Not Bad But I Don't think this really belongs to the AC Series
Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia is a cool side-scrolling adventure set in a snowy Russia. You play as Nikolai Orelov, a disillusioned Assassin on his last mission. The sneaking mechanics are fun, and navigating the beautifully rendered, war-torn palaces is a challenge. However, messing up can mean instant restarts, which can get frustrating, and the story is a bit forgettable compared to the main Assassin's Creed games. Still, for a dose of snowy thrills and classic assassin action, Chronicles: Russia is worth checking out, especially if you like a challenge.
Assassin's Creed Chronicles Russia is one of three 2.5D side scrollers, the game follows assassin Nikolai Orelov during 20th-century Soviet Russia, in the aftermath of the October Revolution of 1917. Just like Chronicles China and India the game is fun as it offers a different playstyle from the traditional Assassin Creed game. It's not a long game which definitely helps as it is fun but also get kind of boring pretty quick. I liked this game a lot less than the previous two as I would have much rather seen this era and region be a bigger open world title, the concept of an modern day Assassin's Creed has always intrigued me
60/100
60/100
Events of the final chapter. The plot unfolds in Russia, which has survived the revolution. The cutscenes are still in the form of cheap sketches. The characters are still talking and doing nonsense. They tried to dilute the gameplay by letting us play as an additional character. And they combined all the developments from the previous parts. The graphics are the same. You can appreciate what Moscow was like before Sabyanin. For fans of the series. 6.5/10
Просто неописуемый кал, последние уровни это что-то на уровне с пыткой, разрабы молодцы что больше не выпускали подобное уёбища игровой индустрии, ГОЙДА
Рот ебал этого танка
Divertidinho mas broxante, experiência parecida com a dos outros dois e chatinha igual.
Third part of new perspective of AC. The setting is good. Could fit even for a big game
neat
I enjoy these 2.5D games, just not as much as the mainline series. They do fill some holes in, and the stories are interesting. I am not as into this style of game, Mark of the Ninja was my first of this kind, but they are fun little inbetween games.
Despite the cool setting and stylish presentation, Ass Creed Russia is an absolute disaster on the gameplay front, to the point it's nothing but a frustrating trial and error experience from start to finish.
An unholy marriage of slow, unresponsive controls and timed sequences calibrated to the fraction of a second, the result is that even the slightest mistake will prompt a restart of an entire section. Especially egregious are segments where you have to catch a train, or a truck, or escape from a chasing vehicle, which are so punitive in their demand for perfection that you can be expected to try them over and over and over again until you finally do everything without the slightest mistake: get stuck for the briefest of moment on geometry while trying to vauilt over a box and it's back to the start for you. There is no sense of accomplishment when succeeding, only irritation.
The rest of the game is fairly pedestrian stealth puzzles you have seen man times before, only these are worse: here too there is only one possible solution in most cases and you have to keep failing and trying again until you figure it out and get it right. Or... you can just exploit the overabundance of rifle ammunition to just skip the tedium and just blast enemies in the face from a mile away, with all that's suffering from that being your score and the unlocking of upgrades you don't need.
The story is ludicrous, with the Bolshevik revolutionaries hilariously being a front for the templars (prompting the question if the Tzar is in his turn a front for the Assassins), and with the revolution setting in motion a Disney-esque plot involving Anastasia, now possessed by the Chinese assassin lady from a previous spinoff. It's bad, and even worse when you realize that all the guards in the game, Bolshevik or Assassin, keep repeating the same three conversations to the point of literal nausea. You will be sick to your core of hearing about how their family is "coping with the holes in the roof" or how "the smaller states have declared independence but Estonia want to remain closer" or "your hometown, isn't that where the anti-Bolsheviks are located?" How hard could it possibly have been to record a dozen conversations, instead of looping the same three over and over for the entire game?
There is some fun to be had in Ass Creed Russia if you manage to look past the mountain of flaws the game has and learn its levels by heart, compensating for its clunky mechanics to the point of perfection, but really, who would want to do that, aside from the most compulsive of achievement addicts?
An unholy marriage of slow, unresponsive controls and timed sequences calibrated to the fraction of a second, the result is that even the slightest mistake will prompt a restart of an entire section. Especially egregious are segments where you have to catch a train, or a truck, or escape from a chasing vehicle, which are so punitive in their demand for perfection that you can be expected to try them over and over and over again until you finally do everything without the slightest mistake: get stuck for the briefest of moment on geometry while trying to vauilt over a box and it's back to the start for you. There is no sense of accomplishment when succeeding, only irritation.
