Assassin’s Creed Games That Are Difficult To Replay Nowadays

by

Assassin's Creed Games That Are Difficult To Replay Nowadays

Key Takeaways

  • Assassin’s Creed games have evolved, but older titles suffer from clunky mechanics and artificial difficulty.
  • The Assassin’s Creed series can be split between pre-& post-Odyssey installments, impacting gameplay & combat.
  • Spin-off titles like Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines & Altair’s Chronicles are hard to play due to outdated mechanics.

As a seasoned gamer who has been following the Assassin’s Creed series since its inception, I find it quite amusing to see how the franchise has evolved over the years. From sprawling open-world adventures to compact 2D action-platformers on portable consoles, it’s fascinating to witness such a transformation.

Although relatively new in the grand scheme of video game history, at just under 20 years old, the Assassin’s Creed franchise has grown and adapted into one of the industry’s most prosperous brands. However, this growth has made some of its earlier, more innovative games challenging for newcomers to grasp.

The series, which spans various installments and unique genres, as well as side projects meant to grow its universe, has experienced stumbles in its versatile journey.

Since this discussion centers on Assassin’s Creed games that are challenging to enjoy in today’s gaming environment, we’ll focus on titles that were initially panned by critics and players upon their release.

6 Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey

Spongey Enemies Force Players To Grind Or Pay For Progress

Assassin's Creed Games That Are Difficult To Replay Nowadays

As an ardent enthusiast of the Assassin’s Creed series, I find it conveniently divided by fans into two distinct epochs – games released prior to the 2018 launch of Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, and those preceding that point. Regrettably for me and fellow players seeking to traverse Ubisoft’s long-standing struggle between Templars and Assassins, the studio’s transition from a more storyline-centric experience to a role-playing game has profoundly impacted the gameplay and combat mechanics.

The epic storyline and visually stunning ancient settings in “Odyssey” are captivating, making it a delight to experience. However, some gamers found issue with the game company manipulating combat difficulty to drive microtransaction sales. This manipulation often forced players into a monotonous grind, where even minor enemies and powerful bosses seemed to force repetitive play, creating an unpleasant gameplay experience.

5 Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation

A Return To Colonial America Brings With It Some Archaic Design

Assassin's Creed Games That Are Difficult To Replay Nowadays

In contrast to most Assassin’s Creed games which can be categorized as either part of the main series or spin-offs, Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation occupies a gray area – it started as a portable game but later became available on consoles.

First released on Sony’s struggling PlayStation Vita handheld console in 2012, before being moved to home consoles in 2013, the game maintains the restrictions of its predecessor and introduces some new ones due to a premature launch. The restricted space of the initial portable release narrows the game’s scope, resulting in an Assassin’s Creed III game that, while advancing narratively and mechanically, can feel clumsy and hard to engage with today.

4 Assassin’s Creed

Its Efforts Are The Foundation Of The Series, But Have Aged Poorly

Assassin's Creed Games That Are Difficult To Replay Nowadays

A heartfelt thanks is due to Ubisoft for their pioneering step into the Assassin’s Creed series in 2007. This initial game paved the way for every subsequent Assassin’s Creed title, introducing elements like hidden blades, cloaked protagonists, and historical backdrops that have become synonymous with the franchise.

With each new installment, the classic formula of the game was refined and updated. While the first “Assassin’s Creed” introduced players to the struggle between Templars and Assassins for the first time, the mission structure and open world of the Holy Land may seem outdated by today’s standards. Despite these shortcomings, even the defining elements like parkour, climbing buildings, and assassinations that the series is known for feel less fluid in the original game of the franchise.

3 Assassin’s Creed II: Discovery

A 2.5D Action-Platformer Crammed Onto Mobile & DS Screens

Assassin's Creed Games That Are Difficult To Replay Nowadays
  • Released: November 17, 2009
  • Developer: Griptonite Games
  • Platform(s): iOS, Nintendo DS
  • Genre: Action-Platformer

Although the Assassin’s Creed series has moved from ancient Egypt to Victorian England and presented players with virtual replicas of figures like Leonardo da Vinci and Benjamin Franklin, there are several fundamental aspects that tie together most games within this franchise. These commonalities include being third-person action-stealth games featuring expansive open worlds modeled on actual historical settings.

In 2009, Griptonite Games launched Assassin’s Creed II: Discovery on Nintendo DS and iOS platforms. This version offered an engaging 2D action platformer for Assassin’s Creed fans, but with condensed gameplay stages. The game is a portable spin-off that continues the story of beloved character Ezio Auditore de Firenze from the main series. However, due to its smaller screen size and limited control options, it can be challenging to play this title comfortably today.

2 Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines

A Continuation Of The Original Title’s Clunky Movement On A Portable Console

Assassin's Creed Games That Are Difficult To Replay Nowadays

Although the initial Assassin’s Creed game deserves all the acclaim and recognition it received, it’s become noticeable that its age is showing, given its 2007 debut is now a distant memory in the gaming world.

Due to these adjustments, “Assassin’s Creed: Bloodlines” serves as a capable handheld adaptation of the foundation laid by the original “Assassin’s Creed.” However, the compromises necessary for its functioning on a portable console, combined with the already awkward movement and combat from its source, result in a game that is quite challenging to play according to current gaming standards.

1 Assassin’s Creed: Altair’s Chronicles

Floaty Controls & A Closed-Off Game World In The Series’ First Spin-Off

Assassin's Creed Games That Are Difficult To Replay Nowadays

In the role of being the first spin-off game within the highly acclaimed and recognized multimedia series known as “Assassin’s Creed”, it was crucial for “Assassin’s Creed: Altair’s Chronicles” to demonstrate its value.

In summary, although Altair’s Chronicles managed to maintain the fundamental structure of the Assassin’s Creed series introduced just a year prior, its full potential was limited. This is primarily due to its confinement on less powerful handheld systems like the Nintendo DS and mobile devices, and secondly because it rigidly adhered to the somewhat clunky combat and movement mechanics of the original title’s gameplay. However, despite being a technical marvel, running as a 3D third-person game on DS hardware, playing it today can often be more frustrating than enjoyable.

Read More

2024-09-23 06:33