Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China

65%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,727 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China Game Cover
A stripped down stealth offering that reinvigorates Assassin's Creed by putting attention back on the sneaky stuff.
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Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China is a 2.5D side-scrolling stealth game set in the Chinese Renaissance. Players control Shao Jun, the last assassin of the Chinese Brotherhood, on a quest for revenge and redemption. The game features fast-paced combat, parkour, and a rich historical setting with a distinct visual style.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

65%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,727 reviews
story181 positive mentions
stability22 negative mentions
  • The game features stunning visuals and a unique art style that resembles traditional Chinese paintings.
  • The gameplay emphasizes stealth and offers multiple ways to complete objectives, making it engaging and rewarding.
  • Shao Jun, the protagonist, is a well-designed character with a compelling backstory connected to the Assassin's Creed lore.
  • The controls are clunky and unresponsive, especially when using a keyboard, making combat and platforming frustrating.
  • The story is thin and lacks depth, with minimal character development and repetitive plot elements.
  • The game is relatively short, with many players feeling it doesn't provide enough content for the price.
  • story631 mentions

    The story of "Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China" centers on Shao Jun's quest for revenge against the Templars who destroyed her brotherhood, but it is often criticized for being simplistic and lacking depth. While some players appreciate the unique setting and artistic presentation, many find the narrative unremarkable, with minimal character development and a reliance on cliché tropes. Overall, the storyline is seen as a weak point in the game, overshadowed by its gameplay and visual style.

    • “China's setting seamlessly integrates with the Assassin's Creed fantasy, offering a well-crafted story that feels authentic to the franchise.”
    • “Shao Jun's personal journey for vengeance is woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding depth and emotional resonance to the overall story.”
    • “I loved that this game is a lot more stealthy than the other installments in the franchise; the story and game as a whole is short (only about 6 hours) but they still manage to tell a complete story in that time frame.”
    • “Assassin's Creed Chronicles - China is a clunky mess to play with an extremely dull story and empty characters.”
    • “Unfortunately, the game's story is very poorly told, and is quite short.”
    • “The actual story and narrative are pretty yawn-inducing even for the series and it's difficult to feel engaged when all the characters - Shao Jun included - are paper thin.”
  • gameplay527 mentions

    The gameplay of "Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China" is a notable departure from the traditional open-world format of the series, focusing instead on a 2.5D platforming experience that emphasizes stealth mechanics. While many players appreciate the integration of classic AC elements into this new format, opinions are mixed; some find the gameplay engaging and fluid, while others criticize it for being repetitive and clunky, with unresponsive controls and a lack of depth in combat. Overall, the game offers a unique take on the franchise, appealing to fans of stealth gameplay but potentially alienating those expecting the expansive exploration typical of mainline titles.

    • “The game successfully translated the essence of the series into this new format, maintaining the core stealth mechanics and historical setting that make Assassin's Creed so captivating.”
    • “The seamless integration of traditional AC mechanics, like climbing and hiding, into this side-scrolling environment added depth to the gameplay, making every move and decision count.”
    • “The assassin-feeling gameplay is top-notch, delivering a high-quality and satisfying experience, from stealthy kills to immersive stealth mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is a wretched point A to point B simulator with no real changes to the gameplay aside from little additions that do very little to change the gameplay up.”
    • “After the opening hour of Chronicles: China, you’ve already experienced most of the gameplay and after that point it’s mere repetition.”
    • “The gameplay is incredibly slow, restrictive and forces your hand to play on predetermined paths and methods.”
  • graphics416 mentions

    The graphics of "Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China" are widely praised for their stunning art style, which beautifully captures traditional Chinese aesthetics through vibrant colors and intricate details reminiscent of watercolor paintings. While the 2.5D visuals are considered impressive for a game of its type, some players noted limitations in graphical options and clunky controls that detract from the overall experience. Despite these criticisms, the game's artistic presentation is often highlighted as its standout feature, making it visually appealing even if the technical execution falls short in some areas.