The rest of the game is fairly pedestrian stealth puzzles you have seen man times before, only these are worse: here too there is only one possible solution in most cases and you have to keep failing and trying again until you figure it out and get it right. Or... you can just exploit the overabundance of rifle ammunition to just skip the tedium and just blast enemies in the face from a mile away, with all that's suffering from that being your score and the unlocking of upgrades you don't need.
The story is ludicrous, with the Bolshevik revolutionaries hilariously being a front for the templars (prompting the question if the Tzar is in his turn a front for the Assassins), and with the revolution setting in motion a Disney-esque plot involving Anastasia, now possessed by the Chinese assassin lady from a previous spinoff. It's bad, and even worse when you realize that all the guards in the game, Bolshevik or Assassin, keep repeating the same three conversations to the point of literal nausea. You will be sick to your core of hearing about how their family is "coping with the holes in the roof" or how "the smaller states have declared independence but Estonia want to remain closer" or "your hometown, isn't that where the anti-Bolsheviks are located?" How hard could it possibly have been to record a dozen conversations, instead of looping the same three over and over for the entire game?
There is some fun to be had in Ass Creed Russia if you manage to look past the mountain of flaws the game has and learn its levels by heart, compensating for its clunky mechanics to the point of perfection, but really, who would want to do that, aside from the most compulsive of achievement addicts?
Fundamentally the same basic game as the previous Chronicles games but done right. Russia understands that limitations are much healthier for the gameplay here and so splits our time between Nikolai Orelov, an aged Russian Assassin who uses a gadget gun to sneak around stuff, and the Tsarina Anastasia, who gets some fancy magic powers to use. The ending gets a bit frustrating, but the journey there is worth it.
this fucking piece of wasted gigabytes is the literal worst game i had the displeasure of playing, if killing Daniel Cross in ac 3 wasn't enough, they had to chop down nikolai's character as well, fuck whoever thought it was a good idea to give a man that stood up WITH THE FUCKING CZAR OF RUSSIA IN A FISTFIGHT 2 FUCKING LIFE BARS
É mais divertido do que eu gostaria, ainda assim é fraco para o que se propõe.
Definitivamente um dos jogos já feitos
O mais fraco dos 3 chronicles
Esse é o pior da triologia, que jogo ruim. Para esse jogo não funcionou o assassino comunista.
An intriguing part of history, that is a shame got turned into a side scroller for assassin’s Creed.
Divertido e simples. Recomendo para quem curte a Lore da franquia
Obs: não tenho dados do tempo que levei pra zerar e platinar
Obs: não tenho dados do tempo que levei pra zerar e platinar
It's really not good and i dont like the mechanics they implemented in any of these games the idea was there but the execution was just so poor!
what the fuck.
This review contains spoilers
PT // English Review
''Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Rússia - Uma Fascinante Mistura de História e Ação Furtiva"
A conclusão da sub-série Chronicles em Assassin's Creed chegou, suscitando a pergunta: é um encerramento adequado ou apenas mais do mesmo? Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Rússia nos leva ao mundo da plataforma/ação 2.5D, proporcionando uma experiência de jogo única no contexto histórico da Revolução Bolchevique na Rússia de 1918, logo após a Primeira Guerra Mundial. Esta edição destaca-se por várias razões, tornando-a a minha favorita entre as três.
Uma das principais fortalezas reside na escolha temática da Rússia durante um momento histórico crucial. A estética séria do jogo, reminiscente da propaganda soviética clássica, adiciona uma camada de autenticidade à experiência. A narrativa se desenrola no caos pós-guerra, imergindo os jogadores nos eventos tumultuados da época.
Os protagonistas, Nikolai e Anya, contribuem significativamente para o apelo do jogo. Esta marca a segunda ocasião na franquia em que os jogadores controlam dois protagonistas, cada um com um foco distinto – Nikolai na ação e Anya na furtividade. A divergência nos estilos de jogo, com o arsenal de Nikolai composto por um rifle, bombas de fumaça e um gancho versátil, em comparação com a abordagem mais sutil de Anya com uma faca, apito e poderes do Helix, adiciona uma dinâmica refrescante à experiência global.
