Assassin's Creed Rogue Remastered, our review

Assassin's Creed Rogue Remastered is back in a completely new version, the seventh installment of the iconic Ubisoft series.

Version tested: PlayStation 4

It was "far away" 2014, and, while new generation console owners rushed to buy the battered Assassin's Creed Unity, Assassin's Creed Rogue was released under the counter for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. Just under four years later, Ubisoft has launched Assassin's Creed Rogue Remastered for Playstation 4 and Xbox One.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, Assassin's Creed Unity was (unfairly) mistreated by the community. This event earned Assassin's Creed Rogue points, which was only supposed to be a chapter greeting the seventh generation.

Without substantial changes compared to its predecessor, Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag, Assassin's Creed Rogue presented itself to the public with a gameplay identical to the sixth chapter; just a few improvements were present, which made it the name “Black Flag 2.0”.

Despite this, it garnered a fair consensus, so much so as to allow Ubisoft to develop a PC version, which came out a few months later. Today, therefore, it is finally present on all available platforms, with the exception of Nintendo ones.

From prey to hunter.

Set between the events of Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag, Assassin's Creed III and Assassin's Creed Unity, Assassin's Creed Rogue Remastered immerses us in the role of Shay Patrick Cormac. Shay Patrick Cormac is a very young assassin who recently joined the brotherhood in America led by mentor Achille Davenport, through his close childhood friend Liam.

After various vicissitudes, Shay will realize that he does not share the same ideals of the brotherhood, and will betray her. This is the pivotal event of Shay's change, which will take place in a mission charged with drama. From here, our now former Assassin will be constantly hunted by his old brethren. After a short period of escape, he will come into contact with the American Templar colony, led by an old acquaintance of the series.

Not only that, in his path as a Templar we will have the opportunity to meet other characters from previous chapters, both as allies and as opponents. Everything will end with a final mission that will leave even the most reluctant to open their mouths; above all it will do so for the way in which it connects to another chapter, of which I do not mention in order not to reveal and spoil the surprise effect.

A wild world.

Assassin's Creed Rogue Remastered is set in colonial America in the mid-1700s. We will have the opportunity to fully visit New York, before the fire and then before the ruins seen in Assassin's Creed III. It will also be possible to explore the river valley - therefore cities and settlements such as Albany - and the North Atlantic.

The settings are very beautiful and well cared for, ranging from the lush vegetation of the rivers area to the cold ice and snow of the islands scattered in the ocean. The glance is very beautiful, and the environmental diversity of the various places will never give an overwhelming and annoying effect to Deja Vù.

A stupendous job has been carried out in the river valley, as, at least in reality, it occupies a very large area, extending especially far north. For this, although Rogue does not present maps in 1: 1 scale, this factor has been taken into account. In fact, in the same macro area there will be large climatic and environmental differences, making it in all respects a harlequin of colors and climates.

A committed Templar.

Fortunately, Assassin's Creed Rogue Remastered maps aren't just beautiful boxes with no content. The world is not empty, it is, on the contrary, more alive than ever. In fact, between collecting the collectibles and opening the chests, Shay will be engaged in other secondary activities so overwhelming that they forget the main mission to follow.

In fact, we will have the opportunity to restore premises, monuments and activities to increase the influence of our Templar in the game world. This mechanic will obviously benefit gameplay, and it will not be just an end in itself.

In addition to this, the various side quests will require the interception and elimination of Assassins through diversified and never similar missions. Other activities will require the exploration of various areas of the game and / or the gathering of certain objects to finally give a special and unique armor to the player.

Treasure chests will be scattered around the map and with no radar indicator. Therefore, only the skill and flair of the player will be able to decipher the coordinates and position of the object.

Last but not least, we find the mechanics behind the territorial supremacy of the brotherhood in America. Behind a careful choice of gameplay, there is the solid foundation resting on the embryonic expansion of the Order in America. In fact, Shay finds himself involved in the creation and capillarization of the Templars in the colonies. Before that, the territory was completely in the hands of the Assassins, natives of those lands. Therefore, their presence on the ground will be much larger than it seems, and, like weeds, Shay will have the thankless task of halving their ranks.

For this, outposts and forts will be eliminated, and Shay will be able to benefit from this by reducing the number of guards in circulation and unlocking buildings to renovate.

A failed pirate.

In addition to the beautiful exploration by land, fortunately, also in this chapter, it will be possible to sail extensively by sea and take part in naval combat whose base is taken and improved by the previous title.

Our ship, the Morrigan, will be upgradeable in the same way it was possible with the late Jackdaw. The materials will be obtainable through the fleet missions (now offline), through naval battles and through timed events that will be available randomly for the map.

Plus point for legendary battles, improved version of legendary ships. These, unlike the simplistic style of Rogue's gameplay, offer a real level of challenge that is not indifferent and it will not be possible to complete them with a very en passant approach.

Also nice is the addition of counter-raids, which offer variety in battles and will leave nothing for granted.

Un remastered templar.

On a technical level, Assassin's Creed Rogue Remastered offers a considerable technical sector. Surely the excellent AnvilNext continues to look good, as seen in his recent roles in Unity, Syndicate and Origins. Environments, colors, polygons, textures are very accurate, especially if we consider the period of the title itself. In fact, I remember that it basically shares the same assets as Assassin's Creed III and Assassin's Creed IV Black Flag. Therefore, considering the reference year 2012, it was certainly a step forward for the technology of that time. Obviously, to date it would not stand up to the graphic comparison with Assassin's Creed Origins, but, at the same time, it is not at all to be thrown away as the Playstation 4 version corresponds to a PC version with all settings set to Ultra and locked at 30 frames. per second.

On the sore side, unfortunately the commands are rather woody, also thanks to a parkour that does not respond completely and instantly to the given input. This, added to a non-cutting-edge combat system and set on simple button smashing, could create situations of boredom and frustration.

On the other hand, the wonderful music created by Ubisoft, which is spot on for every situation and always postpones that sense of melancholy, drama and sadness that enter the heart and never leave it. The ambient sounds are also very precise and respond perfectly with Shay's behavior; you want me to step into a puddle, you want me to pass in a bush, every time the sound returned is perfect and punctual.

Conclusions.

Assassin's Creed Rogue Remastered is definitely a good product, offering improved stability over its older generation counterpart. In addition, the artistic sector is of very high quality, a symbol of Ubisoft that knows how to make video games and knows what it wants to offer to the public.

Surely, for those who have played the old version, unless they want to dive into the past, the purchase is not recommended. For those who want to complete the franchise or want to relive the deeds of the most controversial character in the series, the purchase is not only recommended but I would personally consider it a must.