Assassin's Creed Revelations Game Review

Released: November 15th 2011

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal

Publisher: Ubisoft

Certificate: 18

Formats: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and PC

Played on: PS3

Ezio Auditore remains the most popular protagonist in the entire Assassin’s Creed series; since his introduction in 2009 he drew such a strong reception from the gaming community that Ubisoft saw fit to make not one, but three games based on his exploits before moving on to the next main numbered entry in the franchise. The Ezio trilogy comes to an end in Assassin’s Creed: Revelations and although it’s one of the weaker entries in the series, the journey is still worth concluding, especially if you’re a big fan of the series.

Following the ending of Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood, modern day assassin Desmond Miles has entered a coma and in order to revive himself, he must relive the remaining memories of his ancestors. From here we once again enter the Animus which picks up four years after the death of Cesare Borgia. Assassin’s Creed Revelations features an old and weary Ezio Auditore as he ventures to Constantinople to unravel the long lost mysteries of the assassins, most notably Altair from the original game. During this last quest to discover the truth of centuries past, Ezio tangles with the rise of the Ottoman Empire, aiding historical figures such as Prince Suleiman who is in line for the throne. Flashing between Ezio, Altair and Desmond if the player wishes, the game proceeds much like any other Assassin’s Creed game in chapters. But this time, far more emotional moments have been worked into the narrative. The story in Assassin’s Creed Revelations is ultimately one of two halves depending how you look at it. On the one hand, the end of Ezio and Altair’s story is a really sombre and absorbing ride that continuously strikes home throughout the game, but the conflict contained within Constantinople pales in comparison to other games in the series as the characters contained within just aren’t as developed or interesting as they were in 2 and Brotherhood.

The overall design of Revelations is very familiar to anyone who has gotten into the series. Once again you’re given a map dotted with objectives, treasures and other points of interest and must explore and complete these to advance the fairly long story. Revelations mostly stays the course with the typical stealth, eavesdropping and assassination missions, but it also sees fit to refine and polish some elements that were introduced in previous games. The assassin recruitment system has been given a worthwhile context in that you go on specific missions with them to teach them the lessons of an assassin, which links with Ezio’s reputation as “The Mentor”. The city economy system is back again, along with the need to seize territory from the Templars and convert them into assassin dens. But this time the enemy faction will attempt to retake these dens with legions of soldiers, battering rams and other military might, which brings up a tower defence mini-game. Rounding off the map is a series of animus data fragments which unlock “Desmond’s journey” which takes place outside of Ezio’s viewpoint. Desmond’s journey involves first person platforming through strangely serene silver corridors by creating platforms. It’s an interesting diversion and can lead to some additional titbits about the character’s life before he was originally captured by Abstergo.

Revelations plays and controls much like its predecessors did, only with a few minor changes and as a result, the gameplay in general does seem just as tired as the design. Despite his age, Ezio can still race across rooftops and traverse like nobody’s business, but this time he can also extend his jumps and slide down rails with the hook-blade. The new tower defence gameplay facet is quite unexpected and at first it will intrigue you; the issue with it is that it’s too limited to make a good impression. Forcing the viewpoint onto Ezio at all times and relying on ranged and melee units, which have been a common fixture of the genre for years, makes the gameplay come off as very one note and uninteresting. Thankfully once you train up your assassins to guard the dens, the defending becomes much less prevalent and doesn’t get in the way nearly as much. The other main innovation fares a bit better; bomb crafting. Using ingredients scattered around the environments, Ezio can make and use bombs from standard explosives to poison gas. It adds an interesting layer to stealth in that you can eliminate a group of targets at once. Unfortunately the game doesn’t really make good use of them; it gives you a tutorial in the game’s opening act then relegates them to 100% synchronisation targets rather than working them into the game’s main missions. Despite it being fairly similar to the other games in the trilogy, Revelations still plays well but the new ideas it attempts to add aren’t all that successful.

Assassin’s Creed Revelations doesn’t make too many strides forward from presentation, looking mostly the same as II and Brotherhood but with new environments. The animations, attention to detail in the world and voice are all just as well done as ever. Ironically it’s the smaller details that add to the sombre tone which hangs over the game. What I found interesting was that the environments, such as the Masyaf stronghold and overall tone they project feel dimmer and less inviting than before; this highlights that the embers of the two assassins are slowly fading away. The soundtrack is hauntingly beautiful, perfectly tying in with the conclusion of Ezio and Altair’s individual journeys and creating a genuine sense of pathos; you will end up caring for both of these characters and the game does a brilliant job of drawing the player into their heartfelt moments. The game has very few glitches and technical issues, which keeps the player’s investment in the setting on point. Revelations ultimately possesses a well put together presentation that doesn’t take any risks or chances with the established formula and for most, that won’t be too much of an issue.

Revelations offers an emotional sense of finality that, despite its missteps and overly-familiar nature, remains enjoyable and absorbing, not to mention being a worthy stepping stone to Assassin’s Creed 3. Some aspects of the gameplay don’t work out too well, but the story (at least one half of it) is most definitely worth sticking around for.

Rating: 7.5/10