Assassin's Creed Preview

By Kristan Reed Published 23 May, 2006

Ubi's next 'killer' app.

Out of all the publishers at this year's E3, Ubisoft housed some of the most impressive games at the entire show, so much so that we had to wait for a certain Steven Spielberg to finish admiring their wares before we could squeeze into a tiny all-white demo room that was showing off its next big hope, Assassin's Creed. Made by an all-star Montreal team comprised of members that contributed to various incarnations of Prince of Persia, Splinter Cell and Rainbow Six, the buzz surrounding the game is understandably high already.

Coming next year to PlayStation 3 (and almost certainly other platforms too, but Ubi's not ready to announce those as yet), this open-ended third person action adventure seems determined to shoehorn in all the best bits of Oblivion, Prince of Persia, Splinter Cell, Thief, Hitman and even GTA into one hugely impressive whole. Even after just 15 minutes in the company of the game, it's apparent that this isn't a title many of you will be able to ignore over the next 12 months or so.

The official word on the game so far (of which there isn't much, sorry) speaks of the game being set in 1191 under the rule of Richard Lionheart, at a time when "the Third Crusade was tearing the holy land apart". Rather like an ancient version of Third Echelon, the Assassins operate under conditions of extreme secrecy and plot to put an end to the hostilities by "suppressing both sides of the conflict". The Sam Fisher of this particular affair is Altair (an Arabic name meaning 'the flying eagle' - the significance of which we'll discuss later), a wrist-blade wielding cold-eyed killer who apparently has "the power to throw their immediate environment into chaos and shape events during this pivotal moment in history." He certainly has the ability to whip out concealed swords or fire off arrows and pull off deadly murders at a moment's notice, that's for sure.

Total phwoar

'Assassin's Creed' Screenshot motherflunka

Get your hands off of my woman, motherflunka!

A few of you might be muttering about you don't get on with medieval settings, but hold onto your impatient horses for a moment. One thing actually seeing the game suggested is that the game might not strictly be set in the ancient past. With some sort of futuristic (possibly time-travelling) element evident in the top left hand side of the HUD, there's much more to the game than perhaps Ubi is letting on.

For now, at least, the focus is very much on introducing some of the more basic elements of the game, such as showing us a bustling, richly detailed medieval city, some of the freedom available to you, the basic combat mechanics at your disposal and an insight into some of the crowd dynamics.

At the start of the demo we're show Altair riding into town on horseback, immediately drawing comparisons with Oblivion. Running in a far from optimised state, the game's still exceptionally beautiful to behold, with detailed rolling landscape giving way to intricate medieval architecture that gives a more seamless impression of a proper sandbox environment (as opposed to the walled cities favoured by Bethesda's opus).

Strolling into one of the three bustling cities in the game itself, Altair mixes unnoticed among a throng of impoverished looking fellow citizens that won't bother you unless you start doing things to draw attention to yourself.

Crowded art

'Assassin's Creed' Screenshot horseriding

Horse riding videogames: the new lens flare!

Unlike Rockstar North's classics, or even the more recent Oblivion, the thing to note is how advanced and convincing the crowd spectacle actually is in comparison. Instead of each person looking like the usual variations on a theme, each NPC we could see was dressed differently, was facially unique and all moved around with a degree of diverse realism that has eluded videogames up to now. Better still was the way Altair moved past everyone, rather like you would if you were trying to snake your way through a crowded bar or train platform. Instead of just barging past people, he inconspicuously used his hands to hold people to one side to slink through without knocking into them. Key to your success is blending in, because even a deadly assassin might struggle an angry mob - especially, for example, heavily armed guards.

Rather like a more advanced set of GTA crowd dynamics, if you start shoving people around, or jumping around and acting strange and suspicious in any way you can expect people to respond in kind, changing facial expressions to reflect surprise. If you attack someone, for example, people won't just scatter and scream in dumb uniform panic, but do so in a coherent, believable manner at the sight of someone writhing in pain. Some might flee in panic, others might act the vigilante and make it tough for you to get away, some might just stop and stare. As expected, choice is just as important to Assassin's Creed as any next generation videogame, and if being aggressive is how you want to play it, then you will have the ability to be as brutal and surly as you want, shoving innocents out of the way and creating havoc wherever you travel. Sometimes it's fun just to see what could happen.

