When Ubisoft demoed Assassin's Creed Unity earlier this month, the company revealed one of the worst kept secrets in gaming. Introducing fans to a new breed of assassin that goes by the name Arno Dorian, Assassin's Creed Unity takes place on the eve of the French Revolution, in an open world rendition of Paris in 1789. While the road to its release saw a few bumps along the way, Unity appears to be on track to successfully deliver the Assassin's Creed series to the next generation of gaming.
A next generation revolution
Avid video gamers can expect fewer titles to release on previous gener-tion platforms moving forward. In fact, with upcoming games such as The Division and Rainbow Six: Siege next generation exclusive, Ubisoft might lead the charge in this regard. While studios like the hugely successful Activision will continue to release games like Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare to PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 owners, those who want to get their hands on Assassin's Creed Unity will have to do so on the PC, PlayStation 4 or Xbox One.
While excluding previous generations from the game's release might be a downer for some, its another example of Ubisoft pushing the envelope, something that defined the Assassin's Creed franchise since its inception in 2007. Utilising a rebuilt version of the AnvilNext engine, that trend should continue, as Ubisoft Montreal promises to bring the chaos of the French Revolution to your living room. With crowds of up to 5,000 AI driven characters in a full-scale, open world on the brink of revolution, there's bound to be more than enough trouble makers for Arno to accost as he makes his way through the blood soaked streets of Paris.
Shifting focus to the game's graphics, there is no official word from the studio on what players can expect. Still, an educated guess would tell potential buyers that it will be on par with or better than the beautiful Watch Dogs. Those concerned about how the game will look should take comfort in how gorgeous the recently released trailers and in-game footage have been. While there are no visual guarantees at this point for the entire game, the Assassin's Creed franchise has yet to fall short with its six previous instalments, and Unity should be no exception.
Get by with a little help from your friends
While visuals are important, most people would agree that fun and immersive game play is a top priority. Luckily, this is another area where Assassin's Creed Unity appears to have the right formula. Aside from the single-player campaign and plentiful side missions that Ubisoft already revealed, the game will feature four-player co-op that will allow friends to roam the streets of Paris together. With ambitious heists and unique narrative-driven missions designed exclusively for co-op, the fun in Assassin's Creed Unity promises to go on long after Arno completes his individual journey.
Building on the four player co-op mode, gamers will also be happy to know they will be able to join their friends as they work their way through the game's campaign. Those who wish to experience the single-player mode with some company can do so even while in the middle of a mission, only having to start over from the previous checkpoint. Aside from being fun, it doesn't sound like a bad way to overcome some of the more complicated situations Arno gets himself in. After all, two swords are typically better than one.
Choose your poison carefully
Assassin's Creed Unity will introduce brand new parkour, combat and stealth systems. On the parkour front, players will now be able to run up, down or even sideways along city walls as they track their prey using the game's full motion control. However, when the situation calls for a more subtle approach, the new stealth mode, cover system and crowd manipulation techniques will ensure they can stay hidden, stalking their targets until finally striking at the most opportune moments. Lastly, the developers designed the new combat system with fencing in mind, focusing on skill, timing and flow to provide players with a rich and rewarding experience, rather than a repetitive hack and slash approach to the game's many confrontations.
Beyond the actual play mechanics, Assassin's Creed Unity will also take a cue from Watch Dogs, allowing gamers to craft an assassin that meshes perfectly with their personality and play style. By choosing unique weapons, gear, outfits and specialised skills, each player will be able to stand apart from their friends, further enriching not only their single player experiences, but also proving beneficial in the co-op environment. Regardless of what path each person prefers, Ubisoft seems intent on providing the means for everyone to realise their personal vision of the perfect killer.
History repeating itself
As most people know, history tends to repeat itself. This is as true in gaming as it is with anything. As time rolls on, gamers start to see studios consistently releasing quality content, or even particular franchises that always hit the mark. With Ubisoft Montreal and the Assassin's Creed franchise, it would seem both are true. Not only does the studio have a great track record, but much of that reputation was built on the back of Assassin's Creed. With a formula proven to hit the mark with players in the past, mixed with the ambition to push the envelope, Assassin's Creed Unity appears destined for success. Expect to find it in-stores or available for digital download on October 28, 2014.