The Most Polarizing Assassin’s Creed Games

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The Most Polarizing Assassin's Creed Games

Highlights

  • Assassin’s Creed has been a divisive franchise, with some praising its innovation and others criticizing its tedious aspects.
  • Entries like Assassin’s Creed 3 and Rogue have split opinion with innovative elements but also controversial decisions.
  • Valhalla and Unity exemplify the polarizing nature of the series, with strong opinions on both sides regarding length, story, and characters.

As a long-time fan of the Assassin’s Creed series, I must confess that my feelings towards these games have been as tumultuous as a stormy sea. Each new installment brings with it the promise of adventure, exploration, and historical intrigue, but the results are often as unpredictable as the wind.

The popular Assassin’s Creed series often divides opinion among its followers. Over the years, this franchise has undergone numerous changes and adjustments, resulting in games that can spark heated debates within the community about their quality.

Regardless if it’s moving towards role-playing game (RPG) format, returning to a more structured storyline, or instances where the games favor one style over the other excessively, certain installments of this series often spark debates and criticism.

7 Assassin’s Creed

The Origin Of It All

Initially, Assassin’s Creed was groundbreaking when launched, but opinions have become somewhat divided over time. While some appreciate its revolutionary elements, others find issues with the lengthy tailing missions, dull environment, and monotonous mission design.

One’s stance on this issue is likely influenced by whether they experienced the debut of Assassin’s Creed or not. It’s undeniable that over time, Assassin’s Creed has shown signs of aging, and for certain individuals, that aged appearance can be a deal-breaker.

6 Assassin’s Creed 3

Join The Revolution

Following the Ezio trilogy, enthusiasts of Assassin’s Creed were eager to explore a completely new narrative as the series shifted to the American Revolutionary era and the annihilation of the most advanced Templars. Yet, instead of marking a fresh beginning for the game, it was enveloped in controversy due to a complex plotline, an environment that abandoned the bustling cities of its past, and significant speed problems.

Nevertheless, Assassin’s Creed 3 boasts its own allure with an intriguing protagonist, Connor, who uses a tomahawk, and a fresh emphasis on wildlife and wilderness exploration. For some gamers, these additions don’t fully compensate for the game’s flaws, resulting in Assassin’s Creed 3 being one of the most divisive titles within the series.

5 Assassin’s Creed: Rogue

Templars Spinning Off

During the transition to the PS4/Xbox One era, marked by the release of Assassin’s Creed: Unity, Ubisoft opted to also launch two games. Assassin’s Creed: Rogue served as a choice for players who hadn’t upgraded to the latest generation consoles, offering them a version of the game. This made Assassin’s Creed: Rogue appear as a supporting title in comparison to its bigger brother, and its relatively mediocre reviews upon release further solidified this perception.

While some enthusiasts now view “Assassin’s Creed: Rogue” as underappreciated, they point out several unique aspects. These include the intriguing twist of playing as a Templar who eliminates both Assassins and fellow Templars, the promising foretaste of the naval combat featured more extensively in “Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag,” and a narrative that delved into previously unexplored regions of the game universe. In contemporary times, fans find themselves divided over this installment, resulting in a highly polarized reception.

4 Assassin’s Creed: Mirage

A Bold Step Backwards

Following the launch of Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, some gamers expressed dissatisfaction over the series’ shift towards a more role-playing game (RPG) style, which seemed to diminish the stealth focus and resulted in extended playtime of up to hundreds of hours. However, Assassin’s Creed: Mirage was designed as a solution to this issue by significantly reducing the number of tools and content bloat. Yet, it has generated similar controversy.

Some supporters found issue with the franchise appearing to move in reverse and failing to introduce something fresh, instead receiving criticism for a narrative that struggled to make assassination targets significant. Although the impact of Assassin’s Creed: Mirage remains undecided, it has sparked debate about its qualities as both its advantages and disadvantages are yet to be universally acknowledged.

3 Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate

The Victorian Age, Iterated

Before the fresh start given to the Assassin’s Creed series through Assassin’s Creed: Origins, Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate transported the franchise to the much-anticipated setting of Victorian London. Unfortunately, this move came at a time when the overall Assassin’s Creed series was feeling quite tired, leading many to view Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate as a repetition of its predecessor’s most significant shortcomings.

Recently, I’ve found myself reevaluating “Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate” in a more favorable light. I’m particularly impressed by its vibrant portrayal and intricate depiction of Victorian-era London, a city that seems to offer endless discoveries. The dual protagonist system also adds a unique twist, and the storyline subtly hints at the series’ untapped potential. Yet, it’s important to note that not everyone shares this viewpoint, and the game’s legacy is still a topic of debate among fans.

2 Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla

The Viking Age Is Over

Being the initial “Assassin’s Creed” installment on the latest gaming platforms, there was a lot of excitement surrounding “Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla,” given its captivating Viking environment and theme. However, since its debut, the game has sparked intense debates and continues to significantly influence discussions about the series to the present day.

Although some people admire the game’s rich historical context and visual accuracy, there are significant concerns about its excessive length, uninteresting main character, and storyline that lacks focus and is crowded with historical figures leading to tedious side missions. Regardless of Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla‘s major strengths, both fans and critics have strong, contrasting views and the overall reaction remains divided.

1 Assassin’s Creed: Unity

The Franchise Tipping Point

Initially, the debut title for the PS4/Xbox One console era carried immense anticipation due to groundbreaking technology boosting crowd density and visual quality. Yet, upon release, it was plagued by numerous bugs and technical problems that continue to tarnish its reputation, even today. Additionally, critics have raised concerns over its complex plot, unengaging main character, and combat systems lacking depth.

Over time, many players have returned to praise Assassin’s Creed: Unity for its stunning representation of Paris, one of the most impressive settings in the Assassin’s Creed series. It offers more dynamic combat than other games and a deeply moving storyline. The opinions about Assassin’s Creed: Unity among fans have been divided since its release nearly ten years ago, and this divide remains just as strong today.

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2024-08-21 05:34