Assassin's Creed: Liberation HD

48%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,146 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Assassin's Creed: Liberation HD Game Cover
The PS Vita receives a wonderful, but slightly flawed, exclusive Assassin's Creed title in Liberation.
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Assassin's Creed: Liberation HD follows Aveline de Grandpré, a female Assassin, in 18th century New Orleans as she fights against the Templars and uncovers secrets of her past. The game features a unique setting and storyline within the Assassin's Creed universe, with new weapons, abilities, and gameplay mechanics. This HD version boasts updated graphics and gameplay enhancements from the original handheld version.

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Play​station Vita
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

48%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,146 reviews
story191 positive mentions
stability81 negative mentions
  • Aveline is a compelling protagonist, offering a fresh perspective as the first female lead in the Assassin's Creed series.
  • The persona system adds an interesting layer to gameplay, allowing players to approach missions in different ways.
  • The setting of 18th-century New Orleans and the Bayou is visually appealing and immersive.
  • The story is disjointed and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters and their motivations.
  • The game is riddled with bugs and glitches, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • The combat mechanics feel clunky and unrefined compared to other entries in the series.
  • story1,039 mentions

    The story of "Assassin's Creed: Liberation" is set in a unique historical context, focusing on Aveline, a female assassin navigating the complexities of race and class in pre-revolutionary New Orleans. While the premise is intriguing and the character of Aveline is well-received, many players find the narrative execution lacking, with a disjointed plot, underdeveloped characters, and a rushed pacing that detracts from the overall experience. Despite its potential, the story often feels simplistic and fails to connect meaningfully with the broader Assassin's Creed lore, leaving it as a less compelling entry in the franchise.

    • “The setting is one of the best in the series, New Orleans near the end of American slavery, and the story and characters take full advantage of that setting, creating something that you wouldn't be able to transplant into any other setting.”
    • “Aveline's a cool character with a propensity for sarcasm and a passion for ending the slave trade, and she's surrounded by interesting people from all walks of life--her assassin mentor, her stepmother, her 'business' partner who is definitely not hopelessly in love with her, her merchant father, the smugglers in the bayou... they're all well written and feel important to the story and to Aveline's progression as a character.”
    • “The story is powerful and the dialogues are well written but the voice acting seems a struggle in this one.”
    • “The core of the plot was there, but years were covered in a single cut with the only indication being a new date coming up at the beginning of a new cutscene.”
    • “The story is totally disconnected, and sucks.”
    • “The story feels inconsistent, it is all over the place, the gameplay feels fake, like you're kept in a corridor without any freedom.”
  • gameplay390 mentions

    The gameplay of "Assassin's Creed: Liberation" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that it largely mirrors the mechanics of "Assassin's Creed III," albeit with some unique features like the persona system that allows players to switch between different identities. While some appreciate the innovative aspects and the character of Aveline, others criticize the clunky controls, numerous bugs, and a lack of depth in mission design, leading to a generally repetitive and frustrating experience. Overall, the game is seen as a weaker entry in the franchise, best suited for dedicated fans rather than newcomers.

    • “The game stands out not only for its innovative gameplay mechanics but also for the stunning 1080p visuals and unique storyline, truly ahead of its time.”
    • “Innovative mission design: the missions in Liberation often deviate from the traditional formula, incorporating unique objectives and challenges that keep the gameplay fresh and engaging.”
    • “The persona mechanic is an interesting concept, allowing players to dress as an assassin, lady, or slave, which adds depth to the gameplay and playstyle.”
    • “Don't spend more than $5 on it and then only if you really like the gameplay loop of the series so far and want to burn some time, preferably while you've got something else going in the background because this game just doesn't have enough going for it to hold your attention most of the time.”
    • “The story feels inconsistent, it is all over the place, the gameplay feels fake, like you're kept in a corridor without any freedom.”
    • “The gameplay is largely the same as that of [i]iii[/i], except they’ve removed the naval combat (the only thing people liked) and introduced new elements like the ‘guise’ system.”
  • graphics230 mentions

    The graphics of "Assassin's Creed: Liberation HD" receive mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the visuals are an improvement over the original PlayStation Vita version, they still fall short compared to other titles in the series, such as "Assassin's Creed III" and "IV." Some praise the game's aesthetic design and vibrant environments, while others criticize graphical glitches and performance issues that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the remastered graphics are considered decent for a handheld port, but they do not meet the expectations set by more recent entries in the franchise.

