Assassin's Creed

71%
Game Brain Score Based on 6,649 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Assassin's Creed Game Cover
Despite some notable faults, Assassins’ Creed is an amazing experience, delivering the perfect amalgam of story telling and immersive gameplay. With the chance to take control of a 12th century assassin, this is a gaming opportunity that simply cannot be passed up.
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Assassin's Creed is a single-player, historical open-world game with compelling visuals, awesome music, and a unique atmosphere. As an Assassin during the Third Crusade, you'll master deadly skills and plan attacks to shape events, though the experience can be bogged down by grinding, bugs, and some humor. Exclusive PC content includes four investigation missions.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

71%
Audience ScoreBased on 6,649 reviews
story1,352 positive mentions
stability255 negative mentions
  • story4,474 mentions

    The story of "Assassin's Creed" is often praised for its intriguing narrative that intertwines historical events with a modern-day conspiracy, focusing on the journey of Altaïr ibn-La'ahad as he seeks redemption within the Assassin Brotherhood. However, many players criticize the repetitive mission structure, which requires completing similar tasks to unlock assassination targets, detracting from the overall experience. Despite its flaws, the game is considered essential for understanding the franchise's lore and sets the stage for future installments.

    • “The story is engaging, with a captivating plot that keeps you invested from start to finish.”
    • “The storyline has much more depth, and the character development is strong, making for a compelling narrative.”
    • “The story is amazing and the graphics are still great for a game released in 2007, making it a must-play for fans of the franchise.”
    • “The only reason to keep playing through the repetitive crap is to unlock more of the main story, which comes in small unsatisfying morsels.”
    • “The story is confusing and nonsensical, with no clear direction or purpose.”
    • “The missions are repetitive, and most of the side ones -- chasing flags, timed deliveries -- make very little sense in the context of the story, which isn't bad, but not exactly great, either.”
  • gameplay1,807 mentions

    The gameplay of Assassin's Creed has received mixed reviews, with many players noting its repetitive nature and dated mechanics. While the parkour and combat systems were innovative for their time, they often feel clunky and unrefined by modern standards, leading to frustration during gameplay. Despite these issues, the game's engaging story and historical setting still manage to captivate players, making it a worthwhile experience for fans of the franchise, especially those interested in its origins.

    • “The game's combat system is intuitive and challenging, and the parkour mechanics make traversal through the game's world feel smooth and effortless.”
    • “The gameplay in Assassin's Creed 1 is also excellent.”
    • “The game's use of parkour and stealth mechanics create a dynamic and exciting gameplay experience, allowing players to approach each mission in their own way.”
    • “The gameplay is abysmal; sure, for its time it was probably decent, but by today's standards, the gameplay is not fun and it is frustrating.”
    • “The gameplay is repetitive, as are the voice lines, so I recommend sticking to the main story and doing fewer side quests.”
    • “The gameplay is clunky, and the graphics are underwhelming.”
  • graphics953 mentions

    The graphics of the original Assassin's Creed, released in 2007, are generally regarded as impressive for their time, with many players noting that they still hold up well today. While some reviews mention that the visuals can appear dated or lack vibrancy compared to modern titles, the detailed environments and historical settings continue to be praised. Overall, the game's graphics are seen as a strong point, contributing to its immersive atmosphere despite some technical limitations and occasional glitches.

    • “The graphics are surprisingly very good and hold up very well since the game came out in 2007.”
    • “The graphics still look great considering how old they are, but the number of bugs makes this game really feel dated.”
    • “The graphics are amazing for 2008 standards, many different features, great storyline and gameplay, and overall an awesome game.”
    • “The story is confusing, the gameplay is clunky, and the graphics are underwhelming.”
    • “The graphics are dated, and the gameplay is definitely glitchy, but in a hilarious and endearing way -- 90% of the time.”
    • “The graphics are very dated, the mechanics start to fall apart when you need them to work, and overall I'd say if you want a game like this I'd stick with Shadow of Mordor/War.”
  • stability263 mentions

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with numerous players reporting a wide array of bugs and glitches that significantly disrupt gameplay. Common issues include character clipping, freezing during key moments, and unresponsive controls, making the experience frustrating and often unplayable. While some players find humor in the glitches, the overall consensus is that the game suffers from severe stability problems, particularly on PC, detracting from its nostalgic value.

