The Hidden Blade Assassin's Creed in Depth

It's no joke that The Hidden Blade's featured member for April is al-Assas. In the interview below he shares his thoughts about Assassin's Creed. Personally, I can't wait to find out which of the games in the series is his favorite. *grabs popcorn*

Tell me about the first time you played AC.

My first impression was surreal. I remember it like I remember a dream or a childhood memory. I don't remember how I got to Damascus, I just remember standing at the entrance of the river street, completely lost, the intimidating height of the first minaret was towering above me, and I didn't understand the purpose of the strangely exaggerated third dimension. I didn't understand the game. I walked to the main street and back, trying to find back to the source of the guards' voice, but the whole scenario felt pale. I felt small, closed in between high walls, which separated me from the voices I heard. And then of course I discovered what it means to conquer the third dimension. I climbed up the minaret, and then I understood that it's about a third dimension of freedom, it's about seeing the big picture, and the height wasn't intimidating any more. I'm afraid of heights, and I have a very poor sense of direction. This game tickles my brain just right at some oversensitive parts.

What do you like most about the game?

Many things. The way Altair moves, the puzzle of moving through the city unnoticed, the colors of Damascus, and especially the way it all come together in a fighting and escaping scene.

What is your favorite style of assassination?

When just randomly fighting and running around, my favorite is the running air to assassinate move. When assassinating the main targets, I consider a "mysterious death" as the ideal. I rarely achieve it though.

What is your favorite quote from the game?

Tamir's Tale. It's such a charmingly unabashed piece of propaganda. And it's poetic. I couldn't imagine the southwestern alleyways without it.

What would you like to change about AC?

Nothing. It's perfect.

What AC accomplishment are you most proud of?

I'm proud of having figured out the hit points and damage points. Especially because I'd been trying to figure it out for so long.

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

I like the way the storyline relates to the historical background. Ideology is the dirty little secret of civilization, and religious ideology tends to accidentally transcend the cultural matrix while trying to bond large groups of people in worldly aspirations. The Nizari Ismaili were a mystical sect with a progressive political ideology, but in their messianic and utopian fantasies their operations were organized along the same kinds of political goals that all other powers of the region strove for. Al Mualim turned out to be a traitor, but is it the shiny little toy of religious ideology that corrupted those who used it, or is it their corruption that lead them to misuse the promise of mystical enlightenment?

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

I'd like to promote playing with no HUD and without looking at the map. If you like ACII more than you like AC1, you should try it because maybe you're missing the point.

Which Assassin's Creed game is your favorite: AC1, AC2 or AC:B? Why?

AC1. I don't know why. Maybe it's just that I really love the Middle Eastern setting, and the fitting minimalistic game design, and really dislike the Renaissance, and the fitting distasteful overabundance of all those disconnected game elements. Whatever the reason, It seems to me that AC2 just doesn't have anything that I like about AC1.

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

I've been playing World of Tanks for a week now. I don't generally play shooter games, so I am not very good at this one either, but it can be really entertaining.

Is there a question that you would like me to ask the next featured member?

Have you ever stopped and waited while a courageous citizen looks around so that you're not too close to him and don't draw his attention?

And here is a question from the last featured member, JoeyFogey:
Who is your favorite Assassin's Creed character (main or secondary)?

It's Altair. The way his personality is presented in the game, it puts you right in the middle of the political-mystical conundrum. And he's so cool.