Assassin's Creed = a Crackdown Experience. Good or bad?

kevinpars · Post by **kevinpars** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 2:26 pm

I tried to get this for 39.99 at Frys, but they did not have it yet when I stopped by yesterday and it turns out that they had 5 copies total and after they sold them between 6-630 last night, that was it for the sale. Typical bait and switch. I won't be shopping there anymore because i have had this BS happen in the past and would rather do business elsewhere.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:07 pm

Got a few hours in, and I must say...

the negative reviewers are on crack. This has been one of the most enjoyable, exhilarating games I've played. Between this and COD4, I'm a very happy man right now!

I rode my horse into Jerusalem, and nearly swallowed my tongue at the scale and beauty of the city. Standing atop the Dome of the Rock and looking out across the Holy City is a thing to behold. Rescuing citizens in distress has been one of my most fun things to do, as is simply diving off of a ridiculous height and landing in a pile of hay.

Getting busted and having to escape from the soldiers by running out of sight is simply awesome. Clamoring over rooftops, making daredevil leaps, swinging, knocking people over...AH! It's so much fun!

So to the IGN's, I say...NUTS! This thing's a definite winner...

Zeppo · Post by **Zeppo** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 5:18 pm

Gametrailers has what seems to me to be a very thorough and well done review that y'all might enjoy. Overall it's very positive, but it does point out the game's problems:

http://www.gametrailers.com/assassinscreedlaunch.php

Teal, I don't think it's in doubt that the game is above average and starts out very well for the first few hours. Most of the negativity seems to be based on the latter stages of the game, wherein the game's faults in combat and mission structure tend to become more overwhelming than at the beginning. Glad you're enjoying it.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 8:24 pm

tealboy03 wrote:Got a few hours in, and I must say...

the negative reviewers are on crack. This has been one of the most enjoyable, exhilarating games I've played. Between this and COD4, I'm a very happy man right now!

I rode my horse into Jerusalem, and nearly swallowed my tongue at the scale and beauty of the city. Standing atop the Dome of the Rock and looking out across the Holy City is a thing to behold. Rescuing citizens in distress has been one of my most fun things to do, as is simply diving off of a ridiculous height and landing in a pile of hay.

Getting busted and having to escape from the soldiers by running out of sight is simply awesome. Clamoring over rooftops, making daredevil leaps, swinging, knocking people over...AH! It's so much fun!

So to the IGN's, I say...NUTS! This thing's a definite winner...

So far I agree 100%....The leap of faith is definately cool. Rescuing citizens, especially while using the counter attack, is sweet.
Taking out guards with your dagger is exhilerating.

The game is nothing short of beautiful graphically.

Im not ready to say some of the reviewers were on crack til I have played more but it sure does look that way so far.

As far as the game getting stale after a while...That happens with all games. I have only known one game(WoW) that I never really got tired for a couple of years but that was less about the fun than the addiction.

Gurantsu · Post by **Gurantsu** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 10:10 am

I went over a friends last night and we played this for 4 hours. Absolutely fantastic, and the best looking game on the 360 in my opinion. We were going nuts during a 15 minute foot chase through Jerusalem, I just could not shake the guards! My buddy was standing up at the screen pointing out ladders and such to help me out. Very immersive, and of course a 10 foot screen helps with that!

I have never seen a game react to the players character the way this one does. The way crowds gather when there is a fight, women screaming at the site of the bodies, the beggars, the people you have helped shooing you away when guards are near, really really good stuff.

I'll definitely be grabbing this one.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 11:50 am

Gurantsu wrote:I went over a friends last night and we played this for 4 hours. Absolutely fantastic, and the best looking game on the 360 in my opinion. We were going nuts during a 15 minute foot chase through Jerusalem, I just could not shake the guards! My buddy was standing up at the screen pointing out ladders and such to help me out. Very immersive, and of course a 10 foot screen helps with that!

I have never seen a game react to the players character the way this one does. The way crowds gather when there is a fight, women screaming at the site of the bodies, the beggars, the people you have helped shooing you away when guards are near, really really good stuff.

