Assassin's Creed Rogue

76%
Game Brain Score Based on 11,980 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Assassin's Creed Rogue Game Cover
Assassin's Creed Rogue is a solid, if slightly uninspired entry in a long-running franchise that will appeal mostly to hardcore fans.
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Assassin's Creed Rogue follows Shay Patrick Cormac, a former Assassin turned Templar, in colonial America during the French and Indian War. Players explore the North Atlantic Ocean and river valley, hunting Assassins and uncovering the Templar's agenda. This engaging narrative offers a fresh perspective on the Assassin's Creed series.

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

Reviews

76%
Audience ScoreBased on 11,980 reviews
story2,416 positive mentions
stability358 negative mentions
  • story7,625 mentions

    The story of "Assassin's Creed Rogue" is generally praised for its unique perspective, allowing players to experience the conflict between Assassins and Templars from the latter's viewpoint through the character Shay Patrick Cormac. While many reviewers appreciate the engaging narrative and character development, they also note that the story is relatively short, often completing in around 8-12 hours, which leaves some feeling that it lacks depth and could have benefited from more exploration and character interactions. Overall, the game is seen as a compelling addition to the franchise, particularly for fans interested in the overarching lore connecting it to previous and subsequent titles.

    • “The story is both engaging and morally complex, as Shay’s disillusionment with the Brotherhood leads to one of the most compelling character arcs in the franchise.”
    • “Shay's character development is excellent; his evolution throughout the story feels natural and gripping.”
    • “This game is a hidden gem; it quietly has one of the best story concepts for an Assassin's Creed game.”
    • “The story is extremely short, so you'll be spending most of the time getting the collectibles.”
    • “The story felt rushed, and they padded the gameplay 'hours' with collectables that don't really have a payoff.”
    • “The story is so absurd (but that doesn't matter) that it made me laugh.”
  • gameplay2,753 mentions

    The gameplay in "Assassin's Creed Rogue" is largely a continuation of the mechanics established in "Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag," featuring familiar elements such as naval combat, parkour, and stealth. While some players appreciate the refined mechanics and new features like the air rifle and stalking mechanics, many criticize the game for its lack of innovation, feeling it serves more as an expansion than a standalone title. Overall, fans of the series will find enjoyable gameplay, but those seeking significant changes may be disappointed.

    • “Overall, Assassin's Creed Rogue offers a captivating story and enjoyable gameplay, making it a worthy addition to the franchise.”
    • “While it may not innovate as much as some entries, it successfully combines familiar mechanics with a fresh perspective, appealing to both newcomers and long-time fans of the series.”
    • “The naval gameplay, first introduced in Assassin's Creed III and refined in Black Flag, reaches its pinnacle in Rogue, offering thrilling ship-to-ship combat and exploration.”
    • “Compared to Black Flag, this introduces new mechanics that are annoying while you are just free roaming, such as stalkers. I still don't get the purpose of stalkers after 30 hours of gameplay; they are annoying and can really be a nuisance having to hear that sound all the time when you just want to parkour.”
    • “Technically, Rogue is just a reskin of Black Flag (precisely the same gameplay mechanics, animations, sounds, music, etc.), with all its pros and cons: good ship battles, mediocre melee and firearm fights, a lot of grind, not the best stealth, annoying missions with a goal of sneakily following someone.”
    • “Overall, a short story with the majority of gameplay coming from extra missions and tasks and the usual Ubisoft collect-a-thon.”
  • graphics1,022 mentions

    The graphics of Assassin's Creed Rogue have received mixed reviews, with many noting that they are comparable to its predecessor, Black Flag, but lack the vibrant color palette and detail. While some players appreciate the game's visuals, particularly in snowy environments, others criticize the graphical glitches and overall dated appearance, especially when compared to newer titles in the series like Unity. Overall, the graphics are considered decent for a game of its time, but they do not push the boundaries of the franchise.

    • “Great graphics for a game of this era.”
    • “The graphics, animations, and combat remain virtually identical, making it feel more like an expansion to Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag than a stand-alone game.”
    • “With its compelling storyline, innovative gameplay mechanics, and stunning visuals, Rogue offers an unforgettable experience for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.”
    • “Its graphics are even worse than Assassin's Creed Black Flag.”
    • “The set pieces and naval combat are good, copied over from Black Flag with some enhancements, the graphics are... fine for 2014 standards, not the best, but definitely a downgrade from Black Flag.”
    • “The graphics have a major lack of luster compared to Unity even though both games were released in the same year partly because of the AnvilNext 2.0 engine.”
  • stability402 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with many players reporting a plethora of bugs and glitches that significantly disrupt gameplay. Common issues include graphical glitches, crashes, and game-breaking bugs that require reloading from checkpoints. While some users noted that the game runs well on certain platforms like the Steam Deck, the overall consensus is that it remains a "buggy mess," particularly when compared to previous titles in the series.

