Assassin's Creed Unity

75%
Game Brain Score Based on 23,205 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Assassin's Creed Unity Game Cover
Assassin's Creed Unity boasts an amazing new gaming engine that unfortunately suffers from some graphical issues. Nonetheless, it's still a fun experience
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"Assassin's Creed Unity is a historical open-world game set during the French Revolution, offering both single-player and co-op modes for 2 players. The Limited Edition includes the Chemical Revolution mission. Experience the revolution's chaos, expose the powers behind it, and transform into a Master Assassin in this next-gen evolution of the franchise."

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

Reviews

75%
Audience ScoreBased on 23,205 reviews
story2,869 positive mentions
stability1,930 negative mentions
  • story10,217 mentions

    The story of "Assassin's Creed Unity" is often described as mediocre and predictable, with many players finding it forgettable compared to earlier titles in the franchise. While the game is set against the rich backdrop of the French Revolution, critics argue that it fails to fully capitalize on this historical context, focusing instead on a clichéd revenge narrative intertwined with a romantic subplot. Despite its shortcomings, some players appreciate the character of Arno and the engaging assassination missions, though the overall execution of the story leaves much to be desired.

    • “The storyline is set during the French Revolution, revolving around Arno Dorian, a young assassin seeking redemption for his past and uncovering a complex conspiracy between factions.”
    • “The story is beautifully written, filled with drama, intrigue, and more, making it a captivating narrative that immerses players in the world.”
    • “The story follows Arno Dorian, a charismatic and likable protagonist, as he navigates the complex world of Templars and Assassins, intertwining his personal quest with the larger events of the French Revolution.”
    • “The story is a mess; it isn't clear why anybody is doing anything, and the characters feel forgettable and dull.”
    • “The main story is only 6-8 hours long, but there are over 100 junk time-waster missions, making the overall experience feel bloated and tedious.”
    • “The story is forgettable and very detached from the atmosphere of the revolution, failing to capitalize on its historical setting.”
  • gameplay3,352 mentions

    The gameplay of "Assassin's Creed Unity" is characterized by its refined parkour mechanics, which many players praise as the best in the series, allowing for fluid movement across the beautifully recreated Paris. However, the game is marred by numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt the experience, alongside a combat system that some find clunky and unresponsive. While the game offers a variety of gameplay options, including cooperative missions and customization, the overall execution has left many players feeling frustrated, particularly with the removal of certain beloved mechanics from previous titles.

    • “Assassin's Creed Unity offers a captivating and dynamic gameplay experience, with its refined parkour system, challenging combat mechanics, and cooperative multiplayer mode.”
    • “The gameplay is exceptional, particularly the parkour mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay elements were perfected, with the parkour mechanics remaining unparalleled to this day, and the stealth elements finely honed.”
    • “The gameplay is so buggy; I was constantly fighting the controls, and the inputs just don’t go through. The fact that none of the game mechanics work properly makes this game so frustrating and unplayable.”
    • “The gameplay is a complete mess. Imagine being in combat and suddenly your controls switch to parkour, often sending you through the floor. The stealth mechanics are horrible, the combat is subpar, and co-op missions are uncompletable.”
    • “The gameplay is riddled with bugs and glitches, making it feel clunky and unresponsive. The mechanics are poorly implemented, and the game often feels unfinished, which detracts from the overall experience.”
  • graphics3,087 mentions

    The graphics of "Assassin's Creed Unity" are widely praised for their stunning detail and vibrant representation of revolutionary Paris, often described as ahead of its time for a 2014 release. Many players note that the visuals still hold up well in 2024, showcasing impressive architecture and dynamic crowds, although some report significant performance issues and graphical glitches, particularly on lower-end systems. Overall, while the graphics are a highlight, they are sometimes overshadowed by optimization problems and bugs that can detract from the gameplay experience.

    • “The graphics in this game are beautiful, especially for its time, and the French Revolution setting is interesting.”
    • “The urban and busy environment and the impressive graphics really shine for a ten-year-old game.”
    • “The graphics suck, couldn't get past that.”
    • “The graphics are so jaw-dropping, you’d swear it was made in 2024.”
    • “The graphics are a marvel, like a fine work of art.”
  • stability2,004 mentions

    The stability of "Assassin's Creed Unity" has been a significant point of contention among players, with many citing its notorious buggy launch and ongoing issues. While numerous patches have addressed some of the initial problems, players still report frequent glitches, crashes, and performance issues, particularly in multiplayer modes. Overall, while some users have found the game to be more stable now, many still experience frustrating bugs that detract from the gameplay experience.