I'll definitely be grabbing this one.

.
I love how you can throw a guard off of a high tower or roof, and hear people gasp and scream below when he hits the ground. Damn...just got off of night shift work, but now I've just gotta play a little of this before I get some shut-eye!

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 3:52 pm

I need to pop by gamestop today and pick this one up.

Danimal · Post by **Danimal** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 8:40 pm

I am the worlds worst pick pocket, I'm in the first city and there are two guys i think I need to pick pocket and when i hit B he doesn't do anything, then eventually I get busted and the guy runs away.

Any tips?

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 8:53 pm

When you see Pickpocket in the HUD hold the button and try to get closer to your target.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 10:50 pm

So far color me impressed. Loving it right now!

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Sat Nov 17, 2007 11:19 pm

Has anyone come across any throwing knives yet? I have the ability after taking out my first target but I'm already into my next city (Acre) and still haven't got any.

webdanzer · Post by **webdanzer** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:02 am

RallyMonkey wrote:Has anyone come across any throwing knives yet? I have the ability after taking out my first target but I'm already into my next city (Acre) and still haven't got any.

IIRC I think you are talking about the short blade (up on the d-pad?) That is not the throwing knives(left on the D-pad). You get those later on and when you get that ability you are given some knives to start with.

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 1:33 am

RallyMonkey wrote:Has anyone come across any throwing knives yet? I have the ability after taking out my first target but I'm already into my next city (Acre) and still haven't got any.

I have the throwing knives...You get them after taking out the second or third target. I dont really remember which. I only just started using em. I was addicted to the hidden dagger for a while.

SoMisss2000 · Post by **SoMisss2000** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 2:47 am

Danimal wrote:I am the worlds worst pick pocket, I'm in the first city and there are two guys i think I need to pick pocket and when i hit B he doesn't do anything, then eventually I get busted and the guy runs away.

Any tips?

you have to hold down the free hand button.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 3:15 am

I've only started the game but I can see why reviewer's don't like the game.

Some of the design decisions just don't fit the game. You have some of the most outstanding graphics in the game but the stupidest gameplay decisions. The gameplay feels like its something from a really bad FPS. Yet the environment feels like you are playing an elite 360 title.

First, the "chase" system where you are in trouble. It's like GTA only stupider. You can hide in haystacks right in front of the AI and poof invisible.

The one attacked thing is strange. It would have been nice for AC to put in God of War type moves where you take on 5 or 6 enemies.

I think some of the gameplay decision just don't fit the game. Anyway, it's too bad because if they couldn't have done the gameplay right, this game would be ground breaking. The graphics surely are...the gameplay...well it's ok.

Post by **ScoopBrady** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 3:38 am

JRod wrote:First, the "chase" system where you are in trouble. It's like GTA only stupider. You can hide in haystacks right in front of the AI and poof invisible.

That's just not true JRod. You have to get out of the line of site of your pursuers before you can hide in a haystack. If you try hiding when they can see you you'll just pop right out and have to keep trying to evade them.

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 8:49 am

JRod wrote: Some of the design decisions just don't fit the game. You have some of the most outstanding graphics in the game but the stupidest gameplay decisions. The gameplay feels like its something from a really bad FPS. Yet the environment feels like you are playing an elite 360 title.

This just doesn't make any sense to me, Rod. Feels like something from a really bad FPS? What?

JRod wrote:First, the "chase" system where you are in trouble. It's like GTA only stupider. You can hide in haystacks right in front of the AI and poof invisible.

Nope.

JRod wrote:The one attacked thing is strange. It would have been nice for AC to put in God of War type moves where you take on 5 or 6 enemies.

You CAN take on a few guys at a time; you just have to move the analog stick in whatever direction you want to go next, and he'll do that.

JRod wrote:I think some of the gameplay decision just don't fit the game. Anyway, it's too bad because if they couldn't have done the gameplay right, this game would be ground breaking. The graphics surely are...the gameplay...well it's ok.