    • “Completely bug free and I really liked the ship battles!”
    • “The game runs great and the FPS is always around 60. Good job, Ubisoft!”
    • “Most of what is technical is very well done, the graphics, the bug-free gameplay and environment, the cinematics, and so on.”
    • “It's a bit of a buggy mess, and that started as early as the first hour in.”
    • “Overall, I'm not sure how this game ended up such a buggy mess.”
    • “The game is still a buggy mess... the same as it was the day it launched.”
  • music338 mentions

    The music in "Assassin's Creed Rogue" has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its orchestral arrangements and integration of traditional folk elements, particularly the sea shanties. Composed by Elitsa Alexandrova and Jesper Kyd, the soundtrack is noted for enhancing the game's atmosphere, especially during naval battles, and features memorable themes that evoke nostalgia from previous titles in the franchise. While some criticism exists regarding the recycling of certain tracks from earlier games, the overall consensus is that the soundtrack is one of the standout features of "Rogue," making it a compelling reason to play.

    • “The soundtrack, composed by Elitsa Alexandrova and Jesper Kyd, is a masterful blend of orchestral arrangements and traditional folk music.”
    • “Overall, if nothing else, you should play it for the music; the soundtrack is just absolutely phenomenal!”
    • “The music in this game is expertly composed, and the shanties are a timely and welcome addition to the deep, well-crafted in-game environment.”
    • “However, there are immersion-breakers in the game, such as the same songs played by your crew while sailing your ship as in Black Flag.”
    • “The shanties are downgraded as well; everyone sounds depressed and there are no new songs over Black Flag.”
    • “The only bad thing I've heard music-wise is just recycled sea shanties from Black Flag.”
  • optimization320 mentions

    The optimization of Assassin's Creed Rogue has received mixed reviews, with many players praising it as one of the best-optimized titles in the franchise, particularly for lower-end systems, achieving stable performance and high frame rates. However, some users reported technical issues such as stuttering and frame drops on PC, indicating that optimization may vary based on hardware configurations. Overall, while the game generally runs smoothly and is considered a significant improvement over previous entries like Black Flag and Unity, there are still notable performance concerns for certain setups.

    • “Great optimization for low spec users (and what I mean by those, is the ones with bare minimum of the system requirements).”
    • “The game looks good and is extremely well optimized.”
    • “This game is very well optimized and the map is even larger than AC4BF and has more added features and weapons.”
    • “The optimization is god awful.”
    • “This game is poorly optimized for PC.”
    • “Unfortunately, I have had a number of performance issues with this game.”
  • grinding208 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding the extensive collection of items and repetitive tasks tedious and unfulfilling. While some appreciate the grind as a means to enhance gameplay and exploration, others criticize it as excessive busywork that detracts from the overall experience. Improvements have been noted in comparison to previous titles, but the grind remains a significant point of contention among players.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A lot of grinding.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “What can get tedious is the AC formula of 'collect a million things/repeat these n or so activities' on every island.”
    • “There is an inordinate number of things to collect, upgrade, etc. in a sprawling world that houses a relatively short main quest, with no side quests, so there's no motivation to explore besides what's ultimately a rather tedious grind.”
    • “The story and tasks are good, deserving a good review, but the variety of treasures, fragments, and other processes are repeated and tedious, not only is the return not proportional to the effort, but it also deepens the frustration.”
  • emotional94 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is a mixed bag, with some players finding Shay's journey from idealistic assassin to conflicted templar deeply resonant and compelling, while others feel disconnected due to shallow character development and a lack of emotional investment in key moments. The narrative's exploration of moral ambiguity and personal turmoil is praised, yet many reviewers note that the brevity of the story and underdeveloped characters hinder the emotional impact. Overall, while there are moments of heartbreak and depth, the execution leaves some players feeling cold and unengaged.

    • “Shay Patrick Cormac's journey from idealistic assassin to conflicted templar is a testament to the game's depth and emotional resonance.”
    • “The journey of his personal evolution is brought to life through well-crafted cutscenes and thought-provoking dialogue, keeping players emotionally invested throughout the game.”
    • “Eventually, in order to stop the assassins from literally destroying the entire world, Shay is forced to hunt down his old friends and even former characters of previous games in an extremely heartbreaking and compelling narrative.”
    • “Boring story, bland voice acting and characters, same game loop as Black Flag but a far inferior product.”
    • “Boring story, boring characters, crude acting, boring missions, fumbled controls, shoddy game design...”
    • “But with a boring story and mediocre visuals.”
  • humor84 mentions

    The humor in the game is often derived from its glitches, which players find amusing rather than frustrating, as well as the absurdity of certain plot elements and character interactions. Many reviews highlight the comedic aspects of the protagonist's personality and the humorous situations that arise during gameplay, such as funny body physics and unexpected outcomes from in-game actions. Overall, while some moments may be seen as embarrassing or culturally insensitive, the game's humor is generally appreciated for its lightheartedness amidst the action.

