Assassin's Creed Rogue

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.

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Reviews

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,986 reviews

story1,207 positive mentions

stability179 negative mentions

story
3,810 mentions
32 % positive mentions
63 % neutral mentions
6 % negative 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 players wanting more depth and exploration. 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.”
- “Rogue has the most interesting story of any recent Assassin’s Creed game, providing a relatable character Shay, as he experiences that the Assassins aren't always the 'good guys', and the Templars aren't always the 'bad guys'.”
- “The story offers a unique perspective on the conflict between the two factions, and the game's characters are well-written and fleshed out.”
- “The story is extremely short, so you'll be spending most of the time getting the collectibles.”
- “The story is not great, but, at least, it is a bit fresh and interesting.”
- “The story is mediocre, very short and cheesy with a whole bunch of forgettable characters that you at times feel no connection to.”
gameplay
1,374 mentions
26 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
4 % negative 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 new mechanics, like the "stalker" feature and enhanced ship capabilities, are introduced, many players feel the game lacks significant innovation, making it feel more like an expansion than a standalone title. Overall, fans of the series will likely enjoy the refined gameplay, but those seeking fresh experiences may find it repetitive.
- “Rogue retains many of the series' signature gameplay mechanics, including parkour, stealth, and combat.”
- “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.”
- “Gameplay forces you to level up in free-roam to continue the main missions, which is something I despise strongly.”
- “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.”
- “The gameplay is nearly identical with only some minor quality of life changes which are nice, but don't warrant mentioning here.”
graphics
510 mentions
37 % positive mentions
58 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of Assassin's Creed Rogue have received mixed reviews, with many noting that they are comparable to those of its predecessor, Black Flag, but lack the vibrancy and detail that made Black Flag visually appealing. While some players appreciate the game's visuals and optimization for lower-end hardware, others criticize the dated graphics and occasional glitches, suggesting that the game feels more like an expansion than a standalone title. Overall, the graphics are considered decent for a game released in 2014, but they do not push the boundaries of the series.
- “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.”
- “The graphics are beautiful, well detailed.”
- “The graphics are a bit dated but they are better than 3's and either a little worse than 4's or as good as 4's.”
- “Graphics downgrade compared to its brother AC Black Flag.”
- “The graphics lock up (and please don't try to say I have a crap computer, I have a damn good one).”
stability
201 mentions
10 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
89 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting a significant number of bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including crashes, graphical issues, and AI problems. While some users noted that the game runs well on certain platforms like the Steam Deck, others experienced frustrating game-breaking glitches that required reloading saves. Overall, the consensus suggests that while the game has its enjoyable moments, its stability issues detract from the overall experience.
- “Runs great on the Steam Deck.”
- “Completely bug free and I really liked the ship battles!”
- “The game runs great and the FPS is always around 60. Good job, Ubisoft!”
- “It's a bit of a buggy mess, and that started as early as the first hour in.”
- “The game is a buggy mess.”
- “It's buggy and recently, it's crashing.”
music
169 mentions
48 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
2 % negative 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 during naval battles. The soundtrack, featuring contributions from Elitsa Alexandrova and Jesper Kyd, is noted for its emotional depth and nostalgic ties to previous games in the franchise, especially the memorable main theme and sea shanties. While some tracks are seen as recycled from earlier titles, the overall composition is considered one of the best in the series, enhancing the game's atmosphere and immersion.
- “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 is epic, given that music production in this game wasn't given such an elaborate budget like that of Assassin's Creed III Remastered or Assassin's Creed Odyssey.”
- “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.”
optimization
160 mentions
44 % positive mentions
49 % neutral mentions
7 % negative mentions
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant improvements over previous titles in the Assassin's Creed series, particularly in terms of performance on lower-end systems. While some users experienced technical issues like stuttering and frame drops, others praised the game for running smoothly at high settings, achieving stable frame rates, and being well-optimized for both PC and older consoles. Overall, it is often regarded as one of the best-optimized entries in the franchise, especially when compared to the poorly optimized Assassin's Creed Unity.
- “Great optimization for low spec users.”
