Assassin's Creed might look like Prince of Persia in another era and universe, but trust me, it's got a whole lot more.
Many games have copied Prince of Persia's parkour, but Assassin's Creed perfected it into a masterpiece. The parkour we were used to seeing has been replaced with something that isn't short of amazing. Every little crack, every brick, every beam, can all be climbed on. If it looks like you can get your hands on it, you can climb it.
But that's not the only good thing about this game. Assassin's Creed has a wonderful story, taking place in 1191, during the crusades. But wait, that's not actually how it starts. It actually starts in modern day 2012. How is this possible? A fun little plot device Ubisoft cleverly created called: the animus. The animus is a device that is explained to reach into one's genetic memory and pull it into visual, usually from one's ancestors. Who's the guy stuck inside? Desmond Miles.
Desmond was a normal bartender, who was born into an organization known only as, assassins. Captured after hiding out in a place called The Farm, Desmond is taken to Abstergo, a large corporation who manufactured the animus. They want Desmond to find out what they need, by seeing it through his ancestor's own eyes. Once you get inside, the real story begins.
Through the animus, you are transported to the year 1191 (after a brief tutorial) to meet Desmond's ancestor. Altaïr Ibn-La'Ahad, is a member of the Assassin Order, and Desmond's ancestor. In the start of the game, you are treated to a few cutscenes, where Altaïr is in the middle of a mission with two other assassins. After a short while, you get into a conflict, and are knocked away from your allies and blocked off. You return to your assassin fortress, Masyaf, to report your failure. After an attack by the assassin's foes, the Templars, you are stripped of your rank due to your failure, and forced to start over.
The game spends most of the time sending you out on assassination missions, where you must conduct investigations, such as interrogation, pick pocketing info, or simply listening to a conversation, before you can find out where your target is, and when the best time to strike is. You report to a Assassin Bureau, a special guild location, where you can then get the OK to kill your target, as well as to start your mission when you first arrive.
This game is huge, with gigantic locations, from the country you travel through, to the giant cities, nothing about this game is small. It's graphics are amazing, with special attention to detail. From the way Altaïr's robe moves, to mist from the cities or dust, to the animus effects, everything is well detailed. There is an occasional animation spaz when your foes hit the ground from far up, and their body begins to spin violently, but being a simple rag doll glitch, it's nothing to worry about.
The game also has many side missions to do, such as saving citizens, or collecting all the flags. The flags are very hard to find, and should only be collected for people who want the achievements (there were no trophies back then). Saving citizens can give you hiding spots, or simply townsfolk who will aid you in your escape. The combat is also well done, ranging from attacking, grabbing, side-stepping, or counter killing. All of it is done well. The AI is a bit stupid, choosing to stand there while Altaïr finishes off his ally, but it isn't too bad. Alternatively, you can choose to flee to a hiding spot if you think you are outmatched.
All in all, Assassin's Creed is a game worthy of being called revolutionary. From it's simple game mechanics, to it's attention to world history, this game defiantly deserves a spot on your shelf.