In common with Splinter Cell and Prince of Persia, the control flexibility of the lead character is fundamental to the gameplay, with the Ubisoft rep pointing out that Altair can grab hold of any surface that extends more than two inches. With so many games still designed around dated principles of what you can and cannot climb up, Assassin's Creed adopts a much looser approach. In motion it's an incredibly fluid system that works beautifully in tandem with the slick hand-drawn animation, and it'll be interesting to see whether giving players a much freer means of negotiating the environment makes for a more intuitive, more logical gaming experience. In some sense, when we see Altair climbing up buildings and hopping between rooftops, it immediately reminds us of some of the Two Thrones levels - something the designer admits was an influential factor - albeit with the kind of freedom you always craved.

Dinner dinner catman

'Assassin's Creed' Screenshot hygiene

Even from these heady heights, the lack of personal hygiene in the 12th century was apparent.

In motion, the real revelation is how natural and athletic it all looks, with superb transitional animations making everything look possible. As Altair scales buildings, it's fluid and graceful, like a human with feline abilities. The fact that the movement system was inspired by the rooftop-hopping freerunning sport (the BBC employed some of these maniacs for its series of transition clips a few years back, you may recall) is evident. Think of it as a more natural evolution of Prince of Persia's movement set, hopping gracefully from beam to beam.

Gaining a high vantage point, a scripted element in the demo mission kicked in to show us how Altair's 'eagle eye' abilities work. With the target glowing below (rather like the Ready Brek kid) and the edge of the screen stylishly blurred for effect, Altair was able to easily work out where his victim lay. In one instance the Ubi rep demonstrated how we could mingle with a group of clergymen and swiftly use the wrist knife to kill our target, while in another we attempted it using our bow from a high vantage point. Again, the choice is there; one is more accurate and more reliable, while the other gives you a potentially quicker escape route over rooftops.

If you're on the ground, though, the panic that ensues is tricky to simply run away from. One thing not immediately apparent in the demo is the momentum system that Ubi is using for when Altair runs. As with real life, the faster you run the harder it becomes to maintain your footing. Trying to leg it at speed might seem the obvious solution, but be prepared to stumble if something gets in your path. In fact, this is exactly the scenario our demo man wanted to play out, as despite showing off some brutal counter attacks (stepping to one side, avoiding a blow and grabbing the assailant's head and violently smashing him to the floor one such example), the angry mob's sheer weight of numbers eventually got the better of Altair and knocked him out, with the screen distorting to fade. System offline you say? What's that all about? Curiouser and curiouser. Is Altair being controlled by someone in the future? Has he travelled back in time to change the course of history?

Whatever they're up to, Assassin's Creed is arguably Ubi's most exciting new title since it hit us with a Splinter Cell-Prince of Persia double whammy back in 2002. With incredibly graceful animation, open-ended and extremely beautiful environments, advanced AI and the promise of slick combat, there's every reason to suggest that this could be another enormous success for Ubisoft. As soon as we get our first hands-on, we'll be sure to report back with how this intriguing looking title is shaping up.

Assassin's Creed is due for release in 2007. A PlayStation 3 release has been confirmed, but speculation is rife that it will also come to the Xbox 360 as well.

Picture of Kristan.

About Kristan Reed

Kristan is a former editor of Eurogamer, dad, Stone Roses bore and Norwich City supporter who sometimes mutters optimistically about Team Silent getting back together.

Read more articles from Kristan by visiting the Kristan Reed archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (64) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • Yossarian #1 6 years ago

    most wanted non-360 (ha!) console game

  • #2 6 years ago

    I really dislike people that walk through crowded places laying their hands about. "Ass-grabbers" i call 'em. "Altair," (corniest name ever BTW) "stop laying your hands on me will ya..." *stab*.
    Sounds promisiong though. Hope it delivers.

    EDIT: And the time travel element sounds soo "Timecop". Please play this down. The best part of theif was that you really felt part of the world.
    Edited by 1 at 23/05/06 @ 14:51

  • Moogrose #3 6 years ago

    I do hope xbox 360 confirmation is on its way...

