Assassination, murder, the necessity of the death of certain individuals in order for society to progress; this was the way of the ancient world. This is also the way of your character's ancestor Altaïr. You are implanted into the life of your ancestor only in your “genetic memories.” However, this method of taking over the body of someone who is in your memory is certainly an effective method of game-play. Since I have not completed the game as of yet, I have no true understanding of why you are playing as a man investigating his genetic memories and not just as Altaïr.
The basic fighting system is difficult in the beginning to get used to. After only a few times of entering fights with the guards though, one begins to become proficient with the weapons and fighting style of the game. One can quickly get into the game once the combat system is mastered and the stealth techniques become second nature to the player. Personally I was incredibly excited about the game's release and would do anything to get my hands on it as soon as possible, but sadly, I got home and found that the beginning of the game went by slowly and could only be described as slightly above average. Of course now, I can't believe that I thought like that at the beginning of the game as everything just seems to pull me into the story. I even referenced the game's rating in my opinion to my love of Halo 3. I can safely say that this game is so good and well made that it makes my love of Halo 3 look like a mere interest in comparison.
I have even found that these people you are set to assassinate are not as stupid as they might look. Even they can spot you as an assassin and will attack you given that you are too close to them or not well enough hidden. The townspeople also respond to your presence either in a good or bad way. Go against the Creed and kill innocent people and thou shall find that the people will yell out to everyone else that you are a murderer. I even enjoy the way the cut-scenes are set up to where they allow one to change camera angle with the “glitches” that happen during the scene or to leave the view as is at the time.
I can safely say that no other game I have ever encountered has employed such a method of cut-scene control. If you like history, historical games, or just a really good somewhat stealthy game then Assassin's Creed is for you. It has everything from stealth kills, to using your brain and brawn, and you get to kill people. Overall, I give Assassin's Creed a five out of five.
