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Assassin's Creed Unity Review Roundup

Here's what the critics are saying about Ubisoft's latest Assassin's Creed game.

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Assassin's Creed Unity, the first entry in the series developed exclusively for current-generation consoles and PC, has finally arrived. More than 10 studios worked on the game, which also introduces four-player co-op to the series for the very first time.

We already know what Conan O'Brien thinks of Unity, but how did the game fare with critics? Check out a sampling of review scores and editor opinions about Unity below. And be sure to read GameSpot sister site Metacritic for more on the game's critical reception.

Another new Assassin's Creed title, Assassin's Creed Rogue, was released today across Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. Check back later this week for GameSpot's review of that title.

GameSpot -- 7/10

"Is it the next-gen Assassin's Creed game we've all been waiting for? Not quite. It's very good, maybe even great in places, but the story's smaller focus has come at the expense of its exquisitely rendered backdrop. The grandness and spectacle that so often graces the finest Assassin's Creeds is sadly sorely lacking here." - Mark Walton [Full review]

Joystiq -- 2.5/5

"Assassin's Creed Unity is the best and worst of Assassin's Creed. It's hard not to appreciate everything that it gets right, and you'll have a good time if you can wrangle some friends for co-op, but it's impossible to ignore where Unity falls tragically short." - S. Prell [Full review]

GamesBeat -- 91/100

"I was not expecting to love Unity, but I do. Ubisoft nailed the big assassination missions and everything in between. I lost several days to this game, and I'm looking forward to losing a few more. I want to see if I can find all the highest-rated equipment. I want to do some more multiplayer missions. I want to solve the rest of those brilliant murder cases. I want more Unity." - Jeffrey Grubb [Full review]

GamesRadar -- 4/5

"Unity manages to push the series forward enough to make this truly great, it's only sad that a few left over hiccups have carried over from the previous generation. Traditional Creed problems aside, this manages to be an unrivaled murderous sandbox and Paris hands over a visually impressive blood drenched historical playground." - Louise Blain [Full review]

GameInformer -- 8/10

"Inordinately long load times, repeated onscreen notifications, and a couple of hard freezes prove that Unity is a complex game that hasn't yet had all of its bugs smashed. However, Unity's frequent missteps are balanced against an astonishing array of engaging content set in a stunning world. Even as I tallied problems, I marveled at the game's breadth of gameplay and richly realized world. I encourage fans to give Unity a try, and leave your expectations at the door. For both better and worse, Assassin's Creed is moving in a new direction." - Matt Miller [Full review]

IGN -- 78/100

"Assassin's Creed Unity leverages the new-generation consoles to add spectacular new sights and successful co-op multiplayer, but in doing so, it's created some substantial new problems instead of solving the series' most persistent ones. The scope is stunning, the customization is satisfying, and the multiplayer touches upon some really ambitious ideas. But the lack of a strong main character or interesting take on the Assassin's Creed universe costs it momentum and excitement, and the persistent control problems are still a thorn in its side. The first truly new-gen Assassin’s Creed game is a gorgeous, entertaining, and successful proof of concept for what lies ahead for the series, though it isn't what I'd call revolutionary." - Marty Sliva [Full review]

Polygon -- 6.5/10

"The ingredients are all here for a spectacular new standard for the series on Sony and Microsoft's new machines. But in the quest to build something that looked and sounded 'next generation,' Ubisoft Montreal failed to fix the problems that have accumulated over so many annual releases. Combined with an uninspiring story, and a long list of considerable technical problems, Unityfalls short of the fresh start Assassin's Creed needs." - Arthur Gies [Full review]

A selection of additional Unity review scores:

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bunchanumbers

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I knew things would go to hell after Jade Raymond left.

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futureops

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<< LINK REMOVED >> lol u 1n l0v3 m8?

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AyatollaofRnR

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It's pretty hard to say no to this just on the setting alone. Also it sounds like they've made the Assassinating part of assassins creed interesting again. That's what the first game got right.

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eternaldragoonx

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More tropical Black Flag less grey drab.

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skrilla99

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My thoughts exactly. I like the lush tropical environments, Mayan temples, scattered islands and treasures, sea battles, and cities. The strictly land based AC games aren't as exciting by comparison anymore.

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arjunrajshekhar

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<< LINK REMOVED >> You might want to give the uncharted series a try

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javalino

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Microtransaction on an AC game = FAIL

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futureops

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Open World + Stealth Gameplay = EPIC FAIL!

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IAmMcGruber

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<< LINK REMOVED >> there's microtransactions? that blows.

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JColliam35

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<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> microtransactions that are optional and don't actually kill the experience for a player? How dare they!

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Flufferfudger

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<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >>


Exactly what you said. Optional, doesn't affect anyone in anyway.


I would just like to say though, I'm sure this is tied in with the Co-op thing because the Arno you take into Co-op is the one you play on single player so I'm assuming it's because a lot of multiplayer games do this. Not saying it's right but that's why.


Still wont affect me. Spent enough on the game, and I personally agree that microtransactions don't fit this franchise and I would never have expected them but at the same time... don't really care.


It's just an extra optional thing that people CAN choose to do if they wish.

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TravisinCanada

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This thing is tanking on Steam right now, A lot of people leaving negative reviews.

