First Time Playing: Assassin's Creed 1 in 2020 Feels... Good

The oldest game from the series I have played used to be Black Flag. I'd seen them all on gameplays and screens, which don't really convey the actual experience of the older installments. And although I had other games on my mind, I opted for AC, with a little persuasion from Adam. And I've got to say: No regrets! It seems the series has just gained another fan.

First of all, I am finally able to understand the lot of fans complaining about the new games not being "Assassin" enough. And as strange as it may sound, to me, in never was. Playing Black Flag, I couldn't care less about the contemporary timeline, and the stealthy gameplay was sort of a novelty to me (it really felt like Hitman) – what I did care about were two things: the pirate setting, and the sandbox. What's more, that's exactly what I'm looking forward to in Valhalla. I don't want an Assassin; I just want a decent quasi-RPG with Vikings.

And while the first Assassin's Creed is far from perfect, I found the gameplay formula compelling enough to make me want to at least catch up with the entire Ezio trilogy.

The first Assassin was okay, but there was a lot to improve.

Not what I expected

As I wrote at the beginning, Assassin's Creed series for me has always been a quasi-RPG open-world action game with stealth and free running. Nothing beyond. Meanwhile, the first installment was... not who I'd expected. I was rather taken aback when the game turned out more of a medieval Hitman, an approach-kill-escape kind of game, with practically no RPG elements at all. You obtained new gear simply after completing particular missions in the game, and HP could be boosted by fulfilling side-quests.

Unfortunately, that's something the first game really seems to be missing – I sort of got used to developing my hero, and the game could use mechanics like buying new weapons, gaining levels and skills, or even the most basic statistics. Since the game offers none of that, it seems like there's not much to do. We do have a semi-open world, but there's not enough incentive for completing side quests and exploring.

At some point, I found myself simply rushing ahead, almost speed running it. I didn't bother collecting flags or killing Templars simply because unlocking view points and completing the main plot was enough to make my character more than able to take the challenges. I just kept moving on as the plot progressed and I kept wondering if there was anything wrong with it at all. It's funny, because in theory, there isn't, but I was a bit annoyed with side activities that didn't reward you at all.

Now have fun and do the same thing for hours

Additional activities aside, the first Assassins Creed has a much bigger problem, and I think many of you will agree. During the first few hours of the game, as we learn all its mechanics, we literally discover everything this game offers in terms of gameplay – it's pleasant, and I'm sure it was impressive back in the day, but after a few repeatable missions, it simply starts to become tiresome.

The creators apparently assumed it would be enough for more than 10 hours of gameplay, but that's hardly the case. And don't get me wrong. The core mechanics were really fun, leaping across rooftops was exciting as hell back in 2007 from what I gather, but the game was repeatable as hell, which quickly quenched the fun. Then, there's the mediocre plot, and the protagonist, void of any personality. The conclusion of the story can be surprising, but it barely, if at all, makes up all the boredom along the way. Furthermore, I'd say the contemporary timeline could easily get more screen time, and there was some huge untapped potential there.

One of the more interesting moments in the first Assassin.

Give me more, but better

I complained a little, but there's one thing I can't take away from Assassin's Creed. I want more of the same thing with some minor, interesting elements and a better protagonist. The foundations were there, the core mechanics were pretty much flawless, and it's sure as the Sun that a few small, but engaging elements and additional mechanics would make a world of difference.

Best of all, I'm just getting into part two, and it seems all of the above. I was as charmed with Ezio as you all probably were in 2011, he's won my sympathy after just a few moments with the game. The margin between part one and two is really staggering. A slew of side activities, much richer and more coherent story, fewer fillers (such as the mundane investigations), the stunning, Italian landscapes, or the residual RPG elements. It sounds great, and I'm glad I'm at the very beginning of what looks like a few dozen hours of a great adventure with Ezio Auditore of Florence.

The beginning of a good friendship

The first Assassin isn't a very comfy play, but the game is rather short, and there are a few moments of cinematic mastery that ultimately make it worth checking out. The combat is solid, and it's the perfect introduction for the next, legendary, may I add, entry in the series. What's more, testing the original AC has surprisingly made me a fan of the series, after so many years! As I have already mentioned, I can't wait to check out the entire Ezio trilogy and, perhaps, some of the subsequent entries (AC 3, Unity). The newer games slowly veered away from the original solutions, which ultimately isn't a bad thing – after all, it enabled the series to become the benchmark sandbox action game.

Ezio and I are already good pals.

I am still looking forward to Valhalla, but I'm surprisingly happy about having witnessed the very roots of the series thirteen years in the making. Indeed, I'm slightly hoping the next game to make a stronger connection to the originals. Is that going to happen? Probably not (it's assumingly more likely with a new Prince of Persia).

If you've been missing on the first installment of Assassins Creed I definitely recommend giving it a try. If you're a younger player, such an adventure will sure have educational value – knowing the classics never hurts, and if you can bear the repeatability, you'll be rewarded with the modern timeline, and learning the history of the famous series.