Released on 15-Nov-2011

• More recruits but no courtesans in Assassin's Creed: Revelations

  More exciting news about upcoming spin-off Assassin's Creed: Revelations has crept out of the San Diego Comic Con, hidden in a hay bale and then stabbed a corrupt bishop in the face.

  At a panel devoted to the game, and the Assassin's Creed series as a whole, script writer Darby McDevitt explained how the assassin recruits introduced in previous game, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, will play a more complex role this time around. The way you meet and recruit new assassins will be ore variedand you'll be able to order them to perform ore specifictasks for Ezio.

  The same can't be said for the flirtatious courtesans, one of the game's many street-based distractions that can be used to lure guards away from their post. These ladies of the night won't be appearing in Revelations, as the new setting of 16th century Constantinople was not known for its flagrant street walkers. Instead, you'll be able to hire Romani performers to bamboozle your targets with acrobatics and circus tricks.

  Assassin's Creed: Revelations features sequel hero Ezio Auditore as well as the hero of the original game, Altair. Hapless modern day ancestor Desmond Miles is still around, but lost in a coma. The game will reportedly tie off all their storylines, clearing the way for Assassin's Creed III. How will it all come together? We'll find out on November 15th, when it skulks onto Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

• Composer Jesper Kyd returns for Assassin's Creed Revelations

  Ubisoft has announced that the acclaimed composer Jesper Kyd will be providing the music for the forthcoming Assassin's Creed Revelations.

  The British Academy Award-winner, who has provided the music for all of the Assassin's Creed games to date, is working with Lorne Balfe to create a unique, emotional soundscape for the new Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC title.

  Reflecting the new game's vibrant Constantinople setting, Kyd's music will combine a variety of musical styles and influences, including Greek, Renaissance and Middle-Eastern instrumentation, as well as acoustic and electronic elements.

  The soundtrack is sure to prove a hit with critics, as Kyd's previous Assassin's Creed compositions have been garlanded with accolades such as Gold Spirit, Hollywood Music in Media and Game Audio Network Guild awards.

  Assassin's Creed Revelations will be released this November and will be the final chapter in the tale of Renaissance-era master assassin Ezio Auditore.

  PlayStation 3 owners took part in a beta trial of the game's revamped multiplayer mode earlier this month.

  Published: 21/09/2011

• PS3 Assassins Creed Revelations to come with original game

  Gamers who pick up Assassin's Creed Revelations on PlayStation 3 will be able to enjoy the original Assassin's Creed title at no additional cost.

  Sony and Ubisoft have signed a special deal that will see the 2007 hit that launched the blockbuster franchise included on the same Blu-ray disc as the new title, which is released in November 2011.

  This special offer is exclusive to the PlayStation 3 version of the game and will apply only to launch copies of the game, meaning fans will need to act quickly if they wish to benefit.

  The inclusion of the original Assassin's Creed will tie into the storyline of Revelations, which sees master assassin Ezio Auditore tracing the footsteps of his predecessor Altair Ibn-La'Ahad, star of the first game.

  Also available on Xbox 360 and PC, Revelations will take Ezio on a journey to Constantinople and a conflict with the Templars, in what will be the final chapter of his personal story.

  The game promises to include new weapons, abilities, characters and locations, as well as a revamped multiplayer mode.

  Published: 21/09/2011

• 18-year-old amateur singer chosen for Assassin's Creed theme

  While James Bond may fork out huge sums in order to get the most famous voices for his theme songs, there's no such gaudy excess in videogames. Case in point: Assassin's Creed Revelations, which has just added an 18-year-old competition winner to its credits, as the singer of the game's official theme song.

  Madeline Bell, from California, landed the gig after entering a talent contest organised by publisher Ubisoft. Entrants had to use the UJAM website to record their own vocals over the top of the music, composed by Hollywood music man Hans Zimmer.

