Assassins Creed: series retrospective
blog.playstation.com
Revealing itself like a hidden blade, Assassins Creeds razor-sharp and refreshing combination of history, science fiction, and parkour-based action turned heads everywhere when it first emerged on our screens back in 2007. The result was a series rich in lore and unforgettable characters, spanning games, comic books, and even a Hollywood movie.Play VideoSo with Assassins Creed Shadows sneaking up on its March 20 PlayStation 5 launch, heres the perfect place to arm yourself with everything you need to know about the main strand of the series 13 titles.Assassins Creed 2007 PlayStation 3 UbisoftIntroducing the world to 12th-century assassin Altar Ibn-LaAhad, the fresh-faced sandbox action stealth game presented the concept of the Animus, a machine which allows people to relive the genetic memories of their ancestors. In this case, Altars life during the Third Crusade of the Holy Land is seen through his unsuspecting 21st-century descendant, Desmond Miles, as a winding plot unravels across both timelines.Assassins Creed set the tone for the genre for generations to follow, but most importantly, it was a pioneering leap forward for its even more popular sequelOn PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 (via backwards compatibility), the following three titles are available as part of Assassins Creed The Ezio CollectionAssassins Creed II 2009 PlayStation 3 and 2016 PlayStation 4 (Enhanced) UbisoftPlay VideoContinuing Desmonds story, this crafty follow-up surprised everyone by sneaking away from Altar and dropping us into the Italian Renaissance Era. Ezio Auditore da Firenze was now the historical recipient of the Animus, delivering a story of revenge that saw the likes of Leonardo da Vinci and Niccolo Machiavelli weaved into his quest. Even Desmond himself was granted more agency as he became entrenched within the modern-day Assassin Brotherhood.If Assassins Creed cut new cloth for its iconic style and timeless gameplay, the sequel only helped sharpen its impact as Ezio became a fan-favorite character.Assassins Creed Brotherhood 2010 PlayStation 3 and 2016 PlayStation 4 (Enhanced) UbisoftSet immediately after the events of Assassins Creed II, Ezio was the focal point again for this swift and deadly sequel, as he aimed to expand and recruit members into the Assassin Brotherhood across Rome. While retaining the new notoriety system from the previous game that tracked your social infamy and wanted level, Brotherhood introduced the ability to enact assassinations via horseback, perform heavy weapon throws and use a crossbow and poison darts. Ezio could also call upon apprentice assassins for asset-earning missions or help.Most notable was the inclusion of a fantastically devious multiplayer mode for the first time in the series, which let you hunt down friends and then drift away into a crowd like you were never thereAssassins Creed Revelations 2011 PlayStation 3 and 2016 PlayStation 4 (Enhanced) UbisoftPlay VideoConcluding the Ezio trilogy, Revelations featured the now-aged assassin traveling to Constantinople to find five keys needed to unlock Altars secret library that has the potential to end the war between Templars and Assassins. Meanwhile, a comatose Desmond is forced to achieve full Animus synchronization with Ezio and Altar to save his own mind.Revelations granted Ezio even more mobility with zip lines and the new Hookblade, which not only provided quicker traversal but could also be used in combat, yanking targets into a close-range attack, throw or even theft. Random events with NPCs and Templar stalkers also kept players on their toes.Assassins Creed III 2012 PlayStation 3 and 2019 PlayStation 4 (Remastered) UbisoftPlay VideoSetting the franchise in North America for the first time, Assassins Creed III drew a line under Desmonds ongoing mission to prevent a global cataclysm. This time, his path to the past was via the memories of an 18th-century Templar called Haytham Kenway, and Kenways illegitimate son Ratonhnhak:ton, who becomes the assassin Connor.Assassins Creed III unleashed a vast number of changes and improvements, with a greater focus on rural environments. Connor could duel-wield, perform a wider variety of counters, combos, and takedowns, and even use enemies as human shields. Animal hunting and naval combat were also introduced, and dramatic weather changes such as snow and rain impacted gameplay. In short, it was an (American) revolution for the series.Assassins Creed IV: Black Flag 2013 PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 UbisoftPlay VideoWith Assassins Creed III whetting the appetite for travel, Black Flag truly set the player free. Expanding on the previous games naval exploration and combat, Black Flags focus on the high seas during the Golden Age of Piracy allowed for a wider range of attacking enemy vessels, treasure trekking across underwater shipwrecks, sea animal hunts, and a variety of ocean-based side missions.Combining exploration on both land and sea to such an extent gave Welsh pirate Assassin Edward Kenway unparalleled freedom, mirrored by Kenways ability