Comments on: Diamonds in the Rough: The Assassin Altaïr http://aarmstrong.org/journal/2008/05/29/diamonds-in-the-rough-the-assassin-altair Website and journal of Andrew Armstrong Fri, 21 Nov 2008 17:58:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Andrew Armstrong http://aarmstrong.org/journal/2008/05/29/diamonds-in-the-rough-the-assassin-altair#comment-122 Andrew Armstrong Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:08:12 +0000 http://www.aarmstrong.org/?p=146#comment-122 Thanks for the link, most of the answers it gives I did notice when playing (none of the wall stuff though, until I read some FAQ somewhere, but this is easier to read!), but didn't realise it was a planned trilogy. I hope the next one is fun more fun overall :) Thanks for the link, most of the answers it gives I did notice when playing (none of the wall stuff though, until I read some FAQ somewhere, but this is easier to read!), but didn’t realise it was a planned trilogy. I hope the next one is fun more fun overall :)

]]> By: Carl Mason http://aarmstrong.org/journal/2008/05/29/diamonds-in-the-rough-the-assassin-altair#comment-121 Carl Mason Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:58:36 +0000 http://www.aarmstrong.org/?p=146#comment-121 Glad you enjoyed it, I played the game on the 360, although it got a bit repetitive the visuals made it worthwhile to carry on playing it through to the end. The ending, I agree was good - saw this post about the markings that you can see at the end from the previous subject - might be of interest to you: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=175552. Glad you enjoyed it, I played the game on the 360, although it got a bit repetitive the visuals made it worthwhile to carry on playing it through to the end. The ending, I agree was good - saw this post about the markings that you can see at the end from the previous subject - might be of interest to you: http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=175552.

]]> By: Andrew Armstrong http://aarmstrong.org/journal/2008/05/29/diamonds-in-the-rough-the-assassin-altair#comment-95 Andrew Armstrong Fri, 30 May 2008 12:36:12 +0000 http://www.aarmstrong.org/?p=146#comment-95 I think with this Assassin Brotherhood it's the other way around - the Brotherhood falls because of Altair's and the other assassin's own undying loyalty to their master! They take it upon themselves to work towards peace - indiscriminately killing targets for money would require arrogance, perhaps, but certainly would at least require a lack of empathy. His conviction perhaps got his skill to the level it was at when the game begins, but he doesn't know how to use all his skills, just like the player doesn't. However, since they strive with their creed to get to a level of stability and peace, it could be given that Altair and the Assassins only survived due to diligence and doubt (A conversation after target 7 or so was about this). He still has the conviction that killing the targets is the right thing to do, but wonders why he is not told all the information, which is clear right at the end. And since he's now the master, Altair, like the master before him, doesn't need to personally assassinate, hehe :D You're probably right, Altair will probably not be the focus of the next game. A shame, the story kind of just "ended" with no real epilogue, but then again the world really wasn't open - it was pretty empty, so unlike GTA, there is no reason to stay in it after the final mission. But there must have been some way for him to procreate and, you know, keep the Brotherhood going. :) Certainly some more meters and RPG-like elements would benefit the gameplay. Not sure about belief or confidence however. I think with this Assassin Brotherhood it’s the other way around - the Brotherhood falls because of Altair’s and the other assassin’s own undying loyalty to their master! They take it upon themselves to work towards peace - indiscriminately killing targets for money would require arrogance, perhaps, but certainly would at least require a lack of empathy.

His conviction perhaps got his skill to the level it was at when the game begins, but he doesn’t know how to use all his skills, just like the player doesn’t.

However, since they strive with their creed to get to a level of stability and peace, it could be given that Altair and the Assassins only survived due to diligence and doubt (A conversation after target 7 or so was about this). He still has the conviction that killing the targets is the right thing to do, but wonders why he is not told all the information, which is clear right at the end.

And since he’s now the master, Altair, like the master before him, doesn’t need to personally assassinate, hehe :D

You’re probably right, Altair will probably not be the focus of the next game. A shame, the story kind of just “ended” with no real epilogue, but then again the world really wasn’t open - it was pretty empty, so unlike GTA, there is no reason to stay in it after the final mission. But there must have been some way for him to procreate and, you know, keep the Brotherhood going. :)

Certainly some more meters and RPG-like elements would benefit the gameplay. Not sure about belief or confidence however.

]]> By: Corvus http://aarmstrong.org/journal/2008/05/29/diamonds-in-the-rough-the-assassin-altair#comment-94 Corvus Fri, 30 May 2008 10:22:00 +0000 http://www.aarmstrong.org/?p=146#comment-94 Altair's arrogance is exactly what led him to be such a great assassin in the first place (until his juvenile bungling of that first mission in the game). A total lack of empathy must be a handy personality flaw for an assassin. Now that's he's gained some perspective, he likely won't so effective. I suspect the next game will not focus on Altair, but another historic era. It's too bad because I feel that some of the design issues with the first game could be addressed quite nicely wrapped in "belief" or "confidence" mechanic. Altair’s arrogance is exactly what led him to be such a great assassin in the first place (until his juvenile bungling of that first mission in the game). A total lack of empathy must be a handy personality flaw for an assassin.

Now that’s he’s gained some perspective, he likely won’t so effective.

I suspect the next game will not focus on Altair, but another historic era. It’s too bad because I feel that some of the design issues with the first game could be addressed quite nicely wrapped in “belief” or “confidence” mechanic.

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