Well, I can safely say AC III was somewhat of a let-down. Though there was plenty to do, I didn't feel it had much impact on the overall story. I could spend hours running around carrying smallpox victims to a healer, or I could find the Templars and assassinate them... Real difficult choice there. :P

There are no spoilers to the story in this review.

I didn't actually use any of the unlock weapons or costumes I earned along the way, with the exception of one of the pistols. Even then, the bow was a much easier way to deal with targets from a distance, though I much prefer the hatchet in combat.

Graphics are up, story was intriguing, but I've finished with about half the game's features untouched. Unlike the Ezio Trilogy (AC II, Brotherhood and Revelations), I wasn't interested in completing side quests, and eventually gave up on personal objectives during the main quest (bonus for dodging bullets and so on). I guess I was looking for an Assassin's Creed III that continually challenged me and denied me access to what I wanted unless I took on some of the side quests. Most of the optional missions didn't teach me anything new for the game either. Yeah, I burned some blankets, but how can I use that when surrounded by Regulars who're about to open fire on me?

I can't fault the sea combat, though. There's just something rad about broadsiding a British vessel. I've yet to try out multiplayer, so I'll reserve judgement on that section for a later date.

I've got nothing against the protagonist, Connor. He's another young hero thrown into a world he was unprepared for. He's persistent and honest... But, I just didn't "feel" the role. Then again, I haven't been put in the same situations he has. It is a story of revenge, whereas the other games are stories about redemption, the search for knowledge, and "enlightenment", if you will.

The only other thing I can think of that'd likely influence my level of enjoyment from the game was the setting: colonial America around the time of the revolution. While all AC games are historical to a point, it was hard for me to recognise many of the defining points in American history, likely because I'm not American (you American friends of mine can jump into the discussion on this topic). I recognised more connections and historical events in the first three games, and I'd hazard a guess that it comes from a combination of my interest in the mediaeval/renaissance periods, AND that they form a common background to most of us with a European heritage.

I'm giving Assassin's Creed III 3 stars at most... beautiful graphics, an interesting story, but not something I'd recommend to anyone who wasn't already a fan of the franchise.

And though it has nothing to do with the game itself, I can't stand the length of Ubisoft credits. I now dread Ubisoft games, knowing that a 20-minute wait is ahead of me in the hope there may be extra story during or after. In this case, there was.