Assassins Creed: Altairs Chronicles Review - DS

5.5

Gameplay: 6
Graphics: 6
Audio: 5
Innovation: 5

Introduction

When Assassin’s Creed was released on Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 in November last year, it had Game of the Year potential written all over it. Luscious graphics, epic free-roaming gameplay and amazing assassin style fighting, it appeared unstoppable. The reviews then came in, and there were mixed feelings among most websites. Some sites thought the game was boring and monotonous, others thought the game was great, but missing a few key elements. No professional review considered the game to be perfect. When Assassin’s Creed Altair’s Chronicles was released just three months later, once again there were mixed feelings. Unfortunately though, there is a general consensus across the internet and magazines that the game is nowhere near what it could be. We finally got a chance to sit down and review Altair’s Chronicles, so sit back and enjoy the read.

Gameplay

Assassin’s Creed Altair’s Chronicles is not a free-roam adventure game. We would like to stress this as early as possible in the review, as some DS gamers may have thought otherwise. It’s a 2D platformer with an extremely linear level-by-level format. Yes, you still visit the various cities such as Jerusalem and Acre as you search for the “Chalise” (an object of such power that whoever is in possession of it can end the Crusades), but you can only go along the direct path that the game gives you. There are barely any civilians, and the guards are all in the way, so you usually end up sword fighting them all.  Assassinations on regular guards are much harder in the DS version, working with stealth to get behind the guards almost seems impossible if the guard is not day dreaming, but the combat isn’t all that bad.

The combat in Altair’s Chronicles basically just involves bashing the Y button. This will keep your sword constantly swinging, and just like the console version; only one guard will attack you at any one time. This means you can basically keep swiping at the guards until they die, and renders the block/counter moves that the game tries to get you to use useless. You can also use the X button for stronger attacks, but these are generally slower and don’t have as much range.  The most annoying part about the Altair’s Chronicles combat is when a guard is shooting you with his bow and arrow while you’re trying to dodge fire, jump obstacles, or kill sword-wielding guards. It throws you off balance, and is generally annoying.

Jumping around on roof tops and swinging from ropes is an essential part of the game, and you’ll find yourself using the R button quite a lot to balance yourself. The R button is also used for walking around and trying not to draw attention to yourself, but guards still seems to attack you on sight anyway. As you work through each level, there are lots of checkpoints which are a big relief as some of the obstacles can prove to be quite annoying and require more chance than skill.

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