Took a faceplant into Assassin's Creed: Revelations. Since it came out on the 15th I've been jacked in nearly all of my free time. With such an engaging story I'm surprised so far at the vibe from it. It seems almost upbeat. The italics represents a mild bewilderment. Constantinople has left a lot to be desired in terms of scenery, what could compare with a setting like Italy anyway? In the past three games, the background has been so lively that at the risk of sounding cliche, it felt like I was there. I suppose Constantinople is meant to have a grittier feel to it. The "crossroads of the world," as they call it, probably didn't sparkle as much as we picture the more glamorized and romanticised Roma.
Ezio reprises his role as what I would consider the main character. And why not? It's in Ezio that I think the audience most identifies, with whom we've spent the most time, and ultimately who we care about most. However his time in Constantinople has appeared to be less of a struggle than one would've surmised following the trailer. True he is considerably older. You might say he appears weathered, in both the face and the attire (I love the choice of putting him in gray faded robes vs. the bright flamboyant ones of the Renaissance era). Despite his responsibility to the order, to Desmond, and the world (unknowingly) he retains a sparkle in his eye and the flair for the occasional joke. Consistent with the last game, Ezio recruits Assassins. However this time there are built in missions following recruitment to advance, teach, and cement your recruits as master assassins. Which brings me to another observation regarding the assassin hierarchy. The highest possible position is not master assassin, as logic would dictate. The highest rank one could hope to hold as an assassin is mentor, which in this title, Ezio achieves. In this rank with near limitless control of your assassins, they treat you more personally, more like a treasured, respected, elder rather than a superior office. As Ezio, you have the option to develop and groom your assassins in one on one missions complete with mini stories.
By the way, today there was a tick on my back. Don't know where it came from, but we pulled it out. Close call.
I'm roughly 3/4 of the way through the game and still awaiting the answers we've all sought so desperately. What is the truth? Will Desmond emerge as a master assassin? Will Ezio die a magnificent and bold death (complete with tough guy smile in the face of doom).
That's the part of the story I'm simultaneously looking forward to and not looking forward to. Ezio's final quest and it's epic conclusion. He must die for Desmond to achieve a sync nexus (too technical to get into). But that element, the old man with nothing to lose, the willing martyr storyline is so compelling I can't possibly not know what happens to him (happened).
I'm just not sure if the ending could ever satisfy my expectations and it's all the fault of that god damn trailer and how epic that was.
Stay tuned. Who am I kidding? No one reads this.
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