to not only free-aim but also use up to four flintlock pistols together. Not a bad trick to have up ones sleeve in a world with the likes of Blackbeard, Calico Jack, and Benjamin Hornigold.Assassins Creed Rogue 2014 PlayStation 3 and 2018 PlayStation 4 (Remastered) UbisoftPlay VideoTrue to its title, Assassins Creed Rogue allowed players to control Assassin-turned-Templar Shay Patrick Cormac, offering a dramatic twist of focus for the series. The result was a fascinating spin on expectations across all levels of the gameplay.While much of the previous elements remained naval combat and exploration, and a vast open world, albeit mostly set across the icy North Atlantic and mid 1700s New York City Shay has access to a wider access of projectile weapons, and hes constantly under threat from Assassins. There are even missions where you must intercept and defend an Assassin target from their hooded assailants.Assassins Creed Unity 2014 PlayStation 4 UbisoftPlay VideoReleased at the same time as Assassins Creed Rogue on PS3, Assassins Creed Unity, brought the franchise to PS4 for the first time, powered by an all-new game engine. While the chilly Rogue focused on a different narrative direction to previous titles, Unitys jaunt across Paris during the French Revolution warmed things up with a gameplay first for the series: an optional co-op campaign for up to four players.Collaboration, shared resources, and highly customizable weapons and gear that affected your playstyle were all prominent, as you assumed control of Assassin Arno Dorian.Assassins Creed Syndicate 2015 PlayStation 4 UbisoftPlay Video19th Century Victorian era London was the next stop, arriving with two more series of innovations. Not only were there twin Assassin protagonists that players could switch between Jacob and Evie Frye but Evies inclusion marked the first time you could play as a female Assassin in the mainline titles.Their task to find a piece of Eden and free the Big Smoke from Templar rule was aided by the ability to use carriages as transport, and a kidnapping mechanic where the twins could hold an enemy hostage to blend in and access restricted areas. Sneaky.Assassins Creed Origins 2017 PlayStation 4 UbisoftPlay VideoJumping all the way back to Ptolemaic Egypt and gently rebooting the series, Assassins Creed Origins explored the bloody beginnings of the Assassin Brotherhood (the Hidden Ones) and Templar Order (the Order of the Ancients) conflict. The vengeful Bayek of Siwa is our gateway to the past this time, channeled via former Abstergo Industries employee Layla Hassan in the modern-day era.Offering more role-playing elements than its forebears, Origins featured a greater focus on leveling up systems and progression, intricate crafting, and complex combat mechanics that also allowed Bayek to enter a frenzied state or perform brutal finishing moves.Assassins Creed Odyssey 2018 PlayStation 4 UbisoftPlay VideoLeaning on the more mythological aspects of Ancient Greece, Odyssey continued Laylas story in the modern day while giving players the chance to become one of King Leonidass descendants, Kassandra or Alexios. While the Peloponnesian War between Athens and Sparta was central to its narrative, Odyssey built on the firm foundations set by Origins RPG-inspired elements, adding dialogue choices and NPC relationships, branching quests, and even multiple possible endings.Naval combat also made its welcome return, and a mercenary system expanded on the earlier games stalker system, with richly written bounty hunters targeting you. Oh, and lets not forget the tense encounters with mythological creatures such as the Sphinx and MinotaurAssassins Creed Valhalla 2020 PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 UbisoftPlay VideoIf the title didnt give it away, Valhalla placed players into the Viking invasions of 873 AD, running alongside the final part of Laylas globe-trotting modern-day story. Valhalla reintroduced the Assassin/Templar wars prominence in the series, entangling Viking raider protagonist Eivor who you can choose to be male or female into their growing conflict.Further refining the previous games mechanics, Valhalla brought back the player settlements mechanics that were last fully explored in Black Flag, as well as offering the chance to enjoy drinking contests, fishing and the hilarious insult hurling flying competitions.Assassins Creed Mirage 2023 PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 UbisoftPlay VideoWith its more direct and linear story, focus on stealth over action, and reemphasis on parkour-based movement, Mirage was a pushback to the series roots. Even the modern-day narrative was reduced to give players more time in 9th Century Baghdad with street thief turned Master Assassin, Basim Ibn Ishaq, who we first encountered in Valhalla.And now? Its not long before we experience the next stage of the Assassin/Templar war, this time in 16th-century Japan alongside shinobi Fujibayashi Naoe, and legendary samurai Yasuke, in Assassins Creed Shadows on March 20.But remember: Nothing is true, everything is permitted.
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