Video games often have epic music. The Encounter music from Metal Gear Solid will always be burned into my mind as something that instills urgency. Music from the Assassin's Creed series is the same, so no wonder that students from Taipei's Dongshi Middle School used the music for their flag-twirling performance.
In March, Japan is getting a fancy Assassin's Creed bundle that collects all things Connor and Aveline.
Do we grade video games on curve? Do we patronize them? Do we pat them on the head and praise progress over performance? "We" as in me, you and everyone else who loves games. Maybe we're too nice.
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag had a lot of making up to do. I thought the previous game in the series, Assassin's Creed III, was a resounding disappointment. I've already weighed in on the new, pirate-themed Black Flag: It's pretty good. But for those who felt burnt by the last game, a more thorough comparison may…
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--LsbxclqE--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_358,q_80,w_636/195khjhm0n4xpjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--V-vhAG-g--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_180,q_80,w_320/195khjhm0n4xpjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--2jrbE7i5--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/195khjhm0n4xpjpg.jpg, (large)])
Nothing typified the regression the Assassin's Creed series took between Revelations and III more than the game's star. We went from Ezio, a lovable, charismatic rogue, to Connor, who was...nothing. He was nothingness in a white hood.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--V8UG9cPd--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_358,q_80,w_636/1925u3nymyh5apng.png, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--RJ6_3Uiz--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_180,q_80,w_320/1925u3nymyh5apng.png, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--0_nbEE0X--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/1925u3nymyh5apng.png, (large)])
While the rest of the world has to wait until the end of this month to get their hands on Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag, I've got Edward Kenway and friends right here on my desk, ready to pillage, loot, burn, and maybe make-out a little.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--4nbLFixO--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_358,q_80,w_636/18xp4isokxncwjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--PsmH2pJg--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_180,q_80,w_320/18xp4isokxncwjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--uPBpfvV7--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18xp4isokxncwjpg.jpg, (large)])
Assassin's Creed Lineage, the live-action companion series to the second game, was pretty damn good. Recognizing that, last year, Ubisoft released a live-action trailer for ACIII. And now, they've got one for the newest entry in their free-roaming neck-stabbing series. How is it? Let's take a look.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--rkkmPsdW--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_358,q_80,w_636/18nutr0cyxfigjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--mRoBecoD--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_180,q_80,w_320/18nutr0cyxfigjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--PRbOMXmE--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_77,q_80,w_137/18nutr0cyxfigjpg.jpg, (large)])
Falling on your crotch is funny, when it's in a video game. So is dying multiple times over for no apparent reason.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--5Yynhn1M--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_358,q_80,w_636/18m9tt068mhrcjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--63T-4-ou--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_180,q_80,w_320/18m9tt068mhrcjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--j_NVOMGG--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18m9tt068mhrcjpg.jpg, (large)])
Action figures? Little desktop statues? Those are for coward collectors. Those who really want to make a statement - and scare off home intruders (particularly British ones) - spend over $3000 on a giant statue of Assassin's Creed III's Connor Kenway.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--sp0w85YY--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_358,q_80,w_636/18lrmcrn0v324jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--nm1hs9Vg--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_180,q_80,w_320/18lrmcrn0v324jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--CGmyD1c8--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18lrmcrn0v324jpg.jpg, (large)])
Nearly six months on and I'm still torn on Assassin's Creed III. I loved the setting, loved the combat, loved anything and everything to do with the Aquila. But I couldn't stand the mission design, and the game was so humourless and drab it would bum me out just booting it up.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--84dRLOa9--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_358,q_80,w_636/18li2rsr3h0n7jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Sug_L3Ss--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_180,q_80,w_320/18li2rsr3h0n7jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--oyZfMqJF--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_77,q_80,w_137/18li2rsr3h0n7jpg.jpg, (large)])
The concluding episode of the Tyranny of King Washington DLC for Assassin's Creed III, Redemption, is now available for PC and Xbox 360 (with the PS3 getting it tomorrow). Let's celebrate with a trailer of spirit wolves, collapsing towers, and lots of cannon fire.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--HEIpLHjn--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_358,q_80,w_636/18hzfmvwi2j24jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--_1vxbTBF--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_180,q_80,w_320/18hzfmvwi2j24jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--VrhC7nUx--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_77,q_80,w_137/18hzfmvwi2j24jpg.jpg, (large)])
The second part of Assassin's Creed III's The Tyranny of King Washington DLC is out today. Ben Franklin better run!
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s---DjENSD2--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_358,q_80,w_636/18hwk40dwmxgbjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--28sEEB0D--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_180,q_80,w_320/18hwk40dwmxgbjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--JlUvOCYW--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18hwk40dwmxgbjpg.jpg, (large)])
If you've been playing big-budget action video games over the last couple of years, you've probably noticed a few trends. The graphics have gotten better. The animations have become more lifelike. The explosions have gotten more explosive.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Bc184MkJ--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_358,q_80,w_636/18rabzdjlakj4jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--iCJqLvfv--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_180,q_80,w_320/18rabzdjlakj4jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--zAo4zp4H--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_77,q_80,w_137/18rabzdjlakj4jpg.jpg, (large)])
YouTuber/animator avemagnadude mashed together a few concepts from Assassin's Creed III trailers, but there's a distinct Gladiator feel here, too. Did you pick up on it?
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--fE6x86sC--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_358,q_80,w_636/18rad2afjclc4jpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--SsrFMg3T--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_180,q_80,w_320/18rad2afjclc4jpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Qdh2PQXq--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_77,q_80,w_137/18rad2afjclc4jpg.jpg, (large)])
Reader Ryan sent in the video below, which features a notorious bug in Ubisoft's latest blockbuster Assassin's Creed game. The glitch makes it look like Connor likes his tomahawk a little too much.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--8mLZIbTH--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_358,q_80,w_636/18geabuj0bzvbjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--J0kDPcTJ--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_180,q_80,w_320/18geabuj0bzvbjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--2DgC4_N6--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18geabuj0bzvbjpg.jpg, (large)])
We've been here before. It's time to tell you about a new Assassin's Creed.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--N4NLcotf--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_358,q_80,w_636/zfvg53lui2gapic3obkt.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--ZamtZ0uQ--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_180,q_80,w_320/zfvg53lui2gapic3obkt.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--tjfv2v9L--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/zfvg53lui2gapic3obkt.jpg, (large)])
The odds should've been against Assassin's Creed III: Liberation. It starred a woman—specifically the half-black, half-French heroine Aveline du Grandpre. And it was an exclusive on the PlayStation Vita, a system that many people see as a sadly under-supported platform.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--Pi6Vb1gR--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_358,q_80,w_636/18foes9rs48ncjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--FpjhDWyj--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_180,q_80,w_320/18foes9rs48ncjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--DePjqQQl--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_north,h_77,q_80,w_137/18foes9rs48ncjpg.jpg, (large)])
Assassin's Creed III was, for me, an agonising paradox. It's both one of the best games of last year and also one of the most frustrating, one where a strong foundation of combat and exploration was undone by poor pacing and mission design.
], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--G7kpuXXB--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_358,q_80,w_636/18n5m06tb0huvjpg.jpg, (small)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--wShqXzGL--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_180,q_80,w_320/18n5m06tb0huvjpg.jpg, (medium)], [http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--LZvohVDw--/c_fill,fl_progressive,g_center,h_77,q_80,w_137/18n5m06tb0huvjpg.jpg, (large)])