Assassin's Creed

Having played a console version of Assassin's Creed, I have to say that the PC version is definitive - provided your computer's specifications are up to the job. The additional tasks that have been programmed in during the lengthy hiatus between the game's original launch and its PC debut make a fair difference (and justify the delay) and I prefer the PC's mouse/keyboard control layout, but for me it's the sheer visual brilliance of the game that tips the balance.

It's been said before, but AC has to represent the pinnacle of achievement in game graphics to date - even Crysis can't match the realism and downright gorgeousness of the environments (at max settings, at least). It does beat the console versions in this regard - and for the reasons I set out below, that for me makes this the best of the versions.

It is true that the gameplay can become a little repetitive at times - there isn't the depth or scope for different activities of, say, the Grand Theft Auto series - but I haven't been as impressed by a game for a long time. When I first started, I was quite happy just wandering the Kingdom (which links the cities where the main action occurs) exploring and climbing towers and buildings to enjoy the views. Sometimes you'll think you're playing a movie - it's like virtual tourism!

However, I appreciate this isn't the be-all and end-all of gaming - hence the lower rating for fun. AC is best played slowly in order to appreciate the world portrayed. Ignoring the backdrop and dashing through the storyline (which involves a somewhat perplexing sci-fi element, as your character is an avatar controlled by a present day descendant hooked up to a bizarre computer) will leave a feeling of, "Is that it?" Even with the PC's extra tasks and missions, it's still a case of repeating the same core steps until you reach the end, which is a little disappointing. It's also quite easy, as holding one key or mouse button down is generally enough to get you round all the fights and all the free-running across rooftops. At its heart it's a good enough game, but not a world-beater. It might seem a little unfair, and I mean this in the nicest possible way, but AC is basically the greatest interactive tech demo ever. For me that makes it a worthwhile purchase, but it's fair to say not everyone will agree.

My not exactly bang up to date key components (runs smoothly at max settings at 1280x1024):-

Core2Duo E6600
2GB DDR2 667
GeForce 8800GT 512MB

This is on of the most anticipated games to be ported to PCs. For this, the Director's Cut edition was produced, adding some content over the console versions (mostly rooftop action missions), and care was taken to make the gamepad to keyboard/mouse-transition as seamless as possible. For the most part it was successful.

This is a TREMENDOUSLY BEAUTIFULLY GAME. The first thing that grabs you is how REAL the city environments feel. The graphics are just OUT OF THIS WORLD! You will need a very good PC to enjoy their full potential (minimum requirements provided below), but real skies, dynamic shadows, facial expressions and realistically flowing robes are only beginning to describe it! Run on a roof and the other citizens will gather around and comment on your crazy behavior! Throw someone on a vendor's cart and he will come after you complaining about his ruined produce! And the city is alive well beyond your character. If only BIOWARE could take some lessons for its next BALDUR's GATE...

Adding to this is the wonderful sound! From the crowd murmurs and the NTCs cries for help, to the whistling of the wind and the well-chosen background music, a good sound-card and speakers set is recommended to truly enjoy this game. If you have a 5.1 speaker system (I do not) I can imagine the experience to become even more immersing.

As to the gameplay, you control Altaïr ibn La-Ahad ("The Flying One, Son of None"). He is a member of the Assassin Brotherhood that sides, well, with both...sides, during the 3rd Crusade. In a story twist, he is also your ancestor, the game being your/his flashback memories. This is a twist I could do without, but I would guess it lays groundwork for the sequels.

The Third person perspective works beautifully and will never loose your interest. Most missions require sneaking and murdering in the shadows. Others will have you eavesdropping for passwords or pickpocketing documents to gain access into target buildings. Some will have you sharpen those sword skills. Still, the game does not avoid its share of stupid "keep this...suicidal character from getting killed" missions. Keep in mind though that ASSASSIN's CREED is rather a strategically thinking action TPS, not a hack&slash fast-paced one.

Controlling your character with a keyboard/mouse takes a lot of getting used to as you have to manage running, climbing, fighting as well as modifying your actions from low to high visibility. The keys are remapable but their complexity will never let you forget you are playing a game. Now for some bad news.

These are the official MINIMUM Requirements:
* Pentium D 2.6GHz (YES, Dual Core!) (or AMD equivalent)
* 1GB RAM (WinXP) or 2GB (WinVISTA) (3GB RECOMMENDED!)
* nVidia 6800 (or Shader Model 3.0 compliant or ATI equivalent)
* Dual-Layer DVD-ROM (or BluRay disc)
* 12GB HDD Space (although my install folder was no larger than 7GB)

As one can see, this is worse than CRYSIS! What I cannot get is how on earth ASSASSIN works on only 512MB of RAM of the XBox, yet it is recommended to have...3GB of RAM on a PC! Sure, the extra content is nice but who did the porting, unpaid interns? Has ANY PC optimization been attempted at all?
Keep also in mind that (as with CRYSIS) in order to fully enjoy the game, barely meeting the minimum requirements means you will barely experience the game. I refuse to deal with WinVISTA so, obviously, this review pertains to DirectX-9. The game is also DirectX-10 compatible, something I cannot comment on though. And now for some good news.

UBISOFT has been recently hit with a $5million class-action suit for hardware (OK, "allegedly") damaged by StarForce bundled with its games. Since, they have announced to be abandoning its StarForce partnership - so let's all rejoice: unlike other UBISOFT games, ASSASSIN's CREED does NOT sport StarForce! Instead, a much milder SafeDisc is used.
It is a pity it took litigation to finally listen to their own customers (suing StarForce would make much more sense, but try finding them in Russia!), but let's count our blessings.

So, overall, this is a well made and beautiful, immersing (although quite short) game that needed more work in PC optimization (wher it lost 1 star Overall) and character control (where it lost 1 star for Fun).

As Altair himself would have put it: "Nothing is true. Everything is permitted."
Well, not everything - and certainly NOT StarForce.

Ok first off i've played the pc version and with DX10 and its stunning....no arguments there!!Its partly being sold as a stealth game but it's really not.As you go up through the levels more skills and equipment become avaliable to you which makes killing your enemies even easier than it was in the first place.That being said means the game actually gets easier the the further you get into it.
The cut scenes are a pain in the rear,they can be long and there is no way to skip them,making a second play through of the game a bit of a chore.
Now the up side,visually gorgeous and once you get the hang of the fighting controls it's really fun.
If they ever did a sequal to this they need to turn it into a proper stealth assassination game.Also the character is just crying out for a bow and arrow weapon and would really put a good twist on things.
On the whole it's a good game but i'd wait for the price of to come down before you run out and buy it.