Played the original again recently. I know it gets knocked for the repetitive and easy side quests (eavesdropping, pickpocketing, interrogations, informer flag capturing, informer assassinations, etc.) but it's worth pushing through to get to the main big 9 assassinations (templars). Not a big fan of the present day Animus stuff with Desmond (though it's an interesting idea) but I liked the ending (betrayal reveal) in the Third Crusade setting with Altair & Al Mualim. The game's music is great (as expected as it was composed by the Hitman franchise composer). The 3 main cities (Damascus, Acre, Jerusalem) are all well done and feel unique. The combat system is really well done. Combos and countering feel great. The killing animations after executing a combo & counter are really good. Best part of the game is being able to climb and jump on pretty much anything. If I had to really knock it, it'd be over those annoying ass female beggars that chase you down ("please sir! my family is sick and dying! can't you spare something?! just some coin! please!!!" throwing rocks at you when you climb a building trying to get away. lol) and the retards (literally) in the alleyways and the drunks that push you (& only you) down in a crowd. Overall this game holds up over 10 years later and while it does have its problems, they really don't drag it down too much. I'd give it a solid 7/10. Oh and I played it with the entire HUD turned off. Way more immersive (& tougher) without all that stuff crowding up the screen. Makes you more aware of your surroundings rather than being dependent on the HUD info (life bar, gps/map direction, weapon selection, button control).
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