STACK Magazine November Issue 121

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GAMES
NOVEMBER 2014 JB Hi-Fi
FEATURE
046
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Strife on the
OceanWaves
U bisoft gave us a taste of it in
Assassin’s Creed III, and
dedicated a full game to it last
year with Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag.
We clearly all love the nautical aspect
of theAssassin’s Creed franchise,
so the publisher has brought it back
for one last voyage.
In Assassin’s Creed: Rogue, the action
moves to the SevenYearsWar, a
convoluted conflict between the great
European powers in the middle of the
18th century. Known by historians as the
first true world war, the warring countries
battled right across the globe.The French
and British clashed in NorthAmerica,
and this forms the backdrop to Rogue.
But just what is our obsession with
sailing ships and maritime warfare?
“I believe there are many reasons that
attribute to the excitement surrounding the
naval experience inAssassin’s Creed,”
says Karl von der Luhe, producer on Rogue.
“Firstly, it is a highly visceral experience with
peerless ocean simulation technology that
looks amazing and has real gameplay impact.
Waves that range from tiny to monstrous
completely change the navigation challenges
Weigh anchor shipmates, we’re heading back out to sea.
Assassin’s
Creed: Rogue
is out
November 18
for a seafaring vessel, with unpredictable
weather conditions keeping the
experience fresh.
“Furthermore, the combat has gameplay
depth with several different attack options
depending on scenario and player preference.
Seeing enemy ships de-masted or sinking
after unleashing a devastating broadside
is a powerful feeling that never gets old.”
With this in mind, Ubisoft decided to
conclude what is now known as the ‘North
American trilogy’ with Rogue, and set its
studio Sofia, located in Bulgaria, to the task.
“The nautical component was very well
received in both AC3 and AC4, and we are
happy to introduce a new and improved naval
experience in AC Rogue,” explains von der
Luhe. “When considering whether to include
naval in a full AC game, we need to make
sure it is true to the fantasy.
“AC Rogue is set during the SevenYears
War, which was a truly global conflict with
battles occurring on land and at sea – this
setting, combined with the fun that can be
had being aTemplar ship captain within the
icy North Atlantic, made including naval
combat in the game an easy decision.”
For the first time in the series, the French
publisher is giving gamers the opportunity
to play as aTemplar, and this will also have
advantages in the naval combat stakes.
“As aTemplar you’ll have access to
cutting edge technology of the time,”
says von der Luhe. “Your ship, the
Morrigan, is equipped with the Puckle
gun (an advanced free-aiming machine
gun of the time) and burning oil,
which can devastate pursuing ships.
Other new weapons include the front
carronades, charge ram and double round shot.”
The naval gameplay in Rogue will feature
off the East coast of Canada and will stretch
up into theArctic, too. As such, players will be
presented with a new set of challenges and
strategic options while clashing with the enemy
in these new environments to the series.
“This striking new location brings new
gameplay innovations involving ice ingredients,”
notes von der Luhe. “Icebergs form temporary
cover can be destroyed, forming ripple waves
that disrupt enemy ships. Ice sheets can be
smashed through to discover long lost locations,
and the freezing water will hurt any player
brave enough to swim through it.”
Finally, we ask the producer whether
we’ll be able to skipper more powerful ships
in the game; unleashing a broadside from
Blackbeard’s QueenAnne’s Revenge was
a memorable experience in Black Flag,
and something we want more of.
“Controlling more powerful ships will be
possible at certain moments in the storyline,”
reveals von der Luhe. “Furthermore,
with the advancedTemplar weaponry
upgrades available for the
Morrigan, the player will have
even more incentive to max out
their ship and devastate the
toughest of naval enemies.”
Unleashing a devastating
broadside is a powerful
feeling that never gets old.