The Hidden Blade Assassin's Creed in Depth

Our featured member for July is 1001Human, also known as Gray. He's one of the founding members of THB (user number 24) who was gone for awhile but is starting to come around again. Gray holds the distinction of writing the first forum topic to ever be promoted to the front page. I hope he will stick around at least through AC3.

Tell me about the first time you played AC.

I remember it startlingly well. Christmas Morning 2008, after I'd received my Xbox and one game of my choosing. Popped it in while Mom and Dad went to the store to get eggs for breakfast. My brothers were still at their mother's house, so I was alone. Me, Altäir, and the Crusades. I played for about an hour and was totally mesmerized by the graphics and story, but above all the feel of a living and breathing city. There are games that do this better, but it was my first and totally blew me away.

What do you like most about the games?

The open world, as previously mentioned, and the story. I don't play games (90% of the time) JUST to kill or run around. I do love screwing around on any game, but there usually has to be a good story to tell or it won't hold my interest. I love both Ezio's and Altäir's individual struggles. Whether it's Altäir, already a master assassin, struggling to understand why he kills... Or Ezio, who knows why he kills, but has none of the skills (at first).

What AC accomplishment are you most proud of?

I haven't really accomplished much compared to others on the site but I'd have to go with getting a perfect no-death first place for three games in a row on Brotherhood multiplayer.

What is your favorite quote from the games?

"No, it's too soon. I'm not ready!"
"We rarely are. Che la morte non sia crudele. (Death be not unkind.) Requiescat in pace."

What would you like to change about AC?

I love that Ubisoft is looking to pull more people into playing the series, but the major dumbing down of the combat and mission structure is incredibly frustrating. There's no danger of dying anymore, unless you really try. I only play the games for the environment and story anymore. There's no challenge to it.

Which Assassin's Creed game is your favorite? Why?

Assassin's Creed 2, because it had a great storyline, before they started using Ezio a little too much. His struggle was new and awesome, the gameplay had been refined, and Renaissance Italy is my favorite historic time period.

Who is your favorite Assassin's Creed character (main or secondary)?

Probably Rosa. She had the best chemistry with Ezio and was a great character.

Are there any philosophical aspects of the game that intrigue you?

Definitely the necessary evil of the Assassins' Order existing. Killing to save the world. While I think peace is the thing everyone should strive for, violence will always be in the world. Why not focus it on those who deserve it?

When you're not playing Assassin's Creed, what other games or activities do you enjoy?

I love playing music and I do it professionally. Mainly jazz, but I also do other genres, while keeping the feel rooted in jazz. I'm also a big fan of Drum Corps International (Google it, it's a little hard to explain).

Is there anything else you'd like to add or promote?

My two favorite games right now are probably the inFamous series (2 is my favorite) and Red Dead Redemption. I highly recommend you guys play them.

Also, I'm working getting an album or small EP recorded, so keep an eye out. You guys will be some of the first to hear.

What question would you like me to ask the next featured member?

If you could take one music album, one game, one book, and an endless supply of one food item to a deserted island for two years, what would they be?

And here is a question from the last featured member, Vhan Master:
What time period would like an Assassin Creed game to be in?

16th century Russia. I'd love to see some Ivan the Terrible action.