Based on pre-release video and hype, I was pretty much hating on this game. I posted lots of nasty posts about how much Ubisoft games suck, and how this series is a waste of time. I played AC1 and really enjoyed it. AC2 was great, but I completely boycotted everything AC after that.
Then I watched the review and heard some chatter about the game. It seemed like Farcry 3 to me still, but...the sailing ships thing interested me, so I tried it out.....through Redbox...for $2/day. I figured it if sucked, i'm only out $2. big deal.
Well, 4 days later, I have finished the story mode. I'll say this, there were a few times that I almost spiked my controller because I climbed something I didn't want to. A couple profanities were uttered about re-doing the same "slalker" missions like 10 times. UGGGH still pissed off about a couple. But you know what there were some pretty cool parts of this game too. I got decent at ship fights, I harpooned some whales and sharks, I kicked this dudes butt in checkers 2x, and I had fun diving for treasure at the bottom of the sea.
Overall, I totally recommend this game. It helped that I had low expectations of the game. And yes, you still synchronize everywhere, and its basically a bunch of RTE fighting moves, and yes it has tons of slalker missions. But if you get past that, its a decent story, with a little variety, and you can choose to be aggressive or passive whatever mood your in.