This review contains spoilers
For some reason one of my favorite entries in the series. I think it's because of the grappling hook.
Also one who tried to be a bit more diverse, with Evie as a co-protag, her being in a relationship wit a man of color, her brother being bisexual and a trans man and a gay man being part of the plot.
All of this comes with a "BUT", though.
Evie is great BUT a lot of story missions have to be done with her brother. She also does a lot of cleaning up after the missions that her brother kind of botched and that is taking time away from a plot that could revolve around her and not him.
She has a relationship with a MoC, but that only starts at the end of the game and only when you do a sidequest that is rather annoying.
Jacob is bi but that is only something that we know because people outright asked and not really something that is really shown. Apparently, he knew about it after Roth's death but there is never a consequence to that.
He's a bit sad but that's it. Him coming to terms with who he is and who he thought he was could have been a good bonding moment with his sister but they only bicker at each other.
That he is happy to ruin shit with Roth by his side is nice and dandy and yes they kissed but that was not exactly a romantic kiss. Just because Jacob found someone to kill with, doesn't mean he sleeps with them. At least I hope it doesn't mean that...
The trans character gives the player side quests and...that's it. That's on one hand nice - no "OMG A WOMAN! IN MEN'S CLOTHING!!!" bs but also has no impact. Said character never tells us anything about him except his name and what to do next. You spend more time with Orphan Annie than him. And Orphan Annie is a cheap tactic to get me to care, so I did what I could not to.
Still kind of liked the little brat.
Damn.
Our gay antagonist feels to me like an embodiment of gay stereotypes. He's theatrical - of course he is, he is an actor and owns a theater! He got the hots for Jacob who is 19/20 during the game while roth is what? 40? 50? so yeah, gay man preying on young men is a klischee I can live without.
Before he dies he forces a kiss on Jacob because of course he does. It was creepy gay old guys do! Or something like that. I don't know.
So the gay one got buried again - because OF COURSE this is what happens! He the antagonist...!
Anyway, the Jack the Ripper DLC was nice, too not only because of the timeskip but also because you play as Evie. Would have loved to know more about what had happened between the main game and the DLC though. Also - personally, I am sick of Jack the Ripper stories :/ But that's probably just me.
The WWI part was also nice to play. Got itself in a mutt pit by presenting me Churchill as a character I can talk to though.
Queen Victorias imperialism got at least called out (only once but...oh well.). Not doing the same for Churchill feels weird.
But then again: didn't they say that Columbus was an Assassin...? Yeeaaah....at least we got to fight the pope once (and only once, but...well.)! :D
Also one who tried to be a bit more diverse, with Evie as a co-protag, her being in a relationship wit a man of color, her brother being bisexual and a trans man and a gay man being part of the plot.
All of this comes with a "BUT", though.
Evie is great BUT a lot of story missions have to be done with her brother. She also does a lot of cleaning up after the missions that her brother kind of botched and that is taking time away from a plot that could revolve around her and not him.
She has a relationship with a MoC, but that only starts at the end of the game and only when you do a sidequest that is rather annoying.
Jacob is bi but that is only something that we know because people outright asked and not really something that is really shown. Apparently, he knew about it after Roth's death but there is never a consequence to that.
He's a bit sad but that's it. Him coming to terms with who he is and who he thought he was could have been a good bonding moment with his sister but they only bicker at each other.
That he is happy to ruin shit with Roth by his side is nice and dandy and yes they kissed but that was not exactly a romantic kiss. Just because Jacob found someone to kill with, doesn't mean he sleeps with them. At least I hope it doesn't mean that...
The trans character gives the player side quests and...that's it. That's on one hand nice - no "OMG A WOMAN! IN MEN'S CLOTHING!!!" bs but also has no impact. Said character never tells us anything about him except his name and what to do next. You spend more time with Orphan Annie than him. And Orphan Annie is a cheap tactic to get me to care, so I did what I could not to.
Still kind of liked the little brat.
Damn.
Our gay antagonist feels to me like an embodiment of gay stereotypes. He's theatrical - of course he is, he is an actor and owns a theater! He got the hots for Jacob who is 19/20 during the game while roth is what? 40? 50? so yeah, gay man preying on young men is a klischee I can live without.
Before he dies he forces a kiss on Jacob because of course he does. It was creepy gay old guys do! Or something like that. I don't know.
So the gay one got buried again - because OF COURSE this is what happens! He the antagonist...!
Anyway, the Jack the Ripper DLC was nice, too not only because of the timeskip but also because you play as Evie. Would have loved to know more about what had happened between the main game and the DLC though. Also - personally, I am sick of Jack the Ripper stories :/ But that's probably just me.
The WWI part was also nice to play. Got itself in a mutt pit by presenting me Churchill as a character I can talk to though.
Queen Victorias imperialism got at least called out (only once but...oh well.). Not doing the same for Churchill feels weird.
But then again: didn't they say that Columbus was an Assassin...? Yeeaaah....at least we got to fight the pope once (and only once, but...well.)! :D