Many people, including myself, have been saying 'next-generation' is not about the graphics. It is about the gameplay, the enjoyment and the new revolutionary things that the consoles and games can do. Regardless of the bad press Sony has been getting and the good press that Nintendo has been getting, this game outplays and outshows all other things that I have seen on a console. This game is next-generation.
Assassin's Creed, demonstrated live at X06, was by far the most impressive thing that has been seen on the new generation systems. For those that have seen prior screen shots you will immediately say "it's all about the graphics." Your only half right.
What makes this game so next-gen? It contains awesome graphics, fully interactive open environments, true "realistic" AI flocking (known to normal people as "crowds"), original gameplay concepts and a sweet battle system.
Watch the demo trailer that we have on 2old2play.com and I'm sure you will agree. The graphics are top notch, no doubt, but those great graphics are only as good as the environment and setting. Like any awesome story the only way to make it convincing is to make you feel like you are there, in that age and time. This game does that from the minute your character takes a step.
Interactive environments? Oh my. Climb buildings anytime you want? Not just on hot spots? Work yourself into crowds with the help from groups that like you (because of completed quests) and allow you to close in on your mark? C'mon people, that's exciting.
The battle system is great. So realistic that the demonstrator is taken out rather quickly when confronted with a mass of enemies. This shows that you are not a god character, you are powerful because nobody knows you are there. A perfect thief-type game.
Overall, Assassin's Creed looks like a winner. It seems to have a mix of action and stealth, questing (apparently) and an open realistic environment. The demonstration was done on an Xbox 360, of course, since this was X06 - by Microsoft. However, it is not an exclusive title so Sony's PlayStation 3 will have it available as well. If you were to mix the old FPS thief with the look of G.R.A.W and the settings of Prince of Persia you would have Assassin's Creed
Nintendo fans will frown because it is highly doubtful the Wii could process half of the graphics and power that is found in this game. The crowd control and AI probably would burn out a Wii processor instantly. So, if you're thinking of owning just a Wii prepare to feel the pain of not having access to this title. I morn for you.