    • “Runs great on Steam Deck.”
    • “Once this is done, you can enjoy bug-free playing.”
    • “Runs great with everything maxed.”
    • “This game is absolute trash and buggy as crap. I got stuck in memory block 2 in the assassins bureau and there is no way to get out. It was a huge waste of money.”
    • “There are a lot of glitches that break the game and make it unplayable at times.”
    • “The game constantly glitches, and sometimes it will just crash out of the blue.”
  • music236 mentions

    The music in the game is widely praised for its atmospheric and immersive qualities, with many reviewers highlighting the exceptional work of composer Jesper Kyd. While some tracks are noted for being repetitive or overly loud, the overall soundtrack effectively enhances the game's setting and emotional tone, contributing significantly to the player's experience. Despite some criticisms regarding voice acting and sound mixing, the music remains a standout feature that captures the essence of the historical context and gameplay.

    • “I greatly enjoyed the soundtrack, which swells as you enter a new area, and has some very fitting ambient pieces for rooftop travel.”
    • “The atmosphere, created by the music and the gloomy visuals, is really well executed too.”
    • “The soundtrack by Jesper Kyd is easily the best part about the game.”
    • “The music is also very meh, and the same chimes are repeated throughout the game in a way that gets extremely unsatisfying to hear them for the 50th time, as you climbed yet another unchallenging tower to unlock another meaningless zone.”
    • “This game was so boring from the beginning to the end (cutscenes were boring, music was bad and repetitive, those pushing you around psychos were annoying...).”
    • “The scenery looks the same everywhere and the music is monotonous.”
  • atmosphere201 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and haunting qualities, enhanced by a compelling soundtrack and detailed city designs that evoke the historical setting of the Crusades. While some players find the environments repetitive and generic over time, many appreciate the unique character and ambiance of each city, which contributes to a rich and engaging experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, effectively drawing players into its world despite some gameplay limitations.

    • “The atmosphere, soundtrack truly makes you feel like an assassin in the 12th century.”
    • “Graphically, this game holds up insanely well for 2021 standards; each city oozes atmosphere and vibes, from the bustling feel of Damascus to the dying city feel of Acre.”
    • “The music, sound design, and the voices you hear on the streets create a pleasurable atmosphere.”
    • “Even when released, the first AC felt like a disappointment, and more than a decade later, its flaws are even more apparent. Almost every mission is a chore, the cities and enemies all feel the same, and the whole atmosphere just feels depressing. The highlights are some interesting characters, and when the gameplay works, it can be fun to make those kills, but in the end, the only reason to play this is if you are doing a whole series playthrough, as this game only serves as a teaser for the series.”
    • “The world is pretty impressive for the time but kind of lacking in atmosphere. I don't feel the world is alive, but I get that because the hardware at the time wasn't as advanced as, say, hardware used for open-world games like GTA V or The Witcher 3.”
    • “While the first installment in the franchise stumbles a bit in the story department (assassinating nine individuals - repetitive much?), the atmosphere presented to you is hauntingly beautiful and definitely worth a visit if you missed it your first time around.”
  • grinding165 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players noting that missions and side tasks often feel like a chore rather than an engaging experience. Collecting items, completing similar missions, and navigating the game's mechanics can lead to frustration, particularly for those aiming for 100% completion. While some appreciate the depth it adds to the gameplay, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grind detracts significantly from the overall enjoyment.

    • “Sure, it suffers from some problems such as repetitive gameplay, rendering distance of two nose-lengths, and dated graphics, but it is not too tedious to play through, should you want to get into the franchise, or just take a trip down memory lane.”
    • “A bit grindy... sometimes.”
    • “One long, tedious grind.”
    • “Overall this game is tedious to play through with really boring repetitive gameplay.”
    • “The missions are tedious and way too similar; combat and movement mechanics are wanky.”
    • “Doing 30 side missions to gain access to the first target and repeat that 9 times is tedious and heavily repetitive.”
  • humor78 mentions

    The humor in the game is largely derived from its numerous glitches and quirky AI behaviors, which often lead to hilarious moments, such as characters reacting absurdly to events or engaging in ridiculous physics. While some players find the intentional humor lacking, particularly in the main character's serious demeanor, the unintentional comedic elements from bugs and visual anomalies provide a light-hearted experience that many find enjoyable. Overall, the blend of funny gameplay mechanics and amusing glitches contributes to a unique charm, making the game entertaining despite its flaws.

    • “There are very repetitive side activities, an overwhelming amount of collectibles, and a crap ton of visual glitches and hilarious ragdoll physics.”
    • “This game's bugs were driving me up the wall, however the fact that the game helps you by making NPCs kill each other was absolutely priceless and made me laugh like a maniac - many times!”
    • “The crazy lunatics, beggar women, and drunks interfering in my travels through major cities made me laugh.”
    • “The humor in this game falls flat and feels forced.”
    • “I expected a lot of laughs, but the jokes are stale and unoriginal.”
    • “The attempts at humor are cringeworthy and miss the mark completely.”
  • replayability58 mentions

    The reviews indicate a mixed perception of replayability, with many players noting a lack of significant replay value due to repetitive gameplay and limited mission variety. While some appreciate the open-world exploration and side missions, others criticize the absence of achievements and the presence of unskippable cutscenes, leading to a consensus that the game offers low to moderate replayability overall.

