Much of Assassin's Creed: Revelations has us rejoining the formerly fresh-faced Ezio a couple of decades after we last saw him. He's rocking a worldly beard and a much darker costume when he arrives in Istanbul (occasionally known as Constantinople, or so a song told me,) where the local Assassins are only too eager to introduce him to some of their more entertaining innovations. We recently had a chance to play about a third of the game, but rather than spoiling the hell out of the plot I thought it'd be more fun to talk about some of these additions to the Assassin's toy box.
"...the hookblade allows for much more rapid scaling of buildings..."
First among these is the hookblade, which does exactly what it says on the tin. A wrist mounted grapple, the hookblade allows for much more rapid scaling of buildings and, even better, enables Ezio to utilize ziplines that have been strung between rooftops all over town. Not only does this make traversal of the city about 30% faster, but opens up new combat options like dropping off the line to assassinate a target below. This new mobility is brilliantly showcased in several set-piece sequences, including a subterranean ravine full of inconveniently collapsing scaffolds, or a race down a canal to catch up to a boat full of fleeing Templars. Actually, the hookblade is an instrument of such shocking utility that it's almost baffling that word of the thing has never made its way to Rome. I realize in the ancient world the Istanbul Assassins couldn't just shoot off a text message telling their buddies to try duct taping a hook to their arm, but they could have at least sent a note.
The city's new transportation system made getting to work a breeze.
"Bombs are the second major addition to the series..."
Bombs are the second major addition to the series, and easily the feature that offers the most opportunity for creative (or just plain sadistic) use. Now, bombs initially seem an uncharacteristic thing to be employed by a secret society that prizes subtlety and finesse over brute force, but in Revelations they can be surprisingly subtle tools. Assembled from bits and parts found or bought around the city, dozens of components make for literally hundreds of possible bomb combinations. Several different powders can be found or created, and depending on their potency will provide either small, focused blasts, or large explosions that will scatter the bomb's contents over a wide area. A smaller cherry bomb can make for an excellent localized distraction, while a larger charge might be used to scatter a load of caltrops all over a street or rooftop to impede pursuit.
Casings offer other effects prior to explosion. A more standard fuse shell will provide a time delay, but others provide more interesting possibilities. A tripwire offers almost endless opportunities for booby-trapping, including the classic tactic of attaching a grenade to the body of an already dispatched opponent, which will go off when one of their friends comes to investigate. Leaving a trapped body near a convenient haystack is an excellent way of clearing an area of guards without ever showing your face.
Whatcha doin' Ezio? Just hangin' round.
The sticky pouch has to be my personal favorite, and I think the opinion will be especially shared by any Halo fan. They can be used to create sticky bombs, which will either fasten themselves to a surface, or more entertainingly, a civilian or guard. This naturally causes a few moments of panic in the victim before the bomb goes off and deploys its contents, which is particularly gratifying when the poor sap runs toward their buddies for help.
"...make a blood bomb for that "Carrie at the prom" effect."
The most important aspect of bomb making is what you choose to fill it with in addition to powder. Simple explosives are enough fun on their own, but not nearly so amusing as filling one with pyrite coins to create a money bomb. Toss one of those into a crowded square and the resulting frenzy of greed will create a distraction that would enable a pink, breakdancing gorilla to walk through the middle of town unnoticed. Or, if you happen to come across lamb's blood at some point, go ahead and make a blood bomb for that "Carrie at the prom" effect. Even the most stoic guard will be a little bit distracted when subjected to a loud noise and a sudden abundance of gore covering everyone and everything around them. Or you could just fill a bunch of sticky bombs with skunk oil and go around attaching them to random passersby. No, it may not accomplish much, but I think I could do that all day.
Happy wife, happy life. Unhappy wife, kick in the face.
Revelations has a compelling plot, but it's surprisingly easy to get distracted from it with so many gadgets and toys to screw around with. I'm greatly anticipating the resolution of Ezio's story, but I'm surprised to find myself just as much looking forward antagonizing Templars with improvised gadgets like an ancient griefer MacGuyver.
No comments:
Post a Comment