- “The game looks good and is extremely well optimized.”
- “This game is excellently optimized.”
- “The optimization is god awful.”
- “The game ran mostly fine on my Steam Deck but experienced some technical issues on PC including random stuttering and frame drops.”
- “Unfortunately, I have had a number of performance issues with this game.”
grinding
104 mentions
3 % positive mentions
11 % neutral mentions
87 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a significant point of contention, with many players finding the collection of items and completionist tasks to be tedious and repetitive. While some appreciate the gameplay loop and the improvements over previous titles, the overwhelming number of collectibles and the necessity of grinding for upgrades often detracts from the overall experience, leading to feelings of frustration and boredom. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as excessive, with many players suggesting it could benefit from a reduction in repetitive tasks.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A lot of grinding.”
- “What can get tedious is the AC formula of 'collect a million things/repeat these n or so activities' on every island.”
- “The game is grindy... boycott Ubisoft.”
- “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.”
emotional
47 mentions
91 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
9 % negative 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 underwhelming character connections diminish its overall impact. Ultimately, while some players experience a heartfelt and immersive journey, others find the emotional weight lacking compared to previous entries in the franchise.
- “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.”
- “Black Flag and Rogue have a special place in my heart because they took me on a long, emotional rollercoaster of cliffhangers, heartbreaks, and betrayals.”
- “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 looking.”
humor
42 mentions
95 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
5 % negative 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 NPC behaviors. Overall, while some moments may be seen as embarrassing or culturally insensitive, the game successfully incorporates humor that resonates with many players.
- “The funny thing is - the in-game menu says I finished the game by 45%, which means 65% of the game are collectibles, which are useless and have no purpose to be collected.”
- “Speaking of, I also have to mention that Benjamin Franklin (!) is the person who gave Shay his grenade launcher (!!), which is something you either find incredibly funny or incredibly stupid.”
- “The story is so absurd (but that doesn't matter) that it made me laugh.”
- “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.”
atmosphere
39 mentions
54 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
8 % negative 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 tension of naval battles. While some reviewers noted a lack of atmosphere compared to its predecessor, Black Flag, many appreciated the game's unique setting and the atmospheric effects that enhance exploration and gameplay. Overall, the combination of stunning visuals, evocative music, and a well-crafted world contributes to a compelling and engaging atmosphere.
- “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 development
30 mentions
30 % positive mentions
60 % neutral mentions
10 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is a mixed bag; while some players praise Shay's evolution and the immersive storytelling, others criticize the rushed pacing that limits deeper character exploration. Many feel that the game could have benefited from a longer narrative to allow for more substantial character growth, particularly in comparison to previous titles in the series. Overall, while there are standout moments, the execution of character development is often seen as inconsistent and hindered by technical issues.
- “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.”
replayability
29 mentions
24 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
17 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed, with some players finding it lacking due to a linear story and minimal diverging paths, rating it as low as 2/10. Others appreciate the potential for extended playtime through collectibles and side activities, suggesting a medium level of replay value, though many feel that the experience can become repetitive. While some enjoy the atmosphere and story enough to revisit, the consensus leans towards a limited replayability, particularly in comparison to other franchises.
- “🔲 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.”
monetization
14 mentions
7 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
79 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game has drawn significant criticism, with many reviewers labeling it a blatant cash grab by Ubisoft, particularly in light of the heavy reliance on microtransactions and live services. Players express frustration over the perceived lack of genuine content and the incorporation of advertisements within the game, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these issues, some acknowledge that the gameplay remains enjoyable, suggesting a slight redeeming quality amidst the monetization concerns.
- “This was a return to the style of gameplay this series excelled at before microtransactions and live services necessitated a change.”
- “It feels like it was the prototype for Black Flag but was released after, and I think it was just a cash grab riding on the coattails of its predecessor.”
- “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.”