    • “The story is so absurd (but that doesn't matter) that it made me laugh.”
    • “You are however given a grenade launcher, which I found hilarious to bomb four enemies at once then hiding and doing the same to the next group of enemies who appear to help their comrades.”
    • “The only downfall as with all games is the collision meshes, although extremely funny at times, the bodies of dead NPCs can occasionally fly off the map or your ship decides to beach itself then hop back into the water; I must say this is extremely rare and should not put you off buying this game.”
    • “Shay goes about his duties with a bad attitude and some unfunny remarks until an expedition to Portugal accidentally causes the 1755 Lisbon earthquake, practically leveling the city and trivializing the millions of lives historically lost.”
    • “I don't like Shay; he's not funny, he's kind of interesting.”
  • atmosphere78 mentions

    The atmosphere in Assassin's Creed Rogue is widely praised for its detailed environments and immersive sound design, effectively capturing the chill of the North Atlantic and the eerie silence of abandoned settlements. While some reviewers feel it lacks the depth of its predecessor, Black Flag, many appreciate its unique cold and wintery setting, complemented by a strong soundtrack and engaging naval battles. Overall, the game successfully creates a captivating atmosphere that enhances the storytelling and gameplay experience.

    • “However, the game’s true strength lies in its atmosphere, which masterfully captures the chill of the North Atlantic and the eerie silence of abandoned settlements.”
    • “I adore the atmosphere of this game, sailing around in a ship, listening to sea shanties by your crew.”
    • “Exploring the North Atlantic is a lot of fun and the scenery and atmosphere is gorgeous.”
    • “The most obvious thing about AC Rogue (especially compared to the previous game) is that it has no atmosphere.”
    • “Rogue struggles to recreate the atmosphere, but it turns out just making up stuff for a storyline from a Templar point of view doesn't work that great.”
    • “The atmosphere is cold and lifeless (I know this is great North America, but I'm also talking about all the characters), and that game brings nothing new.”
  • character development60 mentions

    Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while Shay's evolution is praised as natural and gripping, many reviewers feel that the fast-paced plot sacrifices deeper character exploration. Some highlight the potential for strong character arcs, particularly in the midgame, but overall, the consensus is that the game could benefit from a longer narrative to fully realize its characters. Despite these criticisms, there are moments of excellent storytelling that enhance the immersive experience.

    • “Shay's character development is excellent; his evolution throughout the story feels natural and gripping.”
    • “The character development and voice acting enhance the immersive experience.”
    • “This is one of the best character developments I have seen in this series.”
    • “Shay is an interesting character, but the plot moves by so quickly that he hardly has any time for serious character development like Edward does.”
    • “On top of that, the story, while not terrible, feels awfully forced with a breakneck speed that always means the next thing is always around the corner, at the sacrifice of much needed character development.”
    • “The character development from beginning to end is not that good in my opinion.”
  • replayability58 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is highly debated among players. While some appreciate the potential for extended playtime and collectibles, many criticize the lack of diverging story paths and meaningful post-story content, leading to low replay value ratings. The consensus suggests that while there are elements that can encourage replay, they often fall short of providing a compelling reason to return.

    • “🔲 infinitely replayable”
    • “For me, it has a lot of replay value”
    • “The atmosphere of the game is wonderful & the story is pretty well written (at least from my perspective) & it offers enough replayability to keep you entertained.”
    • “Replay value: 2/10 - main story has one outcome and no diverging paths.”
    • “Actually, Ubisoft is really good at making games that are utterly and completely lacking in any replay value at all.”
    • “Most of the newer games are just not replayable for me, and I think they are made that way so you spend more cash on the next installment.”
  • monetization29 mentions

    The monetization strategy of Ubisoft, particularly in the Assassin's Creed franchise, has drawn significant criticism for being perceived as a cash grab, with many players feeling that recent titles prioritize microtransactions and advertising over quality storytelling and gameplay. Despite these concerns, some players still find enjoyment in the games, suggesting that while the monetization approach may be flawed, the core gameplay can still deliver a satisfying experience. Overall, the sentiment reflects a frustration with the balance between profit-driven practices and player satisfaction.

    • “This was a return to the style of gameplay this series excelled at before microtransactions and live services necessitated a change.”
    • “Assassin's Creed Rogue isn't the cash grab many assumed it would be, and ultimately is an enjoyable experience and fitting end to the Kenway trilogy.”
    • “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.”
    • “This game is a cash grab; the story is trash, and the protagonist is the most stupid one ever.”
    • “Don’t buy this game; it's just a cash grab by a studio that can’t stop advertising other games within games.”
    • “I really liked Black Flag, and I even liked AC 3, but this is just a really blatant cash grab.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

74% average critic score

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Play time

14hMedian play time
19hAverage play time
10hMain story
39hCompletionist
7-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 60 analyzed playthroughs

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