Gameplay started with Connor, our new assassin; half British, half Native American, on the prowl to find his target. Immediately, I noticed a drastic improvement of graphics. The characters and environment seemed much smoother and held a cutscene quality. Connor’s target happened to be a redcoat. However, targets can vary from British military members to US military. Ubisoft’s increase in on-screen AI allowed the traditional military formation of the Revolutionary War to be incredibly realistic. We witnessed Connor slide under logs and dodge cannon fire. We also witnessed a more responsive AI as well as a more responsive antagonist.
Assassin’s Creed 3 has built their combat system from the ground up. They have really tried to create a style that is unique to Connor and provide an experience that is all its own. With the poor quality of a musket, your goal in combat is to be close to your enemies to avoid more accurate long distance shots. Connor is equipped with mostly dual wielding weapons, like a tomahawk in one hand and a musket in the other. He also contains a bow and arrows, as well as a rope dart. Rope darts allow you to shoot enemies and hang them from trees. It’s a rather intense cinematic, but awesome none-the-less. You can also use enemies as human shields to avoid musket fire. Connor’s style is one that is constantly in motion. We witnessed him charge his assassination target, killing redcoats in his way until he finally pounced for the classic assassination slow motion sequence.
Ubisoft has really stepped up the quality of their graphics and over all gameplay and design. Like I stated before, gameplay graphics mimic cutscene quality. Finally, assassins are able to climb trees! Ubisoft wanted the player to feel anchored while maneuvering through trees as opposed to feeling like Tarzan. Connor is able to climb up and down branches and maneuver around trees to reach the next branch. Natural terrain is more, well, natural. No more game manufactured ledges or cliffs with those unrealistic straight lines that blatently map out what route to take. Ubisoft wants their assassins to have freedom to approach climbing the way they want.
Finally, a “stalking” feature has been added to Assassin’s Creed III. Certain objects, such as bushes for example, allow you to slowly walk and stalk your target. Walking slowly will automatically prompt your assassins to creep on their prey until the opportunity to strike arises.
Hopelijk lukt het straks nog