Assassins Creed Revelations is Ubisoft’s second annual release in the series, and the last one to feature Altair and Ezio as part of the main stories overarching plot. The game promises that all the questions you’ve had about the series to date will be answered in one form or another. That you’ll feel a sense of closure after having beaten the game, and that you’ll be ready for the final entry in the series next year. Did Ubisoft answer these questions and provide the proper ending to two of the most beloved characters in recent history? Or has Ubisoft managed to make too many concessions in their effort to untangle the convoluted plot of the series?

Find out below.....

Set in the midst of the rise of the Ottoman Empire, Assassins Creed Revelations forces Ezio Auditore to simultaneously help the residents of Constantinople take back their land whilst finding out more about his role in history. This all takes place during what can best be described as Ezio's Twilight years as he struggles to keep fighting on in search of the purpose of his life and how it will leave an everlasting impression on the Brotherhood forever. It's a remarkably well-told story with plenty of interesting and varied missions that keep the momentum moving forward even during the more quiet moments that make up the game's tale. Seeing Ezio as an old man is quite the striking image and one that will have you questioning whether he will succeed in his task at hand. Considering the fact that as gamers we have watched this man grow from a naive but well meaning teen to a confident, mature adult makes Ezio Auditore one of gaming's most personal characters to date.

Of course, the story of Revelations also compasses the later history of Altair (the first assassin we played as back in the original AC) and the details made privy to us here help give us a greater understanding of the man who single-handedly revived the Brotherhood during a dark period of history. This makes Altair a more fully realized character, one on the same level as Ezio and in some ways even better. It is the fascinating dynamic of how Altair and Ezio's lives intertwine with one another through the sands of time that makes Revelations a fantastic sendoff for this generations most memorable characters. Whether you're a fan of Altair or Ezio you will be amazed at well Ubisoft managed to wrap up their stories in a way that isn't filled with plot holes considering the franchise has an incredibly rich universe of both personal and political history. Of course, there is a continuation of Desmond's story from the previous AC games with some answers to the mystery surrounding his role in the series but Revelations is mostly a resolution of his ancestors and so Desmond is pushed into the background more than in the other games.

The Assassins Creed games have always been beautiful games to look at both from an aesthetic and technical point of view. In Revelations however, this is taken a step further as we witness a land seeped in a magical sunset palette of oranges, reds, and everything in between. It is stunning and provides a dramatic backdrop for the rich, vibrant culture of Constantinople. You will be amazed at the level of detail that is shown in full here. Everything from the architecture of the buildings, the tapestry adorning the ceilings and walls of the streets and structures, to the characters themselves. It is as authentic as one can get to being in Istanbul in real-life without actually being there. Compared to Brotherhood and Assassins Creed 2's Italian Renaissance setting, Revelations Constantinople is a welcome change that was long overdue. Of course, there are many other changes (visually) that make this newest of the Assassins Creed games special, but I'll leave that up to you to find out. Rest assured, this is the best entry in the series to date and one that features a city you won't soon forget.

When looking to be immersed in a game you need only listen for the sounds and music that are carefully crafted for your benefit to evoke an emotional response. Assassins Creed Revelations dynamic dialogue and dual-layered soundtrack provides an excellent complement to the game's visuals and properly conveys the nature of the city itself: the crossroad between two worlds. The always amazing Jesper Kyd manages to effortlessly blend these two styles into a cohesive experience that is sure to both intrigue and fascinate you. Although I wouldn't say it's as strong as Assassins Creed 2's soundtrack, Revelations has a more consistent set of ambient tracks that drive the experience both from a story and gameplay standpoint.

Assassins Creed Revelations is overloaded with an even more elaborate set of gameplay mechanics than Brotherhood which easily makes this the most exhaustive AC to date. But is this a good thing or is it all too much? As it turns out, not really. Sure there are some new options that don't work as well as they did on a conceptual level such as Den Defense and Mediterranean Defense, but the addition of creating and using bombs more than makes up for this shortcoming. Speaking of bombs they are the newest and greatest element of the Revelations experience and one that is a pleasure to play around with. You can create all different types of bombs using multiple ingredients that can be picked up around the city or by looting the bodies of fallen guards. These ingredients allow you a great deal of freedom to combine and experiment with to find the right type of bomb you need to handle any situation. No need to be worried about how to craft a particular bomb you're looking for though because there is a character you meet in the story-line that allows you to test out all the different explosives made available to you throughout the game.

Testing these takes on the form of bombing missions that are entirely optional by nature but are a welcome addition nonetheless. One of the most interesting new elements added to the game is the ability to become a mentor to your trainee assassins as you accompany them on their mission to become a master assassin. These missions are exciting and dynamic allowing you to really feel as if you're a part of a Brotherhood (ironically even more than the previous game did). This feeling of spontaneous action is well-presented throughout your time in Constantinople and is easily Revelations greatest asset. Finally there is the hook-blade which can be used to traverse rooftops with greater ease than ever before. It feels a lot more natural to move around the city in this manner and is introduced perfectly, at the start of the game. If you're looking for a game that provides you with the ability to do whatever you please, to approach a situation on your own terms, Assassins Creed Revelations will do just that. As a result, Revelations is the most replayable game in the franchise and a solid extension to the franchise's ever-increasing ambitious nature.

Assassins Creed Revelations provides enough new additions to the franchise to be considered a worthy sequel from a gameplay perspective, but it's the story that leaves a lasting impression. With a fantastic sendoff to the dual storyline's of assassins Altair and Ezio, Assassins Creed Revelations ends the historical aspect of the franchise with a type of grace that is representative of these two characters we've grown to love over the last four years. In a way, the ending of the game is the best part of Revelations and it has been proven by games in the past that having a great ending is key to telling a story that resonates with fans the world over. If you've ever been disappointed by a particular series not providing answers to the questions you've been wondering about since the beginning: worry no more. Ubisoft has provided that conclusion and it is one to remember. Yes, it really is that good.

Highly Recommended

9/10