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TravisinCanada

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The purpose of this post was not only to inform people that based on people's first impressions of the launch it was not going well and a variety of issues were being reported. I have nothing against Bioware or the AC franchise I think they are both great. However I am tired of these large companies pouring tons of money into marketing and creating hype for a game that is not rock solid. We the consumers need to start paying attention to this because we are being taken advantage of. Assuming we are getting a finished or polished product when in reality it is not. I don't buy software expecting it to have issues and this should be no different, if the people they are employing are not competent enough to create a working product OR they are rushing launch to meet investor deadlines THAT IS NOT OUR PROBLEM. Get done and do it right or don't expect people to buy it.

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BusterFriendly

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Yea, with a play time of like 0.3 hours. That's just someone decided it was going to be a negative review before even trying the game.

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TravisinCanada

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<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> Keep in mind a lot of the comments being left are from people that cannot even log into the game or get disconnected shortly after. I would imagine some of these people that are leaving comments after having only 0.3 on record are pissed they cannot connect to the game long enough to play it.

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TehUndeadHorror

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Happens with a lot of ported games, which is fair enough.

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antoineflemming

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<< LINK REMOVED >> yep. Because of the performance.

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deactivated-5962a4d2614f8

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<< LINK REMOVED >> As if Steam reviews mean anything. I don't think Steam users know what reviews even mean. 99.9% of the Lemmings on there are just babbling nonsense or listing their specs.

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jenovaschilld

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<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> For the most part, overall steam reviews are more helpful then not and more accurate .. overall... then not. But you are right as many steam reviews start out about the game then the people start talking about their rig. "I have a ATX super tower, with sync LEDs and quad capable sli motherboard I just cannot understand why my 2.8 APU won't run this game."

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JColliam35

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<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> That's because most of those people are on PC, where specs matter. The port is trash and everyone complaining and listing their problems also lists their specs so that people with a similar PC can know whether or not to get the game.

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MrRyubusa

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<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> I'm pretty sure steam is a good general grab of the gaming population. Some will be "lemmings", others will be extremely intelligent.

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antoineflemming

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<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> It's a good indicator of Ubisoft's PC customers and their sentiments. This is their worst port, or at least it's tied with GRFS as their worst port.

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Madgnad

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<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >> If the majority of users are having problems trying to load a game. Then you have failed at making a port.

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Marrows

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C'mon I want to see the review of Rogue, pay attention to old gen too

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antoineflemming

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@marrows I'd imagine Rogue will be better overall, but critics will probably slam it because it's on new in terms of its story, not its gameplay. But from what I've seen, Rogue is the better game.

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Marrows

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Critics really are a pain in the ass ! I've seen a 30 min gameplay of Rogue too and think that it's better than Unity

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xBinary01111000

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<< LINK REMOVED >><< LINK REMOVED >>

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Marrows

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Thanks

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BelaidKL

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Seems like the most average Assassins Creed yet.... However, it's been criticised for going backwards away from the vast seas and forest settings... I, personally, don't mind heading back to a city... But the constant criticising of the plot and Arno himself is off putting... Still getting this game, but my excitement has definitely depleted

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JColliam35

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<< LINK REMOVED >> The game itself is good, but the technical aspects bring it down. It runs like poop and there are a lot of bugs.

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foxrock66

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Mids to highs except for hipster Joystiq. About what I expected. Still gonna play!

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Thanatos2k

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@foxrock66 Mid to lows you mean. 7/10 is not a good score for a next gen AAA franchise game.

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Slinqy

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I really think this game is underrated. Despite certain story elements and the lack of musical immersion and occasional bug, this game does far more good than bad. It's like they overlooked all the things they did right that were lacking severely in previous AC games.

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antoineflemming

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@Slinqy The performance is a very big "bad" that outweighs the good. Why? Because everything else is pointless if players can't actually play the game.


And the thing is, I'd love the game if it weren't for the terrible performance.

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Slinqy

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<< LINK REMOVED >>

Are you referring to the PC version per se, or are you just talking about bugs in general?

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JColliam35

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<< LINK REMOVED >> The PC version is terrible.

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GarGx1

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Over all 7/10's still make it decent/good game. I have no problems buying good games.

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Thanatos2k

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@GarGx1 That's a C-. When you get a C- on a test do you tell your parents you did "good"?

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Nightflash28

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<< LINK REMOVED >> On a scale from 1-10, a 7 translates into C-? Better stay in school...

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IAmMcGruber

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<< LINK REMOVED >> that's the way I always look at reviews too lol... I turn them into letter grades like school. It just makes more sense that way, so anything below an 8 I have a hard time convincing myself to drop $60 on it.

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PixelAddict

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Big ratings swings between Joystiq and GamesBeat.

Goes to show everyone has an opinion. Critics included.

AC4 was good enough for me to give this a go and hope for the best. But AC3 irritated me so much that I will expect the worst. We'll see how the battle ends up shortly.

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deactivated-58270bc086e0d

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I think it looks pretty great. Looks like an Assassin's Creed game which means I will buy it eventually. When it has dropped in price considerably and will probably enjoy running around the city like a murderous monkey on steroids. As always.

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gregglle

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<< LINK REMOVED >> honestly that's why i love redbox because I can get games right away to just test them out for 2 bucks a night. Then I can tell if it's worth it

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<< LINK REMOVED >> France is a land of love...stop murdering!

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deactivated-58270bc086e0d

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<< LINK REMOVED >> Don't worry, everyone killed will miraculously come back to life.......so they can be murdered again, muahahahahaha!

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Dav_id83

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Cant say this will beat AC2 for me or Brotherhood for story but it may be worth a look

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