    • “It runs great on modern hardware; if you want to fan the embers of your love for Assassin's Creed, this one is the last before they pseudo-RPG'd the series.”
    • “My experience was completely bug-free, ran like a dream, and I loved it!”
    • “Now after a year and several patches, the game runs great.”
    • “The gameplay is so buggy, the whole game I was fighting the controls, the inputs just don’t go through and are so unresponsive, and the fact that none of the game mechanics work properly makes this game so frustrating and unplayable.”
    • “The game launched in a horribly unfinished and buggy state.”
    • “This game is buggy as hell, even after 10 years of its release, but I haven't encountered any game-breaking glitches, and honestly this game is good, not story-wise (it's just ok story-wise) but gameplay-wise it is one of the most complex AC games and I love complex games.”
  • optimization1,297 mentions

    The optimization of "Assassin's Creed Unity" has been a contentious topic among players, particularly due to its troubled launch characterized by severe performance issues, bugs, and stuttering. While many users report that subsequent patches have improved the game's performance significantly, some still experience frame rate drops and graphical glitches, especially in crowded areas. Overall, the game is seen as poorly optimized for PC, with a mix of players finding it playable on high-end systems while others struggle even on lower settings.

    • “Thankfully, most of those problems have been resolved, and the game now runs smoothly.”
    • “With its superb parkour mechanics, beautifully crafted environment, and improved performance, it's a must-play for fans of the series.”
    • “The performance issues it had at launch are gone now and it runs smoothly on my computer.”
    • “Assassin's Creed Unity is a textbook example of how poor optimization can ruin a game with potential.”
    • “The performance is abysmal, even on high-end systems, and technical issues are rampant.”
    • “The game is poorly optimized for PC.”
  • music226 mentions

    The music in "Assassin's Creed Unity" receives mixed reviews, with many praising its cinematic quality and ability to enhance the game's atmosphere, particularly during key missions. While some players find the soundtrack memorable and evocative of the revolutionary spirit, others criticize it for lacking variety and presence during exploration. Overall, the sound design and music are generally regarded as well-crafted, contributing positively to the immersive experience, though not all players feel it stands out compared to previous titles in the series.

    • “The soundtrack is a masterpiece.”
    • “The music is really good; I found myself appreciating it where in most games I wouldn't even notice the music.”
    • “The sound design and musical score in Unity are exceptional, perfectly capturing the revolutionary spirit of the time.”
    • “The music is much better than the game.”
    • “The soundtrack isn't very memorable, sadly.”
    • “The music in Unity is easily the worst of the whole series.”
  • grinding223 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players describing it as tedious, repetitive, and time-consuming. Users express frustration over the necessity to grind for gear and upgrades, often feeling that the process detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game. While some acknowledge that grinding can lead to rewarding moments, the consensus is that it often feels like an artificial padding of gameplay, making the experience more of a chore than a pleasure.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “A bit grindy sometimes.”
    • “One long, tedious grind.”
    • “The game requires an always-online connection, and I had to go through a tedious process of manually transferring save files to my Steam Deck via desktop mode.”
    • “Microtransactions and grind: Unity incorporates microtransactions and a heavy emphasis on grinding for in-game currency, which can feel intrusive and detract from the overall experience.”
    • “The need to constantly earn or purchase currency to unlock upgrades and equipment can become tedious, leading to a sense of frustration and artificial padding.”
  • humor214 mentions

    The humor in "Assassin's Creed Unity" is often highlighted as a redeeming quality amidst its flaws, with players finding both the protagonist Arno's witty personality and the game's numerous glitches to be sources of amusement. Many reviews note that while the game is riddled with bugs, these often lead to hilarious moments rather than significant gameplay disruptions, making for a fun experience, especially in co-op play. Overall, the humor, both intentional and unintentional, contributes to a lighthearted atmosphere that many players appreciate.

    • “The story is a 6/10; it's very slow and all over the place until you get halfway through the game. Unfortunately, Arno is a very unique assassin, and his funny and bold personality makes the game bearable and actually quite fun.”
    • “Even if there are some bugs, most of them are just funny and not that game-breaking really.”
    • “The gameplay has changed here from past Assassin’s Creed games, for starters, you have less control over the combat, locking on is done here automatically, but it’s a coin toss whether it would work or not. Half of the time, Arno will sheath his sword in the middle of a battle if you face some enemies behind you. On the other hand, the difficulty is all over the place, and sometimes, hilariously, it emphasizes how poorly balanced the combat can be when you get surrounded by a ridiculous amount of enemies.”
    • “The humor in this game feels forced and falls flat, making it more frustrating than funny.”
    • “I expected a lot of laughs, but the jokes were stale and didn't land at all.”
    • “The attempts at humor were so awkward that it took me out of the experience completely.”
  • atmosphere203 mentions

    The atmosphere in "Assassin's Creed Unity" is widely praised for its stunning recreation of revolutionary Paris, characterized by vibrant streets filled with life, detailed architecture, and a palpable sense of historical turmoil. Players appreciate the immersive world-building, which captures the chaos and fervor of the French Revolution, although some note that technical issues and repetitive gameplay can detract from the overall experience. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered one of its strongest aspects, making it a visually and emotionally engaging environment to explore.

