Assassin’s Creed 3 - A Look at Design (E3)

The Assassin’s Creed franchise is known for its stellar gameplay and stealth-oriented action. Today, I got to sit down in an eyes-on session with Ubisoft’s Wii U version of the game. I found that the Wii U technology provided a far more compelling experience than I ever could have imagined, so this is  - in essence – an indirect look at Nintendo’s new console.

The demo player first presented me with information concerning the game’s veritable timeline, stating that Assassin’s Creed III will take place over the course of a thirty year period. These thirty years will encompass the times before, during, and after the American Revolution. It has been noted that Ubisoft wants to make sure this game is historically accurate – all Assassins and Templars aside.

The Wii U hardware provided real next-gen graphics. While the frame rate did stutter on rare occasions, it was still far superior to anything we have seen on Nintendo’s current system, the Wii. The Wii U’s gamepad offered information that would normally be located on the heads-up display, with minimaps, weapon wheels, and tool wheels all making use of the pad’s touchscreen display. My demo player said that Ubisoft wanted to focus on a “minimalist” HUD for this entry into the series, and that the Wii U’s innovative features provided a perfect avenue for that convention.

After some gameplay highlighting combat, we were given entry into a Colonial encampment. This was where I was told that the team was looking to foster a living, breathing world. Previous Assassin’s Creed titles have been more than adequate in this area, and the fact they still strive for improvement only gives precedence to Ubisoft’s love for development. One example that the gameplay highlighted was a woman skinning a recently-killed deer. While this isn’t a major part of the environment, little things like this can create a very real and gritty experience. Furthermore, Connor – the game’s protagonist – kills wolves and deer on his own, during any travels he must endure. These can be skinned, and the resources acquired through this act can be sold or traded.

So, how is Assassin’s Creed III looking – specifically, on the Wii U? My answer is “Solid.”

One major part of design that Ubisoft has focused on is the weather. I noticed these revamped textures and effects myself, without notice of the demo player – they are quite good. In fact, since I was on the Wii U version, I’d go as far to say they might be the most beautiful in video games to date on the Playstation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. Sorry Wii U, you’re not quite matching up the big boys when it comes to graphics just yet. When the environmental effects start to whizz and bang – as stated earlier – the Wii U struggled. Connor’s movement is also affected by dense snowdrifts and other natural elements, such as water; staying in the trees is optimal.

Speaking of movement, Connors’ entire animation suite looks to have been revamped. When climbing a sea-beaten cliff, the assassin held onto his grips with jaw-dropping realism. That said, we are in an environment we have never seen in an Assassin’s Creed game before. This was probably a forced change, rather than a chosen one. The frontier of Colonial America boasts a host of different environmental challenges, but Ubisoft has prepared both the players and Connor to take them on. 

So, how is Assassin’s Creed III looking – specifically, on the Wii U? My answer is “Solid.” I was both upset over the game’s sketchy frame rate and excited about Nintendo’s heralded arrival in the realm of high-definition graphics. The gamepad offers several unique gameplay opportunities that won’t be found anywhere else, though, and I am more excited for Nintendo’s next system than ever before. I was once a skeptic, but now I am a steadfast believer in the Wii U. Here is to an awesome next-generation, brought on by none other than the “Big N” themselves.