Review by: Justin Amirkhani

The Assassin’s Creed franchise has been defined more by the chronicles of Ezio than its genesis. With the charismatic Florentine taking center stage over the past two games it has been easy to forget about Altair, the Crusades and the story that launched the series back in 2007. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations looks to remedy this by weaving together a plot that ties Ezio, Altair and their post-modern counterpart Desmond into a unified story that makes sense – a feat none of the previous games have been able to do.

Tying things together is only part of the narrative’s job; as this is Ezio’s last outing the game is also responsible for wrapping up his saga and sending off a character that – in remarkably few years – has become a pillar of the modern gaming landscape.

Older and wiser, the Ezio of Revelations is the best version of himself. He is perhaps less boyish and whimsical, but far more commanding and impressive. His arsenal has grown and he’s able to cajole with the best of them as he travels to new lands. The character feels old, but not worn. He’s spry as ever and able to keep up with the younger assassins he mentors; Ezio’s character no longer embodies the traditional assassin, he is now more of a leader and commander. We see this contrast greatly through his relationship with Yusuf Tazim, an Ottoman version of Ezio’s former self, and are reminded of the past in the best ways.

It’s Yusuf who introduces you to the game’s newest mechanics, offering a sense of discovery the games have been largely missing since Assassin’s Creed II. A new arsenal of weapons both deadly and diversionary brings new life into what could have been a stale repeat of former success.

Chief among these new additions is the bomb crafting system that lets you combine casings, ingredients and gun powders to unique effects. For a series that has always toed the line with magical realism, it’s a fitting way to introduce a little wild alchemy to the setting. It’s a simple system to learn and master, with the collection of pivotal materials often being the trickiest part. They’re amply available in chests and on dead Byzantine guards, but for those who like to sprint past collectables it will be difficult to produce your favourite explosives.

There are many types and styles of bombs to be made; with the customization options presented offering a theoretically large variety of options. Whether it’s mixing tripwires with shrapnel or sticky pouches with poison there is enough variance for every player to have their own unique concoctions.