Developer/Publisher: Ubisoft Released: October 2012

Played on: Wii U (also available on 360, PS3, PC)

Reflecting on Assassin’s Creed III is a frustrating experience – there is much to enjoy about the game but I never want to play it again.

Visually it was the best looking game in the series to date. The American Revolutionary War isn’t as exotic a setting as medieval Italy or the Middle-East, but they create a convincing world that is fun to explore, particularly with your character’s ability to move swiftly through the tree tops. Running around, collecting nonsense and looting public chests is fun, some of the main missions are pretty thrilling, and the new ship sailing and combat element is a fantastic addition to the series, a game highlight.

All the elements of an excellent game are here, so why do I feel so negatively about it?

It could be the excruciatingly slow pace the game starts with. I don’t mind slow pacing if it is interesting or building worlds and characters, but AC3’s languid opening 8 hours show only a handful of inspired moments, it is mostly an extended tutorial which builds a forgettable story.

Oh yeah, it could be the story. The modern day sections where you play as Desmond feature a plot that has become so laughably convoluted that it is beyond silly. I kinda wish the world would end already. The 18th century storyline fares slightly better, but only in moments, as it is mostly told with poor dialogue and disjointed plot points that serve only to lead us from one historical event to another or to advance the story of characters we don’t care about.

Connor gives a pep-talk to George Washington

Oh yeah, it could be the mostly unmemorable, often unlikeable characters that populate Assassin’s Creed III. You play as the Tomahawk-wielding Connor, half-English, half Native American. The Native American tribe sections seem as well researched as anything in these games, the developers keeping these sections spoken entirely in the tribe’s language. However Connor is not really a compelling character. He’s been through some tough stuff, but that’s not enough to make us feel any real connection to him. And he’s probably one of the most fleshed out characters in the game! The villains are alright, I’ve forgotten most of them already. The game makes a HUGE deal out of some of the main characters’ deaths at the end, building to what they must’ve imagined was a tremendous and poignant climax which falls completely flat because I didn’t give a shit about anyone in the game. I just wanted to run around and do cool shit! And BLOODY DESMOND!

Quick, someone remove the hay. ok – JUMP, DESMOND!

Or it could simply be Assassin’s Creed fatigue. Revelations was disappointing, and AC3 also fails to reach the heights of Brotherhood. The novelty that the first few games provided is now just the formula they all follow. The best missions in Assassin’s Creed III are a lot of fun, but there are at least as many frustrating and repetitive missions that we’ve played over and over in previous titles. The introduction of new elements is often dreadful (tower defense in Revelations) but sometimes pays off (the ship combat in AC3). Part of the series’ identity seems set in stone, but it has failed to strike the right balance with what works and what doesn’t.

I certainly did not hate Assassin’s Creed III, I spent a good 35 hours playing it! The best of those hours were spent playing out well designed stealth & combat missions, seeking out hidden collectibles and hunting animals in a well-realised world, and engaging in epic battles on the sea. But the weak story, the occasionally plodding pace and some poorly considered missions are the things that stick in the mind.

Verdict: All the elements of an excellent game are in here somewhere, but Assassin’s Creed III strikes the wrong balance. It’s certainly better than Revelations.

Should Bradley play this: If you are a fan of the series, then you should play it, if only to see Desmond’s story end. If you aren’t, skip straight to Assassin’s Creed 4.

Sailing and sea-battles are a great treat in AC3, but they take it to the next level in the next game…