  • Darren #4 6 years ago

    It sounds really impressive.

    Wasn't this game announced for the 360 at last year's E3? If so then surely the 360 version is far more advanced than the PS3 version? Was the version demoed at this year's E3 actually from the PS3 version?

  • Dizzy #5 6 years ago

    "and almost certainly other platforms too, but Ubi's not ready to announce those as yet"

    So was it not weird that they were demo-ing it on a 360 controller ;)

  • Darkedge #6 6 years ago

    looks interesting I hope it does come to the resonably priced console.

    Glad that EG also saw live code not just the very flash prerended stuff

  • krudster #7 6 years ago

    A lot of next gen stuff is demoed on PC, using PS2 or 360 pads, you can't read too much into it.

  • Dizzy #8 6 years ago

    "A lot of next gen stuff is demoed on PC, using PS2 or 360 pads, you can't read too much into it. "

    True.; so at least expect it on PC.

  • Darkedge #9 6 years ago

    blackdog get you head out of Ken's arse for a second will you?

  • #10 6 years ago

    That's because the industry has decided exclusives are pointless.
    Did you mean profitless? ^_^

  • Xerx3s #11 6 years ago

    "Wasn't this game announced for the 360 at last year's E3? If so then surely the 360 version is far more advanced than the PS3 version? Was the version demoed at this year's E3 actually from the PS3 version?"

    Not the e3, -> X'05.

    Blackdog; That will cost you one intarwebby.

  • Tonka #12 6 years ago

    This sounds so good I'm salivating. I hope the news in the coming months will be as good as it has been so far.

  • kangarootoo #13 6 years ago

    @blackdog

    "/attempted to hold back. Failed."

    Go on have another go, practice makes perfect.

  • jozz #14 6 years ago

    Looks lovely and the game-play sounds just as good. Definetly looking forward to this one :)

    My guess on the futuristic slant on the story is that the game is actaully set in a medieval matrix type world. If I am right I will claim my £5 from the nearest forumite thank you very much.

  • thinktank #15 6 years ago

    "Oh it will be. Spread across all 6 dvds"

    A game consisting of 54gb of data, that'l be finished in 2012 then.

    You saved up your £425+ that sony TOLD u to then blackdog?

    Good boy! Go Fetch!

  • Dizzy #16 6 years ago

    >A game consisting of 54gb of data

    Yep.. they are planning of including 2000000 hours of cutscenes and have 1000000 people doing the dialogs.
    Edited by 1 at 23/05/06 @ 15:33

  • neuroniky #17 6 years ago

    "Horse riding videogames: the new lens flare!"

    Best comment EVAR!

  • BartonFink #18 6 years ago

    Wasn't this demoed at this years E3 on a 360? ;)

    So blackdog is still a bit rabid?

  • kangarootoo #19 6 years ago

    @blackdog

    "Believe it or not i will not be rushing out to buy a Playstation 3 as soon as they hit the shelves. I'll wait about 6 months."

    I'm not quite sure how you think that makes you less of a fanboy. Its in what you say, not what you do.

  • krudster #20 6 years ago

    In case we need reminding, this was announced as Project Assassin at X05, and also was part of Ubi's infamous leaked line-up in March.

  • thinktank #21 6 years ago

    >Believe it or not i will not be rushing out to buy a Playstation 3 as soon as they hit the shelves. I'll wait about 6 months.<

    Phil Harrison: "Bad dog! BAD DOG, go to your corner!"

    "Don't look at me with those eyes, ok then........come back to daddy's lap"

  • chemicalcaveman #22 6 years ago

    This was my game of E3, it looks amazing. It might be a PS3 system seller.........

  • koopa #23 6 years ago

    "With so many games still designed around dated principles of what you can and cannot climb up, Assassin's Creed adopts a much looser approach"

    I WANT TO CLIMB TREES IN GAMES! Why doesn't any open-ended action game or FPS have that ability, I've been wanting it since Zelda 64. Imagine hiding in trees or sneaking up to your enemies from above in Far Cry, Splinter Cell or Oblivion, it would make you feel much more free.