    • “Game is fun, has great replayability, and the graphics still are great after all these years.”
    • “The environment allows for multiple approaches to a target, and mission replayability means a player can play the mission again and try to assassinate a target in a different style.”
    • “It's a wonderful open-world parkour game with plenty of collection-based sidequests and a very high replay value.”
    • “The fights near the end got very difficult and it was just overall not enjoyable with 0 replay value.”
    • “In my opinion, it has zero replayability.”
    • “However, there is no replay value, as the missions do not change.”
  • optimization57 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization for PC has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including crashes, stuttering, and poor fullscreen functionality. While some users noted that the game runs smoothly without major bugs, others highlighted that it is not well-optimized for modern systems, particularly with compatibility issues on newer operating systems. Despite its age, the graphics are still appreciated, but the general consensus is that better optimization is needed for an improved gaming experience.

    • “On a technical note, the game runs smoothly, and I encountered no issues, except that the game should always run in full screen unless you want to click other windows or the desktop by accident.”
    • “In terms of performance, this game still looks great and runs incredibly well, especially given its age.”
    • “Flawless performance and surprising visuals for such an old title.”
    • “The game clearly isn't optimized for new operating systems and has to be set in compatibility mode for Windows Vista Service Pack 2 on either the DX9 or DX10 executable in order to avoid white screens after cutscenes.”
    • “This game's port is horrible, unoptimized, and glitches a lot. You'll never hear me say this again (hopefully), but go get the Xbox version.”
    • “As with all Ubisoft games, it has major PC optimization issues, especially if you run a system with more than 4 cores.”
  • emotional34 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its nostalgic value and the immersive experience it provides, making players feel like true assassins within a vibrant, living world. While some reviews note a lack of depth in the story and gameplay mechanics, the engaging visuals, lively music, and the thrill of the assassination missions evoke strong feelings, with many players expressing a sense of nostalgia and emotional connection to the franchise. Overall, the game elicits a mix of emotions, from excitement and nostalgia to frustration with its limitations.

    • “Someone, please go get Altair swimming floats - killing Sibrand almost made me cry.”
    • “The maps and cities especially are beautifully designed and full of life, and the AI of the citizens is a particular high point that made me feel like I was part of a living, breathing world.”
    • “The game made me feel like a real assassin.”
    • “No engaging gameplay, boring story, boring overall....”
    • “Boring story, repetitive gameplay, annoying controls... I hope that the second game will be better.”
    • “The minimap is almost useless since even after syncing you don't get any info until you press tap, and still then there is nothing to look for or to do besides a weak boring storyline and bad gameplay mechanics.”
  • character development32 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely praised, particularly for the protagonist Altaïr, whose journey is marked by significant growth and a compelling redemption arc. Reviewers note that both main and side characters undergo meaningful changes that enhance the overall narrative, making the story engaging despite the game's relatively short length. While some critiques mention inconsistencies and average elements in other areas, the depth of character development remains a standout feature that resonates with players.

    • “The character development is strong, and there are changes in both the main assassin, Altaïr, and the side characters that make for a compelling story.”
    • “Despite those, the story and character development are very well done.”
    • “That said, Altaïr's personal story and character development is phenomenal, and he's one of the greater redemption arcs you're going to see in storytelling.”
    • “While it is an Assassin's Creed game, and you will need to play it if you want to fully immerse yourself in the full experience of the universe, or even in Desmond's history, it's just an average game, with average character development, average story, average gameplay, average graphics (even for the time), average difficulty, average game time and even average audio.”
    • “But in my opinion, newer Assassin's Creed games never achieved the true glory in story and character development that was Altaïr and Al Mualim.”
    • “There are no subtitles and the character development is questionable.”
  • monetization6 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game is praised for its absence of microtransactions, allowing players to enjoy the story and gameplay without financial distractions. However, there are complaints about intrusive advertisements that disrupt the gaming experience, leading to crashes and frustration. Overall, the game seems to prioritize a traditional gaming experience over monetization strategies.

    • “I understand microtransactions a lot more since I know what these games cost to make. My god, man!”
    • “Imagine a good story with stealth gameplay and no microtransactions, where you can keep your hood during combat.”
    • “Every time I try to play, it starts and gets partially through the first advertisement, then crashes.”
    • “I understand microtransactions a lot more since I know what these games cost to make; my god, man.”
    • “Zero gameplay mechanics are catered to monetization.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

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Play time

16hMedian play time
15hAverage play time
15hMain story
31hCompletionist
6-24hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 47 analyzed playthroughs

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