Assassin’s Creed Unity, developed by Ubisoft, takes players back to the tumultuous streets of Paris during the French Revolution. In this spoiler-free review, we’ll explore the key elements that make Unity a captivating entry in the iconic franchise.
I payed for the game and since it got released back in 2014, not all features are available anymore.
Also, that game is not appopriate for kids, since the game contents blood and violence.
Assassin’s Creed Unity Game Review
Set against the backdrop of historical events, Unity follows Arno Dorian’s journey through a beautifully recreated Paris. As an Assassin, players navigate a city on the brink of chaos, unraveling a complex narrative interwoven with historical intrigue.
Characters
The game introduces a cast of characters with their own motives and allegiances. Without diving into specific plot details, the characters in Assassin’s Creed Unity contribute to historical experience. Engaging with them was a lot of fun and had my curiousity.
Arno is a great personality, he is out for avenge and learning on what it takes to go for the Creed. He was witty, brash and charismatic but could also be ruthless. I found some character development through the plot and overall I think he learned from mistakes. But was too focused on Elisé instead of what was going on in the city.
Not to mention that Elise spends the majority of the game being hunted by the templars, and Arno has more ties to the templars than the assassins, so there shouldn’t even be any faction tension between the two characters. But at some point, there was a focus on especially those two characters and their romance story.
Themes and Atmosphere
Unity delves into themes of revolution, justice, and the consequences of power. The game captures the atmosphere of late 18th-century Paris, immersing the player in the sights and sounds of a city on the verge of transformation.
The French Revolution is obviously really historically important but the main character didn’t seem very interested in anything that was happening around him. His only focus was Elise. Which is understandable, but all the previous AC games, I felt really connected to the history and culture while playing and in Unity, I just didn’t.
The landscape and nature is beautifully created. I loved riding around, discovering and fully unlocking various historical buildings. Hardly do that in any game anymore – taking time to unlock more than what the main story gives.
The story might be pretty weak, but the addictive gameplay mechanic, mostly smooth parkour sequences and phenomenal graphic in the end won me over enough for me to finish it. It also has the best gear selections in my opinion. All the outfits in the game look great and match the time period.
Gameplay/ Structure
Well, sometimes Arno got stuck or didn’t react as he should, besides “small” bugs like glitching in a wall.
As it got released with lots of bigger bugs which got mainly resolved, these seem to be rather “small” and bearable.
And I think the cover system was not fully worked out. Too many times, I had to push the button more often for Arno finally getting out of cover or getting into it or just moving from one place to another. While in conflict, or close to, that gets just really annoying.
But besides that, I really enjoyed the feeling of being an Assassin in that game. Working through the missions slowly to set everything up – sabotaging, assisting opportunities, assassination opportunities – until everything is up and ready to go for the goal and mission is the best way of being a member of the Creed.
Pros
Paris during the French Revolution is beautifully rendered, offering a visually stunning and historically rich gaming experience.
The intertwining narratives provide a captivating storyline, enriched by historical events and dynamic characters.
An addition of cooperative multiplayer enhances the experience, which is supposed to allow players to tackle missions together in the heart of revolution. – As I played the game way after its prime time, I couldn’t experience that part, since Ubisoft shut their game servers down for the game.
Cons
The game experienced technical challenges at launch, but subsequent updates have largely addressed these. – And I still happened to meet lots of them and some were even a real pain.
Newcomers to the series may find the controls and mechanics initially overwhelming. But it’s something one can get used to.
Conclusion
As the guillotine looms over Paris, Assassin’s Creed Unity beckons players to uncover the secrets of a city on the brink of revolution. While the game’s launch faced turbulence, the subsequent updates have transformed it into an engaging and visually stunning experience. Even tho, there might still be bugs and glitches around, they’re mostly bearable and “easier” to deal with.
So, if you’re ready to scale the barricades, navigate the bustling streets, and immerse yourself in the epicenter of history, Unity awaits with a rich tapestry of narratives and a chance to rewrite the course of the revolution
Recommendation
Recommended for fans of historical settings, intricate narratives, and those seeking a cooperative multiplayer experience within the Assassin’s Creed universe.
Nowadays, the multiplayer isn’t available anymore, so it shouldn’t be your main reason, but the game itself is definitely worth it. Especially for all the historical reasons there are, as Assassin’s Creed games are always historical accurate.
As there’re still glitches around, after all this years one would think they’d minimized them, and I still got to experience some. Nevertheless, the game’s visuals are stunning and it’s almost 10 years old, not every game is able to provide such stunning, great scenes.
Final Thoughts
In some ways Unity is what Assassin’s Creed was always meant to be. Parkour, stealth, combat, and customization are in most cases great. And for a 2014 game it looks incredible. It’s a beautiful game, especially after so many years. I was blown away by the visuals when I first started playing.
That said, it’s still super buggy for a game that’s been out for so long; Some things should have been fixed by now. People have been rehabilitating its reputation over the last few years but I still can’t get past some of its flaws. Especially when they’re rather annoying and don’t let you properly play the game.
The story has so much missed potential with its French Revolution setting. That was one of the most pivotal time periods in the entire history of the world, and the game is more concerned with some romance plot.
Would I recommend the game after all? Yes, I would absolutely recommend the game. Arno is a great character, so go, get experience France during the revolution!
Have you played Assassin’s Creed Unity? Is it on your TBP (to-be-played) list? What do you think? Share your thoughts – spoiler-free – in the comments!
2 comments
I’ve been meaning to redive into the AC world for a while now, especially with the last 3 games and the upcoming titles. They always sound fun, as long as you know what you expect from them!
I suppose you’re right on that, haha!
Do you know some of the games? The last 3, now 4, titles are even those I haven’t played yet but am still curious about!