Why watch the History Channel when you can play the History Channel?
While mixing together ancient cities, politics, religious strife and history sound may sound like the next cable offering from the minds that brought us the History Channel and CSPAN, it can also be a recipe for one of the most engrossing and immersive games to ever hit the market. Assassin's Creed for the XBOX 360 absolutely sets the bar for what video games should provide their audiences: detailed worlds and inventive means to interact with those worlds.
There are many reviews out there spanning the spectrum of average to great. Which, in turn, means there are many reviewers that either get it or don't. This isn't a matter of love it / hate it. Assassin's Creed asks the gamer to enter the world and take the time to become part of it. This isn't a pick it up and put it down type of game.
And while the game asks you to take the time to get to know it, it provides simple and ingenious means to do so through the intuitive gameplay that is offered. The learning curve is quick, yet the gameplay is deep. The fighting doesn't amount to much more than mashing a couple of buttons, but the game isn't about swordplay. It is about deception and stealth. Stealth not in a Splinter Cell sneaky kind of way, but in an open and obvious don't do anything to draw attention to yourself kind of way. And should you do something that elicits a city alarm, the chase gameplay is amazing. It seems inspired in some way by 1970 car chase movies. Bullet in Jerusalem, or something.
The sights and sounds are both subtle and mind blowing. Graphically, you're all familiar with it. The movement is amazing and the textures and lighting only highlight the attention to detail that the developers have lavished over this game. The sound you'll hardly notice. This is a good thing. The ambient noises of the city; the conversations; the wind rustling - all pull you into the world without distracting you from it. The score is subtle and used sparingly.
Now, much has been said about framerates. I can't speak for the PS3, but I can tell you on the 360 I haven't experienced any drops. That being said, I have noticed tearing during some parts. Not enough to be a problem, but enough to distract you in the moment. And throughout the entire game, I only saw one clipping issue that occurred after an interrogation where I beat the target into a corner, which created an awkward cutscene.
While the story is fairly good, I'm not crazy about the digitized effects seen popping up during the gameplay. I thought it was a bit distracting. Not giving away what it is, as it would be a minor spoiler to the story, but you'll know it when you see it.
Replay value essentially consists of further exploration for flags - standard stuff. While the content will keep you occupied and entertained for a while in the Assassin's Creed universe, it would be nice to see more things to do in the cities - weapon mod, gambling, alt career as a cover - whatever.
Bottom line is that this game is amazing from start to finish. Get it. And then once you complete it catch up on all that CSPAN and History Channel you've been missing.