Assassins Creed: Unity review

[Neon Ignition]

So, I've forgone Rogue for now and gone for Unity to see where Ubi are taking the series next. I've only had a quick dabble so far but it's safe to say it won't be converting anyone who wasn't interested in the previous entries.

The initial impact is the visuals as this is the first next gen version, I'm running this on PC on Ultra settings and to be honest it's not the hot looker the screens and trailers suggested it might be. It's certainly a good step up from what was in Black Flag but it still has the usual multi-platform genericisms about it that stop it excelling. I haven't seen any of the crazy things people are reporting yet though, just one random npc dropping through the floor so far.

Next is free running and combat, both work the same as in the previous games and if I'm honest, they feel a little more sluggish than they already did. Ubi hasn't taken the opportunity to rework the combat at all to bring it up to date so unless you got along with the old system you won't find joy here. The biggest change is probably the high number of interior locations as you seamlessly run in and out of buildings, its very well handled but so subtle that you don't really feel any impact on the game or gameplay.

If I had to place an initial vibe on this I'd say it was like Ubisoft had made a next gen remake of AC1 and 2 blended. It feels like a lot has been stripped back from the last few titles, hopefully that means the actual assassin missions are much better. It will really depend on what you like about the series I feel. I personally view Black Flag as one of the franchises low points and having all the abysmal boring sailing aspects removed and the missions stripped back (so far) to the earlier styles appeals to me but I've not yet seen anything about it yet that wows either.

[Pulstar]

AC has become ridiculous now. Gamers are such enablers, if this series stopped selling so much Ubisoft would be forced to try for a new cash-cow.

[Daragon]

I was worried unity would be stripped back compared to black flag. After all, the game is just one large bland city. The ironic thing also is that the game was already delayed once for quality purposes. If this is the finished game what the **** was wrong with it?

[dave heats]

Thanks for the initial impressions mate.

If I had to place an initial vibe on this I'd say it was like Ubisoft had made a next gen remake of AC1 and 2 blended.

This is music to my ears if true! Looking forward to giving this a play when it arrives today. Strangely not excited in the slightest about it however....it's more of a morbid curiosity now.

[gambit6613]

Still debating to get this or not. On the one hand i love the series and have yet to miss one. But if its in as bad a state as people have been saying then im not sure i want spend my money and support a game that from the sounds of things is unfinished.

Has anyone by any chance brought and played AC: Rogue yet?

[DeathAdder]

Likewise. So second-hand for me, when it's cheap as chips, as will be the case with DriveClub.

[dave heats]

So I’ve spent a few hours with this today…and it’s just not great so far. Breakdown of why below:

- the start is very slow going. So much so I found I was deliberately distracting myself to do other things that are more interesting, like open a bank statement.
- mix of french and english is incredibly irritating. When you hear the occasional american accent too, it becomes laughable.
- controls feel loose and messy.
- parkour feels incredibly on rails. It’s almost like hold down R2 and it’ll just do it all for you, with your only input being are you going up (if so hold X), or going down (just hold O then).
- finding a chest, only to be told i need to play an iPad companion app to unlock it, could be the most idiotic, immersion breaking and pathetic ‘features’ I’m yet to find in a game. If the micro purchases are shoved down your throat throughout this game too, it may be the final straw for me buying Ubisoft games.
In fact, the whole game and even its packaging feels fairly soulless and money orientated. The physical copies come with about 6 inserts in the case, all promoting figurines, season passes, payable unlocks etc. It feels horrid.
- and the visuals….I can’t believe I’m saying this after all the hype & pre-release screenshots, but it really doesn’t actually look that good. The interior spaces look fantastic, but the outdoor areas (in other words 99% of the game) just look like PS3/360 visuals. This came as a shock, which it shouldn’t have, considering its Ubisoft we’re talking about.

On the positive side, I’m actually liking the lead character so far. He has just the right amount of comedy / cheeky chappy about him but clearly alot of back story to offer. So the characters aren’t the issue at the moment, which surprised me based on alot of reviews.

My main issue with my limited playtime so far is that it just doesn’t feel any different. It’s just exactly the same, but perhaps giving the player even less control than they had previously (see my automated parkour issue above).

I’m going to be giving this a right good bashing over the weekend, so will be sticking with it for the foreseeable future (christ, I’ve just spent ?45 on the bastard). But consider me incredibly disappointed in this so far.

Anyone else echo the above, or was I just expecting too much?

[Neon Ignition]

No, that all seems pretty much spot on. I think I'll get my enjoyment from it but it does seem like the AC series has entered decline, makes me wonder how Rogue will be considering its very much a cheaper made title based on the cruddy 4th game.

[dave heats]

Update. This is awful.

[nakamura]

76 metascore! And who says the gaming press is not legit!

[dave heats]

They've got it bang on it seems. I'm back to PES already.