  Zimmer, whose credits include The Dark Knight and Pirates of the Caribbean, then helped to pick the winner. The judges praised Madeline's recording for the 'quality, tone and passion with which she interpreted the melody'. It was also hailed for being 'true to the Assassin's Creed brand', which isn't quite as rock and roll.

  Madeline took home $1000 in prize money and will record the song professionally with Zimmer in the studio. We'll get to hear the result when Assassin's Creed Revelations is released on November 15th for Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.

• More Assassin's Creed to come in 2012

  The story of Desmond Miles, the hapless soul whose jaunts into the past have formed the storyline for the Assassin's Creed series over the last four years, will come to an end sometime next year in a new game.

  Speaking to Eurogamer, Assassin's Creed: Revelations creative lead Alexandre Amacio said: 'In Assassin's Creed we set up a timeline with this whole end of the world plot of December 2012. That's fast approaching, and the story we have to tell, we obviously need to do it before we arrive at that point.'

  Fans need not panic, however, as the series will continue with different protagonists. 'Assassin's Creed is all about cycles', explained Amacio. 'We have the Desmond cycle, which is set to end on December 2012, but there's many cycles within the brand - that's the whole point. History is our playground.'

  Assassin's Creed: Revelations, due on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 on November 20th, will draw a line under the storylines of both Ezio and Altair, the ancestors whose memories Desmond has explored in all four games to date. This means that whatever Ubisoft has planned for 2012 will involve an entirely new character and perhaps even a new time period.

  Where would you like to see Desmond go next?

• Assassin's Creed Revelations - Preview

  End of an era

  Being the third Assassin's Creed game in as many years and the fourth in the last five, Revelations has left some fans worrying about franchise overkill. But while the latest entry in the popular historical, science fiction action series contains many familiar elements, there are six development studios collaborating on the project, which promises to be huge in scope, highly polished and potentially brilliant.

  It also set to tie up all the disparate threads of the three protagonists from the previous games, completing the war between the Assassins and Templars during the Renaissance era in a satisfyingly grand finale which provides fans with the answers theye been seeking and inevitably paves the way for a new Assassin's Creed story arc. It isn subtitled Revelations without reason.

  Turkish delight

  
  

  Revelations switches the action from Rome to Constantinople (now Istanbul), the ancient city where east meets west, as players once again step into the assassin boots of Ezio Auditore da Firenze. Now 50 years of age, Ezio of the year 1511 is older, greyer and altogether more grizzled. Nevertheless, he rich in experience and craft, just as deadly as ever in his older year, and still more than capable of swinging around the streets like some kind of 16th Century Batman.

  The main story focuses on your search for an ancient artefact hidden away in a fortress by Ezio ancestor Altair, the hero from the original Assassin's Creed. It said to be a weapon powerful enough to end the war between the Templars and Assassins for good, but to gain access to it you must first locate a series of seals hidden across Constantinople four districts. Each time you do so, you unlock memories sealed away by Altair, allowing you to relive them through gameplay in a new device which fills in the story in the years between the first game's Crusades and the Renaissance of the later instalments.

  Keys to the city

  
  

  Featuring landmarks like the medieval stone tower Galata, the Hagia Sofia mosque and the Topkapi palace, Constantinople is wonderfully realised. Free running parkour style around the game world is as slick as ever, while the introduction of a hook blade enables Ezio to leap higher than ever before, grapple onto nearby walls and attach himself to the multiple zip lines that criss-cross the city, offering quick escape routes and the chance to perform stylish airborne drops on unsuspecting guards.

  You'll scale vast structures and gaze out across the world in awe, move stealthily through bustling streets and back alleys in a bid to avoid detection, acrobatically vault across rooftops while giving chase or fleeing foes, and when necessary engage multiple opponents with your steely blades.

  Ready for battle

  
  

  Revelations retains much of the open-world third person gameplay of its predecessors, then, but it has now evolved to allow for a more action-focused experience than was previously the case. We've seen Ezio destroy an entire harbour with some kind of Renaissance flamethrower before zip-lining onto the last boat out of town, players can now craft and buy different types of grenades, while the versatile hook blade also offers evade and trip moves in combat.

