Very streaky "final"

On the one hand is not to overlook the fact that Ubisoft has settled over backward to surpass the already high standard of previous games in the Nachschaffung / reinvention of a historical epoch or selected locations this era again and at the same time to refresh or improve the game mechanics.
On the other hand everything that can only be described as conditionally succeeded can (I think at least). In some respects I would even say unique setbacks - but because the views are certainly apart. Basically, my impression is definitely the one that not only some change / innovation in the field of gameplay at least is "debatable". Moreover, we seem once again to have it to do with a publication that is no less than, perhaps carried out six months and a year "too early".
Why apparently some planned section - which would have been urgently needed for the framing story of Remembrance travelers Desmond - had to be summarily deleted. And with the consequence that the modified game mechanics could not be adequately tested and optimized.

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In Detail:

Graphics, locales +++
The graphics are far again "better" became, as it now contains more natural textures and more details swarms that help bring the whole life - this includes all kinds of lovingly animated creatures. This time it's all in the American Revolution, where the cities are beginning to emerge and therefore the building is not so in the sky project how many impressive sights of the Renaissance, which we know from the predecessors. Maybe Ubisoft has therefore dared the buildings this time not shrink so. This contributes, in my opinion at a significantly "more mature" impression of the venues. The relation to the date of Assassin's Creed habitual completely different architecture is appealing in any case - until you have also used it. Of some charm is the fact that you get to know the whole historical "world" in two opposite seasons.
Another new feature is that about half of the localities of "wilderness" is. And now looks not so (artificially) by parkland like the sparse nature spots in the predecessors. Total succeed ACIII a very convincing portrayal of flora and fauna, where the topography was apparently designed "by hand" (and not generated for the most part from the computer).

Graphics, locales -
The demands on the hardware (the CPU) are apparently also risen. Stereoscopic 3D, which almost worked perfectly especially in 'Revelations' after a few patches (by Ubisoft!) Is, so this time by "false" shadow etc. tarnished that most of the time not a real joy for the "better" graphic comes up (for now anyway).
ACIII disappointed in some places with more artificial-looking models, such as the brick fort also acts in the normal areas - away from the maritime missions - the water hardly anywhere "real". The surface is usually too quiet, and also in terms of color and transparency is the weak point often. In an effort made with Super title as one might perhaps expect something ACIII more here.
The city did not quickly regain lost attraction for me. Correct attractions are in short supply, is missing "magic" of earlier AC cities anyway. And for one of the core mechanics of the AC series, the obstacle course race, the relatively wide streets and the building shapes are not very favorable.

Animations +++
Almost all movements of the playable characters have been further improved, and it now a lot more animations for special situations are like the uphill / downhill walking or climbing stairs. The NPCs also move naturally.
A special treat are the climbing skills of the main character: In the wild, it can climb countless rock faces. And there are many places, in the cities, kletterbare trees - the forest can be defined by "Tree-Running" in a very special way to experience ... In short: In the field provides ACIII standout. It's just a pleasure to watch the main character in their way through diverse environments, impressive how naturally adapt to the movements of the respective substrates. Here Ubisoft clearly shows skills that are currently unmatched by any other game developers!

Fighting +
I say it this way: Opposite 'Revelations' is in my opinion, undeniable progress. The insertion of slow-motion sequences now gives sense because it now actually are several significantly different ways to parry attacks. However, I have initially struggled myself with the new Fight "Feeling" ... Strong opponents of animal resists to be consistently with the infamous QuickTime events - I can see that for the time being rather neutral. In certain "Quests" seem to be the required response times, but to be so extremely short that not only "beginners" thus not cope.
Some of the available weapons - also there's a change to the old familiar - I found no real use. But we know already: The Waffen-Arsenal excelled since part 2 always by a certain arbitrariness of.

Fighting -
When it first time "it" has, it is once again possible to shut down large enemy hordes without significant own injuries. Emergency with your bare hands. Why Ubisoft is not able to make permanent to use upcoming combat mechanics much more interesting, is beyond me. Why not at least 2 levels of difficulty? From such a sophisticated, both for "casuals" as for experts charming combat system as in the 'Batman Arkham' titles to mention.

