Metareview: Assassin's Creed

by David Hinkle { Feb 11th 2008 at 5:00PM }

Back when it was revealed, Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles seemed like some kind of joke. Surely, such a game could never come to be. Well, sure enough, it's arrived. And not that many critics have reviewed it, oddly enough. We do present some of the few who have, however.

Any of you pick the game up? Care to tell us what you think?

IGN (70/100) thought the game had some flaws, but was overall fun: "Altair's Chronicles definitely needed a couple more weeks of polishing up before Ubisoft's publishing date, but as a finished product it's a fun game for as long as it lasts."

Cheat Code Central (68/100) says it was almost a AAA companion to the console title: "Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles essentially represents an average handheld experience. It has about eight hours of gameplay that is very conducive to the pick-up-and-play experience. Most mobile gamers looking for a portable experience will probably enjoy the fun hack n' slash gameplay along with the fun mini-games. But as a fan of the original console version, I just feel that this game lacked a little of the prowess of its predecessor."

GameShark (58/100) thinks the game is just too short: "The game is short; you can easily complete it in an afternoon-even if you aren't a seasoned gamer. Without any other modes or options, the replay value is very short. It has its moments but it's a tough sell for $30. It's definitely worth a rental; especially if you have enjoyed the original game as it tells the story of how the characters got to that point, and frustrations and limitations aside, the time spent playing the game is enjoyable – it's just over way too soon."

See also: 2008 Blips - Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles

Gallery: Assassin's Creed

Tags: action, altairs-chronicles, assassins-creed, port, prequel, stealth, ubisoft

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

bryansurvive @ Feb 11th 2008 5:16PM

i dont own a ds. but iv been looking around this is pretty cool. make me wanna buy a ds now. might be short but at least you getting a decent looking game. how amazing.

Pie Pants @ Feb 11th 2008 5:30PM

If you're going to buy a DS, buy it for something other than Assassin's Creed. Trust me, I've heard even diehard fans of the 360/PS3 version telling me how much the DS version sucks.

I think 70/100 is a bit generous. Gameshark's 58 is about what I'd give it. Controls are unpredictable, graphics are average (I've seen worse, but considering the poor framerates they could've done better), and the minigames just get real boring real quick.

HellsHammer @ Feb 11th 2008 5:43PM

I second everything you said.

AC on DS is a very iffy game. It's ok, but It's not great by any stretch. 70/100 is quite overboard, in my opinion.

ArmiMaan @ Feb 11th 2008 6:04PM

I was interested in AC right up until I found out it had touch-screen based mini games. Why do developers feel the need to include mini-games in everything these days? And why do developers make games that use both the stylus and the A/B/X/Y buttons? Don't they know it's a real bother to switch from one to the other?

Nick @ Feb 11th 2008 6:32PM

it's actually not bad but i have only played it for at least an hour, the minigames kind of do suck, ones even like EBA

bryansurvive @ Feb 11th 2008 7:44PM

really now...
thanks you guys for the heads up. im glad to hear fan input. what are some games i should look foward to if i buy one? those guitar games don't interest me.

Homerun @ Feb 11th 2008 9:18PM

Mario Kart DS, Phoenix Wright Series, Mario Party DS, TLOZ: Phantom Hourglass

The Theory @ Feb 11th 2008 9:58PM

Puzzle Quest and Meteos

Sarah @ Feb 11th 2008 11:39PM

Hotel Dusk, Advance Wars

TheCoats @ Feb 12th 2008 11:38AM

Metroid......Elite Beat Agents......New Super Mario......Phantom Hourglass is a great ds experience......if i could suggest one game for someone who has never played the DS it would be LOZ:PH......it gets a little stale towards the end and its not too hard but it shows off what to expect from the DS and has great fluid gameplay!

Cema @ Feb 11th 2008 7:56PM

The game deserves a 7.0/10. It's not as bad as you people make it out to be.

It would have been better if they removed the gimmicks and made the combat less dull, though I enjoyed the platforming and the graphics.

TheCoats @ Feb 12th 2008 2:39PM

I'm with you on that one this is a decent/ good platformer on the DS.....the combat is alright....but it just plays well.....I'm having fun with it....!

triften @ Feb 12th 2008 10:38AM

I've had a chance to play Altair's Chronicles and have a few words about it. First, I agree with the general consensus that it is a fun albeit brief title. What surprises me, though, is that reviewers have overlooked (or failed to highlight) its lacking originality. Everyone knows Assassin's Creed as a series is noticeably inspired by Prince of Persia, but this particular iteration goes further, adopting specific gameplay elements from Elite Beat Agents (strangely enough) and every button-mashing fighter you've played. It's a tried-and-true, if exhausted formula, as there's really nothing new here.

In short, you'll have fun playing Altair's Chronicles, but it really isn't a must-have release. If you've played its predecessors, the games which have so obviously informed it, I wouldn't recommend spending money on this. The game offers almost no longevity anyway, what with its linear single player, forgettable storyline and no multiplayer features to speak of.

Go with Professor Layton instead.

Kassu @ Feb 12th 2008 10:58AM

I, as a DS fanboy, think, that this could have done so much better on the PSP.

Seriously, it plays and feels like a god damn phone game and whatdoyaknow, Gameloft was involved..

Kassu @ Feb 12th 2008 10:59AM

I, as a DS fanboy, think, that this could have done so much better on the PSP.

Seriously, it plays and feels like a god damn phone game and whatdoyaknow, Gameloft was involved..

TheCoats @ Feb 12th 2008 11:32AM

I haven't played the 360 one but i must say i do love the DS one.......I know all of you hate it but try it!!!!!......the mini-games are pointless but not used very often after the beginning......a few small glitches.....not incredible sound but the game play is smooth and fresh for a DS game....after spending 30 minutes i was hooked.....i would give it a 7/10....not perfect but original.....don't compare it to 3 60 (c'mon its a DS its not going to be that visual and that smooth) but look at it as a seperate thing.....it is pretty good if you just take the time to sit down with it for awhile......I personally haven't taken it out of my DS since Gamenight last week......and i even have a barely used copy of professor layton that i got early last week at Wal-Mart....PLEASE GIVE THIS GAME A CHANCE!!

RachelKat @ Feb 16th 2008 9:21AM

My essentials: Hotel Dusk and Metroid Pinball for solo play, Metroid Hunters and Worms: Open Warfare 2 for wifi, Kanji Sonomama Rakubiki Jiten for education.

I've started playing Assassin's Creed, and I do think it's better than the reviews. Hint: turn off the hints and it will be more engaging. However, if the game's only going to have eight hours of content, then the overall value's going way down. Hopefully Ninja Gaiden won't be as short. Otherwise, better to dig out an old Castlevania card.

Hesukristo @ Feb 16th 2008 4:02PM

Seriously. Find something else to play like Castlevania or Mariokart or Geometry Wars. This just isn't worth the time, I swear.

a 70+/100 is a bit too much by my reckoning.