In 2012, I did get a chance to rent Assassin’s Creed 3 and play it a bit. Unfortunately, my copy was glitched so I didn’t really get to experience nearly as much as I had hoped. So, when I saw this remaster on the shelf at the local game store for $18, I knew it was an easy decision. Well, after giving it a full play on the Nintendo Switch, I’m certainly glad I did, but I also am glad I didn’t pay much more for the experience.
Assassin’s Creed 3 is set between two time periods, as many of the games have been historically. I will grace over much of the exposition as it draws heavily from several games worth of content before AC3, not just the first two numbered games. There is a modern day story of Desmond Miles, who is using an device called the Animus to enter the memories of his Assassin ancestors. Desmond is locked in a war old as humanity itself which has now been going on in the shadows, but with global consequence. This war has developed into a battle between the Templar order, and the Assassin order. You play as both Desmond and his ancestor. Desmond’s goal is to find out what his ancestor did with an artifact.
In AC3, Desmond enters the memories of Ratonhnhaké:ton, who takes the adopted name Connor. Connor starts as a Native American child of the Mohawk tribe during the American Revolution, and we follow his growth as he enters the Assassin order and his exploits within. Connor’s goal is to save his people, and while his efforts are not in vain, his successes are nowhere near his expectations.
The story is excellent, as this series tends to deliver. It is told in a manner which lends humanity to characters while also shining bright lights on their dark side. The care taken in handling the delicate nature of Native American interaction with colonists shows what a horrible situation it was by integrating that situation into the narrative. The game might make the Native Americans seem gullible, if the game had not also done such good job tricking the player at the beginning of the game with a well-executed twist. The ending still has me thinking.
The graphics in the remaster were good-looking on the Switch. You can judge for yourself in the screenshots. Visually it is a very compelling game. You can really get a feeling of movement careening through the treetops in the frontier between cities, always keeping an eye out for a good animal to prey upon to sell in town.
I was a little disappointed in how short AC3 was, if you don’t do a lot of side stuff. About thirteen hours for me, who really just wanted to experience the story, but also very much enjoys classic-style Assassin’s Creed games. Especially ones with cool boat missions. Which AC3 introduced to the series. You captain a vessel, and sail about the sea helping along trade routes, fighting other ships with a bevy of tools at your disposal. These missions are really special, and I’m glad Ubisoft really dove into this concept in Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag. (My favorite AC!)
Sadly, a lot of the other side stuff was not nearly as exciting as even the decent parts of this game. The missions to clear cities of British control are often lame. I did so few of these I could probably count them on my hands. I don’t mind if a mission ends in combat, as long as the whole city doesn’t come down on me for a random side quest I stumbled upon on my way to do something else much more interesting.
But like I said there is the naval stuff, which honestly in my thirteen hours I didn’t even get much into, but I may revisit. There is also hunting which is kind of fun as a side thing that generates money. Although with fast travel and a horse, again I usually found myself on my way to the next story mission.
As I said before, I love classic style Assassin’s Creed, when parrying was everything, and on that promise this game delivers. Indeed, I got my fix, but I still hope they make even spin off games in the old style yet. Although I suppose I could give AC: Rogue a try, as it is now available in a bundle with Black Flag on the Switch as well. (Wouldn’t mind revisiting Black Flag, either.) Different enemies have different ways to fight them, and you have an arsenal at your dispatch. From trademark hidden blade, to swords, a bow and arrow, muskets and pistols, smoke bombs, poison and more.
The AC3 Remaster also comes with Assassin’s Creed Liberation, another older game I haven’t gotten into yet, but if I get another big AC itch, it may just scratch it. And I wouldn’t be adverse to giving modern Assassin’s Creed it’s fair shot, as well. I’ve only played a little bit of Origins, and thought it was beautiful, but I missed to old gameplay style very much. I found modern AC to be too Souls-like. I’m not a big fan of those games, while I do understand their appeal. And I understand eventually having to innovate on the formula. I understand this may be an unpopular opinion, as the new Assassin’s Creed games have been massively popular, which again, is why I want to play them at some point.
So, I thought Assassin’s Creed 3 was a game with a really good story, that like the rest of the game, could’ve been served by being longer. Twelve hours and no real consequence from not doing any side stuff just felt kind of unfulfilling. Although, I will say, our short time together was very enjoyable. If you get a chance to pick it up for a good price, and you like Assassin’s Creed, I would say pick it up!
HereticDerek 