A game that draws you in, in more ways than one from the VERY begining.
Visuals.
The game is down right one of THE best looking titles that has ever been released on any console. The cities themselves are unlike anything you have seen in a videogame. Everything from the smallest detail has been captured to bring the Third Crusade era to life. Characters look and move with complete and natural fluidity. Everything Altair does from walking to fighting is breathtaking, Altair movements via the free running will leave you stunned as you watch him bound from one rooftop to another. When it comes time to get down and dirty, the combat looks just as good. Altair is graceful yet powerful in combat, wielding a long or short sword like you haven't seen before. The great visuals truly cannot be stressed enough
Sound.
The sound is also top notch. From the ambient sounds down on the streets and up on the rooftops is fantastic. The chatter of the market vendors and the bustle of the crowd will make you truly believe that you are part of this world. The score is also amazing and truly fits the time and feel of the game.
Gameplay/Controls.
This is where Assassins Creed dominates anything in its genre. The controls for Altair, be it while free running or combat is some of the best controls you will EVER encounter in a video game. The transition from a slow jog into an all out sprint up the side of a building is as easy as pressing and holding the RT and A buttons. Before long you'll find yourself bounding and leaping across the holy land as only a skilled assassins could. Some of the most intense and downright fun moments comes from Assassins Creed's FANTASTIC combat system.The combat in Assassins Creed is unlike most other combat systems in that for you to be successful, its all about your timing, not how fast you can mash the face buttons. Sure, f you want you can tap X until your attack breaks through, but chances are you'll be dead long before your first blow connects. The combat, like free running is done by first going into "combat mode" by pressing the LT, once there the player can begin to swing away or, by pressing RT, go into a defensive mode where timing is key. Once you see an enemy begin his attack, a careful timed tap of the X button will execute some of the most brutal quick kills ever captured.
Closing Comments.
Assassins Creed is simply a game that must not be missed. Its one of the best action/adventure games to ever grace consoles. Everything blends together perfectly to create arguably the most exciting experience that one can have in videogames. If i had to point out a flaw, and it is VERY tough to do so, i would say that there is some repetition but everything works so well and is so much fun, that it can go completely unnoticed. As others have stated, its a game that simply cant be missed and one that you and your friends will talk about all the way into the next generation of video games.