Assassin's Creed Series

[Creed Bratton]

I'm pessimistic when it comes to Ubisoft, tbh. They're the most prominent example of big publishers designing single player games around microtransactions, which includes turning them into a grind-fest only so they could sell you "time savers" so you can skip a game mechanic in order to have fun. Even the so-called RPG elements of exploration in the past couple of games, with areas and enemies that are above your level seem like they were introduced because they realized that they can incentivize microtransactions through such a model. They insist on this retarded idea of games as a service. To top it all off, they have like a gazillion different versions of the game, different DLC packs, season passes etc. It all just adds up to way too much hassle and way too much bullsh*t to deal with just to relax with a game and have fun.

[lndex]

So...Assassins Creed Valhalla: https://gamingroute.com/the-next-assassins-creed-will-be-titled-valhalla/

 

[DexMacLeod]

Not much of a shocker at this point but a pretty cool/unique way to unveil it.

 

1 hour ago, DareYokel said:

I'm pessimistic when it comes to Ubisoft, tbh. They're the most prominent example of big publishers designing single player games around microtransactions, which includes turning them into a grind-fest only so they could sell you "time savers" so you can skip a game mechanic in order to have fun. Even the so-called RPG elements of exploration in the past couple of games, with areas and enemies that are above your level seem like they were introduced because they realized that they can incentivize microtransactions through such a model. They insist on this retarded idea of games as a service. To top it all off, they have like a gazillion different versions of the game, different DLC packs, season passes etc. It all just adds up to way too much hassle and way too much bullsh*t to deal with just to relax with a game and have fun.

I'm kind of the opposite actually. I find that ever since they added the "time savers" into the game Ubisoft is one of the few people making AAA open world games that actually have a rewarding in-game economy and progression system. As opposed to most games where your character ends the game almost exactly how they started it but with a loaded bank account. I've never really found it that "grindy either".

[Jason]

I played Odyssey a few months after it came out and at no point did I ever get the impression that anything in the game was pushing me towards microtransactions - I don't know if it was "fixed" in patches or what, but yea. They sold some fancy cosmetics but that was about it, the time savers were never remotely needed, I even finished the story above far above the recommended level.

 

Stuff like areas being a higher character level than your character is are not new to RPG's, which ACO was leaning into quite a lot, and anyway it's a fine way to gate you from going to areas too soon. Not every game needs it, but it's fine and worked fine in my playthrough in Odyssey.

 

The game also received some pretty damn nice post-launch support from Ubisoft with new features, quests and story DLC, but that's to be expected as Ubi's post-launch support is actually good.

 

Ubisoft's bajillion game versions, early access for buying X version and all that rubbish are poo though and don't help their reputation. 

[Zello]

I'm kinda hoping this game is set towards the end of the Viking era so they can tie it in a bit closer to AC1.

[Jason]

God I hate announcements for announcements. It was cool seeing the promo art come together though.

 

Schreier implying tomorrow might be nothing more than a cinematic teaser as well (which are always p cool tbf) and that the gameplay reveal might be next week, which is annoying but w/e. Hopefully we get some info tomorrow if there's no gameplay. 

[Turan]

In my experience with AC Oddysey I found myself often underleveled to progress the main story. And it is not like I didn’t do any side quests, I definitely did. But the game just wanted me to do more. 
 

11 hours ago, Jason said:

Stuff like areas being a higher character level than your character is are not new to RPG's, which ACO was leaning into quite a lot, and anyway it's a fine way to gate you from going to areas too soon. Not every game needs it, but it's fine and worked fine in my playthrough in Odyssey.

Yeah and that is the problem. The game wants you to play at its pace rather than giving you the freedom to do it at your pace. Since there is a leveling system and this is an open world I can understand the need for it, but they took it too far. Origins was better paced for example. 

[Dryspace]

14 hours ago, DareYokel said:

To top it all off, they have like a gazillion different versions of the game, different DLC packs, season passes etc. It all just adds up to way too much hassle and way too much bullsh*t to deal with just to relax with a game and have fun.

You forgot the delightful innovation of releasing the more expensive versions of a game earlier.

 

So the savvy customer advances Ubisoft a bunch of extra money it can collect interest on until he eventually receives his "content", and not only is he granted the privilege of playing the actual buggiest, most unfinished version of a game, he's rewarded with an even buggier and more unfinished game a few days earlier than everyone else.

[Cosmic Gypsy]

8 hours ago, Jason said:

God I hate announcements for announcements. It was cool seeing the promo art come together though.

 

Schreier implying tomorrow might be nothing more than a cinematic teaser as well (which are always p cool tbf) and that the gameplay reveal might be next week, which is annoying but w/e. Hopefully we get some info tomorrow if there's no gameplay. 

Wait, you think cinematic teasers are pretty cool? They're an absolute waste of time.

[lndex]

Decent trailer!