I think they did the gameplay exactly right, but hey...tomato, to-mah-to...

XXXIV · Post by **XXXIV** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:15 am

I can unsterdand some of what jrod is saying....It can feel a bit akward at the very beginning...It does take a while to get used to the controls(Age ) but once you do and things start coming easier the game just takes off.

I can kill 5-10-15 at a time now as they will only attack one at a time. Your character doesnt have to be facing the right direction as long as you time your counter-attack correctly he will turn and hit whomever is coming at you.

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:35 am

I've been playing this game non-stop, absolutely love it.

RallyMonkey · Post by **RallyMonkey** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 11:52 am

It's funny, when i was telling Sport about this game after first playing it i told him the sword play was the one thing i didn't like much for many for the reason JRod talked about. After many more hours, and as XXXIV stated, now that i'm comfortable with the counter attack and other controls, it's pretty damn fun. I think if the game tried an all-out-attack system where multiple enemies would team up and it became a button masher i would actually enjoy it far less.

James_E · Post by **James_E** » Sun Nov 18, 2007 8:57 pm

It's not holding my interest. (I rented it.) Graphics are phenomenal!

I'm not finding it all that rewarding to go around and find viewpoints, pickpocket stuff etc. When I play I usually think "I'd rather be playing COD4 or Hellgate (or guitar hero.)". I also don't really like that climbing (so far) is not that hard... just keep pushing up on the L-stick. If you can't get up.. he looks up like he's got nowhere to go... ok so now I push left or right to find something else to hang on to.. kind of boring. Need to jump across something? Just hold R stick (and optionally A) and he'll jump.

I know the game is not targeting the "platform" elements that I mention above. That's fine, it's not my cup of tea right now... having JUST got those other games mentioned above is not helping. COD4 is just so friggin amazing it's tough to get away from it.

I still have it on the rental for a bit. I've only just got to Damascus, doing a few viewpoints and randomly killing stuff on the way, so I'm not that far in (2 hours total playtime maybe?) I'll try some more and see if it grabs me but I think I'll take it back and just focus on Mass Effect as my single player game for a while.

JRod · Post by **JRod** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 12:34 am

I'm glad teal has personal stock in this game.

First off you only fight one enemy at a time. Call it what you want but you still only fight one guy at a time while the other guy stands there. Sometimes another guy will jump in but then other guy just watches.

Like I said, the combat play could have been improved greatly if it was more like god of war and you fighting 5 guys in a mob rather than the kill one at a time model.

The whole purpose of the game doesn't fit this game. You have some of the best rendered environments in the game but the stuff this game makes you do it downright stupid. To me it feels there could be a 10/10 title in this thing but the designers lost focus in the gameplay department.

I have no complaints with the controls as all games have a learning period. Its just the shallowness of the gameplay in contrast to the depth of the graphics.

greggsand · Post by **greggsand** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 1:29 am

Jrod's impressions sound much like the reviews. Still on my rental list, but probably not until I knock out GH3....

Teal · Post by **Teal** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 8:32 am

I don't have personal stock in the game, rod. But I DO enjoy a game for what it is...a game, and a damn good one.

I've always wanted to ask you this: Have you ever been totally satisfied with any game you've ever played? Because it seems as though you always have a negative reaction in a thread of mostly positive ones, no matter what game I've seen talked about. I almost expect it, to be honest. I'm not being a smartass here...it's an honest question. You just seem bent on focusing on what's wrong with a game, in your mind, rather than what's right about it, as if there's never been one that's passed muster with you. Just an observation.

And I fail to see how my enjoyment of a game, despite the negative nellies, means I somehow am drawing a check from the developers or something...

MizzouRah · Post by **MizzouRah** » Mon Nov 19, 2007 12:17 pm

Not everybody likes the same games, but this game is clicking for me. Everything from the stunning graphics to the gameplay is spot on for what I like in a game.

Like most games, there is room for improvement on a hopeful sequel, but I think it's one hell of a game at it stands.