I am including Fire Emblem and Legend of Zelda in that generalization. Assassin's Creed has the best gameplay mechanics and graphics of any game I have ever played. The incredibly long journeying between destinations is actually fun. The violence isn't over-the-top. The music is wonderful. The characters are alive (with the possible exception of Altair, but there's no such thing as a perfect game). The fights are entertaining. The missions are interesting. The dual-plot mechanism isn't senseless. The places (Damascus, Jerusalem, Acre) are vibrant and reflect the religions that controlled them (Christianity for Acre, Islam for Damascus, and Judaism for Jerusalem). People preach in the streets and beg for change. Assassinations are exciting. The world is set during the Third Crusade, and people in the game are feeling it.

I haven't even beaten the game yet. I hear the ending sucks but leaves the game wide open for a sequel. That's good. That's very, very good. A masterpiece like this deserves its own franchise.

Now I need to get an Assassin's Creed sig. Or maybe a banner.