Assassins Creed 3 – Review

“One if by land, two if by sea…” That famous quote sums up my feelings about Assassin’s Creed III pretty well. It’s a game that tries to do too much, and ends up doing little of it exceptionally well. Everything on land feels frustrating, while everything at sea is a breathtaking spectacle.

A Story Worth Experiencing

I’ll be honest, the story is what kept me going. Seeing the Assassin/Templar conflict unfold in 18th-century America was a treat for this history buff. The new characters and their motivations were intriguing, even if the opening dragged a bit. But this is a gameplay review, so let’s focus on what worked and what didn’t.

Landlubber Frustrations

• QTEs: Ubisoft, what were you thinking? Hunting and exploring the frontier is now a chore thanks to endless quick-time events. Fighting a pack of wolves shouldn’t feel like a rhythm game gone wrong.
• Free-Running: It’s smoother, but still prone to frustrating missteps. Tree traversal is fun, but there aren’t enough connecting paths.
• Climbing: It’s so easy it’s boring. No challenge, no thought required. And good luck getting down from a tall tree in one piece.
• Stealth: Poorly implemented, with nonsensical enemy sight lines. Failing a mission because you killed someone silently before they could speak? Come on!
• Combat: Same old, same old. It’s functional but feels dated compared to games like Batman: Arkham City. The camera angles and counter mechanics can be frustrating.

Naval Warfare: The Saving Grace

The privateer missions at sea are where Assassin’s Creed III truly shines. The controls, combat, weather effects, and even the story elements are fantastic. It’s basically the Sid Meier’s Pirates! game we’ve all been waiting for. Chasing a Man O’ War through a storm is an experience I won’t forget.

Other Hits and Misses:

• Crafting/Convoy System: Poorly explained and feels like a time sink with little payoff.
• Assassin Recruits/Contracts: Confusing and poorly implemented. I had to consult a wiki just to figure out how to send my recruits on missions.

Final Thoughts

Assassin’s Creed III had so much potential, but it’s a missed opportunity. The naval combat is a highlight, but the land-based gameplay is frustrating and the new systems feel half-baked. The story, thankfully, is still engaging, but it’s not enough to save the game from its flaws.

My Score: 7/10

(Disclaimer: This review was originally written years ago for another site, but my frustration with QTEs and clunky stealth mechanics remains strong!)