  Assassin's Creed Revelations is set to launch slap bang in the middle of the biggest month of the year for new game releases, going up against fellow big hitters like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Saints Row The Third. But with highly polished combat and platforming gameplay, a wonderful new open-word playground in which to make the most of them, and a story that promises to conclude this chapter of the franchise with a bang, you wouldn bet against Assassin's Creed being the last man standing.

  Preview by: Tom 'Master Assassin' Ivan
  Platform: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
  Release date: 15/11/2011
  Preview Published: 26/10/11

  Published: 26/10/2011

• Assassin's Creed Revelations - Review

  Farewell Ezio

   

  Assassin's Creed: Revelations is the third and final chapter in the story of Ezio Auditore da Firenze, who started off as an impulsive ladies man but has now matured to become a master assassin. In Revelations he's much older, wiser, and unfortunately plagued by his past.

  As far as farewells go, Assassin's Creed Revelations is a fine send off for Ezio. It has easily the most gripping story in the series to date, and provides answers to a lot of the questions that have been building in the fans' heads. Of course, it doesn't give too much away about the wider Assassin's Creed mysteries, as there's another game coming out next year.

  New Frontier

   

  Revelations takes place in Constantinople (now Istanbul) in the year 1511, with Ezio on a mission to find five keys hidden by his ancestor and mentor Altair. The keys will unlock a powerful secret under Masyaf, a castle that once served as home to the Assassin Order, but things won't be easy as antagonists the Templars are also on the same quest.

  The city of Constantinople plays a major part of Revelations, delivering a stunning portrayal of a city historically known as the crossroads of the world. A melting pot of different religions, cultures and races, it's bustling with life and places to explore that serve up plenty of interesting encounters and environmental challenges for the acrobatic, roof-climbing Ezio.

  The city is split into multiple areas, each of which has a unique style and feel from the other, from the interweaving streets of the Galata district to the lush, green locations of the Imperial district and the ship-laden docks. It's a joy to explore.

  Captain Hook

   

  Revelations introduces a handy new tool for Ezio dubbed the Hookblade, which doubles up as both a hidden blade and a new way of navigating the city's rooftops. By holding circle, or the B button, Ezio will stick out his blade and latch on to any protruding surfaces in his path. This means that he can leap across much wider gaps and scale building much faster. Not bad for an old man.

  Another new mechanic in Revelations is the ability to make bombs. By looting ingredients from chests and enemies or purchasing them from stores, three different types of bombs can be created; lethal, tactical and diversion, all of which have different properties and uses. There are a substantial amount of different bomb types in the game so you're encouraged to be adventurous with your crafting.

  The Bomb

   

  Although it might not be the headline act, Revelations also features a stellar multiplayer component. Developed by the team behind the excellent Splinter Cell Mercs Vs Spies mode, it sees players aligning themselves with either the Assassins or the Templars and hunting down their enemies. As with the single player game, the focus is on staying hidden, stalking targets and picking the right moment to strike. Overzealous killers leaping out to pin down their prey will often find themselves on the sharp end of another player's blade. The multiplayer's slower pace and more thoughtful approach to gameplay makes a refreshing change from the run and gun shooters dominating the market and is well worth investing time in once you're done and dusted with the single player campaign.

  Taking the tried and tested gameplay from previous efforts and introducing some great new weapons and ways of exploring its wonderful world, Assassin's Creed: Revelations is arguably the best game in the series so far. If you're a fan of the franchise, picking up Revelations is a no-brainer, but it's also a great place for those that haven't played the previous games to start, as it kicks off with an in-depth recap of all the events, meaning you won't feel like you've missed out on a thing.

  GAME's verdict

  Good:
  + Beautiful City.
  + Cool new weapons.
  + Story answers some burning character questions.

