The Hidden Blade Assassin's Creed in Depth

Stabguy and I are happy to have JoeyFogey as the Featured Member on The Hidden Blade for the month of March. Here are some of his thoughts on Assassin's Creed:

1. Tell me about the first time you played AC1, AC2, and/or AC:B.

AC1 was my most appreciated Christmas present of 2007. Something about it intrigued me so much. I knew it would be something I'd remember if I ever got the chance to play. Once I did, I was blown away. I loved the idea of climbing up buildings and not having to rent the latest Spider-man game and be disappointed. The graphics and game mechanics were revolutionary. I knew you really had to master this game to appreciate it.

AC2 was amazing in its own right. I missed the interactive cutscenes (walking around while Al talks about why you suck, the glitches that flashed that allowed you to see a cinematic angle, etc), but altogether, it was a great game. I forgave most of the scripted missions, because they still left room for creativity.

ACB's first impressions on me were good. I loved all the ideas it brought to the franchise. You were the head of the Assassins like Altair was after Al Mualim. You could use them as an aid in battle. You could replay missions again, and explore modern-day Monteriggioni.

Really though, ACB is still AC 2.5 to me. It was a 15-hour expansion pack sold as a regular game with almost no room for creativity the original synopsis encouraged.

I've always been optimistic, so I'm assuming that Ubisoft wants to give each main game it's own style and atmosphere. AC3 will feel as different as AC2 did to AC1. That's what I'm crossing my fingers for.

2. What do you like most about the games?

I'm into the storyline more than anything else. Though, lately, it seems they're becoming TOO sci-fi with you interacting with all kinds of futuristic "alien" technology. AC1 was subtle about it. AC2 showed enough for you to become interested. ACB basically showed you 90% of the mystery of "The Ones Who Came Before".

My dad has always been into conspiracy theories and alleged "historical inaccuracies", so him always questioning stuff has made me question similar things, as well. The story has really appealed to me because of that. It forces you to question a lot about what you've been taught on a semi-realistic level.

3. What is your favorite style of assassination?

I always try to take the stealthiest approach with every mission. If I can plan ahead or have gone through a mission enough times, I'll attempt to take out every guard before the main target without being seen. I've done AC1 so many times, that I can probably do this with most of the main missions.

4. What is your favorite quote from the games?

I loved the small talk Ezio has with Leonardo in ACB on one of the benches.

(Paraphrasing)

Leo: "I have been working on a small portrait of a woman. I am rather fond of it."
Ezio: "Do not let a beautiful girl distract you from constructing my designs."
Leo: "Have no worries. Women provide little distraction."
Ezio: "Wait...I don't get it..."
[Awkward moment GO!!!]

5. What would you like to change about AC?

I'd just like to see less sci-fi (not taking it out, just don't make it so obvious) and more open missions with no "desynch if you're seen out of the corner of someone's eye" failures. Also, the ability to leave the Animus at any time to take modern-day assassination contracts towards 2012 Templar agents. And, if they're included in a future title, you're only able to use your Assassins once per mission (more strategy and planning! YAAAAAYY!!!).

6. What AC accomplishment are you most proud of?

AC1: Killing the final Templar and getting that achievement.

AC2: Getting all the achievements before the January after its release.

ACB: Getting 1st place in every match my first night playing multiplayer.

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

Of course! I used to be a religious-freak, but then I started thinking and now I'm a bit more realistic about things like that. That's what over-exposure to Catholic schools does to you.

It's not hard to understand the Assassin's Creed. It's not preachy, either (hence that disclaimer at the start of every game), but it all has a good point. "Nothing is true...", to me, means that there are all of these beliefs and unbeliefs in the world. Hundreds, if not thousands exist. None of them can be absolutely correct, can they?

"Everything is permitted" tells me that anything is possible, whether it be getting your dream job, getting a deadly disease, or getting millions to follow one man and exploit his image. There are no rules against these things, only the limits we put ourselves in.

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

Well, I just got a job as a salesman. I can process orders online (consumer goods) and whatever goes through my site, I get paid for it. I'd truly appreciate it if any of you guys would support my business.

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

After thinking about this for a long time and reflecting on what made each game great, I have to go with AC1. Altair is just the best, hands down. He didn't need to become Batman with all those gadgets to get the job done. He didn't even have the luxury of coming from a respectable or well-off family like Ezio did. He was raised from birth to be what he is: a badass. Ezio was gradually eased into it (training-wise, not when his family was murdered...that was too sudden, obviously...yeah).

It was also the most realistic of the 2 1/2 games we have at the moment. The climbing was slower than what we can do in the future games, but fast enough to get away and that's what made it a challenge. I'd like to see a real person attempt Ezio's "sprint-climb" up a building. NOT GONNA HAPPEN.

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

I still draw, but not very much. College is making me incredibly busy. I haven't made an actual piece in months (late November) because I scheduled my classes too late, so the art courses were all full, leaving me taking all the Gen. Ed. courses and getting all of them out of the way, so I guess something good came out of it. I pretty much doodle when I'm incredibly bored.

Also, I got that new salesman job. I'd be playing Left 4 Dead if I had a good internet connection with some of my buddies, but alas, my laptop hates me and my xbox adapter won't connect to the wifi here.

Other than that, I go and see movies with friends, visit my family at home (new dog! Woot!), watch Toboscus fail at ACB, and try to find a way to save my Johnny Cash AC video I epically made so I can share it with you all! :'(