    Anyway, to me this is one of the more exciting games announced for 2007, along with Bioshock and Alan Wake, all of which I'm gonna get for my future PC.

    BTW, it will be kinda stupid from Ubisoft if the whole game has this eastern theme, very similar to Prince Of Persia.
    Edited by 1 at 23/05/06 @ 16:02

  • UncleLou #24 6 years ago

    Hehe, blackdog, do you know how amusingly foolish people like you look from the perspective of people who don't care about systems? I guess not, or you'd stop posting immediately. :)

  • Darkedge #25 6 years ago

    and those who's minds are like the middle of a donut

  • krudster #26 6 years ago

    One day we'll just discuss the games and only the games...

  • #27 6 years ago

    Koopa - i thought you could climb trees in the new far cry?

    Soo glad I ignored Blackdog. I am now almost totally oblivious to all this.

    Yes, it's all about the games. Yes, this looks better than average, yes, it won't really matter what platform you play it on, yes, it will most likely come out for PS3/PC/360.

  • Xerx3s #28 6 years ago

    "One day we'll just discuss the games and only the games..."

    I have a dream...
    Edited by 1 at 23/05/06 @ 16:08

  • Fatnick #29 6 years ago

    Points off for setting it during the Third Crusade I think.

  • koopa #30 6 years ago

    "One day we'll just discuss the games and only the games..."

    ...because the only console available will be Wii2 ;)

  • kangarootoo #31 6 years ago

    Wow, how refreshingly honest of you :)

  • YogiTah #32 6 years ago

    I just cannot buy anything which says Microsoft on the Box - i just can't. They will rule the world but not me. So please Bill leave Sony at least some studios who will make titles for them please. You already stole bungie from us macsters. Please leave something for us who hate you. Anyway I'm sick of Microsoft buying any studio at whatever cost just to push their consoles. And now they are bringing Windows for their Xbox 360. *SCREAM*

  • Fatnick #33 6 years ago

    "Anyway I'm sick of Microsoft buying any studio at whatever cost just to push their consoles. And now they are bringing Windows for their Xbox 360. *SCREAM* "

    You know, if thats how you feel, you probably shouldn't buy any of the new consoles. Don't you remember all the dodgy pricefixing that Nintendo had going on when they controlled a large lump of the market? and how is Sony's attempts to Trojan-horse bluray into your living room any better than MS' dodgy live anywhere stuff?

    It doesn't matter who you're giving money to - you're funding somebody's domination plans.

  • YogiTah #34 6 years ago

    @Fatnick

    You know that Microsoft just wants to get in your living room because a lot of people stop to buy their crappy software. And Blueray is not only supported by Sony. They've got a lot of supporters incl. Apple. The next thing Microsoft is trying to piusch into the market with it's cash is Vacuum cleaners or cars - who knows ...

  • bloodflowers #35 6 years ago

    Hm. 'ignore poster'. Yes, that's better. Sony's Sunshine Coach regular was getting rather tiresome.

  • #36 6 years ago

    Now, don't get me wrong, I HATE windows. (Well, I really dislike it anyway!).
    I switched to Macs about 6 years ago and have never looked back.
    I thought I hated MS. I was a real Mac guy y'know - hate M$ they are dominatiing the world with their crappy second-rate products (or thid-rate - wondows? :p)
    Than, about 3 years ago I got an xbox. - I was always a bit of a gamer, and, well, you could say I wasn't stunned by the choice of games for the Mac. I also liked the look of Halo.
    From that point on I had to revise my view of MS. Sure windows is a bit crappy, but MS's hardware is actually pretty nifty. They have, for a long time, made good mice, and I think that both the xbox and 360 are nice "bits of kit" (gah how I loathe that over-used expression). The xbox was well built, generally reliable and had some great games. The 360 is (imo) pretty to look at, has the best controller currently in the business (never could get to grips with the Dual Shock) and has a great OS and online service.