  Bad:
  - Formula feels a little familiar.
  - Story can baffle on occasion.
  - Short on revelations about the wider series.

   

  Review by: Tamoor 'Al-Mualim' Hussain
  Version Tested: X360
  Review Published: 16.11.11

  Published: 16/11/2011

• Assassin's Creed: Cutting through history

  Assassin's Creed has become such a mainstay of the game charts, and in such a short space of time, that it's easy to forget the mystery and confusion that surrounded the launch of the very first game back in 2007.

  Teasing glimpses of the Middle East in the 12th Century suggested a historical epic, but strange digital glitches hinted at science fiction. It was an open-world game, but nothing like the free-roaming crime capers the genre usually offered. And it was apparently a stealth game, but without a need to hide in boxes or crouch in corners.

  When the game finally arrived, the pieces fell into place. Ubisoft's Montreal studio had conjured up a breathtakingly lifelike recreation of historical cities, and populated them with crowds that flowed and moved in realistic ways. Our hero, Altair, was a member of the Order of Assassins, waging a centuries old war with the rival Templars. Oh, and he was being controlled by a relation from the future, via a machine called the Animus which allowed Desmond Miles to relive the memories of his ancestors.

  Most impressive was the nimble ease with which Altair could scamper around Jerusalem, Acre and Damascus. His fluid free-running made rooftop escapes and daring climbs incredibly intuitive and fun. Few will forget the first time they climbed a tower, admired the view and then dove off into a haystack far below.

  However, the gameplay beneath the technology was fairly raw. Altair had to carry out nine assassinations, which were triggered by performing set tasks. These tasks included such heart-pounding exercises as sitting on a bench and eavesdropping, or walking very slowly behind someone.

  Ubisoft clearly took notice of the criticisms levelled at Assassin's Creed's more repetitive moments, as two years later Assassin's Creed II improved the series hugely with more dynamic missions, a stronger story and a more interesting hero. With a hop forward in time to 15th Century Italy, Ezio Auditore became our lead, bringing with him a rakish charm that marked him out as a Rennaisance James Bond. Accessories and gadgets could now be purchased, from no lesser vendor than Leonardo DaVinci himself, and the game was rightly praised for the way it took the immersive world of the first title and built a deep and rewarding game on top.

  The second game also showcased a series capable of delivering multiple narratives at the same time. As Ezio's story unfolded in the past, Desmond's story followed suit in the present. Hidden in the game, behind mysterious glowing glyphs, was yet another tale. Subject 16, a previous user of the Animus, had buried clues to his fate throughout history. Solving the mind-boggling puzzles, and deciphering the dense conspiracy-laden history lessons within, added yet more layers to the increasingly immersive Assassin's universe.

  With the formula cracked, Ubisoft quickly set about improving, adding and tweaking the game for the best results. Assassin's Creed Brotherhood followed in 2010, just a year after Assassin's Creed II, leaving some fans worried that the game would be a jumped-up expansion pack rather than a true follow-up.

  The worries proved unfounded, as Brotherhood not only continued Ezio's story in thrilling fashion but introduced some remarkable new features to the series. First among these was the brotherhood of the title, a growing team of assassin's that could be recruited, trained and then called upon to assist in your nefarious hits. Brotherhood also introduced multiplayer for the first time, in the shape of a cleverly designed suite of game modes that used the stalk-and-slay gameplay of the main story to weave a paranoid multi-layered game of cat and mouse, with players all hunting one of their peers - while someone else in turn hunted them.

  In just five years, Assassin's Creed has gone from a curious oddity to one of the biggest and most critically acclaimed gaming series of this console generation. This week sees the release of Assassin's Creed Revelations, an ambitious entry that brings original star Altair back into the frame alongside Ezio, while Desmond roams digital limbo trying to return to normality. With Altair and Ezio reaching the end of their adventure this year, and Desmond's story set to wrap up in another sequel in 2012, the future and past for assassins everywhere has never been brighter.