    • “If there's one thing I can appreciate about this game, it's the art style, which is all around stunning.”
    • “The visuals truly add to the era that the game plays off in, bringing every locale to life with its beautiful artistic creations.”
    • “The art style is absolutely stunning, even for such a 2.5D game.”
    • “Oh and the graphics are just very bad.”
    • “Bad graphics and no storyline!”
    • “Crap, please don't release crap like this again, stick with the current graphics & gameplay.”
  • music90 mentions

    The music in the game has received praise for its effective blend of traditional Chinese instruments and modern beats, creating an atmospheric experience that enhances gameplay. While some reviewers noted that the soundtrack features repetitive loops, many found it beautiful and fitting for the game's setting, contributing to a sense of immersion and relaxation. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a strong aspect of the game, with a few critiques regarding its memorability compared to earlier titles in the series.

    • “The music is also fantastic, with a blend of traditional Chinese instruments and modern beats that perfectly fits the game's setting.”
    • “The soundtrack and art style suit the period well, giving it a very 'Chinese' look.”
    • “The music and sound are astounding, just like a major studio like Ubisoft should offer and has done so, at least in the past, here the setting helps again and the atmosphere is set from the get-go with great music and sound effects.”
    • “- musics are just 20 seconds loops, and definitely not on par with Jesper Kyd's work.”
    • “The music is a mixed bag.”
    • “Art and visual design together with the soundtrack was pretty atmospheric, but they should have done better with voice acting; it wasn't fitting at all for the China setting.”
  • replayability30 mentions

    The game's replayability is mixed, with some players appreciating the variety of completion styles and the New Game Plus mode that enhances replay value through additional challenges and upgrades. However, others criticize the overall lack of replayability, citing a short playtime and limited incentives to revisit levels. While some find enjoyment in returning to familiar levels with new challenges, others feel the game falls short compared to similar titles.

    • “It extended the replayability of the game, inviting me to return to the familiar levels with a fresh set of challenges.”
    • “As far as replayability, it does give you game plus (and game plus hard for those who like to bash their head against a steel wall while playing games) that can continue to build on her abilities.”
    • “Good, fun, and challenging gameplay that gives you the option to complete a level in a variety of different ways (remain invisible, execute stealthy assassinations, or charge in with your sword drawn), thereby giving good replay value.”
    • “There's 9 hours of gameplay with no replay value.”
    • “I know this might be the cause of this game being as cheap as it is, but I think that at least some replay value, which is pretty much non-existent, wouldn't go amiss.”
    • “Another thing regarding the gameplay that kills the replayability of the title is the fact that, inevitably, this game is compared to 'Mark of the Ninja', a game I stated before I love, and this is really unfavorable to this title.”
  • atmosphere22 mentions

    The atmosphere of "Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China" is praised for its beautiful art design and effective blend of old and modern elements, creating an immersive experience reminiscent of an interactive storybook. However, some levels suffer from a lack of vibrancy, with muted colors detracting from the overall ambiance, and the voice acting has been criticized for not fitting the setting. Despite these shortcomings, the game's music and sound design are highlighted as exceptional, contributing significantly to the atmospheric experience.

    • “Assassin's Creed® Chronicles: China thrives on an atmospheric art design and a successful mix of old and modern platform elements.”
    • “The contemporary and impressionistic styles they made use of here truly set the atmosphere for the game.”
    • “The music and sound are astounding, just like a major studio like Ubisoft should offer. Here, the setting helps again, and the atmosphere is established from the get-go with great music and sound effects.”
    • “Some of the levels seem devoid of much atmosphere, particularly with the predominantly muted greys and blacks the game seems to favor so much.”
    • “All in all, the game lacks in atmosphere in the beginning and the levels are a little bit too story-based and feel repetitive sometimes.”
    • “The story was nothing to write home about, but the art style and the atmosphere definitely made up for that.”
  • stability22 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing smooth gameplay and minimal glitches, while others report frequent bugs, freezes, and issues with controls, particularly during combat. Many users noted that the game can be quite buggy, especially with certain mechanics and checkpoints, leading to frustration. Overall, the experience seems to vary significantly among players, with some enjoying a stable experience and others facing numerous technical issues.

    • “Buggy as hell, when controls were changed cannot use the rope to pull character up anymore.”
    • “I'm not hating on the story but it feels like it should be played with a controller and it's full of so many glitches and freezes in the middle of fighting; it's just bad.”
    • “There are way too many checkpoints throughout each mission, and some are buggy too, which can make you skip some checkpoints automatically.”
  • optimization20 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its performance and smooth graphics, particularly on consoles, while others report significant performance issues and poor controls, especially with keyboard input. Overall, opinions vary widely, with some considering it one of the best-optimized entries in the Assassin's Creed series, while others highlight the need for improvements in control responsiveness and graphical options.

