anyone that thinks that this isn't the best assassin's creed game that's come out in the past 5 years might be crazy. it's really good. it has its foibles like every ac game but it has enough pros to offset it. if you already don't like ac games it will not bring you in to the fold - I think that ship has already sailed, they're never going to change the formula at this point.
pros:
- improved combat is improved
- looks pretty. the unity engine doesn't look quite as sexy as unity did for whatever reason but the performance (for me at least) was solid. the next gen crowd thing is so seamless (with smaller crowds than unity) that you don't even notice that you just walked through 50+ people until you turn around.
- the driving isn't nearly as terrible as it could've been, it's actually kind of fun
- finisher animations are nuts and plentiful. as I approached the end I still saw one or two that I hadn't seen previously.
- for the first time since brotherhood everything seems to have a purpose. every weapon is useful - throwing knives are essentially op, the stun grenade is tits, gunplay is incredibly common vs previous games, etc. chests actually have stuff you need in them. side activities provide worthwhile rewards that don't feel purposefully gimped to lengthen the game. fight clubs and races are actually fun. gang cohorts (equivalent of ac:b's recruits) are useful for a lot of situations. freeing enemy territory actually makes main story missions easier/more fun.
cons:
- not much of the present day story.
- a couple dumb grindy trophies but nowhere near as bad as ac3 or unity's chests, I miss the fun ones they used to include.
- some people seem to think the characters are grating, I thought they were totally fine and even kind of fun.
- the past story does feel like it starts to drag at about halfway
- there were also review complaints about the ending? but it's pretty much just like every other ac final boss so whatevs.
So, there it is. Another year another creed game. I'm definitely ready for a 350 day hiatus and I'll gladly go take my $42 or whatever from best buy today.