When I saw the word ‘Bloodlines’ in the title of this game, I was drawn back in time five years to another game – Vampire the Masquerade: Bloodlines. That game was released with some serious flaws and at a time when being about vampires wasn’t an ‘instant sell’, but underneath was a gem of a game that after a bit of patching is now recognized as one of the best RPGs of all time. If you were wondering how far I would stretch this analogy, let me just say: no vampires, no gems, plenty of flaws.
As an aside, let me mention one thing that annoys the crap out of me as a PSPgo owner – when games I bought as a digital download on the PSN Store start off by suggesting I do a ‘data install’ to help decrease load times. Of course, being a digital download the game already IS on the memory stick! This generally tells me two things: the game is not going to be very good, and the load times will be awful. Check and check.
The Assassin’s Creed franchise has become well known over the last couple of years, and is set in the 12th century. You play as the assassin Altair, and Bloodlines is set in the events following the original Assassin’s Creed (but before the sequel) and has you tracking down the last of the Templars who have fled the Holy Land and retreated to the island of Cyprus.
The game plays as a third-person action-stealth adventure where you move around the world, use stealth to sneak through situations, and attack from hiding or as a straight-out assault. The overall structure of gameplay is much more like a cut-down version of the original game with little to no recognition of the advancements that have led many reviewers to look at the original as merely a ‘tech demo’ for the much better Assassin’s Creed 2.
Working your way through the world often involves a series of uncomfortable button presses and holds, and also a lot of patience. Each section is broken down into smaller sections, and moving between those requires waiting for a slow load to finish. And unlike the original game there is absolutely no freedom to explore: you have very restricted movement areas, and there are even invisible barriers to further restrict you.
Once you spot an enemy you have a couple of choices: sneak up and use your concealed blade to kill them or pull out your sword and have at it! Each has its uses, but generally the enemy AI is so inept that you are never forced to use timed stealth kills. You can kill people in the open and most of the other enemies won’t even notice.
The game looks and sounds great, and the cutscenes are nicely executed – there is no doubt that this franchise could have a load of potential on the PSP. Unfortunately it is a disappointment in every way, feeling rushed and poorly thought out, just something Ubisoft had to finish in time to co-release with Assassin’s Creed 2 in order to cash-in on the co-branding of the products. If you have a system to play the console version, I have heard nothing but good things, but skip this one, as it isn’t even a shadow of its console cousin.
Pros:
+ Decent combat system
+ Graphics are very nice
Cons:
- Long load times
- Terrible camera
- Feels like a cut-down cash-in
Game Info:
Platform: PSP
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Griptonight Games / Ubisoft Montreal
Release Date: 11/17/09
Genre: Action/Adventure
ESRB Rating: Mature
Players: 1
Source: Review code provided by publisher
I don’t have an XBox or PS3, so I can’t comment how the game is relative to the rest of the franchise. However, I am playing through it on a PSP rather than a PSPGo and I have not noticed any of the load time issues you speak of. I would agree the camera is a bit clunky at times, and the use of stealth is often a preference rather than a necessity. There are a few missions where stealth is demanded, however. Other than that, I’d agree with much of what you have to say. I wouldn’t say skip it, though. It’s a definite rent it, a try before you buy it. There’s a lot good here.
Chris:
My son would agree with you – he’s only ever played the DS version of the last release, and this is much better. So while he also sees the issues, he has had fun with it and is glad that he can play mine – because he says he wouldn’t use the giftcard he just got from his grandparents to buy it himself
As for load times, I tend to be really picky about them … particularly on the PSPGo where slow media access isn’t *supposed* to be such an issue.
I’m definitely planning to pick this game up after X-Mas (if I don’t get as a gift). I thoroughly enjoyed the original Assassin’s Creed despite its shortcomings and like the overall direction of the franchise, so I have a feeling Bloodlines will satisfy me enough to own.
Can’t really comment on ACII yet. Only just got a review copy in within the past week and barely had any chance to play it yet.