The fourth title in the hugely successful Assassin's Creed series is coming out in November. Subtitled 'Revelations', it is apparently the final instalment of the game to feature dashing renaissance assassin, Ezio, who arrived in Assassin's Creed 2 and took on the Borgia clan in Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood.
According to the Ubisoft press release, Revelations will see Ezio travelling to Constantinople, "where a growing army of Templars threatens to destabilise the region." It is apparently a journey of 'discovery and revelation'. There's also an oblique reference to the Italian killer following in the footsteps of his ancestor, Altair, the protagonist from the first game. A teaser image posted on the game's Facebook page, also showed a character who resembled Altair, suggesting some kind of inter-chronological plot shenanigans. This is particularly intriguing:
"The latest chapter in the Assassin's Creed saga also includes revolutionary gameplay, allowing players to manipulate the construct of Desmond's memories and the Animus to decipher the mysteries of his past and gain insight into the future."
Little else is known at present, although Ubisoft has promised a 'refined and expanded' version of Brotherhood's interesting multiplayer functionality, "with more modes, more maps and more characters that allow players to test their assassin skills against others from around the world."
The game will feature all three of the series' major characters so far, Altaïr ibn La-Ahad, Ezio Auditore da Firenze and Desmond Miles. The game will be the first major installment in the franchise linked in terms of story. It will take Ezio, who is now 50 years old, to Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), consisting of four districts; Constantine, Beyazid, Imperial and Galata, as well as Cappadocia at the peak of the Ottoman Empire The game will also continue Desmond's story in the modern day following the events of Brotherhood, where he will once again enter the Animus in which he has found a safe mode known as the Black Room.
The game will follow the series' standard open-world gameplay. New gameplay additions include an item called the hookblade, which can be used to zipline across the city or grab enemies to yank them in for a combo attack. Ziplining reportedly speeds up navigation by around 30 percent. Along with the hookblade, Ezio will also have 300 different bomb variations at his disposal, which will be craftable.
The Eagle vision has been renamed to Eagle Sense. According to Ubisoft’s Alex Amancio, “Eagle sense lets you focus on a character and see where he’s been. You’ll get an approximation of where he will go. If you’re able to detect the path a guard will take, you can run ahead, set a bomb, and create a trap or an ambush.” [3]
According to Game Informer the Borgia Towers concept has been expanded as well with a new system created in its place. There are locations throughout the city called Assassin’s Dens — you can build these dens by killing off the Templar presence in the area through various assault scenarios. Once obtained, you’ll be able to upgrade the buildings and add ziplines across its rooftops. The guards in the area will shift from hostile to neutral.[4]
If one of your dens is attacked and you happen to be too far away to handle it yourself, you’ll be able to dispatch troops to quell the threat. By visiting the nearest den under your control and assigning a master assassin as the den overlord, its protection will be ensured.
Revelations has upped the levelling mechanic up from 10 to 15, while traditional side missions have been scrapped in favour of "random events" to make the game more immersive. For example, you might spot a shop owner being robbed while wandering round the city or a child asking for help.[5]
As for Desmond, Revelations sees him back inside the Animus where he discovers a safe mode called the "Black Room"[3] In this room, you’re able to access Desmond’s own personal lost memories. Ubisoft’s Alex Amancio said that “Through the manipulation and creation of geometry with the game world, Desmond seeks to reintegrate the splintered layers of his subconscious”. The gameplay during your time as Desmond are said to be "narrative-fueled puzzle sequences".[
Ubisoft also confirmed that it has utilized a fresh motion capture facial tech for the game, known as Mocam. According to Game Informer, the tech is very much an “intriguing amalgamation of traditional animation, performance capture and the fascinating new style of performance on display in games like L.A. Noire.”
Multiplayer gameplay is also making a return to Revelations. Unlike Brotherhood, players will now be able to create their own character with customized appearance and weapons, and to start a guild. Ubisoft says that while the component is returning, they’re putting greater focus towards the narrative, as it’s the heart of the franchise.[
Revelations will be released on Xbox 360, PS3, and likely the PC. More will, of course, be revealed at E3 in June. It will also be in Gameinformer In June with a 12 page cover story. Below are some released photos and videos. Look forward to November 15th. Keep going to facebook as wll for more information.
