by There has been much ado about Assassin’s Creed III, the upcoming title in science fiction saga. After two main games and multiple additional titles, one would think that the series was beginning to wear out its welcome. However, excitement for Assassin’s Creed III is reaching a level not seen since Assassin’s Creed II was about to be released several years ago. What is causing this hype, and does the game deserve it?
New hero, new moves!
One of the biggest things people are excited about is the new assassin character. The first new playable character since the introduction of Ezio in 2009, Conner is already showing promise of being an assassin worth playing.
This is partly because of the new gameplay enhancements that give Conner more ways to stylishly execute his moves and enemies. Players will also be able to chain kills together, and further enhancements, such as double counters, will add a layer of depth to the game. Additional elements, such as the return of multiplayer, promise to keep players interested for far longer than the single player.
One change some veteran players may not like is that the lock on mechanic has been completely replaced with automated enemy selection. The developer’s reasoning behind this is to further streamline the combat experience, but it will be up to the individual player to decide if this is better than what they are already used to.
Smart Townsfolk
Another major improvement is the NPCs that inhabit the world. In particular, the characters of the world take on a more significant role in the player’s experience. One example shown off in preview events is an old woman hurling abuse as an English soldier, who takes the bait and walks by a wall Conner is hiding behind. When the guard walks by unsuspecting, Conner ambushes and kills him.
The new playground
Another element everyone is excited about is the American Revolution setting. In this setting, players jump along cliffs and trees, running through the forests of North America to encounter camps, forts, and, of course, the port towns. In the game, Conner will bear witness and even participate in some of the iconic battles of the revolutionary war. There will obviously be certain twists to fit the story, and players are eager to see what these are.
One aspect of the environment that is of interest is the seasonal changes. At different points, the game will switch the season, which affects the environment. For instance, certain areas may be off limits during the summer, but in the winter, due to streams and rivers freezing over, these areas are suddenly accessible for exploration.
Continuing the fight
The last major thing fans are looking forward to, of course, is the continuation of the Assassin’s Creed story. As the third main game of the series, fans are expecting major revelations and new intrigue.
So will Assassin’s Creed III live up to the hype? While the actual answer will not be known until it releases, based on what is currently known and the general positive reception the game has received from the press, it appears that the answer will be a resounding “yes.” So the real question, then, is where will you be the night Assassin’s Creed III is released?