    • “The emphasis is much more on stealth, and upgrades are awarded for performance, not bought through currency.”
    • “This game is optimized just fine, a different take on Assassin's Creed gameplay.”
    • “Assassin's Creed Chronicles: China is a fun 2.5D game that runs smoothly with pretty amazing graphics and fun stealth and killing techniques.”
    • “Poorly optimized, bad controls, dumb objectives.”
    • “The performance is really bad and the controls are awful.”
    • “Most of the users who have written negative reviews for the game have had some sort of performance issue.”
  • grinding14 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly due to repetitive tasks and dull fighting mechanics that can make levels feel monotonous. While the story and visuals are appreciated, the grind can detract from the overall enjoyment, especially in the later stages when collecting items becomes a chore. Despite these issues, some players still find value in the experience, especially when using a controller for better control.

    • “And when you’re cruising through level after level having to do the exact same task each and every time, it makes things grindy, no matter how beautifully constructed the settings are.”
    • “Forgive the ailments this mobile port comes with -- the lack of intuitiveness originally meant for a touch screen, the dull fighting mechanics that make everything either easy or tedious, and the repetitive levels and boss fights -- and you have yourself a nifty game that stays true to the franchise.”
    • “Making the starting levels extremely frustrating and tedious as you die within one hit if you get hit.”
  • emotional12 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by Shao Jun's quest for vengeance, which adds depth to the narrative; however, some players struggle to connect with her character, feeling she lacks uniqueness. Additionally, critiques point to a lack of passionate voice acting and a perceived boring plot, which detracts from the emotional impact intended by the story. Despite its beautiful artistic style, the overall emotional resonance seems inconsistent for many players.

    • “Shao Jun's personal journey for vengeance is woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding depth and emotional resonance to the overall story.”
    • “- beautiful painted in light style and yet very emotional and typical Asian style.”
    • “- the voice acting could have been a little more passionate, especially considering that the story is supposed to be emotionally charged with a lust for revenge.”
    • “The story was incredibly dull and failed to evoke any emotional response.”
    • “I found the plot to be uninteresting and lacking depth, which made it hard to connect emotionally.”
  • character development11 mentions

    Character development in the game is generally viewed as lacking, with a thin story that offers limited depth and few plot twists. While the main character, Shao Jun, experiences significant growth by the end, this development feels disconnected from the overall pacing and context of the narrative. The game features visually appealing character design, but the storytelling and character arcs leave much to be desired.

    • “Visually pleasing game, likeable main character, and good character design.”
    • “Cool character design, personality, and story!”
    • “The story is a bit lackluster with cutscenes limited to paintings, but it shows the character development of Shao Jun, who was once a fledgling waif seeking help from Ezio way back in 'Embers.'”
    • “The story is a bit thin and doesn't offer much in the way of character development or plot twists.”
    • “Shao Jun is on a revenge quest for reasons not explained in the game, and she undergoes extreme character development at the end of the game which doesn't really make any sense when compared to the rest of the pacing.”
    • “[Little exploration and no free-roaming, uninteresting story and lack of character development, finicky controls that can spoil a mission]”
  • humor8 mentions

    Players find the humor in the game largely stems from the contrast between the main characters speaking English while NPC soldiers communicate in Mandarin, creating a comedic effect. Additionally, the amusing nature of Shao Jun's English-sounding accent adds to the humor, especially when juxtaposed with the more authentic-sounding Mandarin spoken by other characters. Overall, the humor is appreciated for its unintentional comedic elements.

    • “The only real downsides to this game are the weird control schemes and Shao Jun's English-sounding accent, which is funny because the Mandarin Chinese spoken by the NPCs feels more authentic.”
    • “Not that I don't like that; I just find it hilarious.”
    • “The Chinese in the game is so funny.”
  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization of the game raises concerns among users, with some perceiving it as a potential cash grab from Ubisoft due to its shorter gameplay and different format. Additionally, technical issues such as crashes before the title screen further detract from the overall experience.

    • “This game seems like it might be a Ubisoft AC cash grab at first because it's a different type of game which is shorter.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

72% average critic score

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Play time

9hMedian play time
9hAverage play time
9-11hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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