Embora o design dos níveis possa não ser inovador, recria efetivamente a atmosfera da Rússia durante a Revolução Bolchevique. Navegar por cercas elétricas, faróis e vários obstáculos requer estratégia cuidadosa. A trilha sonora, um destaque, aprimora a atmosfera geral, superando seus antecessores. No entanto, a variedade de inimigos fica aquém das entradas anteriores de Chronicles.
Em termos de jogabilidade, o equilíbrio entre ação e furtividade é bem executado, tornando-o a mistura mais coesa entre os três jogos. Embora os elementos de parkour sejam impressionantes, parecem ficar um pouco em segundo plano, especialmente quando comparados à edição da Índia.
A narrativa, apesar de ser um pouco clichê, destaca-se como a mais forte entre os três jogos. Bem escrita, com personagens cativantes, a única desvantagem é a falta de desenvolvimento substancial para os 'vilões' do jogo. O 'twist' no final é intrigante, mas os antagonistas são praticamente inexistentes, uma diferença em relação à profundidade vista na China e na Índia.
Um aspecto intrigante do jogo, evitando spoilers, é sua exploração da ambiguidade moral dentro do conflito Assassinos-Templários. Desafia a noção de que os Assassinos são sempre os 'mocinhos', adicionando uma camada nuance à narrativa.
Em conclusão, Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Rússia é um notável jogo de ação/plataforma/furtividade em 2.5D. Com uma bela direção de arte, jogabilidade envolvente e uma história cativante, destaca-se como uma conclusão adequada para a sub-série. Para os fãs do universo Assassin's Creed e aqueles interessados em estudar história moderna, o jogo oferece um vislumbre fascinante dos eventos que cercam a Revolução Bolchevique e a Rússia no início do século XX.
///////
English
"Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia - A Captivating Blend of History and Stealth Action"
The conclusion of the Chronicles subseries in Assassin's Creed has arrived, prompting the question: is it a fitting ending or just more of the same? Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia takes us to the world of 2.5D platform/action, providing a unique gaming experience within the historical backdrop of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1918 Russia, right after the First World War. This installment stands out for various reasons, making it my favorite among the three.
One of the key strengths lies in the thematic choice of Russia during a pivotal historical moment. The game's serious aesthetic, reminiscent of classic Soviet propaganda, adds a layer of authenticity to the experience. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of post-war chaos, immersing players in the tumultuous events of the time.
The protagonists, Nikolai and Anya, contribute significantly to the game's appeal. This marks the second occasion in the franchise where players control two protagonists, each with a distinct focus—Nikolai on action and Anya on stealth. The divergence in gameplay styles, with Nikolai's arsenal of a rifle, smoke bombs, and a versatile hook, compared to Anya's more subtle approach with a knife, whistle, and Helix powers, adds a refreshing dynamic to the overall experience.
While the level design may not be groundbreaking, it effectively recreates the atmosphere of Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution. Navigating through electric fences, lighthouses, and various obstacles requires careful strategy. The soundtrack, a standout feature, enhances the overall ambiance, outshining its predecessors. However, the variety of enemies falls short compared to previous Chronicles entries.
In terms of gameplay, the balance between action and stealth is well-executed, making it the most cohesive blend among the three games. Although the parkour elements are impressive, they seem to take a slight backseat, especially when compared to the India installment.
The narrative, despite being somewhat cliché, emerges as the strongest among the three games. Well-written with captivating characters, the only drawback is the lack of substantial development for the game's 'villains.' The 'twist' at the end is intriguing, but the antagonists are practically nonexistent, a departure from the depth seen in China and India.
An intriguing aspect of the game, avoiding spoilers, is its exploration of the moral ambiguity within the Assassin-Templar conflict. It challenges the notion that Assassins are always the 'good guys,' adding a nuanced layer to the narrative.
In conclusion, Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia is a remarkable 2.5D action/platform/stealth game. Boasting beautiful art direction, engaging gameplay, and a compelling story, it stands as a fitting conclusion to the subseries. For fans of the Assassin's Creed universe and those interested in studying modern history, the game provides a fascinating glimpse into the events surrounding the Bolshevik Revolution and early 20th-century Russia.
''Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Rússia - Uma Fascinante Mistura de História e Ação Furtiva"
A conclusão da sub-série Chronicles em Assassin's Creed chegou, suscitando a pergunta: é um encerramento adequado ou apenas mais do mesmo? Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Rússia nos leva ao mundo da plataforma/ação 2.5D, proporcionando uma experiência de jogo única no contexto histórico da Revolução Bolchevique na Rússia de 1918, logo após a Primeira Guerra Mundial. Esta edição destaca-se por várias razões, tornando-a a minha favorita entre as três.
Uma das principais fortalezas reside na escolha temática da Rússia durante um momento histórico crucial. A estética séria do jogo, reminiscente da propaganda soviética clássica, adiciona uma camada de autenticidade à experiência. A narrativa se desenrola no caos pós-guerra, imergindo os jogadores nos eventos tumultuados da época.
Os protagonistas, Nikolai e Anya, contribuem significativamente para o apelo do jogo. Esta marca a segunda ocasião na franquia em que os jogadores controlam dois protagonistas, cada um com um foco distinto – Nikolai na ação e Anya na furtividade. A divergência nos estilos de jogo, com o arsenal de Nikolai composto por um rifle, bombas de fumaça e um gancho versátil, em comparação com a abordagem mais sutil de Anya com uma faca, apito e poderes do Helix, adiciona uma dinâmica refrescante à experiência global.
Embora o design dos níveis possa não ser inovador, recria efetivamente a atmosfera da Rússia durante a Revolução Bolchevique. Navegar por cercas elétricas, faróis e vários obstáculos requer estratégia cuidadosa. A trilha sonora, um destaque, aprimora a atmosfera geral, superando seus antecessores. No entanto, a variedade de inimigos fica aquém das entradas anteriores de Chronicles.
Em termos de jogabilidade, o equilíbrio entre ação e furtividade é bem executado, tornando-o a mistura mais coesa entre os três jogos. Embora os elementos de parkour sejam impressionantes, parecem ficar um pouco em segundo plano, especialmente quando comparados à edição da Índia.
A narrativa, apesar de ser um pouco clichê, destaca-se como a mais forte entre os três jogos. Bem escrita, com personagens cativantes, a única desvantagem é a falta de desenvolvimento substancial para os 'vilões' do jogo. O 'twist' no final é intrigante, mas os antagonistas são praticamente inexistentes, uma diferença em relação à profundidade vista na China e na Índia.
Um aspecto intrigante do jogo, evitando spoilers, é sua exploração da ambiguidade moral dentro do conflito Assassinos-Templários. Desafia a noção de que os Assassinos são sempre os 'mocinhos', adicionando uma camada nuance à narrativa.
Em conclusão, Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Rússia é um notável jogo de ação/plataforma/furtividade em 2.5D. Com uma bela direção de arte, jogabilidade envolvente e uma história cativante, destaca-se como uma conclusão adequada para a sub-série. Para os fãs do universo Assassin's Creed e aqueles interessados em estudar história moderna, o jogo oferece um vislumbre fascinante dos eventos que cercam a Revolução Bolchevique e a Rússia no início do século XX.
///////
English
"Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia - A Captivating Blend of History and Stealth Action"
The conclusion of the Chronicles subseries in Assassin's Creed has arrived, prompting the question: is it a fitting ending or just more of the same? Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia takes us to the world of 2.5D platform/action, providing a unique gaming experience within the historical backdrop of the Bolshevik Revolution in 1918 Russia, right after the First World War. This installment stands out for various reasons, making it my favorite among the three.
One of the key strengths lies in the thematic choice of Russia during a pivotal historical moment. The game's serious aesthetic, reminiscent of classic Soviet propaganda, adds a layer of authenticity to the experience. The narrative unfolds against the backdrop of post-war chaos, immersing players in the tumultuous events of the time.
The protagonists, Nikolai and Anya, contribute significantly to the game's appeal. This marks the second occasion in the franchise where players control two protagonists, each with a distinct focus—Nikolai on action and Anya on stealth. The divergence in gameplay styles, with Nikolai's arsenal of a rifle, smoke bombs, and a versatile hook, compared to Anya's more subtle approach with a knife, whistle, and Helix powers, adds a refreshing dynamic to the overall experience.
While the level design may not be groundbreaking, it effectively recreates the atmosphere of Russia during the Bolshevik Revolution. Navigating through electric fences, lighthouses, and various obstacles requires careful strategy. The soundtrack, a standout feature, enhances the overall ambiance, outshining its predecessors. However, the variety of enemies falls short compared to previous Chronicles entries.
