VG Blog installments:
So Many Video Games, So Little Time
Assassin's Creed (PS3, 360, PC)
Future VG Blogs
Ratchet & Clank Future: Tools Of Destruction (PS3)

VG Blog is, simply put, where I discuss anything video game related. Previews, reviews, my own game progress, etc. Hope you enjoy.

Today's entry will be Assassin's Creed, an upcoming game and series for the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and PC.

"Nothing is true. Everything is permitted." - Hasan bin Sabbah
Assassin's Creed is a third-person action game. The setting is the year 1191, during the Third Crusade, in the cities of Jerusalem, Acre, and Damascus. You take the role as Altaïr, a member of the Hashshashins. The objective of the game is to locate [At least 9] targets whom are propagating the Crusades, eliminate then, and then escape with proof of their death. The characters you must assassinate are all actual historical figures (Although they were not necessarily assassinated).

Altaïr himself is a spiritual man, the son of a Christian and Muslim, and the name Altaïr means "The Flyer". He is a shamed assassin, seeking to redeem himself. There is much speculation over who Altaïr truly is, due the mysterious sci-fi twist apparent in the game. Throughout gameplay demos, death was met with a high-tech game over screen with words like "Shutdown", "Genetic", and "Memories", leading many to speculate a genetic memory plot.

Gameplay itself looks similar to a open-ended Prince Of Persia, but actually handles quite differently and uniquely. Instead of having one button for jumping, one for fighting, one for climbing, and the like, the controls correspond to Altaïr's body parts, and are context sensitive to his surroundings. Running toward a wall and pressing the "legs" button will cause Altaïr to jump over a wall, while pressing the "arms without weapons" button will cause him to vault it, for example.

Battle is mainly based on a reactionary fighting style. Though Altaïr has access to a sword, crossbow, throwing daggers, and a personalized mechanical dagger concealed on his wrist, the focus of fights will be to react to your opponents' strikes and counter them with your own, varying one-hit moves. As you will mostly be outnumbered, this system becomes a necessity.

Another major part of the gameplay will be centered on your acrobatics, and you can do so in many ways. Just about every area of the game is interactive, with the most popular activity the ability to climb just about any building you see. Altaïr can also leap buildings, perform "Leaps of Faith" to quickly, quietly, and coolly get to ground level, and perform other Pakour/Free-Running moves in both pursuit and escape.

Another aspect to the game is "Social Stealth", allowing Altaïr to blend in with the crowd. Altaïr can walk with a crowd, mass together with a group to observe something, or even sit and relax next to a fellow citizen. The masses can also be your enemies, however, by getting in your way during a chase, drawing unwanted attention as you climb, and turning against you should you attack them.

Assassin's Creed is one of the most anticipated next-gen titles on the way, and has already won multiple awards as an upcoming game and for its trailers. It s speculated to be released on November 9th on all three systems, though only the month has been guaranteed.

Links:
Wikipedia
Official Site
IGN
GameSpot
GameTrailers
Trailer #1
Trailer #2
Trailer #3
Trailer #4