat confusing, and will raise many questions. Not only does it end abruptly (you most likely won't realize it's over till the credits start rolling), but it will also make you want more. This game will most likely have a sequel, and after completing this game, you may feel somewhat unsatisfied if you're an impatient individual such as myself.
Other than these minor flaws, the game is superbly put together and will definitely become a permanent part of your collection. If you decide to get the game, I can guarantee you won't be disappointed.