In terms of gameplay, the balance between action and stealth is well-executed, making it the most cohesive blend among the three games. Although the parkour elements are impressive, they seem to take a slight backseat, especially when compared to the India installment.
The narrative, despite being somewhat cliché, emerges as the strongest among the three games. Well-written with captivating characters, the only drawback is the lack of substantial development for the game's 'villains.' The 'twist' at the end is intriguing, but the antagonists are practically nonexistent, a departure from the depth seen in China and India.
An intriguing aspect of the game, avoiding spoilers, is its exploration of the moral ambiguity within the Assassin-Templar conflict. It challenges the notion that Assassins are always the 'good guys,' adding a nuanced layer to the narrative.
In conclusion, Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia is a remarkable 2.5D action/platform/stealth game. Boasting beautiful art direction, engaging gameplay, and a compelling story, it stands as a fitting conclusion to the subseries. For fans of the Assassin's Creed universe and those interested in studying modern history, the game provides a fascinating glimpse into the events surrounding the Bolshevik Revolution and early 20th-century Russia.
I don't think Assassin's creed is rocking in 2.5D. Bad gameplay, good story
tem uns sistemas legais mas é ruim tambem
Well shit.
Chronicles China was such a delight to play and such a breath of fresh air after playing Revelations...
This was not.
First the good: Art style was unique, music was mostly pretty cool and the sniper sections were fun to do.
Now the bad: The voice acting in this game is one the of worst I've ever heard in a videogame. All guards sounded bored and with the same tone of voice and Nikolai's was in my opinion the worst of all. All of his cutscene performances felt like he was learning how to read out loud. Anastasia's was the only one I'd say was serviceable. The story was forgettable and predictable (they straight up copied The Last of Us in its final act). It felt unoriginal and Anastasia nor Nikolai were likeable at all. The game was way more restrictive in terms of gameplay than China and it felt repetitive and frustrating from beginning to end. Shao Jun's inclusion in this story didn't feel worthy nor necessary.
This game felt like a chore to play and didn't feel like a worthy successor to China. It helped fill in some information regarding the comic The Chain's events but other than that felt like a waste of time.
At least it was better than the DS games i guess...
4/10.
Chronicles China was such a delight to play and such a breath of fresh air after playing Revelations...
This was not.
First the good: Art style was unique, music was mostly pretty cool and the sniper sections were fun to do.
Now the bad: The voice acting in this game is one the of worst I've ever heard in a videogame. All guards sounded bored and with the same tone of voice and Nikolai's was in my opinion the worst of all. All of his cutscene performances felt like he was learning how to read out loud. Anastasia's was the only one I'd say was serviceable. The story was forgettable and predictable (they straight up copied The Last of Us in its final act). It felt unoriginal and Anastasia nor Nikolai were likeable at all. The game was way more restrictive in terms of gameplay than China and it felt repetitive and frustrating from beginning to end. Shao Jun's inclusion in this story didn't feel worthy nor necessary.
This game felt like a chore to play and didn't feel like a worthy successor to China. It helped fill in some information regarding the comic The Chain's events but other than that felt like a waste of time.
At least it was better than the DS games i guess...
4/10.
Assassin's creed chronicles as a trilogy is one of my all-time favorite entries into the AC catalog.
Understandably shunned by most mainstream fans of the series for being so radically different yet nevertheless fully within Ubisoft's wheelhouse, the games are a departure from the open-world RPG style assassin's creed games and a return to Ubisoft's roots in the prince of Persia games.
Chronicles feature 2.5D mostly linear levels, testing the player in tight counter-combat, and stealth tactics.
The trilogy concludes with Russia... and oh boy this one is tough...
The story to Russia is the most fleshed out of the three, both main characters feel fairly lifelike and the plot isn't half bad, I never played these for the story, given these games are side-stories within a larger AAA franchise I was never expecting much; but nonetheless Russia does deliver. The world and gameplay within all have a strong oppressive feeling to them which goes really well with the plot, you're on the run, everyone has betrayed you, the whole game is a mad dash to escape Russia as everything goes to hell. Both characters must find strength they didn't know they had to escape the night.
