Assassin's Creed III for PlayStation 3 Reviews by Gamers

I wanted to like AC III and at first, I did. I loved the new controls, it seemed to give new life to what used to be fairly boring fights but it really hasn't improved all that much. The biggest problem I have is the extra, non-story stuff, it's very flat and seems, for the most part, mostly useless. In the AC II games, you basically rebuilt the city a piece at a time and you could see it and interact with it but here, there doesn't seem to be any point. Also, the setting pales in comparison, colonial America just doesn't hold up to Rome or the Holy Land. I'm sorry but this one just doesn't cut the mustard.

I have played every AC game since its inception and loved everyone. The amount of historic detail and production value are among the best games out there. The depth and plethora of things to do are well worth the financial investment every time. AC3 is no different. the story is deep (Maybe too deep), the combat fun and the landscape, amazing.

Where AC3 fails is in its misuse of the setting and reinterpretation of American history as well as its incessant need to push a cinematic narrative on the player. One would think the American Revolution would be a cornucopia of historical fruit to draw upon. In the case of AC3 they fail here and they fail greatly. While great events like the Boston Tea Party and the great battles of the Revolution are delved into, they lack any deep fluidity and almost feel forced into the narrative. George WAshington is portrayed as a impotent war general and Ben Franklin a overrated slave-owner. Why have these legendary figures in the game if only to portray them as bit parts or to portray them inaccurately?

That said Connor maybe the best AC character yet and his existence saves this game from its lackluster spots. The combination of a half-British, half Native-American who fights on the side of Freedom and Liberty is a great storyline and is endearing and deep. And the progression of this concept is the strength of AC3 and makes the game worth your time if not anything else. Connors' embrace of the founding fathers is oddly believable.

Unfortunately after 5 games you would think AC's long plagued issues would be dealt with. But, they are all still here. Wonky camera issues plague combat, brutal frame rate issues are abound when you are in heavy populace or take to horseback, and the upgrading of weapons and items are absolutely pointless. I got through the entire game without having to upgrade a single weapon or spending a single dime on anything at all. Much like in the past, side missions are also filler, if not pointless. 7/