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Revision as of 21:49, 14 December 2012

PL Treasure HunterHQ He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow.

This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning recent or upcoming releases from the Assassin's Creed series. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all.

This template should be removed from the article three months after release.

"On this land, I am torn. Part of me wants to fight and repel all outsiders. The other part of me is the outsider. In the name of liberty, I will fight the enemy regardless of their allegiance. While men of courage write history of this day, the future of our land depends on those who are truly free."
―Ratonhnhaké:ton, Assassin's Creed III Gameplay Trailer.

Assassin's Creed III is a sandbox style action-adventure video game that is developed by Ubisoft Montreal and published by Ubisoft. It is the fifth main title in the Assassin's Creed series, and is a direct sequel to Assassin's Creed: Revelations.[1] Ubisoft has claimed that the game will be bigger than its previous installments,[2] and will complete the story of Desmond Miles.

The game is set between 1753 and 1783, and focuses on a new ancestor, Ratonhnhaké:ton, who fought during the American Revolution.

Assassin's Creed III was released on October 30 in the United States for the Xbox 360 and PS3 and October 31 in Europe, while the PC version was released on November 20 for the United States and November 23 in Europe.[3][4] The game was also released for the Wii U in North America on November 18.[5]

Development

With the game in development since January 2010, by its release date, Ubisoft will have worked on the title for almost three years.[6] In a statement made by Yves Guillemot, he shared that "what we have seen is just fabulous."[7]

Despite the many possibilities for a new setting, according to Creative Director Alex Hutchinson, the team settled on the American Revolution "once we realized you could meet Washington, sail a boat, leap from tree to tree in the middle of winter and hunt wildlife".[8]

The game runs on a new version of the Anvil game engine called AnvilNext, which improves environmental effects. There will also be seasonal changes; the landscape is warm and open in the summer, but is covered in snow during winter, which subsequently affects gameplay.[9]

In winter, thick snow will cause people to move more slowly and stumble about in the drifts. Although the seasons will change in line with specific memories, fog and rain will change naturally.[10]

Another technical aspect of the engine is that it can depict up to two thousand troops engaged in battle, in contrast to previous games' one hundred, along with detailed close-ups.[9]

Gameplay

Navigation

ACIII-GI (4)

Ratonhnhaké:ton free-running.

Exploration will be based around a large countryside area known as the Frontier, which is one and a half times larger than Rome in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, and not as empty as the Kingdom in Assassin's Creed, as one third of the quests and gameplay content are contained there. The cities of Boston and New York may also be explored, and will have new details and ambiance.[9]

Since there will be a lot more travel included within the game, the fast travel mechanic is making a return, which allows for quick travel from any location, as opposed to previous games.[11] A whole new system of unlocking fast travel has been implemented, which is integrated into the game's natural progress.[9]

More varied methods of movement have been added as well, including climbing trees, cliffs, and other natural elements, alongside leaping over wagons, or sliding under obstacles. Other freerunning elements also have Ratonhnhaké:ton jumping through windows, to trees, and then onto rooftops.[9] Accompanying this, the zipline feature also makes a return in one instance.[12]

Combat

ACIII-GI (3)

Ratonhnhaké:ton in a fight with three British redcoat soldiers.

Dual-wielding weapons has been implemented, while fighting and stealth have been completely overhauled with new features, such as "double-counters," "multiple takedowns," and chain kills. Ratonhnhaké:ton will go into battle with a wide variety of weapons at his disposal, including two Hidden Blades, a tomahawk, flintlock pistols, rope darts, and a bow and arrow. Ratonhnhaké:ton's second Hidden Blade is able to be ejected and used as a dagger,[9] of which it can also be used to skin hunted animals.

Context sensitive actions, such as using enemies as human shields, will also be included. The target locking system has been removed and replaced by automated enemy selection, effectively changing the combat dynamics.[9] In addition, assassinations can now be performed with weapons other than the Hidden Blades, most notably the tomahawk and bayonets on rifles.[13]

The combat system has been greatly improved, as there are thousands of new animations, few of which have been carried over from previous installments. Simple defense and counter-attacks are now more difficult, and combat has been focused on putting Ratonhnhaké:ton on the offensive, with attacks based on both speed and momentum.[9]

The counter system has been completely revamped, as the developers wanted to create more strategy and options, which prompted them to create new reactions based on button presses. To counter, the Circle (PS3) or B button (Xbox 360) should be pressed, followed by that of a secondary button, with each having their own reaction.

  • Pressing the Square button (PS3), the X button (Xbox 360) or the Y button (Wii U) allows Ratonhnhaké:ton to kill his target.
  • Pressing the Circle button (PS3), the B button (Xbox 360) or the A button (Wii U) will have Ratonhnhaké:ton throw his enemy to the ground.
  • Pressing the Triangle button (PS3), the Y button (Xbox 360) or the X button (Wii U) will allow Ratonhnhaké:ton to use his secondary weapon.
  • Pressing the X button (PS3), the A button (Xbox 360) or the B button (Wii U) will let Ratonhnhaké:ton stun or disarm his enemy.