Visually this is the most striking of the three titles, the stark posterization is reminiscent of sin city and historic Russian propaganda. There's no mistaking the grey world for lazy design here, it really does look incredible, there are a small handful of repeated areas but you won't notice it at all until the final section, this game really looks gorgeous.
Finally we have to talk about the gameplay... this is where things get a bit unfortunate, Russia feels rushed to say the least. There are a handful of really great new ideas but there barely used since in this installment you spend almost the entire game getting railroaded from one linear section to the next. There's a grand total of three sections that honestly let you make choices, everywhere else you get one option and it almost always feels like the brute force way.
The problem here is Anastasia, while she is an interesting character, they made the choice of separating tools and helix with Anastasia getting the latter of the two.
Every one of her segments with the exception of the sniper escape level, feels claustrophobic.
You get one, insanely demanding path through all her levels, and it's always at least a little painful.
I've defended to the hilt that the deaths in the past two games are almost never cheap, I cannot defend this on however, many deaths really are. Far too many times you fail for reasons you cannot possibly predict or prepare for.
When you're not being railroaded (literally at several points) from timed levels, chase segments, or those unforgivable broken machine gun escapes; it's either obnoxiously tight stealth segments where you aren't even allowed to be spotted, or searchlight spam.
The few segments that do give you genuine agency are incredible, and despite how frustrating this game can be, it is all the more rewarding to beat; at least until the last mission which is a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ joke.
it's a shame because there's a lot to like here, but just as much (if not more) to be disappointed by.
Orelov's kit is really clever, they've tied everything into his sniper and included a good deal more of those sniper sections to boot, not the most interesting stuff in the world but not offensive either, and it feels cohesive so I did ultimately enjoy it all.
This is the most recent setting of any AC game so it feels appropriate to have an emphasis on guns, and it's done in a way that makes thematic sense for the assassin/templar conflict.
The emphasis on air ducts, better use of the 3d with multi-plane infiltration, and electricity allowing you to completely turn an indoor environment to your advantage; are all great additions. I just wish the game spent more time focusing on these sections, and far less on the chases, and timed crap.
Finally I have to acknowledge bugs, there are plenty in this one.
I recall virtually zero bugs in the past two titles so it's pretty baffling how common they were in this one. I found orelov's position slowly shifting inside of cover with each takedown during the train segment, likely because the train is genuinely moving (or at least some feature is included to make things like smoke move along the outside).
I also found the detection on boundaries fairly unreliable, and worst of all: enemies would frequently turn around within their pathing in seemingly unintended ways resulting in some sections being near impossible for a shadow gold run.
By the end I still did manage to complete the game on shadow gold so it does basically function, just not as smoothly as the first two installments did which is a damn shame.
On the whole Russia is the hardest to like of the three, as someone who truly enjoyed the concept of Chronicles I still found plenty to enjoy, but I'll admit I was far more frustrated than I'd ever allow myself to be with any other game of this length.
It was too short to be this inconsistent.
I can't know for sure without a good deal of research but I get the feeling this installment was rushed out, the big open ended sections of India almost certainly took more time and effort than the linear levels in Russia. There's less to design and test if you only program one solution, and less to animate if you keep locations tight. The literal train segments almost certainly saved a lot of time and effort. I don't want to believe laziness or an unreasonable deadline made this game what it is, but I find it hard to come up with a better reason for it.
So why, given all its faults, do I still recommend this game?
Truth be told I just really do love that core concept, and by the end I still do feel like I had fun despite everything. I enjoyed Chronicles as a trilogy for all its highs and lows, and feel that if you enjoy any part of chronicles you can and should enjoy all of it.
If for no other reason, I recommend this game because I think you should support this kind of game design, it's different, and worthwhile.
TLDR:
Russia is the weakest of the trilogy, but if you liked the other two, definitely still give it a try.
Understandably shunned by most mainstream fans of the series for being so radically different yet nevertheless fully within Ubisoft's wheelhouse, the games are a departure from the open-world RPG style assassin's creed games and a return to Ubisoft's roots in the prince of Persia games.
Chronicles feature 2.5D mostly linear levels, testing the player in tight counter-combat, and stealth tactics.
The trilogy concludes with Russia... and oh boy this one is tough...
