"Handheld gaming will be liberated."

Developer: Ubisoft Sofia

Publisher: Ubisoft

Platform: PlayStation Vita

Genre: 1-Player Action, Multiplayer

Release Date: October 30, 2012

Assassin's Creed III: Liberation was meant for the PlayStation Vita as it is appropriately making use of its dual touchpads, motion detection, and built in camera. Little has been said about how the PlayStation Vita's capabilities will be used but we do know the dual touchpads will be used for a more precise way to pickpocket an unsuspecting victim. Motion detection will perhaps be used to steer canoes and/or a horse and wagon while an imagination can only dream of ways the camera will be used. Multiplayer has been confirmed with little detail but will be specific to the Vita's capabilities.

The first thing you are going to notice about this game is that, unlike previous games, the protagonist is female. Her name: Aveline De Grandpŕe. The official Assassin's Creed Website gives a nice breakdown of Aveline's background, skills, and weaponry. Aveline was born in New Orleans to a wealthy French merchant and his African bride. This allows her to be influential with her resources when joining the Assassin Brotherhood in 1759. She joins the brotherhood after being recruited by Agate, the leader of the New Orleans Assassins. He is an escaped slave who plays the part of mentor to Aveline. Agate seems to be an important character in the game, however, little has been revealed about him or other major characters in the game.



Silent but deadly.

There is an abundance of information about the history behind Assassin's Creed III: Liberation and the corresponding setting. The game is set in New Orleans between the years 1765 and 1780 from the end of the French and Indian War up to the American Revolution. Aveline fights for the freedom of herself and fellow citizens as Spanish forces are attempting to take control of Louisiana. This is a new and unique angle, says Game Informer, as New Orleans was not a part of the original 13 colonies. This allows for a view of an outsider looking in and a different look at American history.

If you've played other Assassin's Creed games combat in Assassin's Creed III: Liberation should feel familiar; button options, targeting enemies, and weapons will be similar. Beyond the newness of a female protagonist, Aveline also has her own unique weapons. A blowpipe provides a silent, long range kill, and a sugarcane machete makes for an excellent weapon in close combat. In typical Assassin's Creed fashion Aveline is also armed with a set of hidden blades and Ubisoft affirms the use of muskets, grenades, and swords.





As in previous Assassin's Creed games the protagonist runs along rooftops and leaps across buildings. What makes Assassin's Creed III: Liberation even more appealing is the surrounding environments of New Orleans. Aveline will maneuver a carriage through streets of rubble, swing through the trees of the Louisiana Bayou, swim through murky voodoo swamps, and explore Mayan ruins in search of treasure. While partaking in such adventure Aveline will confront (or avoid) New Orleans smugglers, vagrants, and even alligators waiting for their next meal. All of this equates for a lot of exploration, on a large map, with Ubisoft promising next to nothing for loading.

Clearly the excitement for this game is not that of the frenzy behind Assassin's Creed III. Nevertheless, there is a lot of expectation for its success. Assassin's Creed III: Liberation received 18 E3 awards and nominations and has been hailed the best hand held game. It's being released the same day as Assassin's Creed III and can be purchased, as a bundle, with a special edition white PlayStation Vita.

Megan Bethke, NoobFeed.

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