[nakamura]

Bang on? How is a 76/100 bang on when you have just stated it's awful?

[dave heats]

Because I'm clearly bored of the AC series, which explains why personally I'm finding it awful and really not enjoyable in the slightest.
It's not the worst game ever though, hence 76 probably being fair.

EDIT: I'd also argue that a multi gazillion dollar production like this getting 76/100 is a reflection that it's nowhere near lived up to expectations. Which I can relate to massively.

[dave heats]

So after my rather melodramatic review of “awful” on Friday, i’ve pumped the majority of the weekend into this, to see if my initial hatred was justified.

Well, it’s improved slightly, but not enough to make this remotely worth purchasing for anyone currently on the fence. Some more good and bad observations below:

The Bad Bits
• the AI in this is utterly atrocious, and I’m simply blown away that it’s been released in this state. I’ve been fighting 5 soldiers in a room, and another one has continued his patrol (clearly unbothered by his mates being stabbed right up) walking straight through the fight scene. Comedy gold. In other example a crowd of NPCs have stood between me and an enemy but not moved, with me and the solider literally stabbing each other through the crowd, as they stand blissfully ignorant (and undamaged might I add). Like i said…attrocious.
But if you do happen to be seen by the enemy, don’t worry. They do not investigate, and do not even move most of the time. They will say “Somethings going on” in a cockney accent, just stand perfectly still for 30 seconds, and then continue their loop.

• The French and english language mix makes less sense the more you play. Hearing a Bristolian voice shout at you “Thats a bloody counter revolutionary” is an embarrassment to France, Bristol and gamers in general. And Ubisoft, having someone say “Merde” at the end of an English dialogue does not make you culturally sensitive. It makes you twats. And with lines like “Parlez, my arse”….I’m speechless, i really am.

• they’ve somehow taken one of the most interesting and colourful periods in civilisation, and made it utterly soul less. The city may be full of people, objects, scenery, but you can’t do anything with it. It means nothing to you, and as such, you have no connection to it whatsoever.

• no checkpoints during missions. Meaning you have to go through the generally unenjoyable experience all over again if you die thanks to the trivial and non responsive combat.

• Lazy mission design. How long until missions like “Find Elise” by running straight to a green dot on your radar are gone from gaming? This is not only lazy, but I find it completely bypasses the detailed world they’ve created. Instead of asking you to painstakingly explore a block of the town, you simply hold R2, run a bit towards the giant green dot, and wait for the next cut scene to happen. Honestly, if you remove the polish and slickness from this game, its a pathetic mess. Lazy is the only word for it.

• chasing a character…catching them, but being unable to tackle them because the game needs you to be in a certain area for that to be possible…thanks new gen!


The Good Bits
• graphically, there are some areas that are stunning. The interiors are generally superb too, but overall it’s very underwhelming and once again Ubisoft have clearly lied with pre-release footage.

• the animation for free running is absolutely brilliant. Hanging one handed from a window ledge eavesdropping on a conversation looks fantastic.

• the cafe theatre mechanic, like the village building in AC2 is familiarly addictive. Nowhere near as good as AC2’s, but a fun side quest nonetheless.

• The companion app, surprisingly available on WP8, is a fun little distraction, but seems to serve no point whatsoever. The only benefit is apparently being able to open the occasional locked chest in the full game. I do like this idea however, and hopefully something more useful can be combined with an actually decent release in the future.



Looks like not many people on here care about this release, and I can’t say i blame you. Definitely hold onto the apathy, or if you do crumble, wait until this is sub ?20.

Unfortunately AC Unity kind of sums up my feelings towards current gen in general. Everything looks nice, but where are the advances in gameplay? Where is the heart and soul in these games? Where are the risks in trying something new? It’s all becoming a rather huge let down.

5/10 written all over this at the moment.

[elaniel]

I'm quite a hypocrite when it comes to this series. Ever since the first one I saw the potential, and the ending totally grabbed me and hooked me into the plot. I've been disappointed since Revelations (the bombs were stupid) with a slight peak for Black Flag but sailing was far too tedious at times. Yet I still continue to buy them as I love the story and how it twists history and ties into the present.

I am one of the few I believe to enjoy the present day sections. I hope we finally do see a more involved present day story as things are clearly building more and more to

->Open Spoiler<-

total control by Abstergo.

it is annoying to fill in the modern day gaps you needed to have followed the Initiates before taking down all the timeline/story aspects and the comics.

I want them to get rid of most of the chests and collectibles. A few are okay, but the map is ridiculous at times. Certain ones are great throughout the series too (The Truth in II was amazing) and felt you got something from it.

I like the main character in this much more than Connor and Kenway, as he has a personality and the VA isn't phoning in the performance. I'm only on segment 3 so have a ways to go still. One of the good points I've seen is the controlled descent from buildings. Needs a little work, but helps from randomly throwing yourself off a building to your doom like has been the case in every game before it.