The story to Russia is the most fleshed out of the three, both main characters feel fairly lifelike and the plot isn't half bad, I never played these for the story, given these games are side-stories within a larger AAA franchise I was never expecting much; but nonetheless Russia does deliver. The world and gameplay within all have a strong oppressive feeling to them which goes really well with the plot, you're on the run, everyone has betrayed you, the whole game is a mad dash to escape Russia as everything goes to hell. Both characters must find strength they didn't know they had to escape the night.
Visually this is the most striking of the three titles, the stark posterization is reminiscent of sin city and historic Russian propaganda. There's no mistaking the grey world for lazy design here, it really does look incredible, there are a small handful of repeated areas but you won't notice it at all until the final section, this game really looks gorgeous.
Finally we have to talk about the gameplay... this is where things get a bit unfortunate, Russia feels rushed to say the least. There are a handful of really great new ideas but there barely used since in this installment you spend almost the entire game getting railroaded from one linear section to the next. There's a grand total of three sections that honestly let you make choices, everywhere else you get one option and it almost always feels like the brute force way.
The problem here is Anastasia, while she is an interesting character, they made the choice of separating tools and helix with Anastasia getting the latter of the two.
Every one of her segments with the exception of the sniper escape level, feels claustrophobic.
You get one, insanely demanding path through all her levels, and it's always at least a little painful.
I've defended to the hilt that the deaths in the past two games are almost never cheap, I cannot defend this on however, many deaths really are. Far too many times you fail for reasons you cannot possibly predict or prepare for.
When you're not being railroaded (literally at several points) from timed levels, chase segments, or those unforgivable broken machine gun escapes; it's either obnoxiously tight stealth segments where you aren't even allowed to be spotted, or searchlight spam.
The few segments that do give you genuine agency are incredible, and despite how frustrating this game can be, it is all the more rewarding to beat; at least until the last mission which is a ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ joke.
it's a shame because there's a lot to like here, but just as much (if not more) to be disappointed by.
Orelov's kit is really clever, they've tied everything into his sniper and included a good deal more of those sniper sections to boot, not the most interesting stuff in the world but not offensive either, and it feels cohesive so I did ultimately enjoy it all.
This is the most recent setting of any AC game so it feels appropriate to have an emphasis on guns, and it's done in a way that makes thematic sense for the assassin/templar conflict.
The emphasis on air ducts, better use of the 3d with multi-plane infiltration, and electricity allowing you to completely turn an indoor environment to your advantage; are all great additions. I just wish the game spent more time focusing on these sections, and far less on the chases, and timed crap.
Finally I have to acknowledge bugs, there are plenty in this one.
I recall virtually zero bugs in the past two titles so it's pretty baffling how common they were in this one. I found orelov's position slowly shifting inside of cover with each takedown during the train segment, likely because the train is genuinely moving (or at least some feature is included to make things like smoke move along the outside).
I also found the detection on boundaries fairly unreliable, and worst of all: enemies would frequently turn around within their pathing in seemingly unintended ways resulting in some sections being near impossible for a shadow gold run.
By the end I still did manage to complete the game on shadow gold so it does basically function, just not as smoothly as the first two installments did which is a damn shame.
On the whole Russia is the hardest to like of the three, as someone who truly enjoyed the concept of Chronicles I still found plenty to enjoy, but I'll admit I was far more frustrated than I'd ever allow myself to be with any other game of this length.
It was too short to be this inconsistent.
I can't know for sure without a good deal of research but I get the feeling this installment was rushed out, the big open ended sections of India almost certainly took more time and effort than the linear levels in Russia. There's less to design and test if you only program one solution, and less to animate if you keep locations tight. The literal train segments almost certainly saved a lot of time and effort. I don't want to believe laziness or an unreasonable deadline made this game what it is, but I find it hard to come up with a better reason for it.
So why, given all its faults, do I still recommend this game?
Truth be told I just really do love that core concept, and by the end I still do feel like I had fun despite everything. I enjoyed Chronicles as a trilogy for all its highs and lows, and feel that if you enjoy any part of chronicles you can and should enjoy all of it.
If for no other reason, I recommend this game because I think you should support this kind of game design, it's different, and worthwhile.
TLDR:
Russia is the weakest of the trilogy, but if you liked the other two, definitely still give it a try.
So far it's better than India and that's all that matters.
the more unique looking one out of the tree but mechanically still just meh
goofy ah
Easily one of the worst games I've played. It's as if Baal or some shit cooked the developers in a big pot as the series went on.