Brotherhood +
The maximum number of potential recruits was significantly reduced, it is with every recruiting more extensive tasks connected which have a special relationship to the candidate. In supporting the assistant Assassins make new options available, such as the luring away by guards.

Brotherhood -
The candidates are often difficult to find. They often stumbles over the first associated with recruitment tasks, without any explanation as to why something should be done. In critical missions where you would like to call for help quite times, the Brotherhood is usually not available - without the need for (as part of the game world) would be seen a comprehensible reason.
Unlike in all previous parts basically comes hardly the feeling of being part of a Assassinen- "guild".

Stealth -
In what other context, one should come back to it? Stealth exists now as good as no longer (most of which offered even the first part). Who it makes the task (or will meet an appropriate criterion for "full sync"), unnoticed sneak up on a sacrifice, requires (in most cases) a high frustration tolerance. The enemy AI and game mechanics make it very difficult. Fun is not on. The find me and many other fans have long been extremely unfortunate. But Ubisoft pursued as well its own "vision". (The maximum "Appeals" the widest possible audience, I guess ...)

Control (Xbox controller):
Here's a variety of changes, which I think is questionable. For example, I found it more difficult than in the predecessors to move at top speed between buildings and over rooftops. The waiver on the need to press a separate button for the "highest profile" -Bewegungsmodus, makes the control easier just not - rather, it is easier to lose control ... Where is the possibility remained of a not "too high" ahead SHORT jump off to the front? Now you come from such places usually only with an absurd long jump down - with which you might already bangs against an opposite wall. Idiotically.

To control I count also the graphics interface for selecting the primary / secondary weapon or the "Tools". Since there is much more weapons / tools out there than the multipath switch (Xbox controller) can be assigned, one must often open said menu. Maybe even to call the horse Whistle - in the big game areas outside the cities the horse is of course indispensable. Why take several seconds (as it feels at least on ..) until the entire menu content is displayed? This is not only uncomfortable to use, it tears a well from the gameplay completely unnecessary and out long. (For a menu could be, for example transparent, then you would remain visually with the current situation connected.)

This example illustrates my opinion a fundamental problem of ACIII games designs: Style goes beyond substance (and functionality).
Worse Ubisoft has the interfaces for "Mechanics" and "action" (see next section) made: Many "nice" graphic effects and animations, totally inadequate function. The animations are not only superfluous, exacerbate slowdowns caused by them still having to navigate the problem again and again from front to back by deeply staggered, long menu lists.

The "settlement" (Engl .: "homestead"), Mechanics and action:
Similar Monteriggioni in ACII is Connors home of well-intended, the player to be a friendly retreat. And like in ACII this place serves at the same time to generate revenue. However, this requires considerable commitment on the part of the player now: New settlers must be won - what happens on small missions -, then to their craft productivity can gradually increase - with other small missions - so that over time, more and more raw materials, intermediate and finished products for sale at dealers can be generated (outside the settlement).
The area of ​​the settlement is of considerable size and really lovely - a quaint idyllic, maybe a little too much "Heile Welt". Likewise, the settlers missions offer all in all a considerable extent, and they are all more or less "nice".

What here a matching keyword is: Yes, quite nice, all that. But are fun to each other ("nice" ...) and time to accomplish the tasks proportionate? The relevance to the "real" action is lacking in any case. A larger amount of money you just need hardly ever, and if they still a sometime is available, there is little for which they could be spending. (Compared with their predecessors example lack the ability to expand the Assassin Armor improve /.)
On the other hand has also its advantages: it is not really forced to dispense with the painful-to-use craft / trade interface ...

Maritime emissions ++
Yes - Connor, our hero, half Indian and Assassin, is captain. Plausibility, relevance? - Nil. But after all, the trip at sea even more than just "nice": they are right fun. And another piece of evidence, which can achieve technical and artisanal Ubisoft.

Other gameplay +
And there is still more to do and see in ACIII. The again and tightened asks what it is supposed to be good and if Ubisoft should not have invested in the development effort more important - more important, which is often very different from more development time or optimization could benefit.