With these combinations, the game's developers were able to create multiple combos and enemies that resist different types of counters. As such, in order to get a kill spree going, the player will need to press an appropriate button for each enemy archetype.[14]

Memories

Desmond will use the upgraded Animus 3.01, and will find himself reliving "significant events." 100% synchronization in memories returns, though synchronization will be treated more like experience in an RPG leveling system, except with a finite amount available.[9]

Activities completed within missions have their own value. The more synchronized Desmond becomes, the more the synchronization bar is filled, which can also be increased through replaying missions. Checkpoints will also be introduced to mission replay, meaning that entire memories need not have to be replayed in order to achieve the 100% synchronization requirement.[9]

Other

ACIII-GI (15)

Ratonhnhaké:ton hunting an elk.

The economic system in the game will be different, as Ratonhnhaké:ton can now hunt animals, enabling him to sell the resources gathered from them. These resources can be more valuable depending on quality of the kill performed on the animal, and on the weapon type used to kill it.

Along with this, a new property system known as the Homestead will be added, in which Ratonhnhaké:ton will live in a manor with surrounding land, to which he can also invite other citizens to stay nearby. Here, the inhabitants will be given a second chance following the events of the war of the American Revolution, and will generate income through trade and crafting. Following this, the Homestead will expand with every resident that inhabits the area.

The regenerative health system similar to the type featured in Assassin's Creed will return, and in order to regain his health, Ratonhnhaké:ton must escape from combat and rest.[9]

There will also be puzzles similar to the Glyphs, though they will not be given by Subject 16.[9]

Platforming missions, like the Assassin Tombs or Lairs of Romulus, are making a return, in the form of Peg Leg missions. As stated by Corey May, "People like those. We like those. It's not something we'd remove."[9]

Season Pass

Before the game's release, Ubisoft announced a new feature known as a Season Pass, which is available for purchase on Xbox Live and the PlayStation Store for 2400 Microsoft points and $29.99 respectively. The Season Pass will allow early access to five downloadable content packs, a week before they are released. Among these packs is the three-part Tyranny of King Washington, while the rest of the downloadable content will house multiplayer components. DLC will also be an option for the Wii U, though plans on how a Season Pass accompanies this is currently unknown. Choosing to purchase the Season Pass would net an overall 25% discount on all five downloadable content pieces, and it was released alongside Assassin's Creed III on October 30.

Synopsis

Multiplayer

Ubisoft Annecy, who developed the multiplayer components for Brotherhood and Revelations, along with Ubisoft Bucharest, have been tasked with bringing multiplayer back with this installment.

It has been announced that there will be a cooperative mode named Wolfpack, where 2 to 4 players are tasked with killing certain NPCs during a time limit, through a sequence of 25 stages. Another feature Ubisoft has revealed is the addition of Domination, a team mode, where players of the Animus games console will need to capture areas of the virtual map they are designated, before protecting them from the opposite team.

Unlike the previous multiplayer section featured in Brotherhood and Revelations, which was presented in-game as a training initiative for Abstergo recruits, the multiplayer of Assassin's Creed III is shown as a product of Abstergo Industries' entertainment branch, as a way of influencing the general public through a games console adapted with the Animus' technology.

Characters

So far, sixteen Animi Avatars have been announced for Assassin's Creed III's multiplayer, with three to be released later in downloadable content. These initial characters are:

The three additional characters, introduced via downloadable content, are planned to be as follows:

Locations

Accompanying the Animi Avatars, seven locations are currently known for multiplayer.

All of these maps have different variations, some will rain or snow, and others will be at day, evening, or night.

Marketing

Following the official reveal, Ubisoft announced incentives for gamers who pre-ordered Assassin's Creed III from Amazon, GameStop, or BestBuy, in the form of a free steelbook casing that featured artwork by renowned comic book artist Alex Ross.

For newcomers to the series, the Assassin's Creed Double Edition was released on the PlayStation Network, which brought together Assassin's Creed and Assassin's Creed II in a virtual compilation box.

Assassin's Creed III also has four missions exclusive to the PS3, which have been available for download since the game's launch date.[15] The storyline is based around Benedict Arnold, a Continental Army general who later defected to the British Army.[16]

With Assassin's Creed III: Liberation released for the PlayStation Vita alongside Assassin's Creed III, linking the two titles will unlock Connor's tomahawk for the Assassin Aveline de Grandpré to use.[17]

At the 2012 Tokyo Game Show, Sony also announced that the 500 gigabyte bundle of the its new, slimmer PS3 would be available with Assassin's Creed III.[18]

Following this, the Xbox version of the game will come in a two-disc set. The first disc contains the single-player portion of the gameplay, while the second disc is required for multiplayer.[19]

Criticisms

AC3 SC SP 49 HD Boston MusketDoubleAssassination

Connor assassinating two British Regulars with a musket.

Initially, the pre-release media for Assassin's Creed III came under heavy criticism by some fans and critics for its portrayal of British Regulars. This was mainly because, in every trailer and image released since the reveal in March 2012, the victims of the game's protagonist Connor were almost exclusively of British allegiance; leading some to suggest that the game would be an America versus Britain story.

