The Hidden Blade Assassin's Creed in Depth

When you look at all the regulars on The Hidden Blade, none has been around longer than ROB_88. Allow me to explain. Rob joined AC-maps (a.k.a. "the old site") on January 25, 2008. Three months before me. Five months before Ian. When I asked Rob about the secret to his longevity on the forums, he said that he's here more for the community than the games. Nevertheless, he had much to say about AC also.

Tell me about the first time you played AC.

I have a vague memory of seeing a little about AC1 in gaming magazines a few years ago and was intrigued instantly. Now and then I kept tabs on the progress until it was time. I bought my first 360 used from a teacher who was selling his, the very same day as the game was released. I think it was a Friday. And naturally I played for hours, just soaking it all in and I loved it. It's probably my most replayed game, but it has been a while now.

What do you like most about the games?

Just the general feel of it. You would need to look hard to find a game that has a more enjoyable atmosphere than AC1 when you're for example walking through Acre, seeing how the sounds and aesthetics blend so well together, making the towns feel alive in a way.

What AC accomplishment are you most proud of?

That would be when I documented a playthrough where I killed the bare minimum of people, but most of it was just hiding and running away. By this site's standards it's not much, especially if you don't get the viewpoints. Dem roof guards.

What is your favorite quote from the games?

While I gotta say that I did laugh at Ezios mother saying he needs an outlet, I think anything some of the targets in AC1 says is gold, not because of what they say but how. They just make their voices so awesome and memorable.

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

This is no surprise to most of you. AC1 is by far the superior game. I mentioned before the atmosphere, but one thing stands out. The characters.

While I to this day can recite most of what the AC1 targets say and do before they die, I honestly can't hardly remember the names of the targets in AC2 and ACB, apart from the main bad guy. Cesare was a terrible villain, I've been meaning to make a rant topic on that but never got around to it.

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

Main character's Altair, just because he's awesome. It doesn't really need much more explanation.

Secondary character, it's between Malik and Rosa. They are both very good characters. While Malik was angry and grief struck by Altair's failure at the start, and I loved his banter about it, by the end he had grown to accept it and even accept Altair as a brother and friend. Rosa, I just really like her character design and personality, and that she presents a rough exterior, but Ezio still manages to break through it and see the beautiful woman under it. It saddened me that she wasn't in Brotherhood at all.

What time and place would you like the animus to go to in AC3? (Note: Asked and answered before today's announcement. -stabguy)

I always had a thing for the Romans but Italy has already been done, so I don't really know. Maybe Scandinavia during the Empirical times could have potential, though it is a bit far fetched.

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

For games I currently rotate between Skyrim and Battlefield 3 (BF3) and going through some story-driven games when I can. Can hardly wait for Mass Effect 3 (ME3).

Otherwise, a lot of time is spent generally internetting and the usual, hanging with friends, etc., and ponies. Can't forget ponies. A little bit of army stuff here and there, but not as much as I used to.

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

If there was a crossover with any other story, what would you choose?

And here is a question from the last featured member, EzioAltair17:
Do you think AC should become an animated series?

Yeah, I think it might work. Because even though Ezio and his people bore me sometimes, I still think the universe is really interesting. I really liked that AC2 Lineage thing, so I know it could work if it's handled right by good people.