Other Gameplay -
What I sorely miss since 'Revelations': the optional, sometimes pretty tricky puzzles. They helped me in to the pleasant feeling quite to entertain me "niveauvoll". And the game they helped to a wonderfully mysterious atmosphere. But maybe something frightens even the increasingly targeted main "target group" from ...

Music:
Discontinued by Jesper Kyd. Although it was for my taste Kyd soundtrack for 'Brotherhood' no longer quite so overwhelming as that of ACII, but also there was the music (for me) still instrumental in making the game into something very special.
Lorne Balfe, the composer of soundtracks ACIII is certainly an able man. But in my ears stay most of his plays more technically solid "mediocrity". Sonically-musical color to match specific incidents in the game or in general to the scenes and their cultural background - but not great more.
Bug or feature? - During the free exploration largely missing (or am always not sure ..?) Any music.

1.) protagonist "Connor" historic action (SLIGHT SPOILER):
Connor is not unsympathetic. But also not very interesting. And completely humorless. I find it striking contradiction, as it is on the one hand characterized as naively idealistic and modest - for example in the "homestead" missions - on the other hand provides a self-confidence bordering on arrogance to flaunt. With this self-confidence, he pulls no hesitation in the fight against the English "oppressors" and defeated it then "almost" single-handedly. Anyway, the American Revolution would be without him probably failed ... Is it perhaps' ne number of small, Ubisoft?

The length of Connors main missions seems to me in retrospect still rather short - I'm sure there is not. Pretty sure I am, however, that the important assassination missions were staged less extensive or less carefully than in the (better) predecessors. And, as already indicated above: the game puts more of a "Hau-top" approach near as consistently covert operation.
Various optional (secondary) emissions are designed so primitive that I can really tell me the only (finally) lack of development time.

Verdict: Acceptable but "Connor" and action are to my mind not nearly as convincing as advised "Ezio" in AC2 and (with restrictions) in 'Brotherhood'.

2.) meta-protagonist "Desmond", action in 2012 (LIGHT SPOILER):
Desmond atoned for me already in 'Revelations' materially from the bit "format" a, which he had previously acquired with difficulty (in 'Brotherhood'). Now on this meager level he remains in ACIII. But that's not even the main problem: Ubisoft fails once again across the board when Desmond is sent in a direct confrontation with the Templar arch-enemies. The Templar villains first only use batons (there's the not schonmal somewhere?), Later their guns can cause ridiculous little damage. A particular opponent (you "should" know him well from Assassin's Creed Comics / books) wins no contour and [SPOILER] loses practically the mind, just as it threatens to be tough for Desmond [/ spoiler].

And the salvation of the world? The course succeeds (nee, is not a spoiler). But the staging of the leaves to be desired extreme left. There is no well-prepared, violent climax, but only a disappointing expectations, rather banal dialogue sequence. And by what means, with what consequences (!) Saved the earth from global catastrophe, which remains largely unclear. One thing is clear: The episode title is already in preparation ...

Verdict: Terrible. The fascination and excitement that had and (still more) 'Brotherhood' set with me in the finals of AC2, as Desmond "Those-Who-Came-Before" met, lacking totally here. Ubisoft has ACIII completely vergurkt on this level of action.

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Summary: For fans of the series anyway a must for lovers of "open-world" games definitely worth considering. All those seriously interested, who do not have to now, is probably the main question: Buy now or later at a fraction of the price?
Much is great: the historical "world", the animations, the variety of opportunities for interaction. Unfortunately, the cruel part omissions in the Desmond-plot, less compelling main character / plot in the historical part - compared with ACII / Brotherhood - and lack of ground game mechanics opposite. And too little adds up to something greater, a harmonious whole does not come out of it.
This does not mean, ACIII doing (at matching preferences ..) is not fun. It is only "objective", seen as a whole, not a masterpiece, but shows considerable shortcomings.

Playtime: Who makes only the inevitable, perhaps within 15 - 20 hours ("Raser" perhaps even faster.) Using all operating possibilities but you can also bring well over 40 hours.