    • “Much of my enjoyment came simply from wandering through the lively streets of Paris—watching the NPC routines, admiring the beautifully crafted shops and building facades, and soaking in the atmosphere.”
    • “The attention to detail in the architecture, the vibrant streets, and the tumultuous atmosphere of Paris immerse you completely.”
    • “The atmosphere beautifully captures the architecture and culture of the time, offering an authentic and immersive historical experience.”
    • “The only thing it does is take you out of the story, out of the atmosphere, and back into a checklist game exactly like AC Rogue was.”
    • “The atmosphere here felt bland, with every single NPC around the world seeming like zombies; when a crowd is disturbed by something, they all react in the exact same way, making them seem lifeless.”
    • “This version of Paris feels full yet empty; they could easily have replaced the crowd with wooden sticks with no major change in the atmosphere.”
  • monetization196 mentions

    The monetization strategy in "Assassin's Creed Unity" has drawn significant criticism, with many players expressing frustration over the pervasive microtransactions that feel intrusive and often necessary for progression. While some users note that these purchases can be avoided through gameplay, the overall sentiment is that the game is designed to encourage spending, detracting from the experience and contributing to a perception of the title as a cash grab. The reliance on microtransactions, particularly in a full-priced single-player game, has left many feeling disappointed and disillusioned with Ubisoft's approach.

    • “Microtransactions and in-game purchases: like many modern Ubisoft games, 'Unity' features microtransactions and in-game purchases that allow players to unlock cosmetic items and upgrades using real-world currency.”
    • “Progression feels meaningful and the microtransactions, while present, are truly unobtrusive and unnecessary to regular gameplay.”
    • “Be advised that while there are microtransactions in the game, and at first some of the higher tier items may seem exorbitantly priced, it is not an issue to earn enough in-game currency to buy them.”
    • “This is by far the worst Assassin's Creed I ever played and I love the hell out of this series; even if it's just a cash grab these days.”
    • “The game has some amounts of good, progression is fun and completing side things is rewarding, but the addition of microtransactions to this series prevents you from becoming a true 'god-like' assassin by the end of the story.”
    • “Microtransactions in a full price, unfinished game.”
  • emotional112 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Assassin's Creed Unity" receives mixed reviews, with some players finding Arno's journey of revenge and redemption to be engaging and resonant, while others criticize it for lacking depth and failing to evoke strong emotional connections. Many reviewers note that the story's execution feels disjointed, leading to a lack of investment in the characters, despite moments of genuine emotional impact, particularly in Arno's relationships. Overall, while some players appreciate the emotional weight of certain scenes, many feel the narrative falls short compared to earlier entries in the series.

    • “Despite its initial launch issues, Unity stands out as one of the best in the series, delivering a deep, emotionally resonant story through the eyes of Arno Dorian, whose personal growth mirrors your own journey as a player.”
    • “His journey from a troubled young man seeking revenge to a skilled assassin navigating the political intrigues of revolutionary France is both engaging and emotionally resonant.”
    • “The story of Arno and his adoptive sister/lover Elise de la Serre was very touching with the aspect of joined forces between the Assassins and Templars, which makes it refreshing.”
    • “Mind-numbing boring story and waste of an interesting setting.”
    • “Only negative things that I noticed are 1.) the pretty boring story, no major or unexpected plot twists - I don't think they will ever reach the quality of Ezio's storyline again.”
    • “This game also makes the mistake a lot of games do by showing us the more interesting story within their boring story by beginning with the fall of the Templar order in France by Philip the Fair, which would be a way more interesting game to play, if we're honest.”
  • replayability88 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players praising its co-op missions, side quests, and customization options that enhance longevity. While some reviews highlight infinite replayability due to diverse mission approaches and a rich world to explore, others point out technical issues and a lack of compelling content that may limit replay value. Ultimately, fans of the series may find enough to enjoy, but the experience can vary significantly based on individual preferences and gameplay style.

    • “Co-op missions make the game replayable after you finish the main story.”
    • “Great story, great co-op, great replayability.”
    • “The gameplay is highly replayable and very fun; the assassinations all feel different, and even the multiple chasing parts of the game manage not to feel repetitive.”
    • “Despite this, I still did enjoy the story, but I don't think it has very much replay value compared to how some of the others do it so well in the rest of the series (before and after this game).”
    • “This game left empty emotions; there was nothing to do in it, no replayability, a very short plot that could be much longer and more interesting.”
    • “The replay value is lacking, and I can see this dying real fast.”
  • character development74 mentions

    Character development in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a lack of depth and engagement, particularly for the main character, Arno, and his counterpart, Elise. While some appreciated the potential for rich storytelling and character growth, others felt that the narrative was rushed and failed to provide meaningful development, leading to a disconnect with the characters. Overall, the game is seen as having poor character development compared to other titles in the series, despite some positive remarks about character design and interactions.

    • “If you're interested in lore, the Ezio trilogy is where you should start, offering rich storytelling and character development.”
    • “His character development is a highlight of the game.”
    • “I find Arno to be extremely likable and really a compelling character; it has very good character development and they gave a good conclusion to his story.”
    • “This game lacks storytelling and character development mid-game, especially for Napoleon and Marquis de Sade.”
    • “Character development is kind of lackluster and doesn't really get you hooked on anyone.”
    • “The story is not consistent; the character development is really a joke.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

69% average critic score

Buy Assassin's Creed Unity

Play time

22hMedian play time
40hAverage play time
17hMain story
79hCompletionist
6-60hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 153 analyzed playthroughs

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