Game Review: Assassin's Creed

This Ubisoft release received plenty of publicity with a high-exposure marketing campaign and above average media hype. Reviews from "experts" are everywhere, mostly mixed, but I'd like to offer an average gamer's take on the game that you might be considering for your Christmas list.

Positives

Graphics
This game is visually stunning, with picturesque environments and a extreme detail.

Storyline
Although it is much different than the ads may suggest (there is an unexpected modern twist that I won't give away) the story flows like a movie script. Think the Matrix meets Zelda; it's hard not to be excited isn't it?

Gameplay
The open-world style of this game will remind you of the GTA and True Crime series, but a medieval theme makes Assasin's Creed a fresh change for fans. Riding horses, hiding in hay piles and battling with swords is actually quite a bit more thrilling than stealing cars and firing glocks. Throw-in the ability to choose missions or stick to a progressive storyline and the freedom this game allows is as liberating as playing your 360 in yesterday's underwear.

Negatives

Fighting Controls
If Double Dragon and TMNT II are your favorite fighting games, then maybe you'll be able to forgive Ubisoft for this one. Engaging an enemy in Assasin's Creed involves choosing a weapon and mashing one button. Forget elaborate combinations or ever touching the joystick; this platform simply lacks. It's too bad, considering the storyline's incredible ability to setup numerous battles, only to fizzle out with 1,000 sword slashes.

Loading Time
Ouch. They should have sold ad space in this game, because the loading screens stall about as long as the average commercial break. I realize that with quality graphics come above average transition times, but AC pushes our patience. This coming from someone that voluntarily does art projects with 5-12 year olds each week.

Game Save
Systems of modern day are blessed with hard drives. The guy that was notified at Ubisoft forgot to share the news with his staff. 300 KB are needed to save an AC game. The 360 has 20 GB of free space. Why then does AC only allow you to save one game? The real explanation is to sell more copies, so that friends can't borrow the game out without losing their own progress.

Xbox Live
More importantly the lack of any Live play or multiplayer all-together. Many great games, such as the Final Fantasy and Zelda franchises have refrained from adding such features, but a game this cool deserves an online home and some interactivity amongst pals. Please?

Final Thoughts
Although my list may include more negatives than positives, this is a great game and worth buying. The story has some repetitive aspects and a few minor aspects (above) are missing, but overall this game is fun and addictive. The gamer's role as an assassin with a sword is one of the better characters since Link and has staying power. AC's graphics are astounding and there are enough missions/environments to interact with that you won't get bored. It's a quality first effort for a title that should see a few sequels.