 

 

 

Edited April 30, 2020 by DEADWOODZ

[Static]

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Edited April 30, 2020 by Static

[LittleJesus]

Haven't played an Assassin's Creed game since Black Flag.

The newer ones Origins/Odyssey look beautiful with a nice story but the RPJ elements turn me off. 

Let's see if these new one convinces me...

[lndex]

Last AC game i played was Origins, fairly enjoyed it. I've got uplay+ so might give Odyssey a go.

 

Screens from the pre-order page via Uplay:

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 30, 2020 by DEADWOODZ

[Jason]

8 hours ago, Turan said:

InYeah and that is the problem. The game wants you to play at its pace rather than giving you the freedom to do it at your pace. Since there is a leveling system and this is an open world I can understand the need for it, but they took it too far. Origins was better paced for example. 

Did you play the game at launch? Like I said, I never once ran into the issue where I was underleveled or anything my self, but I played it a few months after launch so I'm not sure if they changed it or anything. I personally never had a problem with playing at the games pace, it meant as I leveled I was opening up new areas to visit and explore and was one of the few ways they keep the games content bloat from overwhelming you IMO.

 

8 hours ago, Cosmic Gypsy said:

Wait, you think cinematic teasers are pretty cool? They're an absolute waste of time.

Yea, they're annoying when a reveal is just the cinematic, like today altho there has been abit of info, but yea. E3 2019 for example was bloody awful cause it was almost entirely CG trailers

[LittleJesus]

Are those real in game? Wow... looks more like artworks 

[lndex]

Some information as what to expect:

 

• Lead epic Viking raids against Saxon fortresses throughout England.
• Dual-wield powerful weapons and relive the visceral fighting style of the Vikings.
• Challenge yourself with the most varied collection of enemies ever found in Assassin's Creed.
• Shape the growth of your character with every choice you make and carve your path to glory.
• Explore a Dark Age open world, from the harsh shores of Norway to the beautiful kingdoms of England.
• Personalize your experience by growing your clan's settlement.

[Jason]

Male or female character as well, can be customised with beards, tattoos and war paints (I imagine hair styles too but article never outright said this?).

 

https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-04-30-assassins-creed-valhalla-reshapes-the-series-rpg-storytelling-by-giving-you-a-viking-settlement

[Leonid37]

In General, I found myself thinking that the inability to fighting  on the side of the English (dressed for some reason like the Romans), who are simply defending their homeland and are written out as villains for this, is very depressing..

[lndex]

Looking forward to the rap battles also lul.

[Jason]

No levels this time around it seems like, you amass power through learning skills. Sounds like there's gonna be a giant skill tree of sorts to manage this?

 

 

Also, physical statue of the female protagonist?

 

[Zello]

17 hours ago, Zello said:

I'm kinda hoping this game is set towards the end of the Viking era so they can tie it in a bit closer to AC1.

https://www.ign.com/articles/assassins-creed-valhalla-ps5-xbox-series-x-2020-gameplay-story

 

9th century oh well. Still looking forward to this.

[Rajaraja]

Really liked the cinematic trailer for the new For Honor Assassin's Creed game.

[Zello]

 

[lndex]

Kinda wanna watch through Vikings!

[Zello]

I have faith in Ashraf's team they worked on Black Flag and Origins both games that dramatically changed AC.

Edited April 30, 2020 by Zello

[Awful Waffle]

1 hour ago, DEADWOODZ said:

• Lead epic Viking beards
• Dual-wield powerful beards
• Challenge yourself with the most varied collection of beards
• Shape the growth of your beard
• Explore a Dark Age beard
• Personalize your experience by growing your beard

I'm sold

[Zello]

There's going to be gore! 

[GTA-Biker]

Looks interesting,hope it will be good

[DexMacLeod]

I like that they've "removed" the leveling system. I didn't hate it like a lot of other people seem to but I did hate that you couldn't just one stab assassinate people anymore. Nothing breaks the immersion quite like stabbing a guy in the temple or shooting him through the eye with an arrow and he just shrugs it off. Although it does kinda, sorta sound like they just renamed "levels" and are calling it "power" now. We'll see.

 

Really dug the cinematic trailer. It seemed like it showcased a few gameplay elements, albeit in a cinematic/pre-rendered way. Much like how Unity used it's trailers to showcase the massive crowds of NPCs, Co-Op, and the new parkour system.

 

I love that Axe the main character's got. Reminds me of Connor's tomahawk from AC3. That thing had some pretty sick animations/kills.

 

As much as I tend to enjoy Assassin's Creed games, I usually don't get too excited about the location/time period but I'm actually pretty pumped for this one now. That said, this is probably still a "wait for a sale" for me. Hopefully it comes out early enough that it goes half off during the annual Xbox Christmas sales.

[Zello]

I hope it launches when the next gen consoles come out. I don't want to buy the PS4 version just to upgrade to the PS5 version a couple weeks/a month later. I mean I could just hold off and wait but I don't like waiting 😭