Assassins Creed - Essentials - PS3

Review of Assassin's Creed: Essentials - PS3

Assassin's Creed: Essentials is a PlayStation 3 compilation of the original Assassins Creed game along with its two direct sequels, Assassin's Creed II and Assassins Creed: Brotherhood. Released in 2011, it provides players with an opportunity to experience the beginnings of the Assassins Creed series, which has since become one of the most iconic franchises in gaming. The game is marketed as an entry point for players who may not have experienced the earlier titles on the PS3.

While Essentials provides access to key installments in the series, the experience it offers is not without its drawbacks, especially considering that the titles are now several years old and have been surpassed by more polished and expansive entries in the franchise.

Strengths

1. Historical Setting and Immersion The Assassins Creed series has always been celebrated for its historical settings, and Essentials is no different. Players are taken back to the Middle Ages, Renaissance Italy, and other key historical periods, immersing them in beautifully recreated environments. The original Assassins Creed introduced players to the Third Crusade, and subsequent games dive into the Italian Renaissance and the intricate politics of that era. The setting is rich in history, and the developers did an excellent job of blending fiction with real-world events.

2. Engaging Storylines Assassins Creed: Essentials does an excellent job of telling compelling stories that intertwine with the history of the time. The original Assassin's Creed focuses on the conflict between the Assassins and Templars during the Crusades, while Assassins Creed II and Brotherhood delve deeper into the story of Ezio Auditore, one of the most beloved characters in the series. His journey from a vengeful young man to a master assassin is captivating, and the plot's development is engaging for players who enjoy historical intrigue and action.

3. Solid Core Gameplay Mechanics The core mechanics that define the Assassins Creed franchise are all present here: free-running, stealth-based assassinations, and a mix of action and exploration. The traversal system, allowing players to climb buildings and navigate cities with fluidity, remains satisfying, and the combat is enjoyable despite being relatively simplistic by modern standards. Players can still engage in exciting parkour chases and stealthily eliminate targets, which was groundbreaking at the time.

4. Good Value for Newcomers For those who are new to the series or who missed the original releases, Assassins Creed: Essentials offers great value. It bundles the first three major games in the franchise (and while the original Assassin's Creed was eventually improved with updates in later releases, the compilation still provides a solid entry point into the series). The price of the collection is generally affordable, providing an opportunity for newcomers to jump into the universe and experience the origins of the Assassins Creed franchise.

Weaknesses

1. Aged Graphics and Technical Limitations Assassin's Creed: Essentials lacks the graphical polish and technical advancements seen in the later entries in the series. The visual quality is not up to par with more modern games and can feel quite dated, particularly when compared to the graphical improvements seen in Assassin's Creed III and later titles. While the settings and characters remain impressive, the textures, animations, and facial models appear stiff and blocky by today's sta