    • “The game stands out not only for its innovative gameplay mechanics but also for the stunning 1080p visuals and unique storyline, truly ahead of its time.”
    • “The enhanced visuals bring the game's world to life, making it more appealing to a broader audience.”
    • “Graphically, this game isn't too bad; you can tell it was meant for the PS Vita, but all in all, I quite enjoyed this short but somewhat flawed game.”
    • “The graphics are horrible.”
    • “The gameplay and graphics are downgraded compared to Assassin's Creed III, and there are noticeable glitches throughout the playthrough, making the experience less smooth than desired.”
    • “This game has not aged well graphically or anything else really.”
  • stability84 mentions

    The stability of the game is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay, including issues with controls, combat responsiveness, and mission objectives. Many reviewers describe the experience as frustratingly unstable, with game-breaking bugs and poor optimization leading to a lack of immersion. While some players found enjoyment despite these issues, the overall consensus is that the game's stability is a major drawback.

    • “No glitches, no errors, 8.5/10!”
    • “I have had trouble playing it on my new PC, but on my other laptop, it runs great.”
    • “The game is buggy and glitchy, making it unplayable.”
    • “The number of game-breaking bugs and glitches in this game is astounding.”
    • “If you are an Assassin's Creed fan and can tolerate glitches and are able to be flexible enough to go with missions that never work quite as intended due to a bad port on top of sloppy programming, then it is worth the price of admission... if, however, you don't think you have the stomach for mild to moderate frustration, then do yourself a favor and skip this game.”
  • music60 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it generic and lacking the memorable themes characteristic of previous entries in the franchise. While some appreciate the ambient music and its fittingness to the game's environments, others criticize it as repetitive and underwhelming, often describing it as the weakest soundtrack in the series. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as decent but not particularly impactful or engaging.

    • “The soundtrack is brilliant and well worth listening to on its own.”
    • “The music on the other hand is absolutely beautiful, restrained and tasteful, adding greatly to the atmosphere.”
    • “The storyline is excellent, the characters are interesting, and the music is just spectacular.”
    • “The songs of this version are weak compared to previous versions.”
    • “The soundtrack is the worst of the series and there really is no immersion or atmosphere.”
    • “The ambience is not as engaging as previous games, due to the game being a conversion from the console, and the music is quite repetitive.”
  • optimization29 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including stuttering and low frame rates, particularly on lower-end systems. While the remastered versions show improvements in graphics and performance, the original PlayStation Vita version suffered from technical limitations. Some users noted that with proper tweaks, the game could run smoothly, but many still found it poorly optimized compared to other titles, leading to frustration and a lack of quality control.

    • “Cross-platform remastering: the remastered versions of the game for modern platforms have significantly improved the graphics and performance.”
    • “By far, the performance exceeds my expectations.”
    • “Smooth and clean without mucking up performance.”
    • “I know Ubisoft forsook quality control and properly optimized games a long time ago, but this is poor.”
    • “The game's biggest problem is that it is poorly optimized and there are times when the game struggles to keep the frame rate up to a good minimum.”
    • “Despite being able to run every other AC game on higher than 'normal' settings (and most other recently released games) without impact on performance, somehow, this game can't manage to run better than 3fps on the lowest settings -- and this they call their 'completely new experience'?”
  • atmosphere15 mentions

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and evocative settings, particularly the bayou and swamp, which are rich with detail and ambiance, including elements like dirty waters and voodoo idols. While the music enhances the overall experience, some players feel that the story detracts from the atmosphere, leading to mixed reviews on immersion. Overall, the atmosphere stands out as one of the game's stronger aspects, especially for those who appreciate its unique setting.

    • “The other main area was the swamp, which just oozes atmosphere with the dirty waters, rotting trees, alligators, and voodoo idols.”
    • “The docks' atmosphere with sailors and lowlives differs greatly from the flashier parts of town or the plantation.”
    • “The music, on the other hand, is absolutely beautiful, restrained and tasteful, adding greatly to the atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere of the game has never been so welcomingly impoverishing where, while crossing the branches of the bayou, you find yourself stuck in simple bushes.”
    • “The story is boring and confusing at times, the soundtrack is the worst of the series and there really is no immersion or atmosphere.”
    • “The game has decent graphics and atmosphere, but if you have played some of the most recent AC games, I can't recommend you buying this.”
  • emotional15 mentions

    Overall, the emotional aspect of the game received mixed reviews, with many players finding it difficult to connect with the story and characters due to a lack of depth and coherence. While some moments, particularly involving relationships and betrayals, resonated emotionally, the overarching narrative was often described as boring and disjointed, detracting from potential emotional investment. Despite these criticisms, a few players noted that certain elements, like the ending, elicited a strong emotional response, suggesting that the game has moments of impact amidst its flaws.

