Well you're "recycled material" theory on the gameplay is valid. It is recycled in that you run, climb, jump stab and run away. But that's what the game is. Just like Halo is run, shoot, throw grenade, let shields recharge, drive vehicle and repeat for 10 levels. Just like Gears is shoot, cover, get down, pick me up, and shoot some more. Just like Arkham City/Asylum is fight groups of bad guys, follow a trail in detective mode then fight more bad guys. Just like Zelda is do some tasks, enter dungeon, beat boss then go thru the next 8 temples. Its what games are. They recycle what the gameplay is because its what the gameplay is. Its the character motivations behind these actions that make you continue to play. I care for Ezios mission. I enjoy knowing who he is killing and why as much as who he is not killing. His reasoning and philosophy. Understanding what makes him the Mentor of the Assassins is what keeps me playing.
That's not even apples and oranges. That's like apples and monster trucks. Why would you compare AC to Halo or Zelda? That'd be like saying, "In this game, Master Chief will now run through the same ship twice, stab a member of the covenant, and move on!" Halo and Zelda play like they always have. How is it recycled? It's what the game is, but, at the same time, you're moving forward. The plot progresses with other enemies, twists, etc. AC's plot progresses, but then you end up doing the same things all over again. Kill the Pope, move on. Kill the Pope. Move on. And what do you do in between? Run, kill some guards, fly, etc. How is that even remotely like Halo and Zelda? Yeah, you're shooting and slashing enemies, but please give me one example in either game where you end up doing the same exact thing (that isn't conducive to what the game actually is). That's exactly what AC does. I'm glad you care for Ezio. Decent games. I do care for Halo and Zelda because I don't have to kill some fat Turk 50 times in a row while mixing it in with flying, solving inane missions, telling other assassin's to go kill some more turks, and river dancing. Saying that most games is recycled material is just a cop out for AC, because that's completely false. I've made my points as to why AC is what it is. You're more than welcome to show me how the other games you've mentioned are recycled (once again, don't make it conducive to the game itself- explain certain points).
But besides that I find that they craft the missions/levels to make the basic game controls interesting. Some notable examples are the boat level where you have to trail them through the underground river, the one where you chase the guy on the horse, or the timed levels where you have to climb around places quickly in order to get 100% synchronization. The first AC was HUGELY criticized for making players do the same thing over and over again. None of the Ezio games have been.
Oh, yeah. The time missions. It's not like there are hundreds of those in the games. What an original concept. Chase guy on horse. Man, I'm glad Ubisoft decided to change it up with that one. You really have to come and enjoy the special moments like that in the game, because it's not like there are hundreds of those missions either. Oh, yeah. Those tombs where in order to get 100% synch, you have to be quick enough (but even if you aren't, you can just try again). I'm glad Ubisoft decided to change it up there, too. I was getting tired of all that jumping and swinging around in the city. Now I get to do in a tomb where I'm timed (just like I am with other random missions and sub-missions). At least I get some badass gadgets and armor every now and then.
And as for other gameplay, there are plenty of other features that dice up the gameplay. All of the Da Vinci war machine machines. Bombs in revelations. The Den Assaults. The Brotherhood assignments. There is plenty of other stuff to do besides just the basic simple missions in the games.
Yep. And I get to do that hundreds of times in the game. Nothing like telling a bunch of assassins to go do my shit while I'm out trying to rob people of their money and kill some politician (or 50 of them). Hey, it's kinda like Pokemon! They can level up, get cooler shit, and become a badass like me....And then I tell them to jump off a ledge into a pile of hay that will safely catch them. Or, if I really want to spice things up, I tell them to help me out while fighting a group of assassins. Man, that never gets old.
As for story, there is plenty of connection between modern day and the period settings. If you really want answers you have to look into the expanded content unlocked thru the multiplayer. But in the game itself there is plenty. AC is a beautiful example of historical fiction in gaming that you rarely see with such accuracy. Everything from the Borgia's to the Knights Templar has been researched and orchestrated to try and make sense. When I first unlocked the video in AC2 with adam and eve my mind was blown. Its a highly original and controversial storyline as a whole while still making Altairs, Desmonds and Ezios on personal journeys compelling. It all really ties together in one big story with unbelievable themes of freedom vs control. Its deep stuff that can be analyzed on multiple levels.
Well, I'm glad someone likes it. Ubisoft has to milk it for all its worth, just like they did for Splinter Cell, Rainbow Six, and every other series with 500 games. AC and AC 2, for the most part, are good games. But since then, it's been about rushing titles out the door for the sake of a quick buck. You've seen it with other games they've produced, and it's right here. Brotherhood and Revelations are just playing little brother, as you're confined to just a few aspects of what made the first two fun. Except they throw in a few new gizmos and gadgets that you can do hundreds of times. AC 3 will go back to what made the first two relevant. One would also hope that it's the last one. If not, then the Ubisoft Curse is officially on. I feel like Ubisoft is one of those companies that sits back with the cigars and just laughs when they hear what fans want. It's like with most other games you see how everything develops and improves. You don't get that with AC. Companies listen to what fans want and they improve on it. Ubisoft just laughs and continues to sit back and smoke their cigars. Honestly, I see AC as more wasted potential than I do of a shitty game (because it's really not). But a lot has gone ignored for the sake of just continuing to do what they've been doing the entire time.
