It’s been a long wait for Assassin’s Creed III, Ubisoft’s long-awaited – and game-changing – sequel to its popular series. But this Tuesday, millions of players everywhere will be able to see the potential of the newest assassin in the series Connor as he spills blood across New York and Boston during the times of the American Revolution.
But this game isn’t just about carving up the red coats. In fact, it’s got a lot deeper purpose than that, giving you reasons for your assassination and letting you actually partake in a number of other activities, while also brushing elbows with famous historical types like George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson.
We’ve decided to break down some of the acts within the game that really give you an idea of what all you can do. We’ve left a few surprise ones covered up so you can discover them in the game for yourself – nothing beats finding out its true potential on your own – but this will at least give you an idea of the hours’ worth of gameplay that awaits you.
Load up that hatchet, because it’s go time…
The Art of Combat
Like previous Assassin’s Creed games, the way you can fight enemies is still genuinely pleasant. As a killer who really knows how to finish someone off, you add a surprising amount of flair to taking out people, rather than just plainly pulling out a rifle and shooting them. With Assassin’s Creed III, you can really get the hang of the combat system and kill multiple enemies at once.
For instance, when you’re surrounded by red coats, you can easily bury your hatchet into one of them, then whip out your hand blade and stab another in the neck, then turn one’s musket against them in a bloody fashion. Though you can’t control exactly what weapons you’ll use for each kill, you can trust that Ubisoft will make you feel like an awesome assassin.
Still, it’s best to avoid encounters whenever you can. No need to be completely infamous. This is one of those “just in case” scenarios…but we can understand if there are those of you who want to pick a fight…
Join the Club
The more violent acts you perform in Assassin’s Creed III, the more attention you get. While getting the ire of your enemies may not be the most recommended action out there, you will attract those who don’t mind if you join their ranks. These individuals offer a spot in a specific club, whether it’s hunting or some other kind of sport.
These clubs have their perks and privileges, such as additional missions and rewards, including specific items that you can equip your assassin with. A few of these even pose an extra challenge or two, and some additional hours of gameplay as you complete the side quests. You’ll gain more fame in the clubs themselves. Because, really, who would go against the likes of you…
So if you get an invitation to a club, definitely don’t pass it up.
A-Hunting We Will Go…
In Assassin’s Creed III, you’ll be spending a great deal of time in the wilderness, using trees to your advantage by climbing around them and dealing with occasional hunters. But there are times you’ll need to contend with nature’s beasts yourself, whether it’s a wolf who decides you’d make a tasty snack or a bear that wants to maul you like nobody’s business.
Fortunately, Connor is well equipped for hunting. In close skirmishes, you’ll have to hit the correct button prompt to avoid being a tasty meal. The first couple of times may be frustrating, but once you get the hang of the system, you’ll be downing animals in no time flat.
You’ve also got your bow and arrow which perfect for shooting enemies from a distance, both human and animal. Just make sure you don’t give yourself away by making too much noise. Your rope darts are also quite useful, as you can literally leave something hanging with just the right type of throw.
And when you kill a bear…well, you’re going to love it.
The Network of Assassins
Like previous games, Assassin’s Creed III relies on power in numbers. Over the course of the game, you’ll be able to recruit new assassins into your fold, including female members. You can work with them on missions and call upon them in your time of need and they can also serve a purpose when it comes to sending them on secondary missions.
To do this, you merely need to open a map and set up where you want them to go, and once everything is sorted out you’ll reap the rewards with additional experience points and cash. Considering the economic system the way it was back in the American Revolution, this is a good thing. It also allows you to also build on your assassins’ skills and make them better killers in the process. They may not be as good as you, but they can be the next best thing – and a perfect asset when it comes to shifting the odds in your favor.
So don’t be afraid to chat with assassins and get them to join your group – they could be the best thing going for you.
Don’t Forget the Multiplayer
As you might have seen from our previously posted multiplayer impressions Assassin’s Creed III has a lot to offer online, so don’t think of the game as just a single player experience. You can hunt players competitively and try to capture points on a map under cover or out in the open or you can team up with three fellow assassins and track down targets while trying to open up new challenges. Either way, there’s plenty to do on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network (as well as the Nintendo Network next month), so don’t be afraid to call your friends.
All this is just the tip of the iceberg. Assassin’s Creed III has a ton of replay value behind it, along with hidden goodies to find and lots of blood to spill. Don’t miss it when it releases tomorrow on Xbox 360, PC and PlayStation 3, and November 18th on the Wii U.