This claim was repeatedly contested by the game's developers, with co-writer Matt Turner denying it would be an "America Ra Ra" story, and that there were members of the Templar Order on both sides of the conflict.[20]

Despite these assurances, criticisms for the decidedly one-sided portrayal of British Regulars continued until 2 August 2012,[21] in which Ubisoft released an AnvilNext trailer that depicted Connor killing several Continental Army soldiers, as well as British Regulars.[22]

A number of game review sources deplore the numerous glitches and bugs within the game, even with the day one patch.

Editions

Ubisoft has announced several collector's editions of Assassin's Creed III; with three available in Europe and Australia, one available worldwide,[23] and two available for North and Latin America.[24]

AC3 FREEDOM EDITION MOCK-UP
  • A retail copy of Assassin's Creed III.
  • A steel book case, with cover art drawn by award-winning comic artist Alex Ross.
  • A collector's box.
  • A 24 centimeter high quality figurine of Connor.
  • An exclusive lithograph.
  • George Washington's notebook.
  • An additional Animi Avatar, the Sharpshooter.
  • Two exclusive single player missions, Lost Mayan Ruins and Ghost of War.[25]

AC3 JOIN OR DIE EDITION MOCK-UP
  • A retail copy of Assassin's Creed III.
  • A collector's box.
  • Ratonhnhaké:ton's medallion.
  • George Washington's notebook.
  • An exclusive single player mission, Ghost of War.
  • An additional Animi Avatar, the Sharpshooter.[25]

Special edition mockup UKtcm2150843
  • A retail copy of Assassin's Creed III.
  • Special packaging.
  • An exclusive single player mission, A Dangerous Secret.[25]

UW wp 01f option

AC3 1 UK
  • A retail copy of Assassin's Creed III.
  • George Washington's notebook. (PDF file)
  • Three single-player missions.
  • The Captain of the Aquila's uniform and traditional Colonial Assassin outfit.
  • Two additional Animi Avatars, the Sharpshooter and Red Coat.
  • Best of audio tracks collection from previous Assassin's Creed games.[24]

AC3 LELG
  • A retail copy of Assassin's Creed III.
  • George Washington's notebook.[27]
  • A statue of Ratonhnhaké:ton, with tomahawk and Hidden Blade.
  • Assassin's Creed-inspired colonial flag.
  • A metal belt buckle.[24]

Awards

Nominated

Spike TV Video Game Awards

Gallery

References

  1. XboxGameZone: Assassin's Creed 3 confirmed for October 30th release
  2. ComputerAndVideoGames.com: Assassin's Creed 3 will be series' 'biggest yet' - Ubisoft
  3. Joystiq: Assassin's Creed 3 PC delayed to November
  4. ComputerAndVideoGames.com: Assassin's Creed 3 for PC out 'before Christmas'
  5. Nintendo press release: Nintendo announces 23 Games Launching with Wii U on November 18
  6. GameInformer: Building The Assassin's Creed Universe
  7. GameInformer: Assassin's Creed III Coming In October
  8. Kotaku: Assassin's Creed III's Top Creator Is Answering Your Questions Right Here, Right Now
  9. 9.00 9.01 9.02 9.03 9.04 9.05 9.06 9.07 9.08 9.09 9.10 9.11 9.12 GameInformer April 2012 issue: Assassin's Creed III
  10. Ubisoft Facebook: 2012 Gamescom Dev's Q&A
  11. http://www.computerandvideogames.com/369688/previews/assassins-creed-3-monster-3-hour-playthrough-new-gameplay-videos/
  12. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6aWNHmKk6g&feature=g-all-u
  13. Assassin's Creed III - E3 Frontier Gameplay Demo
  14. IGN: Making Assassin's Creed III Part 2
  15. PlayStation.Blog: Assassin's Creed III at E3 2012: New Trailer, Exclusive PS3 Single-Player Missions
  16. ZoominGames: Assassin's Creed 3 intro will surprise people - Ubisoft interview - Gamescom 2012
  17. Machinima: Assassins Creed III: Liberation E3 2012: Debut
  18. GameStop offers pre-orders for new PS3 500GB Assassin's Creed III bundle
  19. NZGamer: Xbox 360 Version of Assassin's Creed III Comes on Two DVDs
  20. Game Rant: Assassin's Creed III won't just be an 'American' story
  21. Game Rant: Assassin's Creed III Writer denies British hate
  22. Assassin's Creed III - AnvilNext Trailer
  23. XboxGameZone: Assassin's Creed III Ubiworkshop Edition announced
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 XboxGameZone: Ubisoft announces exclusive US and Latin America Limited Edition
  25. 25.0 25.1 25.2 Ubisoft: Assassin's Creed III Pre-order
  26. UbiWorkshop: Assassin's Creed 3: The UbiWorkshop Edition
  27. Hardcoregamer:Assassin’s Creed 3 Limited Edition Gets a Notebook