Assassin’s Creed III

Assassin’s Creed III, released by Ubisoft in 2012, marked a pivotal moment in the long-running Assassin’s Creed franchise. After years of stories centered around Renaissance Europe, this game boldly shifted the setting to colonial America during the 18th century. It introduced a brand-new protagonist, reworked gameplay mechanics, and a vast open world that felt distinctly different from its predecessors. While ambitious and rich in content, Assassin’s Creed III was also a divisive title among fans and critics alike.

A Bold New Setting: Colonial America

Unlike earlier entries that were set in crowded European cities, Assassin’s Creed III unfolds during the American Revolution (1754–1783), in locations such as Boston, New York, and the untamed wilderness known as the Frontier. This backdrop brings a fresh perspective to the series, where the political and ideological battle between the Assassins and Templars aligns perfectly with the birth of a new nation.

Ubisoft didn’t just pick the setting for visual variety. The game thoughtfully integrates real historical events like the Boston Tea Party, Paul Revere’s Ride, and the Battle of Bunker Hill. Historical characters such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, and Charles Lee play major roles in the story, blending fact with fiction in the signature Assassin’s Creed style.

The Story: Heritage, Vengeance, and Freedom

One of the game’s most daring storytelling choices is to begin not with the main character, but with his father—Haytham Kenway, a British noble who turns out to be a high-ranking Templar. You spend several hours playing as Haytham before the narrative switches to Ratonhnhaké:ton, a half-Mohawk, half-English warrior who adopts the name Connor.

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Connor's story is a personal one—his village is destroyed, his people are threatened, and his quest for justice gradually aligns with the broader Assassin-Templar conflict. As he matures, Connor becomes involved with key figures in the American Revolution and wrestles with questions of loyalty, identity, and freedom.

Unlike Ezio Auditore, the beloved protagonist of earlier titles, Connor is more reserved and stoic. While some players found him less charismatic, his emotional depth and moral conviction make him a grounded and compelling character, especially in the context of colonial struggles and native displacement.

Screenshots

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Gameplay Evolution: A Dynamic World

Assassin’s Creed III introduced several new gameplay systems and polished existing ones:

Open World Exploration: The game’s world is massive and diverse, combining cities, wilderness, and small towns. You can explore Boston and New York, traverse rivers and forests, and climb trees and cliffs with new parkour animations tailored to the environment.
Naval Combat: For the first time in the series, players command a ship and engage in thrilling naval battles. These sequences became so popular they eventually inspired Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag.
Hunting and Crafting: In the Frontier, Connor can hunt animals for resources, which can be used in trade and crafting systems.
Combat System Overhaul: The combat is faster and more cinematic, allowing for seamless chaining of attacks, counters, and special kills. Dual-wielding weapons and tomahawk combat add flair to every battle.
Dynamic Weather and Seasons: The Anvil Next engine brings dynamic weather and seasonal changes. Snow impacts movement, visibility, and strategy.

Despite these advancements, the game struggled with bugs and glitches at launch, and some missions felt overly linear. Stealth mechanics were also inconsistent, with enemies often spotting Connor unrealistically.

Visuals and Audio: Immersive and Atmospheric

For its time, Assassin’s Creed III was visually impressive. The cities bustle with life, the forests feel alive, and the animations during combat and movement are smoother than previous entries. Weather effects like snowstorms and rain enhance immersion, especially during large-scale battles or stealth missions in the wild.

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The soundtrack by Lorne Balfe delivers sweeping, emotionally resonant themes that reflect both the grandeur of the revolution and the personal journey of Connor. The voice acting, while occasionally uneven, generally supports the story well. Connor’s performance is restrained but believable, and Haytham Kenway steals several scenes with his charisma.

Modern-Day Storyline: The End of Desmond

Assassin’s Creed III was also the conclusion of the modern-day story arc following Desmond Miles, who had been the framing device for the series since the first game. In this installment, Desmond must prevent a solar catastrophe while uncovering more of the First Civilization’s secrets.

While fans appreciated the closure, the ending felt abrupt to many and raised more questions than it answered. It was a mixed bag that highlighted Ubisoft’s struggle to balance its present-day narrative with the historical gameplay that made the series popular.

Minimum System Requirements

OS: Windows Vista (SP2) /7 (SP1) /8
Processor: 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo E8200 or 2.66 GHz AMD Athlon II X4 620
RAM: 2 GB
Hard Drive: 17 GB Free
Video Memory: 512 MB DirectX 9.0c-compliant with Shader Model 4.0 or higher
Sound Card: 512 MB DirectX 9.0c-compliant with Shader Model 4.0 or higher (GeForce 8800 GT or Radeon HD 4850)
DirectX: 10
Keyboard and Mouse