The Hidden Blade Assassin's Creed in Depth

The Hidden Blade is happy have to SBIzokronus as the featured member for the month of October. I had the opportunity to interview SB, and I really enjoyed his responses. I hope you do, too:

Tell me about the first time you played AC1 and/or AC2.
Well, the day I first played AC1, I had gotten it for my birthday from a friend. Not really knowing what to expect, I put it in and started playing. It started out fine, just "pressing any button to continue", but then, embarrassingly enough, the tutorial level stumped me. At the part where you have to gentle push your way through a crowd of jar carriers, I just wasn't able to do it. I tried pressing the Empty Hand button every time I touched a person, just tapping it as fast as I could, slashing the jar carriers with my sword, running straight through, but I just couldn't get past them! Then after about 15 minutes I just held down the button without letting go and I got past them. I've gotten better since then, don't worry.

What do you like most about the games?
My favorite aspect of the first game was the absolute freedom it gave me. It was probably my first time playing a sandbox-type game, and the amount of things to do and places to see astounded me. Not only that, but each of the missions could be completed however you desired. These things made AC1 my favorite game of all time.
Assassin's Creed 2 definitely improved in many ways over the first, but it was missing that absolute freedom that you got from killing any target in any way that you got from AC1. The scripted missions in Assassin's Creed 2 were a disappointment, and I hope later games in the series bring back the freedom to choose how to carry out each mission.

What is your favorite style of assassination?
My favorite style of assassination is undoubtedly the double air assassination from AC2. It's just so fun and makes you feel badass.

What is your favorite quote from the game(s)?
My favorite quote from the games? I'd have to go with Al Mualim's quote:

"I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a chasing after wind. For in much wisdom is much grief; and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."

I loved Al Mualim's character. His wisdom really drew me in, and I wish that the games had gone a little bit more into his backstory. That quote just summed up his whole character as we knew him, from when we first meet to his betrayal.

What AC1/AC2 accomplishment are you most proud of?
My AC1 achievement that I'm most proud of is definitely being able to assassinate every target without becoming Exposed (except for Talal, Robert, and Al Mualim, those were more scripted). It doesn't sound like a huge accomplishment but I love the thrill of getting away with murder

Are there any philosophical aspects of the game that intrigue you?
Oh, definitely. The main theme of both games (especially the first) is the phrase "Nothing Is True, Everything Is Permitted", and, whether they tried to or not, the developers made that theme reflect in almost all aspects of the game. When Altair gets stabbed, to when he learns that the Templars only wanted peace, to when he finds out his master, Al Mualim, betrayed him, he is constantly reminded that nothing is true, and everything is permitted. Even the existence of the Apple of Eden reinforces this concept.

Do you listen to music while playing? What kind?
I don't listen to any additional music while playing, no. I'm so happy with the work that Jesper Kyd did with the soundtrack of both games, that I don't feel the need to add my own

Is there anything else you'd like to add or promote?
Well, I've noticed that for a forum board, there's a remarkable lack of signatures for users. So if you don't have one, and you want one, just hop on over to the Signature Requests thread and I'll make one for you!

Which Assassin's Creed game is your favorite: AC1 or AC2? Why?
That's a tough one. My previous answers might give the general impression that I thought Assassin's Creed 1 was better than the sequel, but in all honesty, they both excel in their own ways. The original game's biggest strength was the freedom it gave you, to travel, and to complete your missions. However, it was missing some crucial aspects that good games should have. They rectified a lot of those issues in AC2, but also took away some of the freedom that AC1 gave us in the process. So it's a tough call, but overall, I'm going to say that Assassin's Creed 1 was more enjoyable for me, even with the glitches and other issues.

What other games do you enjoy?
I'm a big fan of the Prince of Persia games, especially PoP 2008 (heresy, I know). I also enjoy playing Gran Turismo, Mirror's Edge, and the Metal Gear Solid series (especially the Metal Gear Solid series).