Ubisoft has posted a new trailer for its upcoming conspiracy fantasy adventure title. This one details the game’s multi-player options.
Assassin’s Creed III, the fifth installment in the best-selling Assassin’s Creed franchise, will cover the story of yet another of Desmond’s ancestors, this time moving the player up into the American Revolutionary War to stop Templar machinations during the early days leading up to the Union.
Assassin’s Creed mutli-player was introduced two games ago, in Assassin’s Creed 2: Brotherhood. Unfortunately, it seemed a bit slapped on, and while some improvements were made for Assassin’s Creed II: Revelations, there was still very little to compel players to play this mode, mostly because the stealth mechanics take on such a different purpose in a quick multi-player battle that the skills it takes to play the single-player campaign are entirely different than those required to defeat other players on the Internet.
It looks, however, like they’ve put a lot more thought into the multi-player mode this time:
There are lots of characters to choose from here, and each one with slightly different skills and weapons. That, combined with the abilities and perks systems which allow further customization, means there will be quite a bit of variety in the play-styles and plenty of variegated challenge in the opponents. That is, unless one combination of choices is found to be particularly effective, and thus particularly popular.
What I’m most excited about personally, however, is the announcement of a co-operative mode. Unfortunately, it doesn’t allow one to play through the actual campaign with a friend, but being able to sling the rooftops, and drop in on some redcoats with a friend will still be satisfying, and a lot more fun than a frenetic deathmatch.
An aspect of the multi-player that the trailer doesn’t mention, but which is worth pointing out is that it’s no longer completely story neutral. The biggest reason to play Assassin’s Creed is the amazing story-telling and lore exploration, something that the multi-player has done little of in the past.
Perhaps Ubisoft heard that critique, however, as they’ve added some story elements to the mutli-player modes. As gamers play against other on the internet, more of the story of each multi-player character will be revealed, showing how each of them ties into Connor’s story and the Assassin’s Creed canon as a whole. It doesn’t sound like it’s going to be any more than some text and images that get slowly doled out, but it’s something.
Assassin’s Creed III will be on the shelves and download services on October 30th, 2012. It can be preordered wherever you preorder your games, including Amazon. The five expansions, announced previously, will all be available, along with the additional multiplayer content, before the end of Spring 2013.