    • “It's not always graceful or subtle, but the experience packs an intense emotional punch.”
    • “Also, the relationships: the betrayals; the love of mothers and child was touching.”
    • “Basically long story short, worth playing, the ending got a great emotional reaction from me, could have used some better narrative, but I never regretted buying it.”
    • “Weird and sometimes boring storytelling.”
    • “Horrible acting, horrible sound effects, horrible voices, horrible and boring storyline, great graphics.”
    • “What I found was a boring story, boring unchanged gameplay, and boring characters.”
  • grinding14 mentions

    Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and time-consuming, primarily due to limited fast travel options and a poorly balanced economy that requires repetitive mini-games for money. Many reviews highlight the excessive walking required for quests and the lack of efficient systems for collecting items or completing side missions, leading to a frustrating experience. While some appreciate the absence of traditional grinding elements, the overall sentiment leans towards grinding being a chore rather than an engaging part of gameplay.

    • “The travel systems don't work in this one, where you have to walk from place to place in order to continue your journey, which makes it much more tedious.”
    • “The economy/trade system is tedious, but poorly balanced - you can essentially reach infinite money before you're even halfway through the game, as long as you're willing to sit through a boring mini-game that wouldn't even pass for a free phone app game these days.”
    • “The only significant difference between this game and the rest is that - unlike the other titles - there is no option to buy maps pinpointing all the collectibles, requiring much tedious exploration to achieve the elusive 100% completion.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding it amusing and charming, particularly in the context of the Assassin's Creed series, while others criticize it as excessive and poorly executed. Moments of humor, such as the absurdity of fighting in a lady's dress or clever narrative twists, can elicit laughs, but frequent one-liners and random comedic elements often feel out of place and detract from the overall experience. Overall, the humor can be hit or miss, with some players enjoying the lighthearted moments while others find them annoying.

    • “The acting can be pretty funny and bad at times, but it's got the classic Assassin's Creed charm.”
    • “Fighting in a full lady's dress of the 1700s can look hilarious, and you also can control trade routes and buy businesses to help your father's company.”
    • “Storyline with a lot of humor embedded, constantly laughing while playing.”
  • monetization8 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with players highlighting issues such as the closure of "Might & Magic Duel of Champions," which erased player achievements and statistics, and labeling the game as a rushed cash grab by Ubisoft. Many reviewers appreciate that Nintendo's recent releases have avoided microtransactions and loot boxes, contrasting them with the perceived exploitative practices in this title. Overall, the sentiment suggests a negative view of the monetization strategy, with calls to avoid spending money on the game.

    • “Nintendo received criticism, but they addressed it by ensuring that the new games they released were complete and free from microtransactions, loot boxes, and other similar practices.”
    • “A more serious case was that of Might & Magic: Duel of Champions, a free-to-play game with microtransactions, whose closure not only removed the game from stores but also erased achievements and statistics from accounts, rendering important player information inaccessible.”
    • “A more serious case was that of Might & Magic Duel of Champions, a free-to-play game with microtransactions, whose closure not only removed the game from stores but also erased achievements and statistics from accounts, rendering important player information inaccessible.”
    • “The game is mediocre at best, with the overall experience feeling more like a DLC, so most likely it's just a rushed cash grab.”
    • “This was a fast cash grab by Ubisoft, and it shows.”
  • character development6 mentions

    Character development in the game is widely criticized for being rushed and poorly executed, with significant time jumps that hinder emotional connection to the characters. Reviewers note that the fragmented storytelling and lack of depth leave players feeling detached from the main characters, resulting in a disjointed and unsatisfying narrative experience. Overall, the character development is seen as a major flaw, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the game.

    • “Between the large jumps in character development and huge leaps in time, the story is a mess delivered in small segments between the awful scripted assassinations.”
    • “The storyline is horrible; the character development is rushed, so you don't really get to like the main characters like you do in the other games.”
    • “Basically, there wasn't any character development because of the significant time jump in character.”
  • replayability5 mentions

    The game offers limited replayability, with users noting that while it can be enjoyable for a single playthrough, it lacks incentives for multiple runs, resulting in a low replay value rating of 4/10.

    • “🔲 infinitely replayable”
    • “Replay value: 4/10.”
    • “Limited replay value.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

71% average critic score

Buy Assassin's Creed: Liberation HD

Play time

16hMedian play time
20hAverage play time
16-22hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 8 analyzed playthroughs

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