    I think it's stupid to think of MS as any different to any of these big companies. At least with MS you know you're getting a good deal on the hardware! - They take a big hit on every console sold.
    So while MS might think they are taking over my life, I know they arn't. In fact, I'm exploiting them by getting a great (and worth it) experience from their hardware, with no plans to buy a PC ever again. Sure, I may not be able to use all the features (live TV streaming etc), but I can stream AAC from my iPod into games, and I can't see myself wanting more. Now, if the next-gen insists on some kind of Windows OS on my console - I'm off!

  • Ghetto-lapin #37 6 years ago

    Ok keep on purchasing your games according to what you think of such and such company, not according to, you know, the "quality" or "fun factor" of the games.

    Surely companies will then react by spending even more money in PR, advertising and stupid licences instead of wasting it on development, and that's what we all want, right?

    At least when I don't buy such or such type of games, it's because I want less of them, not because I want them but on a different system.


  • YogiTah #38 6 years ago

    @bloodflowers

    Yep just ignore other opinions - greetings to bill :-))

    P.S. By the way i like wii best so far so kepp away with this fanboy nonsens...

  • SeesThroughAll #39 6 years ago

    It doesn't matter who you're giving money to - you're funding somebody's domination plans.

    Very true, but one should take a good look at who already dominates too much for our good. A lot of us may be rejoicing economically viable next-gen technology and Live for the moment, but one thing you can be sure of is that Microsoft will slightly change their tune and make all of us pay the price once they have the market share they so relentlessly fight for. And it will have far worse consequences for all of us than Sony's supposed "monopoly" in gaming industry. Between the three of them, maybe I'd prefer to see Nintendo coming out on top in this generation of the console wars. It would really be the lesser evil.

  • Kraftwurm #40 6 years ago

    "Horse riding videogames: the new lens flare!"
    :-) Brilliant!

  • bloodflowers #41 6 years ago

    Yogi: Actually I despise Microsoft, but I'm still able to tell a good product from a shit one. Windows is shit. The 360 is good. It's not terribly difficult. Identifying blackdog as a borderline retard wasn't greatly taxing either.

  • Ghetto-lapin #42 6 years ago

    oh and by the way, on-topic, played A's C at E3, game of the show IMHO (many games I haven't tested unfortunately), and the Ubi guy told it would go out on 360, but kept it pretty vague.

  • kangarootoo #43 6 years ago

    All corps are the same. As soon as peple get used to that fact they can relax and start making decisions based on how they view the world, not how they view one particular corp comparted to another.

    I'm an apple fan, I have an old Mac in my garage. But you can be sure that if Steve jobs was in the position Bill Gates holds he would be JUST as bad. Its what corps do, thats how they compete, any way they can (usually) within the law. Nintendo, Sony and MS are exactly the same in that respect.

  • krudster #44 6 years ago

    I was also told much the same thing as Ghetto Lapin. Worst kept secret at E3.

  • glaeken #45 6 years ago

    I thought it was actually running on a 360 anyway at E3.

    Given that story about the controllers being given out for it to be played on were 360 controllers, the reported late access to PS3 dev kits and the fact the game was originally made for the 360. To me all that says it was probably running on a 360 as it has been in development far longer for that platform.

    Personally I don't see an issue with any of that just as long as what turns up on the PS3 is as good.

  • NoCodeNed2 #46 6 years ago

    @SeesThroughAll - I still remember Nintendo not being altogether 'nice guys' when they dominated the market.

    what do they say about 'absolute power corrupting absolutely?'. Oh yeah, that.

  • Tonka #47 6 years ago

    This illustrates what I was getting at in my earlier post. I'm looking forward to the game of course, but if you'd said the Ubi guy told you it would remain a PS3 exclusive, I would start trying to come up with some justification that I don't need to play it, that it's not that great, blah blah blah.

    Wouldn't eurogamer be a much nicer place if people could refrain from this? Not pointing fingers at you LeDilletante. I'm guilty as well. I used to think the 360 was an overpriced piece of crap with no 'true' HD, a noisy DVD (soooo last gen) drive and a silly name. Then I bought one and most of my complaints faded. The drive is bloody noisy though.

    I really hope that Assassin's Creed will be out on the 360 since I don't have the time/money to spend on all three consoles.

  • strobrod #48 6 years ago

    Architektur ist geiselnahme. Sort of.

