Live in past
The graphics of this title are limited to the DS and are unfair to compare with it's console versions, but for the most part the DS version of Assassin's Creed does a good job visually. You never lose site of Altair or confuse characters on screen. The lower portion of the DS is used as a Mini Map to show you where enemies and objectives are located. The bottom screen is a complete top down view of what you are looking at on the top screen of your DS.
Although not as technical or as open world focused as the console versions, this DS version does retain some of the same feel. There is still a strong stealth element involved to perform assassinations in the game. It is always easier to be quiet and sneak up on targets you are planning to assassinate rather than bump every guard on the map and raise their attention. Getting a guard's attention will heighten their awareness and cause a huge red exclamation to appear above their heads, telling you that they are not pleased with your actions and will begin to make your day miserable. As in the console versions, if you stay out of site after getting the guards' attention, you can lay low for a while to get rid of the Alarm status.
The moves in this DS version are fun and mix together light and strong attacks to break out different combos. As well you can upgrade your weapons and interact with NPC's to help you along your quests. The controls are straight forward and the stylus does not play a huge role in this game other than facilitating the switch out of your weapons and the mini games.
There are some interesting mini games built into Altair's Chronicles, such as the pickpocketing and torture mini games. Yes, Altair can interrogate enemies to get much needed information. This is achieved by twisting their arms via the touch screen and you follow certain strokes in order to maximize the level of pain on your target. The pickpocketing mini game is similar in that you are using the stylus in order to get certain items out of a mark's pockets. There are also some instances where you will use the built in microphone to solve a puzzle, such as one where a box of treasure was covered by sand and you had to blow it off in order to get to the treasure.
The game is really limited by the fact that it is not open ended, so it turns out being a pretty basic hack and slash game, which is pretty fun. Unfortunately this title is completely linear, so the story has one route that it may take and does not offer you much as far as replay value. The game is fun to play through once and then can be put down and placed in the collect dust pile. Unless you are a hardcore Altair or Assassin's Creed fan or just have nothing else to play on your DS this one should be a rental. The game is good, but not great.