Ubisoft has created some of the most iconic heroes within one of the most popular video game franchises of this console generation with the Assassin’s Creed series. Taking control of Altair or Ezio in Assassin’s Creed’s amazing worlds and well written narratives will be something gamers talk about for years to come. While Assassin’s Creed 3 has hit the Xbox 360 and PS3, serving as the beginning of a new era for a new hero named Connor set in colonial America, Ubisoft Sofia has created an equally intriguing heroine for the PlayStation Vita exclusive Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation.
Players will be dropped into the Animus at the beginning of Liberation with a brief explanation of what the device serves to accomplish and immediately throws you into the game which makes sense in the context of this title being a handheld game. Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation is centered around the mixed race heroine Aveline de Grandpre, and set in 18th century New Orleans, the timeline runs parallel with Connor’s who is featured briefly in Liberation. Aveline lost her mother as a young child and was raised by a well off businessman and her stepmother who have no idea that their sweet, well mannered daughter frees oppressed slaves at night or battles the Templar order.
Ubisoft Sofia set out to complete a rather monumental task by developing an exclusive Assassin’s Creed game for the Playstation Vita. Of course there are certain expectations set when a big franchise is coming to a handheld that has had its fair share of hype behind it. Make no mistake, Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation is a real Assassin’s Creed experience filled with the large scale, fluid combat and well executed writing which makes it one of the must have games for the Vita. Unfortunately it is also plagued by some unnecessary touch control gimmicks and the occasional frame rate issues along with an uninspired asynchronous multiplayer mode which will have players controlling nodes on a world map. We could have done without this, some players may find some fun in this mode but probably not many.
Liberation features an interesting and unique character in its leading role with Aveline who is a strong female choice with clear convictions. She will complete her main and side missions between New Orleans, the bayou, and some other locals that make up the environments of this handheld action adventure. The world of Liberation can be nearly as breathtaking as its big brother on the Xbox 360 or PS3 at times, with beautiful environments that are filled with people – the world feels vibrant – but the game can also suffer from frame rate issues that I didn’t expect to be there.
Controlling Aveline will feel natural to Assassin’s Creed veterans as it is taken straight from the console versions from the series with some exceptions of course. The traversal and combat are fluid and fun for most of the time while there can be the occasional sticking to environments or accidentally jumping to your death – like I said, Assassin’s Creed veterans will be familiar with the controls. The animations and kill moves are as spectacular as ever and it is fun to watch Aveline go about her business. Ubisoft Sofia added some worthwhile touch mechanics where players are able to select and execute a number of foes similar to something like we did with Sam Fisher in Splinter Cell Conviction. The problem is that some of the less essential Vita controls feel unnecessary like sliding your fingers across the back touch to paddle a canoe.
The Bulgarian developer also carried over the tree traversal featured in Assassin’s Creed 3 and this is one of the most impressive things to do and watch in Liberation, it really feels like a big Assassin’s Creed game on a handheld when it works. Generally, running, climbing, fighting and exploring the world is very well done with a few frustrating glitches that can be overlooked. Aveline is also able to buy shops, weapons and outfits like we have come accustomed to from the franchise, again – Liberation feels a lot more like a true console experience on a handheld when it works right, which it mostly does.
One of the unique features of the Vita game is that Aveline has three different personas which include the lady, the assassin and the slave. Each of these personas have different abilities and serve various purposes within Liberation. While the lady can charm guards and gain access to areas the other personas cannot, she is unable to run or jump. The assassin is capable of all the combat moves but has trouble blending in while the slave will be able to explore and mingle within the oppressed areas of the game. You can see, this sounds like a very cool concept and it is but some of the missions will only allow you to pick the persona tailored for the objective. Aveline can change her personas at various locations even within missions but we don’t always get the freedom of choice.
Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation is an impressive game on the PlayStation Vita. Ubisoft Sofia has created a true Assassin’s Creed experience on the Sony handheld. Liberation is an excellent game with a large, active and open world filled with characters and things to do, signature gameplay, a well written narrative and lead character that is only held back by some of its technical issues, tacked on touch controls (which you won’t have to use much) and a lackluster multiplayer mode. If you own a Vita and are an Assassin’s Creed fan, this is the game for you.
Score: 8 / 10
Assassin’s Creed 3: Liberation was developed by Ubisoft Sofia and published by Ubisoft for PlayStation Vita on October 30th. Retail code was provided to us by Ubisoft for reviewing purposes.