    Anyone who believes that supporting any one of these companies is in some way more virtuous than the other needs a reality check. Welcome to capitalism, my friends.

  • kangarootoo #49 6 years ago

    @LeDilettante

    I care dude, and I applaud you for sharing :)

  • kangarootoo #50 6 years ago

    @strobrod

    Absolutely.

  • tiddles #51 6 years ago

    I was also told much the same thing as Ghetto Lapin. Worst kept secret at E3.

    Makes you wonder why they're doing that... Presumably if Sony have an exclusive then they'd say so (or at least be more definite)? Maybe they've been paid for a "verbal exclusive" - coming out on both platforms but you're not allowed to say so? :)

  • tiddles #52 6 years ago

    ot that I'm proud of that behaviour, but it's only human, as I'm not in a position to afford a 600€ machine and need to feel my investment was a wise one and is protected, securing the best titles of this new generation.

    That's all well and good, but fanboyism (yours or anybody else's) is still a pain in the arse.

  • 786Beast #53 6 years ago

    PS3 exclusive will be bril for sony!

  • Fatnick #54 6 years ago

    @Seesthroughall

    Nintendo never had the monopoly that Sony has over here at the moment yet they still made the European consumer suffer. Sony are basically laughing at gamers by overcharging them for being the guinea pigs for their new technology and MS' arrogance is currently only being kept in check by the fact that they're the new kid in town. Personally, i really wouldn't like any of them to win outright - it would be better for everyone if we had more even share of the honours this time round.

  • Mordum #55 6 years ago

    Certainly a very interesting sounding game, I sure hope this is actually confirmed as coming to the 360 soon... then that gives me another reason to keep my £425 extra cash firmly in my pocket come November. Still waiting for the 'killer' app to tempt me to take a plunge with the PS3 (Metal Gear Solid 4 just doesn't interest me enough these days, not since Splinter Cell arrived on the scene... more gameplay, less cut-scenes).

    Just one other question... how certain is it that PS3 games will be more expensive than the new 360 and Wii games? (being on Blue-Ray disc and all...). How could that be justified with multi-platform games?

  • JediMasterMalik #56 6 years ago

    O_0

    Slinter cell just doesn't illicit the same emotion that MGS does, I can't beleive your comparing the two though, I like them both for different reasons.

  • Mordum #57 6 years ago

    You don't remember all the Splinter Cell / Metal Gear Solid comparisons upon Splinter Cells release? Obviously Metal Gear Solid has moved much more towards the action genre these days, while SC has not swayed too much from its original concept (a good or bad thing? depends what you want from the game).

    Hey, who knows maybe Metal Gear Solid 4 will be something special... its just I was'nt totally thrilled with the previous effort, so its just a case of wait and see, just not holding my breath.

  • The-Bodybuilder #58 6 years ago

    >" each NPC we could see was dressed differently, was facially unique and all moved around with a degree of diverse realism that has eluded videogames up to now."

    Erm, shenmue?

  • mezzomorto #59 6 years ago

    Sorry to distract people from those ever-so-charming "my console's better-than-yours" debates, but I'm going to lower the tone of this whole thread and ask if anybody else see that interview on Gamespot just after E3 with the (female) AC producer from Ubisoft Montreal? I did n't realise stunners like that worked in the videogames industry, unless she was a booth babe hired by Ubisoft for the occasion...

  • The-Bodybuilder #60 6 years ago

    >" I did n't realise stunners like that worked in the videogames industry, unless she was a booth babe hired by Ubisoft for the occasion..."

    They don't.
    She was a machine, like the terminator, except powers by a CELL chip (and probably a blu ray drive somewhere too).

  • iconsam #61 6 years ago

    Just the feel and the attitude of the trailer immediate intruiged me. Did anyone else notice that he's missing a finger?

  • miiiguel #62 6 years ago

    Completly out-off-the-blue-off-topic-but-still-I'm-amazed: Rockstar Presents Table-tennis is brilliant!

  • Les #63 6 years ago

    "Personally, i really wouldn't like any of them to win outright - it would be better for everyone if we had more even share of the honours this time round."

    Couldn't agree with you more!

  • keith123 #64 5 years ago

    It's coming out on 360 in November according to the official website.