Assignment 1
Game Played: Assassin’s Creed Black Flag
YouTube demo Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKkc4IoMb70
Game Website: http://assassinscreed.ubi.com/en-GB/games/assassins-creed-black-flag.aspx
Description of Game:
This game is set during the golden age of piracy. During the early 18th century Caribbean, Edward Kenway finds himself tangled between the affairs of the Assassins and Templars as he sets off in his adventure to find riches. Player goes through the adventure in 3rd person perspective, doing missions through stealth or mindless sword fighting. The game offers an open world concept where players can explore the vast map with notable destinations such as Havana, Kingston and many more. There are plenty of pirate activities to keep player busy such as treasure hunting, conquering forts and bounty hunters, to become the richest and most fearsome pirate of the Caribbean.
Observations of MePplaying
The Lens of Essential Experience
In essence, this game is about the player being a pirate captain, having his own ship to sail the vast seas. As a player I want to become the most dangerous and powerful pirate I can be. The game allows me own my own ship, upgrade it and use to torment my enemies in the game. This made me feel awesome. I also realized that I am someone who wants to experience everything the game has to offer. The game captures what it means to be a pirate during that era by having mini games such as harpooning sharks and whales, treasure hunting, assassinating merchants for my clients and many more. All of these activities make the experience complete and enjoyable like me.
Harpooning Whale
The Lens of Surprise
At times when I am being chased after, I would find myself so fixated to screen and my controller would be swaying with my body to navigate away from the enemies. Then suddenly a storm might appear out of nowhere. During these freak storms, huge waterspouts can appear and damage the ship hull when in contact. This surprise adds to strategy as well as I am able to trap unsuspecting enemies this way.
The Lens of Curiosity
With such a big map, I cannot help but wonder what would be at the edge of the map. Would you appear at the other side of the map should you try to go beyond it? I tried answering that myself but before I could reach the edge of the map, I find myself facing with a huge battle ship! After defeating it, my ship was given an extra upgrade. Now I cannot wait to find other such ships and see what they may drop!
The Lens of the World
The game does provide some side missions which complements the main story. However, these stories do not tell more about the world, which is the down side of the game. You cannot help random people in the world and understand their problems and issues which makes the world a little shallow after some time.
The Lens of the Elemental Tetrad
Mechanics – Physics is very closely related to the real world. Players can use a variety of methods to complete a mission (stealth or brute force). Player’s actions have no impact on the story.
Story – Many betrayals and revenge. Story is mostly linear and storytelling. I can complete more missions in their specified way to complete the character’s memory.
Aesthetics – I enjoy the elaborate environment with interactive animals, landscape and atmospheric sounds. Very close to the real world counterpart and historical theme. Hard impact causes vibrations on the controllers.
Technology – No interesting technology used in the game. Only the Xbox360 controller.
Friend Analysis
The Lens of Simplicity/Complexity
Game feels too complex as there are many buttons to remember and ways to complete the mission. Sometimes, has to repeat the same mission multiple times due to slow reaction time and franticness. I have to complete some fighting scenes for her.
The Lens of Story
She just wants to know the story. She would do the minimum (upgrades, side missions) to help her reach the next level as she has no patience to do other side quests.
The Lens of the Puzzle
She enjoys the time to think and crack the puzzles in the game. Such as figuring how to go through the mazes and solving complex questions. She would be so engrossed with the game and does not like to be distracted.
Statue Puzzle
The Lens of the World
What she likes about the world is that they include many elements which make sea sailing fun. As a music lover, she would sail and listen to the sea shanties that the AI crew sings. To build up her repertoire of sea shanties, she would always try to find new songs when she reaches a new location.
The Lens of the Elemental Tetrad
Mechanics – lack the function to review past story and cut scenes. Not helpful for users that play sparingly.
Comparison of Analysis
Technically Well Executed
Given the complex environmental elements in the game, there are hardly any bugs found in the game. This contributes t great game experience.
Game Playability
A lot of thought is place to give players a fun time. No need for long journeys to the same location by using viewpoints. We find us enjoying the story faster and with less annoyance. Upgrading of the ship (jackdaw) can be done easily and quickly without the need to travel to specific locations like many other games.
Mission Types
Lack of variety. Every story scene has similar mission types which get boring after a while.
Lack the ability to do good, add side stories
Often times we would just execute assassinations. Developers can add side stories that are not related to the story but about the world. It would make the game feel richer.
Enemy AI
Both of us feel that the enemy AI is too dumb in some ways. They would not attack as a group but only on one-on-one situations.
Fun Stuff
Developers added surprises like challenging huge battle ships and harpooning huge sperm whale which are quite fresh.
Complexity
Complexity is relative. I think having multiple ways of completing the game adds to the depth of the game but not for players that are slow in learning the buttons. It could lead to more frustration then fun for them.