• Assassin Creed: Revelations : Review

  Assassin Creed: Revelations : Review

  
  
  Title: Assassin Creed: Revelations
  Platform reviewed: Xbox 360
  Review Date: 28.11.11

  Ezio takes a bow

  While the original Assassin Creed was no slouch, the series really found its groove with the release of Assassin Creed 2. That game brought us Ezio Auditore, the cool, likeable hero whose combination of suave an and cold determination brought a thrilling new energy to the series. After following up Ezio debut with the even more spectacular Assassin Creed: Brotherhoodhich gave Ezio some new buddies in his stealth conspiracy-busting enterprisebisoft says that Revelations will be Ezio swan song.

  The Ezio of Revelations is well into middle age, but while his beard may be graying, he hasn lost a step. He just as light on his feet and quick with a knife as before, so Revelations plays much the same way as AC2 and AC: Brotherhood. Set free in a beautiful, detailed rendition of Renaissance-era Constantinople, you criss-cross the open world completing a wide variety of missions, all of which mix the essential Assassin Creed ingredients: acrobatics, stealth, and murder.

  Three a crowd

  Ezio not the only hero of Revelations. This entry in the series also brings back Alta, the protagonist of the first Assassin Creed game. During a quest to collect hidden books that hold the key to an ancient secret of the Assassin brotherhood, the game periodically shifts into flashback mode to let you play as Alta in missions that explore the later years of that man life. These excursions can feel detached from the main flow of the game (because they are), but they stick to the tried-and-true Assassin Creed formula, so theye still good fun.

  But Revelations diverges from the usual formula when it comes to the third leading man in the game trio of heroes: Desmond Miles, the guy who has been in the Animus DNA-time-machine thingy all along. In this game, he stuck on nimus Island,and he has to find a way out. It kind of like the TV show Lost, but even more confusing. Desmond missionsnlocked by collecting data fragments while playing as Eziore spatial puzzles in a first-person perspective (as opposed to the usual third-person view.) It an intriguing sidetrack that is worth a look, and it not critical to completing the game, so treat it as a bonus.

  Get hooked

  As usual, Ezio has a bunch of new toys to play with. The most important new gadget is the Hook Blade, which attaches to the hidden blade on Ezio left hand and allows him to zip around on the long ropes and clotheslines that just happen to be strewn about the city. The Hook Blade also extends Ezio reach while he climbing, so scampering up the side of a huge tower just got easier.

  Revelations also adds a bomb-crafting system that is not as intriguing as the developers appear to think. Ezio can now combine ingredients to make a wide array of explosives. While it always enjoyable to make things go boom, the bombast of this new kit does diverge a little from the image of Ezio as a quiet, efficient killer.

  Fitting send-off

  The multiplayer game has not changed much from Brotherhood, and it still a blast. The online maps still have you sneaking around city squares trying to ferret out your human opponents amid the crowd of innocent bystanders. A new Deathmatch mode makes locating your mark even harder than before and forces you to sharpen your senses - a brilliant addition.

  Overall, Assassin Creed: Revelations may not the best AC game, but it still a fitting send-off for Ezio. Like its predecessors, it offers many hours of wall-bouncing, bad-guy-stabbing action, while also wrapping up the epic saga of one of gaming most likeable heroes.

  Our rating: 8.0

  MOLTO BENE!:
  - Beautiful new setting
  - Hook blade makes navigation easier
  - Multiplayer is better than ever

  MAMMA MIA!:
  - Bomb-crafting and tower-defense sub-games can be bland
  - Three-pronged story gets confusing
  - Not as inventive as past games

• Assassin's Creed Revelations to receive new map pack

  Assassin's Creed Revelations to receive new map pack

  Fans of Assassin's Creed Revelations will be able to expand their multiplayer experience later this month with the release of a new downloadable map pack.

  The latest batch of DLC for the hit Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 stealth action game is called the Mediterranean Traveller Map Pack and includes a total of six new combat arenas.

