When you think Assassin’s Creed, the more recent Unity and Black Flag with their massive 3D worlds come to mind. In the case of Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China for Xbox One, we are presented with a more traditional stealth-based, 2D side-scroller that resembles Broderbund Software’s classic platformer, Prince of Persia. Incidentally, the story’s protagonist is a female named Shao Jun, and she is the last remaining assassin of the Chinese Brotherhood. Unfortunately, our female hero gets captured before the game even begins, laying out a plot to eliminate the Templar group known as the Eight Tigers.
The first chapter of China serves as a tutorial to get the player familiar with both the controls and sneaking through enemy infested levels. The iconic game mechanics that gamers have grown to expect from the Assassin’s Creed series are present, from the all-to-famous ‘leap of faith’ to skulking about in the darkness to achieve mission objectives. Crawling through small passageways; running and sliding under doors as they close; and assassinating guards from behind feels as intuitive and smooth in 2D as it did in 3D, and it all translates into a fun platformer that will both challenge and frustrate the player.
Like its 3D brethren, China’s gameplay centers around stealth and completing mission objectives. The environments – while limited by the 2D perspective – have plenty of locations to climb, objects to vault over, and darkened areas to hide in. Depending on the level, you can use the ceiling to quietly cross a room that contains more than one guard. This method usually works best when the guards in question have their backs turned. Otherwise, you risk the chance of being spotted by an enemy’s ‘Line of Sight’, which is always visible.
While China rewards the player for being stealthy, there are times when combat (or assassinating a guard) cannot be avoided. Shao is capable of executing both a Weak attack (i.e. X button) and a Strong attack (i.e. Y button). When engaging an enemy, you can block their incoming blows by pressing the B button. When these blocks are timed correctly, you can press A button to vault over the enemy to confuse them.
Essentially, the combat system mimics its much larger cousins, feeling responsive even when multiple guards enter the fray. Assassinating a guard is relatively simple — it involves holding Left Trigger to sneak, and then Pressing X button when you’re close enough to deal the killing blow. There are situations where sneaking up on an enemy consumes too much time. For example: every guard walks back and forth on their assigned platform.
If a platform is relatively small, the guard’s walking distance becomes shorter and their behavior more difficult to gauge. This usually prompts a ‘running’ assassination attempt that involves pressing Right Trigger to run, and pressing A button the moment you reach the guard in question. Exposing Shau like this may not be the best method, but it can come in handy when there are few hiding places around.
Shau can use the well-known ‘Eagle Vision’ skill to partly explore a level without moving, and to expose the walking patterns of nearby enemies. While useful, Eagle Vision isn’t the only skill at Shau’s disposal. The player can rely on simple distractions such as whistling and fire crackers, which are selected by using the directional pad. Most levels include chests that contain daggers and throwing knives, which work as deadly, but quiet alternatives to assassinating your foes.
Assassin’s Creed: China is a surprisingly good 2D platformer that stays true to the original series. And while it may not be on the same scale as its 3D brethren, it offers just enough content to keep veteran gamers busy until Syndicate launches later this year.
Mike Pittaro
Platform: Xbox One (Also Available on PS4 & PC)
Developer: Ubisoft
Publisher: Ubisoft
ESRB: T (Teen)
Price: $9.99
Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: China Official Website: Click Here
| Review Score | |
|---|---|
| Graphics |   |
| The Assassin's Creed world looks good, despite being 2D. | |
| Sound | |
| Sword fighting and snapping necks hasn't sounded better. | |
| Gameplay | |
| While the gameplay encourages stealth, you can play the game more offensively. | |
| Overall | |
|---|---|
| Assassin's Creed Chronicles China is a solid platformer. | |