  Three of the maps will be brand new, allowing players to explore Jerusalem, Constantinople and Dyers, while the Firenze, San Donato and Siena maps return from Assassin's Creed Brotherhood by popular request.

  Players will be able to download the maps on January 24th in order to take advantage of the new gameplay opportunities afforded by their varied terrain and settings.

  Assassin's Creed Revelations was launched in November 2011 and features an improved multiplayer mode with more maps and characters than ever, as well as a solo campaign that completes the story of master assassin Ezio Auditore.

  Ezio will soon be appearing as a guest character in SoulCalibur V, Namco Bandai's new fighting game, which is hitting stores next month.

  Published: 11/01/2012

• New Assassin's Creed Revelations map pack available now

  Fans of Assassin's Creed Revelations can get hold of the latest new batch of downloadable content for the acclaimed action game.

  Available now for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC, the Mediterranean Traveller Map Pack provides gamers with a number of new multiplayer arenas in which to do battle, with several all-new maps joined by a trio of classic favourites.

  Brand new arenas include the Jerusalem, Constantinople and Dyers maps, while long-term fans will be pleased to see the return of the Firenze, San Donato and Siena levels from Assassin's Creed Brotherhood.

  Each of the six maps offers its own unique terrain, hideouts and gameplay opportunities, while fans will be able to unlock a number of new Trophies and Achievements.

  Assassin's Creed Revelations features an improved multiplayer mode that boasts all-new levels, characters and abilities, as well as an in-depth solo campaign that concludes the epic tale of master assassin Ezio Auditore.

  Ezio will soon be making cameo appearances in two of February 2012's biggest console releases - fighting sequel Soulcalibur V and role-playing epic Final Fantasy XIII-2.

  Published: 25/01/2012

• Assassin's Creed 3 dated

  Ubisoft has stuck a dagger in its calendar and confirmed the release date for the next entry in the Assassin's Creed series. And here it is: Assassin's Creed 3 will arrive on October 30th this year for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and PC. A Wii U version is also in the pipeline, but may arrive later depending on when the console launches in Europe.

  Details are scarce as to what Assassin's Creed 3 will feature, but we do know that it's been in development for three years and will be the last we see of series protagonist Desmond Miles, the hapless modern day hero who has jaunted back into the memories of ancestors such as Altair and Ezio Auditore in the Crusades and Renaissance periods.

  Ubisoft has already confirmed that 2012 marks an important cut-off point in the saga, tying in with the various conspiracy theories and doomsday prophecies that drive its storyline. Both Altair and Ezio saw their stories completed in last year's Assassin's Creed Revelations, so expect Desmond to explore an all-new historical setting for his final adventure. Rumour ninjas have pegged the American Revolution as a possible choice, but Ubisoft has yet to comment.

  "It's a fantastic product that the team has been working on for three years," Ubisoft top man Yves Guillemot told investors today. "What we have seen is just fabulous."

• Ubisoft confirms Assassin's Creed III release for October 2012

  The next chapter in the blockbuster Assassin's Creed franchise will emerge from the shadows in October 2012, Ubisoft has announced.

  Yves Guillemot, chief executive of the French gamemaker, has confirmed during an investor call that Assassin's Creed III will launch this autumn, having been in development for three years.

  "We will push the title a lot because it's a fantastic product ... What we have seen is just fabulous," he said.

  The Assassin's Creed games puts players in the boots of various trained killers from different eras of history, as filtered through the computer-enhanced memories of one of their modern-day descendants.

  Having debuted in 2007 with the original Assassin's Creed, the series really hit its stride with the widely acclaimed Assassin's Creed II in 2009, which introduced the Renaissance-era protagonist Ezio Auditore da Firenze.

  Subsequent instalments - Assassin's Creed Brotherhood and Assassin's Creed Revelations - have completed a trilogy of tales starring Ezio, with Assassin's Creed III set to move the overall story in a new direction.

  Published: 16/02/2012

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